Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 31

Saturday, October 31 – samedi 31 octobre
Montréal, Pierrefonds: Parc Nature Du Cap-St-Jacques
map/carte https://goo.gl/maps/TLEH1
Guide: Wayne Grubert  450-458-5498
514-774-0811 (Cell – Morning of trip only)  e-mail 


8:00 am Take Highway 40 West. Exit Chemin Ste-Marie. Turn left to Anse-à-l’Orme Road. Turn right and continue to the end. Turn right on Senneville Road (Gouin Blvd.). Continue for 2 km to the chalet d’accueil of the park. Parking: $9.00. Half day.

8 h 00 Prendre l’autoroute 40 ouest. Prendre la sortie pour le chemin Ste-Marie et tourner à gauche sur celui-ci. Continuer jusqu’au chemin de l’Anse-à-l’Orme. Tourner à droite sur celui-ci et continuer jusqu’au bout. Tourner à droite sur le chemin Senneville (boul. Gouin) et continuer sur une distance de 2 km jusqu’au chalet d’accueil du parc. Frais de stationnement : 9,00 $. Demi-journée.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Sightings For Sunday October 25

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue
Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey
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Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present at the Oak ridge sector
Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal  - Nicholas Acheson

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 24

Seventeen birders enjoyed a morning at Parc National d'Oka with a mix of sun and cloud, moderate temperatures (6-8C) and ESE winds of 15 - 30 kph.

Our morning started well with a flyby of a pair of calling Common Ravens as we waited in the parking lot for everyone to gather.

We then headed for the west beach at the end of Chemin du débarcadère where two Hudsonian Godwits had been reported and they did not disappoint. Despite some severe backlighting their distinctive silhouette and long upturned bills were very much in evidence. They were joined by six other shorebird species the most numerous being Dunlins and White-rumped Sandpipers with singles of Black-bellied Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling. In some instances these birds were arranged at very close quarters giving great side by side size comparisons. As we were leaving the area a Peregrine Falcon came winging by looking for brunch among the shorebirds but despite its best efforts went away empty "taloned". One of the shorebirds however should go buy a lottery ticket as we all thought its days/seconds were numbered. There were many "oohs" and"ahs" and "eeks" from all of us as the chase proceeded. Still not sure how it escaped. The falcon then flew over us at a binoculars optional range.

A quick visit to the main beach area produced a few more duck species along with great views of Canada Geese coming in too rest. Always a treat to watch them spilling air as they attempt to lose altitude rapidly.

From the beach the group travelled to the Sentier de La Grande Baie. There were many, many distant ducks but most will have to go unidentified due to poor lighting conditions and the usual problems of scoping from a floating boardwalk.

Thanks to all who came out for a very pleasant morning. Good birds, good company! - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of 43 species includes: Canada Geese - 1000, Wood Duck - 10, Gadwall - 100, American Wigeon - 40, American Black Duck - 2, Mallard - 100, Northern Shoveler - 2, Ring-necked Duck - 200, Greater Scaup/Lesser Scaup - 200, White-winged Scoter - 6, Bufflehead - 12, Common Goldeneye - 6, Hooded Merganser - 2, Red-breasted Merganser - 1, Ruddy Duck - 2, Pied-billed Grebe - 1, Great Blue Heron - 2, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Black-bellied Plover - 1, Semipalmated Plover - 1, Hudsonian Godwit - 2, Sanderling - 1, White-rumped Sandpiper - 10, Pectoral Sandpiper - 1, Dunlin - 36, Ring-billed Gulls - 20, Herring Gull - 1, Great Black-backed Gull - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 3, Blue Jay - 2, American Crow - 6, Common Raven - 2, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 3, American Robin - 100, European Starling - 100, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2, Dark-eyed Junco - 6, Red-winged Blackbird - 100

Bernaches du Canada - 1000, Canard branchu - 10, Canard chipeau - 100, Canard d'Amérique - 40, Canard noir - 2, Canard colvert - 100, Canard souchet - 2, Fuligule à collier - 200, Fuligule milouinan / Petit Fuligule - 200, Macreuse brune - 6, Petit Garrot - 12, Garrot à oeil d'or - 6, Harle couronné - 2, Harle huppé - 1, Érismature rousse - 2, Grèbe à bec bigarré - 1, Grand Héron - 2, Faucon pèlerin - 1, Goélands à bec cerclé - 36, Pluvier argenté - 1, Pluvier semipalmé - 1, Barge hudsonienne - 2, Bécasseau sanderling - 1, Bécasseau à croupion blanc - 10, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée - 1, Bécasseau variable 20, Goéland argenté - 1, Goélands marins - 1, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flamboyant - 1, Grand Pic - 3, Geai Bleu - 2, Corneille d'Amérique - 6, Grand Corbeau - 2, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanc - 3, Merle d'Amérique - 100, Étourneau sansonnet - 100, Paruline à croupion jaune - 2, Junco ardoisé - 6, Carouge à épaulettes - 100

Sightings for Saturday October 24

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue
Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey
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Montréal, 
Mount Royal Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present at the Oak ridge sector 
raptors: Cooper’s hawk, Merlin, Sharp-shinned hawk in the immediate area !
Several Purple Finches
Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal  
rapaces: l'Épervier de Cooper, Faucon  émerillon, Épervier brun dans la région immédiate! Plusieurs Roselin pourpré
 - Chuck Kling

Friday, October 23, 2015

Sightings for Friday October 23

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue
Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey

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Montréal, Mount Royal Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present on the Oak ridge sector of the Mount-Royal Cemetery....8 am to 9:30 am, this morning.

Also several Purple Finches, many Juncos and American Robins, Northern Cardinal and Hermit Thrush....all in the same sector.

Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal .... 8 heures-à-9:30, ce matin.

Aussi plusieurs Roselin pourpré, beaucoup de Juncos ardoisé et Merles d'Amérique, Cardinal rouge et Grive solitaire .... tous dans le même secteur.

Chuck Kling www.PBase.com/hootpix

Tomorrow's Oka Park Field Trip

Just a few items concerning tomorrow's field trip to Parc National d'Oka.

1. It seems that the rate of inflation is much higher for parks than for the general public. The fee for entrance to the park tomorrow is $7.50 per personand not the $6 we paid in the past.

2. Sometimes at this late date in the season the eastern gate to the park at the end of Highway 640 is not open as early as it should be. If this should be the case you can continue west along Highway 344 for another 6.5 km to the western entrance which is very close to our meeting spot at the Accueil du Camping.

This map (hopefully) will show the two entrances and the meeting place.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z8eXsXqxXWnk.kSGoOps8qzhA&usp=sharing

Wayne Grubert

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Sightings for Thursday October 22

Montréal, Mount Royal Cemetery: A Townsend's Solitaire in the Oakridge area, on the hill with fruit trees, and still present

Un Solitaire de Townsend dans le secteur Oakridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal, sur la butte avec les arbres fruitiers, il était seul, et encore présent - Jean-Sebastien Mayer, Etienne Artigau

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 24

Saturday 24 October – samedi 24 octobre
Parc National d’Oka
map/carte  https://goo.gl/maps/sG8gG
Guide: Wayne Grubert  450-458-5498 - 514-774-0811 (Cell – morning of trip only)  -
 e-mail

8:00 a.m. Take Hwy 13 north to Hwy 640. Go west on 640 to its intersection with Hwy 344. Cross 344 into Parc d’Oka. Proceed 6.2 km to the Accueil Camping. An entrance fee of approximately $6 will be charged. Looking for migrating passerines, raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds. Half day.

8 h 00 De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 13 nord jusqu’à l’autoroute 640. Continuer sur l’autoroute 640 ouest jusqu’à l’intersection avec l’autoroute 344. Traverser la 344 et entrer dans le Parc d’Oka. Continuer sur une distance de 6,2 km jusqu’à l’Accueil Camping. Frais d’entrée: environ 6$. Espèces recherchées :passereaux en migration, rapaces, sauvagine et limicoles. Demi-journée.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 17

Chateauguay, Ile Saint-Bernard: Temperature this morning was 3 C and raining, calm winds. The 11 birders who showed up decided to start birding, hoping that the rain would stop earlier than predicted. An hour or so later six decided to call it a day. About twenty minutes later the rest of us called it quits.

A total of 25 species were found which was not bad considering the weather and distance travelled. After the days count, Two Northern Harriers were spotted while we were finishing up our coffee.

Tufted Titmouse was the bird of the day, which was decided by the remaining 5 of us.

Thank you to those who braved the weather.

Tom Long

Canada Goose  X, Mallard  10, Long-tailed Duck  3, Bufflehead  2, Common Loon  1, Double-crested Cormorant  4, Northern Harrier  2, Lesser Yellowlegs  15, Ring-billed Gull  6, Great Black-backed Gull  3, Downy Woodpecker  3, Hairy Woodpecker  2, Merlin  1, American Crow  1, Black-capped Chickadee  15, Tufted Titmouse  1, White-breasted Nuthatch  5, Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1, American Robin  1, European Starling  6, American Tree Sparrow  20, Dark-eyed Junco  10, White-crowned Sparrow  8, Song Sparrow  6, Northern Cardinal  1

25 espèces: Bernache du Canada X, Canard colvert 10, Harelde Kakawi 3, Petit Garrot 2, Plongeon huard 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 4, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Petit Chevalier 15, Goéland à bec cerclé 6, Goéland marin 3, Pic mineur 3, Pic chevelu 2, Faucon émerillon 1, Corneille d'Amérique 1, Mésange à tête noire 15, Mésange bicolore 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 5, Roitelet à couronne rubis 1, Merle d'Amérique 1, Étourneau sansonnet 6, Bruant hudsonien 20, Junco ardoisé 10, Bruant à couronne blanche 8, Bruant chanteur 6, Cardinal rouge 1

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 17

Saturday, October 17 – samedi 17 octobre
Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard
map/carte  https://goo.gl/maps/g5spD
Guide: Tom Long   450-692-1590   e-mail

8:00 a.m. Meet at the welcome centre of the Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville on Île St-Bernard, Châteauguay. From Montreal, take Highway 138 and cross the Mercier Bridge. Stay right coming off the bridge and take Highway 138 through Kahnawake into Châteauguay. As you enter Châteauguay, turn right onto Boul. St-Francis. Follow St. Francis all the way to the end where it meets the Châteauguay River at Boulevard Salaberry Nord. Turn right onto Salaberry Nord. Continue past the railway bridge. The next bridge that crosses the road and river is Pont de la Sauvagine. Turn right just after the bridge. There will be a sign and an entrance ramp for the bridge for Beauharnois and Refuge Faunique Marquerite d’Youville. Cross the bridge and continue to Notre-Dame Nord. At the flashing red light turn right onto Notre-Dame and follow the signs to Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville. Cross the small bridge onto Île St-Bernard. The parking area is to the right. Walking trip looking for waterbirds and late migrants. The grass paths are usually wet early in the morning so wear appropriate footwear. $3.00 admission fee. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement à l’accueil du refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville, île Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay. De Montréal, prendre la route 138 et traverser le pont Mercier. A la sortie du pont, garder la droite et continuer sur la 138, passé Kahnawake, jusqu’à Châteauguay. A l’entrée de Châteauguay, tourner à droite sur le boul. St-Francis. Continuer sur celui-ci jusqu’à l’intersection avec le boul. Salaberry Nord, qui longe la rivière Châteauguay. Tourner à droite sur Salaberry nord, passer en-dessous du pont de la voie ferrée et continuer jusqu’à un deuxième pont : il s’agit du pont de la Sauvagine. Tourner à droite juste après avoir passé sous ce pont et accéder à une rampe d’accès au pont. Des indications pour le refuge faunique Marquerite-D’Youville y sont visibles. Traverser le pont et continuer jusqu’à la rue Notre-Dame Nord. Au feu rouge clignotant, tourner à droite sur Notre-Dame et suivre les indications pour le refuge. Traverser le petit pont qui mène à l’île Saint-Bernard. Le stationnement est à la droite. Excursion à pied, à la recherche d’oiseaux aquatiques et de migrateurs tardifs. Considérant que les sentiers gazonnés sont généralement humides le matin, il est conseillé de porte

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 10

22 birders attended the field trip to Laval Ouest this morning. The weather was close to perfect, sunny, a bit chilly but nice, and no wind. We visited 5 sites along the Rivières des Milles –Iles : Parc de l’Orée du Bois, Berge Camille Barbe, Berge des Goelands, Berge du Grand-Brochet et Barrage du Moulin.

The sites produced a good diversity of waterfowl and a number of other species. The Berge des Goelands was the most productive site, providing good views of a Surf Scoter, Red-necked Grebes, Blue-winged Teals and a nice flock of American Wigeons, among other.

45 species have been observed during the morning (list below).

Thanks to all for this very enjoyable field trip. - Frédéric Hareau.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 300, Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 30, Gadwall (Anas strepera) 2, American Wigeon (Anas americana) 17, American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 4, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 180, Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 8, Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) 1, Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 5, Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1, Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1, Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 14, Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 5, Great Egret (Ardea alba) 4, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1, American Coot (Fulica americana) 1, Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1, Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 2, Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 100, Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 6, Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 6, Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 80, Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1, Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1, Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1, Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6, American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10, Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 20, Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1, White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3, Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 4, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1, American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 12, European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 5, Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 2, White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2, Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 5, Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 10, Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 100, American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 12

Bernache du Canada 300, Canard branchu 30, Canard chipeau 2, Canard d'Amérique 17, Canard noir 4, Canard colvert 180, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 8, Macreuse à front blanc 1, Harle couronné 5, Grand Harle 1, Grèbe à bec bigarré 1, Grèbe jougris 2, Cormoran à aigrettes 14, Grand héron 5, Grande Aigrette 4, Urubu à tête rouge 1, Foulque d'Amérique 1, Chevalier grivelé 1, Mouette de Bonaparte 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 100, Goéland argenté 6, Goéland marin 6, Pigeon biset 80, Pic chevelu 1, Pic flamboyant 1, Grand Pic 1, Geai Bleu 6, 10 Corneille d'Amérique, Mésange à tête noire 20, Sittelle à poitrine rousse 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 3, Grimpereau brun 1, Roitelet à couronnes doré 4, Roitelet à couronne rubis 1, Merle d'Amérique 12, Étourneau sansonnet 10, Paruline à croupion jaune 5, Junco ardoisé 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Bruant chanteur 5, Cardinal rouge 3, Carouge à épaulettes 10, Quiscale bronzé 100, Chardonneret jaune 2, Moineau domestique 12

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 10

Saturday, October 10 - Samedi 10 octobre
Laval Ouest - West  map/carte 
Leader: Frédéric Hareau e-mail
514-805-8491 (cell phone on the day of the trip only –
cellulaire pour le jour de la sortie seulement)



8:00 Meet at the Esso station on service road of highway 13 North (between 440 and Dagenais Boulevard). From Highway 40, take Highway 13 North, take exit 15 and continue on the service road to the ESSO station.
We will explore different habitats in Laval West, woodlands, wetlands and bays along the rivière des Milles-Iles, Looking for dabbling and diving ducks, geese, hawks and late migrants. Half day.

8h00 Rendez-vous à la station Esso, sur la voie de service de l’autoroute 13 Nord (entre la 440 et le boulevard Dagenais) Depuis L’autoroute 40, prendre la sortie vers la 13 Nord, Prendre la sortie 15, et continuer sur la voie de service jusqu’à la station ESSO.
Nous explorerons plusieurs habitats, boisés, zones humides et baies le long de la rivière des milles Iles, à la recherche des oies, des canards plongeurs et barboteurs, des rapaces et des migrants tardifs. Demi-journée.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 3

Saturday's field trip to Ste-Martine, Mercier and rue Higgins in Chateauguay certainly felt like a fall field trip. A cool and sunny start to the day with gusty winds had the 26 participants realizing that summer truly has passed us by. We all know what lies ahead!

The day produced 40 species including some large flocks of Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbirds and European Starlings. A nice surprise was a group of 4 Wild Turkeys crossing our path as we drove from Mercier to Higgings Street. - Sheldon Harvey

Here's the species list for the day: Canada Goose 500+, Wood Duck 3, Gadwall 1, American Black Duck 2, Mallard 60, Northern Shoveler 12, Green-winged Teal 12, Hooded Merganser 1, Common Merganser 1, Wild Turkey 4, Double-crested Cormorant 8, American Bittern 1, Great Blue Heron 3, Great Egret 10, Black-crowned Night Heron 7, Cooper's Hawk 1, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 3, Spotted Sandpiper 1, Ring-billed Gull 100+, Rock Pigeon 6, Mourning Dove 6, Belted Kingfisher 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Hairy Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 2, Blue Jay 6, American Crow 4, Black-capped Chickadee 8, White-breasted Nuthatch 4, American Robin 1, European Starling 50+, Yellow-rumped Warbler 4, Song Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 2, Northern Cardinal 2, Red-winged Blackbird 200+, Common Grackle 3, American Goldfinch 12, House Sparrow 12

Bernache du Canada 500+, Canard branchu 3, Canard chipeau 1, Canard noir 2, Canard colvert 60, Canard souchet 12, Sarcelle d'hiver 12, Harle couronné 1, Grand Harle 1, Dindon sauvage 4, Cormoran à aigrettes 8, Butor d'Amérique 1, Grand Héron 3, Grande Aigrette 10, Bihoreau gris 7, Épervier de Cooper 1, Grand Chevalier 1, Petit Chevalier 3, Chevalier grilelé 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 100+, Pigeon biset 6, Tourterelle triste 6, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique 2, Pic mineur 1, Pic chevelu 3, Pic flamboyant 2, Geai Bleu 6, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Mésange à tête noire 8, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 4, Merle d'Amérique 1, Étourneau sansonnet 50+, Paruline à croupion jaune 4, Bruant Chanteur 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Cardinal rouge 2, Carouge à épaulettes 200+, Quiscale bronzé 3, Chardonneret jaune 12, Moineau domestique 12

Saturday, October 03, 2015

Sightings for Saturday October 3

Terrebonne, east-side Ruisseau de Feu reserve: Marsh wren (Troglodyte des marais)

west-side Charlemagne, near Rue Picard Blue-headed vireo, American woodcock (Vireo à tête bleue, Bécasse d'Amérique)

This latter area, adjacent the shopping centre near Rue Picard, is surprisingly good for birds; with 7 warbler (incl. black-throat blue), 3 woodpecker and 2 vireo species just in this week. - Nathan
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Beaconsfield: This morning there were about 1,000 Greater Scaup (Fuligule milouinan) on Lac St-Louis quite far out from St-James Park. The numbers we have observed have been building up: 40 on Sept.26, 200 on Oct.1. Late this afternoon there were 2 White-winged Scoters (Macreuses brunes) on the lake. - Peter Tarassoff
 
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