BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding Fiel d Trip #2 – Saturday, July 2

For our second trip of the summer we will visit a number of popular birding spots southwest of Montreal. From our meeting spot, we will drive to Leger Street in Valleyfield to look for a Tundra Swan that has been seen on the St-Charles River for the last two weeks. We will then drive to the marshes at St-Timothée, then on to the ponds at St-Etienne-de-Beauharnois. Time permitting we will drive to the dam at Ste-Martine.

DATE: Saturday, July 2, 2016
Start Time: 7:30 a.m. - Half-day driving/walking trip
Meet in the Tim Horton parking lot, 5299 boul. Hebert (Highway 132), corner of boul. Pie-XII

Google Map (Meeting spot): https://goo.gl/maps/uWzLN2EjQ4z

Driving Instructions: From the West Island take Hwy 40 or 20 west then to Autoroute 30 (toll road). Take Autoroute 30 to Autoroute 530 West-Exit 13-(Salaberry-de-Valleyfield). Take Autoroute 530 West to Exit 9 (St-Louis-de-Gonzague/boul. Pie-XII. Turn right on boul. Pie-XII. Take boul. Pie-XII to the Tim Horton parking lot at the corner of boul. Pie-XII and boul. Hebert (Highway 132).

From other areas of Montreal, take the Mercier Bridge to Highway 132. Take Highway 132 to Autoroute 30. Follow Autoroute 30 to Autoroute 530 West-Exit 13 and follow instructions above.

If you have questions, please contact me at 514-637-2141. - Sheldon Harvey

Sortie no 2 de la série d’excursions estivales samedi le 2 juillet 2016

Pour notre deuxième sortie de l’été, nous visiterons quelques endroits populaires du sud-ouest de Montréal. Du point de rendez-vous nous, nous nous dirigerons vers la rue Léger à Valleyfield pour chercher le Cygne siffleur qui a été observé sur la rivière St-Charles depuis deux semaines. Ensuite nous nous rendrons au Marais de ST-Timothée et après les étangs de St-Étienne-de-Beauharnois. Si le temps le permet nous irons au barrage de Ste-Martine.

Date : samedi le 2 juillet 2016
Heure de départ : 0730H pour une demi-journée (voiture et marche)
Rendez-vous au stationnement du Tim Horton au 5229 boul. Hébert (route 132) au coin de Pie XII

Google Map (rendez-vous): https://goo.gl/maps/uWzLN2EjQ4z

Comment s’y rendre : de l’ouest de l’Île l’autoroute 40 ou 20 et empruntez l’autoroute 30 (péage). De la 30 sortie pour la 530 ouest et ensuite empruntez la sortie 13 (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. De la 530 ouest sortie 9 (St-Louis-de-Gonzague/boul. Pie XII, tournez à droite sur boul. Pie XII. De Pie XII jusqu’au stationnement du Tim Horton au coin de boul. Hébert (132).

En provenance de d’autre direction de Montréal, empruntez le pont Mercier et la 132 jusqu’à l’autoroute 30. Suivre la 30 jusqu’à la 530 ouest sortie 13 et suivre les instructions ci-haut.

Si vous avez des questions, veuillez me contacter au : 514-637-2141

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #1 Report - Saturday, June 25

30 birders joined up this morning to kick off the 13th annual Summer Series of Birding field trips. The location was a new spot for BPQ, the Boisé du Parc Marcel-Laurin in St-Laurent. It is a wooded area located behind the St-Laurent Library on Thimens Blvd., just east of Cavendish Blvd. It's not a large park but it has a series of well kept walking trails, a small stream running through it (dry in summer) with foot bridges crossing it at several points. The city also has a number of feeder stations throughout the park that are filled during the winter months. A local birder who joined us on the trip this morning indicated to us that during the spring he was able to see a total of 20 warbler species at the park. Given the high temperature, the shade offered by the wooded trails was appreciated, making for a very pleasant walk. This spot looks like it has good potential for future visits, particularly in winter and spring - Sheldon Harvey

Here is today's species list; a total of 36 species: Great Blue Heron 5 (in flight), Great Egret 1(in flight), Killdeer 1(in flight), Ring-billed Gull 8 (in flight), Mourning Dove 1, Chimney Swift 3, Downy Woodpecker 4, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Least Flycatcher 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 1, American Crow 3, Black-capped Chickadee 15, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Robin 5, Gray Catbird 4, European Starling 8, Cedar Waxwing 10, Common Yellowthroat 1, American Redstart 12, Yellow Warbler 8, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Chipping Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 8, Northern Cardinal 4, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Red-winged Blackbird 1, Common Grackle 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, House Finch 2, American Goldfnich 10, House Sparrow 3

Grand Héron 5 (en vol), Grande Aigrette 1 (en vol), Pluvier kildir 1 (en vol), Goéland à bec cerclé 8 (en vol), Tourterelle triste 1, Martinet ramoneur 3, Pic mineur 4, Pic flaboyant 2, Grand picd 1, Pioui de l'Est 1, Moucherolle tchébec 1, Tyran huppé 1, Viréo mélodieux 3, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 1, Corneille d'Amérique 3, Mésange à tête noire 15, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Merle d'Amérique 5, Moqueur chat 4, Étourneau sansonnet 8, Jaseur d'Amérique10, Paruline masquée 1, Paruline flamboyante 12, Paruline jaune 8, Paruline à flancs marron 1, Bruant familier 1, Bruant chanteur 8, Cardinal rouged 4, Cardinal à poitrine rose 1 , Carouge à épaulettes 1, Quiscale bronzé 1, Vacher à tête brune 1, Roselin familier 2, American Goldfnich 10, Moineau dometique 3

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding – Field Trip #1 – Saturday, June 25

Our first summer field trip of the season will take us to a new location, the Boisé du Parc Marcel-Laurin in St-Laurent. This will offer everyone the opportunity to come to an easy-to-get-to, in-town location. We'll explore the extensive network of walking trails through the park that features a stream, foot-bridges, bird feeders and observation points. Here are the details:

DATE: Saturday, June 25, 2016
Start Time: 7:30 a.m. - Half-day walking trip
Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the BIBLIOTHÈQUE DU BOISÉ (LIBRARY), 2727, boulevard Thimens, St. Laurent  Free Parking
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QD4AwD76rnr
Link to a map of the park: http://tinyurl.com/h3u2mdc

Driving Instructions: From Highway 40 (Trans-Canada Highway), take either Cavendish Blvd (direction North), or boul. Marcel-Laurin (direction North) to boul. Thimens. From Cavendish Blvd., turn right on boul. Thimens. From boul. Marcel-Laurin, turn left on boul. Thimens. The parking lot is on the north side of Thimens, east of the library
Public transportation is available. From the Cote-Vertu Metro station, take bus #171 to the location.

If you have questions, please contact me at 514-637-2141.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday June 18

Today's annual Summer Solstice field trip kicked off at 5:15 am in Ormstown in southwestern Quebec. 13 birders turned out, including two new participants who drove all the way from Windsor in the eastern Townships to join in on the fun! It was a beautiful, sunny day that grew increasingly hotter as the morning went on.

We focused on 4 main areas, beginning on 3ieme rang/Gore Road in Ormstown/Hinchinbrooke; downtown Huntingdon; Montee Biggar/4ieme rang in Godmanchester; and 5 members of the group continued on to Montee Gordon in Dundee. Our total species count for the day was 82 species spread out over approximately 7 hours of birding. The birds of the day were the Golden-winged Warbler on Montee Biggar and the Upland Sandpipers on Gore Road. Thanks to all who braved the early start time. We were rewarded with some great birds.

Here is our breakdown of species, by location

3ieme rang / Gore Road Ormstown / Hinchinbrooke: Wild Turkey 2, Great Blue Heron 2, Green Heron 1, Upland Sandpiper 3, Wilson's Snipe, 1, Ring-billed Gull 12, Mourning Dove 3, Belted Kingfisher 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 3, Least Flycatcher 3, Eastern Phoebe 4, Great-crested Flycatcher 3, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 3, American Crow 4, Common Raven 2, Tree Swallow 6, Barn Swallow 4, Bank Swallow 1, Black-capped Chickadee 6, Tufted Titmouse 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, House Wren 4, Eastern Bluebird 6, Veery 4, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 2, European Starling 5, Cedar Waxwing 25, Ovenbird 6, Black and White Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 3, American Redstart 4, Yellow Warbler 6, Chipping Sparrow 4, Field Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 2, Savannah Sparrow 4, Song Sparrow 4, Scarlet Tanager 4, Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Indigo Bunting 1, Bobolink 6, Red-winged Blackbird 12, Eastern Meadowlark 2, Common Grackle 8, Brown-headed Cowbird 2, Baltimore Oriole 4, Purple Finch 1, American Goldfinch 8

Dindon sauvage 2, Grand héron 2, Héron vert 1, Bécasseau maubèche 3, Bécassine de Wilson, 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 12, Tourterelle triste 3, Martin Pêcheur d'Amerique 1, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu 2, Pic flaboyant 2, Grand pic 1, Pioui de l'Est 3, Moucherolle tchébec 3, Moucherolle phébi 4, Tyran huppé 3, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux 3, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 3, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Grand corbeau 2, Swallow bicolore 6, Hirondelle rustique 4, Hirondelle de rivage 1, Mésange à tête noire 6, Mésange bicolore 2, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1, Troglodyte familier 4, Merlebleu de l'Est 6, Grive fauve 4, Merle d'Amérique 8, Moqueur chat 2, Moqueur roux 2, étourneau sansonnet 5, Jaseur d'Amérique 25, Paruline couronnée 6, Paruline noir et blanc 3, Paruline masquée 3, Paruline flamboyante 4, Paruline jaune 6, Bruant familier 4, Bruant  des champ 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Bruant des prés 4, Tangara écarlate 4, Cardinal rouge 1, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Passerin indigo 1, Goglu des prés 6, Carouge à épaulettes 12, Sturnelle des prés 2, Quiscale bronzé 8, Vacher à tête brune 2, Oriole de Baltimore 4, Roselin pourpré 1, Chardonneret jaune 8

Huntingdon Downtown: Wood Duck 2, Rock Pigeon 20, Chimney Swift 5, House Sparrow 8

Canard branchu 2, Pigeon biset 20, Martinet ramoneur 5, Moineau domistique 8

Montee Biggar / 4ieme Rang, Godmanchester: Wood Duck 3, Mallard 5, Turkey Vulture 2, Northern Harrier 2, Cooper's Hawk 1, Broad-winged Hawk 2, Virginia Rail 1, Killdeer 6, Mourning Dove 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, American Kestrel 1, Eastern Wood-pewee 3, Alder Flycatcher 1, Least Flycatcher 3, Great-crested Flycatcher 2, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 5, American Crow 2, Tree Swallow 6, Barn Swallow 6, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Eastern Bluebird 2, Veery 4, Wood Thrush 1, American Robin 6, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 2, Cedar Waxwing 15, Ovenbird 4, Northern Waterthrush 3, Golden-winged Warbler 1, Brewster's Warbler 1, Black and White Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 5, Yellow Warbler 6, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Chipping Sparrow 2, Song Sparrow 6, Swamp Sparrow 1, Eastern Towhee 3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Bobolink 4, Red-winged Blackbird 8, Common Grackle 4, Brown-headed Cowbird 4, Baltimore Oriole 3, American Goldfinch 7

Canard branchu 3, Canard colvert 5, Urubu à tête rouge 2, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Épervier de Cooper 1, Petite Buse 2, Râle de Virginie 1, Pluvier kildir 6, Tourterelle triste 3, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Pic maculé 3, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu2, Pic flaboyant 2, Crécerelle d'Amérique 1, Pioui de l'Est 3, Moucherolle des aulnes 1, Moucherolle tchébec 3, Tyran huppé 2, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 5, Corneille d'Amérique 2, Hirondelle bicolore 6, Hirondelle rustique 6, Mésange à tête noire 3, Merlebleu de l'Est 2, Grive fauve 4, Grive des bois 1, Merle d'Amérique 6, Moqueur chat 2, Moqueur roux 2, Jaseur d'Amérique15, Paruline couronnée 4, Paruline des ruisseaux 3, Paruline à ailes dorées 1, Paruline de Brewster 1, Paruline noir et blanc 1, Paruline masquée 5, Paruline jaune 6, Paruline à flancs marron 1, Btuant familier 2, Bruant chanteur 6, Bruant des marais 1, Tohi à flancs roux 3, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Goglu des prés 4, Carouge à épaulettes 8, Quiscale bronzé 4, Vacher à tête brun 4, Oriole de Baltimore 3, Chardonneret jaune 7

Montee Gordon, Dundee: Osprey 1, Northern Harrier 1, Sedge Wren 1, Song Sparrow 4, Red-winged Blackbird 6

Balbuzard pêcheur 1, Busard Saint-Martin 1, Troglodyte à bec court 1, Bruant chanteur 4, carouge à épaulettes 6

Sightings for Saturday June 18

Baie-du-Febvre, Route Janelle - map/carte: 1 Long-tailed Jaeger / Labbe à longue queue - Jean-Francois Piche

Sightings for Friday June 17

Baie-du-Febvre, Route Janelle - map/carte: 1 Long-tailed Jaeger / Labbe à longue queue - Jonathan Roy

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday June 18

Saturday, June 18 – samedi 18 juin

Southwestern Quebec – Early Solstice Trip

Sud-ouest du Québec – Excursion du solstice d’été
MEETING SPOT https://goo.gl/maps/6TdriiVZk3S2
Guides: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 ve2shw@... Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 wgrubert@...
Cell (PLEASE use only on morning of trip) 514-774-0811

Note exceptional start time – 5:15 a.m.

5:15 a.m. Meet on 3ème rang, just off Hwy 201. From Montreal take the Mercier Bridge and follow Hwy 138 to Ormstown. Turn left on Hwy 201 to the Petro Canada Station/Tim Hortons located a few hundred meters on the right. From the West Island take Hwy 40 -20 west then take highway 30 (toll). Take 530 toward Salaberry de Valleyfield. Take exit 9 from 530. Turn left onto Boulevard Pie-XII. Continue onto Pont St. and onto Rang du 40. Turn right on 138 west, following signs for Ormstown. Turn left on Hwy 201 to the Petro Canada Station/Tim Hortons located a few hundred meters on the right. This is a driving trip; carpooling is recommended. This trip will explore some of the roads of southwestern Quebec in the Ormstown-Huntingdon area. We are starting early because some of the roads are busy and parking can be difficult. Looking for birds of the forests and of open country. Possible species include Yellow-throated Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird as well as more common passerines. Half day. There is a possibility of continuing into the early afternoon.

5h15. Rassemblement le long du 3ème rang. De Montréal, prendre le pont Mercier. Tourner à gauche sur la route 138 jusqu’à Ormstown. Tourner à gauche sur la route 201 et continuer jusqu’à la station Pétro Canada/Tim Hortons quelques centaines de mètres a la droite.. De l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 40-20 direction ouest puis l’autoroute 30 (péage). Prendre l’autoroute 530 en direction de Salaberry de Valleyfield. Prendre la sortie 9, puis tourner à gauche sur la route Pie XII. Continuer sur la Route du Pont puis sur le Rang du 40. Tourner à droite sur la route 138 et suivre les directions vers Ormstown. Tourner à gauche sur la route 201 et continuer jusqu’à la station Pétro Canada/Tim Hortons quelques centaines de mètres a la droite. Les déplacements se feront principalement en voiture. Le covoiturage est recommandé. Cette excursion permettra d’explorer certaines routes du Sud-Ouest du Québec, dans la région de Ormstown et Huntingdon. L’excursion débute tôt car certaines routes sont très achalandées et il peut être difficile d’y trouver un stationnement. À la recherche d’oiseaux forestiers et d’oiseaux d’espaces ouverts. Parmi les espèces susceptibles d’être rencontrées, notons le Viréo à gorge jaune, la Paruline à ailes dorées, le Bruant des champs, le Merlebleu de l’Est ainsi que d’autres passereaux plus communs. Demi-journée, avec possibilité de poursuivre jusqu’en début d’après-midi.

Sightings for Wednesday June 15

Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte: 1 Franklin's Gull / Mouette de Franklin, 1 Little Gull / Mouette pygmée - Sylvie Robert

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Baie-du-Febvre, Route Janelle - map/carte: 1 Long-tailed Jaeger / Labbe à longue queue, 1 Least Bittern heard at the end of route Janelle / Petit blongios entendu au bout de la route Janelle - Lyse Roberg
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Eastern Phoebe Babies before they leave their nest which they built on my horse trailer, there were 2 cowbird eggs which were removed.

Voici une photo des bébés Moucherolle phébi avant qu'ils quittent leur nit qu'ils ont bâti sur ma remorque a chevaux. Il y avait 2 œufs a Molothrus qui ont été enlevés. ‏

Sandra Auger

Baie-du-Febvre, Route Janelle - map/carte: 1 Long-tailed Jaeger / Labbe à longue queue - Roger Simard
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Godmanchester, Montée Biggar map/carte: 2 Black-billed Cuckoo Eating catterpillars on the road together / 2 Coulicou à bec noir manger des chenilles ensemble sur la route - Jesse White

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Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte: 1 Franklin's Gull / Mouette de Franklin - Tom Long

Sightings for Monday June 13

Baie-du-Febvre, Route Janelle: 1 Long-tailed Jaeger / Labbe à longue queue, 1 Red-necked Phalarope feeding in the first pond / Phalarope à bec étroit Se nourrissait dans le premier étang - Jacques Savard
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Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte: 1 Franklin's Gull, 1 Arctic Tern 1  / Mouette de Franklin, 1 Sterne arctique - Pierre Casavant

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday June 11

Twenty-seven people took a tour of some of the remaining green spaces in the St Laurent Technoparc yesterday for a little "urban birding". Skies were cloudy with a few sprinkles of rain late in the morning and temperatures were steady in the low to mid teens. Winds were light.

This area has several small tracts of forest, some scrubby sections, a few wet spots with dead trees and a good deal of manicured lawn on the grounds of all the high tech industries present.

Although this is obviously a very built up area adjacent to a major airport some interesting birds were spotted. A Great Egret did a flyover, several Green Herons were observed at close range, an American Kestrel was seen kiting over the airport grounds and a Wilson's Snipe was heard and seen briefly also in the area near the runway. A Spotted Sandpiper exhibited behavior that would suggest it had a nest in one of the landfill areas. A major surprise for the day was a flyover by an adult plumaged Common Loon. Bird of the day as voted on by the group was a beautiful male Green-winged Teal seen well at close range by everyone as it preened on a log amongst a group of Mallards. The size comparison was striking. - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of 45 species included: Canada Goose - 40 (distant flyby), 

Wood Duck - 2, Mallard - 12 ( + an additional 12 well developed ducklings), Green-winged Teal - 1, Common Loon - 1 (a flyover), Pied-billed Grebe - 1 (young bird with striped head), Great Egret - 1 (flyover), Green Heron - 5, Common Gallinule- 1 (heard), Spotted Sandpiper - 1, Wilson's Snipe - 1, Ring-billed Gull - 20, Rock Pigeon - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 4, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 4, American Kestrel - 1, Least Flycatcher - 2 heard), Great Crested Flycatcher - 2, Eastern Kingbird - 4, Warbling Vireo - 3, heard), Red-eyed Vireo - 4 (heard), American Crow - 6, Common Raven - 5, Tree Swallow - 20, Barn Swallow - 10, Black-capped Chickadee - 4, White-breasted Nuthatch - 1, Wood Thrush - 2 (heard), American Robin - 12, Gray Catbird - 4, European Starling - 60, Cedar Waxwing - 40, Common Yellowthroat - 6, American Redstart - 2, Yellow Warbler - 25, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1, Song Sparrow - 15, Swamp Sparrow - 1 (heard), Northern Cardinal - 3, Red-winged Blackbird - 40, Common Grackle - 12, Baltimore Oriole - 2, House Finch - 1, American Goldfinch - 30

Bernache du Canada - 40, Canard branchu - 2, Canard colvert - 12 (+ 12 canetons bien développés), Sarcelle d'hiver - 1, Plongeon haurd - 1 (en vol), Grèbe à bec bigarré - 1 (jeune oiseau à tête rayée), Grande Aigrette - 1 (en vol), Héron vert - 5, Gallinule à poule-d'eau- 1 (entendu), Chevalier grivelé - 1, Bécassine de Wilson - 1, Goéland à bec cerclé - 20, Pigeon biset - 1, Pic mineur - 4, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flaboyant- 4, Crécerelle d'Amérique - 1, Moucherolle tchébec - 2 entendu), Tyran huppé - 2, Tyran tritri - 4, Viréo mélodieux - 3, entendu), Viréo aux yeux rouges - 4 (entendu), Corneille d'Amérique - Grand Corbeau - 5, Hirondelle biclore - 20, Hirondelle rustique - 10, Mésange à tête noire - 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 1, Grive des bois - 2 (entendu), Merle d'Amérique - 12, Moqueur chat - 4, Étourneau sansonnet - 60, Jaseur d'Amérique - 40, paruline masquée - 6, Paruline flamboyante - 2, Paruline jaune - 25, Paruline à flancs marron - 1, Bruant chanteur - 15, Bruant des marais - 1 (entendu), Cardinal rouge - 3, Carouge à épaulettes - 40, Quiscale bronzé - 12, Oriole de Baltimore - 2, Roselin familier - 1, Chardonneret jaune - 30

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday June 11

Saturday, June 11, – Urban Birding at the St-Laurent Technoparc
Time: 7:30 a.m. – Half-day – Combination walking/driving trip – Leaders: Sheldon Harvey & Wayne Grubert

Meeting Spot: The Hospira Canada building parking lot at 2600 boul. Alfred-Nobel, St-Laurent in the Technoparc off Highway 40 (Trans-Canada Highway), south-side between Hymus Blvd. and Highway 13.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/sHw2wBo9eG62

Driving Instructions: Coming from the east take Exit 60 off of Highway 40 and stay on the service road, following the signs for Hymus Blvd/Henri-Bourassa. Follow the signs for Hymus Blvd. Stay left on to Hymus Blvd, crossing over Highway 40. Once across the highway, look for a sign indicating “Technoparc” and take the ramp on the right. It will loop around and bring you to a traffic light. Continue through the traffic light on to Alfred Nobel Blvd. The Hospira Canada building will be the first building on the right.

Coming from the west take Exit 58 off of Highway 40. Stay on the service road, passing Tim Hortons and the Portovino restaurant. Watch for the sign for “Technoparc-boul. Alfred-Nobel” on the right. Veer right off the service road. Continue to the traffic lights at Hymus Blvd. Turn left on Hymus Blvd. and follow to boul. Alfred-Nobel. Veer right on to Alfred-Nobel. The Hospira Canada building will be the first building on the right.

For more information call Sheldon at 514-637-2141

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday June 4

Yesterday's field trip to the Alfred Kelly Reserve north of Montreal was attended by thirteen people who were greeted by blue skies, warm temperatures and our very amiable guide, Marc Boudreau, representing the CRPF (Comité régional pour la protection des falaises). Marc was very knowledgeable about the reserve in general and the Peregrine Falcons in particular. He volunteers on the trails as well as on the P'tit Train du Nord bike paths and at the information center in the Gare de Prévost. Of particular interest to us was his knowledge of the habits of the Peregrine Falcons over the past several years and in particular the whereabouts of the nest this year. We would never have seen it without his help. He also knew where their favourite perches were located which helped him find the adults for us.

A big thank you to Marc for volunteering his time to show us around. For those on the trip, Marc made a point of emailing me and asked that I express how much he enjoyed the outing with our group and offering to come with us again in the future.

As far as the birds were concerned our sightings were surprisingly limited for an early June outing. A total of only 39 species were seen or heard by the group. Highlights were Indigo Buntings (male and female - this latter surprising many people by her drabness) and close views of Magnolia Warblers and Alder Flycatchers actually in Alder bushes.

But the birds of the day were most certainly the Peregrine Falcons - 2 adults and 3 young (there are apparently 4 but we saw no more than 3 at one time) in their awkward teenage phase as they still have some downy feathers but are starting to grow their proper wing feathers. At on point a group of 9 Turkey Vultures started soaring a little too close to the falcon nest and the parent falcons put on quite a show as they dove and harassed the vultures until they left the area. The vultures were no slouches either when it came to their abilities to manoeuver as they avoided the agitated falcons. This interaction continued for several minutes high above us near the cliff face.

Of non-avian interest was an unexpected lack of black flies and mosquitoes. After all, this was early June in the Laurentians, where and when we usually expect to give our annual blood donation. Insect repellant was not even needed. Could there be a correlation with the lack of songbirds? Dragonflies, however, were in good supply. - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of bird 39 species includes - Mallard - 1, Ruffed Grouse - 1, Turkey Vultures - 9, Red-shouldered Hawk - 1, Broad-winged Hawk - 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 1, Peregrine Falcons - 5 - 2 adults, 3 young, Alder Flycatcher - 3, Warbling Vireo - 2, Red-eyed Vireo - 12, Blue Jay - 6, American Crow - 12, Common Raven - 2, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1, Veery - 2, American Robin - 4, European Starling - 2, Cedar Waxwing - 4, Ovenbird - 3, Black-and-white Warbler - 2, Nashville Warbler - 1, Common Yellowthroat - 1, Magnolia Warbler - 3, Yellow Warbler - 1, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2, Black-throated Blue Warbler - 3, Chipping Sparrow - 1, Song Sparrow - 3, Northern Cardinal - 2, Indigo Bunting - 3, Red-winged Blackbird - 2, Pine Siskin - 1, American Goldfinch - 12
Canard colvert - 1, Gélinotte huppée - 1, Urubu à tête rouge - 9, Buse à épaulettes - 1, Petite Buse - 3, Colibri à gorge rubis - 2, Pic maculé - 2, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flaboyant - 1, Grand pic - 1, Faucon pèlerin - 5 - 2 adultes, 3 jeunes, Moucherolle des aulnes - 3, Viréo mélodieux - 2, Viréo aux yeux rouges - 12, Geai bleu - 6, Corneille d'Amérique - 12, Grand corbeau - 2, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine rousse - 1, Grive fauve - 2, Merle d'Amérique - 4, Étourneau sansonnet - 2, Jaseur d'Amérique- 4, Paruline couronnée - 3, Paruline Noir et blanc - 2 , Paruline à joues grise - 1, Paruline masquée - 1, Paruline à à tête cendrée - 3, Paruline jaune - 1, Paruline à flancs marron - 2, Paruline bleue - 3, Bruant familier - 1, Bruant chanteur - 3, Cardinal rouge - 2 , Passerin indigo - 3, Carouge à épaulettes - 2, Tarin des pins - 1, Chardonneret jaune

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday June 4

Saturday, June 4 – samedi 4 juin 

Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve at Prévost/Piedmont
map/carte http://goo.gl/nzhUq
Guide: TBA

8:00 a.m. Meet at La Gare de Prévost which is located at 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost. Take Autoroute 15 north in the direction of St- Jerome; take the right fork in St-Jerome on Autoroute des Laurentides Ouest which in 2 km becomes Boulevard du Curé-Labelle/QC-117 N; in about another 7 km in Prévost turn right on Rue de la Station (signed for Saint-Hippolyte) and you will find the station in less than 100 metres. Looking for raptors (hopefully Peregrine Falcons), warblers and other Laurentian Forest species in the new Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve which you have read about in recent editions of The Song Sparrow newsletter. Half day.

8h00. Rassemblement à la gare de Prévost, qui est située au 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost.. Prendre l’autoroute 15 Nord en direction de St-Jérôme. A la bifurcation de St-Jérôme, prendre la voie de droite sur l’autoroute des Laurentides Ouest qui, après 2 km, devient le Boulevard Curé-Labelle/QC-117 N; après 7 km, tourner à droite dans Prévost sur la Rue de la Station (direction Saint-Hippolyte), la gare est située à moins de 100 mètres. À la recherche des oiseaux de proie (avec optimisme le faucon pélerin), des parulines et autres espèces de la forêt laurentienne dans la nouvelle réserve naturelle Alfred Kelly, qui a récemment fait l’objet d’articles dans le bulletin Songsparrow. Demi- journée.