Sightings for Monday August 16th

Lac des Deux-Montagnes, Ste-Marthe: At lunchtime, a short visit to parc de la Frayère (this one located in Ste-Marthe) allowed me to see some shorebirds: A Baird's Sandpiper (medium size, black legs, the top of the breast buff, long wings) and a Short-billed Dowitcher. Also, Killdeer (2), Spotted Sandpiper (2), Least Sandpipers (4).


Sur l'heure du midi, une courte visite au parc de la Frayère (celui situé à Ste-Marthe) m'a permis de voir quelques limicoles: Un Bécasseau de Baird (taille moyenne, pattes noires, le haut de la poitrine chamois, ailes longues) et un Bécassin roux. Aussi, Pluviers kildirs (2), Chevaliers grivelés (2), Bécasseaux minuscules (4). - Jean-Claude Charbonneau

Sightings for Sunday August 15th

Montmagny: Near the Falls of Montmagny, a Stilt Sandpiper and a Wilson's Phalarope . We also saw a Northern mockingbird, which flew across the street in front of our car. At 698 Route 132, just west of Montmagny.


Près de la chute de Montmagny, un Bécasseau à échasses et un Phalarope de Wilson. Nous avons également observé un Moqueur polyglotte qui a traversé la rue en vol devant notre auto. Ça se passait au 698, route 132, un peu à l’ouest de Montmagny. - Laval Roy

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series 2010" - Trip #8 Report

Yesterday's partially cloudy skies and an almost continuous breeze was a welcomed relieft to the humidity and high temperature as 14 birders made their way around 4 sewage lagoon sites in eastern Ontario. This was the final field trip in the 2010 Summer Series of Birding. We visited the St-Isidore, Casselman, Embrun and St. Albert lagoons. We included on additional stop in Casselman, at a cliff overlooking the South Nation River. It was a very productive day considering with good numbers of many of the species we encountered throughout the day. The smallest of the sites, St-Isidore, with just three cells, once again produced the widest variety of birds. The three ponds are laid out in a circular pattern, making it easy to see all three from one central observation point. St. Albert is the largest of the sites, but this time, other than large quantities of mallards, birdlife was somewhat quiet. The low number of sandpiper species was countered by an extremely productive raptor day.

Here is our list of 54 species: 30 Wood Duck, 12 Gadwall, 12 American Black Duck, 300 Mallard, 24 Blue winged Teal, 11 Northern Shoveler, 1 Northern Pintail, 40 Green winged Teal, 50 Ruddy Duck, 1 American Bittern, 4 Great Blue Heron, 1 Black-crowned Night Heron, 5 Turkey Vulture, 2 Osprey, 3 Northern Harrier, 3 American Kestrel, 4 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 10 Common Moorhen, 6 Killdeer, 20 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 10 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 60 Least Sandpiper, 12 Ring-billed Gull, 40 Rock Pigeon, 50 Mourning Dove, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Great Crested Flycatcher, 3 Eastern Kingbird, 8 Blue Jay, 10 American Crow, 1 Common Raven, 2 Purple Martin, 100 Tree Swallow, 3 Barn Swallow, 1 Marsh Wren, 6 American Robin, 300 European Starling, 12 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 3 Chipping Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 Bobolink, 30 Red-winged Blackbird, 5 Common Grackle, 2 Baltimore Oriole, 1 House Finch, 12 American Goldfinch, 15 House Sparrow

This completes our 7th consecutive year of Summer Series field trips. I'd like to thank, in particular, a dedicated core group of friends who have consistently supported the summer trips. We were very pleased this year to have a number of first-time participants. We hope that they will become active participants in the rest of the year's outings, beginning with the first of the fall session on August 28th in Dundee.

Thanks again to all involved in another successful Summer Series of Birding. - Sheldon

Sightings for Thursday August 12th

Maple Grove (Montérégie): Ending my day before noon, I counted fifteen Caspian terns at the end of rue Divina-Sauvé. Then at the end of rue McDonald Street, I was positioned behind the small park and where I added another dozen individuals. Positioning my scope, a white ghost caught my attention by grass. With a good dose of patience, I was surprised to find a Snowy Egret.

Her little black beak yellow base, its frayed crest and its small size left no doubt. Luckily, two Great Egrets were in the frame and even a Great Blue Heron was standing behind her, where I could compare the size of these individuals.

Here are three photos at great distances, which do provide some result. The first photograph appears on this link, and do the following to the right. You can also continue for 9 more recent photos ....

En terminant mon périple de l'avant-midi à Maple Grove (Montérégie), j'ai dénombré une quinzaine de Sternes caspiennes au bout de la rue Divina-Sauvé, puis, à l'extrémité de la rue McDonald, je me suis posté derrière le petit parc et j'ai rajouté là une autre douzaine d'individus. Mettant à profit ma lunette d'approche, un spectre blanc retenait mon attention à travers les hautes herbes. Avec une bonne dose de patience, j'ai eu la surprise d'y surprendre une Aigrette neigeuse.

Son petit bec noir à la base jaune, sa huppe effilochée et sa petite taille ne laissaient aucun doute. Par chance, deux Grandes Aigrettes se sont pointées dans le décor et un Grand Héron s'est même placé derrière elle, où je pouvais comparer la taille de ces individus.

Voici trois photos à très grande distance, qui donnent quand même un certain résultat. Le premier cliché apparaît sur ce lien, et faites suivantes, à la droite. Vous pouvez aussi continuer pour les 9 autres récentes photos.... - Raymond Belhumeur

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #8 - Saturday, August 14

This Saturday's outing will be the final one in our 2010 Summer Series. We will be heading into eastern Ontario to visit four of the popular sewage lagoon sites. This has been one of our most popular trips in summers past and many of you have asked that we do it again this year. So, here we go!

DATE: Saturday, August 14, 2010
TIME: 7:00 AM – Full day; combination driving/walking trip
MEETING PLACE: We will be departing from the Hudson Inn parking lot in Hudson,

Quebec located at Exit 17 off of Highway 40. Please arrive early to be ready to depart for Ontario at 7 AM sharp.

We have roughly a 70 km. drive from Hudson to our first stop of the day, so thus the need for early start.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: The driving route for the day is available in printed form in a file in the "Files" section of the Songsparrow group. The document includes links to the individual sewage lagoon information pages. Click on "Files" on the menu on the left of the group page. Look for the file called "2010-08-14 E.

Ontario Sewage Lagoon trip details".

ITINERARY: We will visit 4 different sewage lagoons; St. Isidore, Casselman, Embrun and St. Albert. We are hoping for a selection of shorebirds and marsh-dwellers, together with whatever other birds we can find throughout the day. Exploring St. Isidore and Casselman should fill our morning. We will take a lunch break at the parking lot of the Tim Horton's in Casselman prior to heading out to our third and fourth stops in Embrun and St. Albert. You can bring along your lunch or pick up something at a number of restaurants located at the Cassleman stop.

There is a fair amount of walking required at each site, particularly at St. Albert which is the largest of the four sites. Be advised that these lagoons are located in wide open and exposed areas, away from any facilities. They provide very little in the way of shade from the hot sun, or basically no shelter from any possible rainfall. Therefore dress accordingly and bring along plenty of fluids.

Spotting scopes are very useful on this trip. Also, if you have portable two-way radios, please bring them along. They are excellent tools to have on this type of trip.

Car-pooling is highly recommended as parking at a couple of the sites is limited. Cars may be left at the Hudson Inn parking lot.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. If you run in to any delays on Saturday morning and think that you might be late, please call me on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141. We will be leaving at 7 am sharp. However you will have plenty of time to catch up to us at our first stop in St-Isidore so be sure to have the driving instructions with you.

This is generally quite a long day of birding and, providing that the birds cooperate, this trip should be no different. However, should you choose to leave the group at any point in the day, there is easy access back to Highway 417 from any of the sewage lagoon locations.

We look forward to an exciting day on Saturday. - Sheldon

Sightings for Tuesday August 10th

Vaudreuil, Chemin de l'Anse: Baird's Sandpiper (Bécasseau de Baird), also around 120 Least Sandpipers (Bécasseau Minuscule), and 10 Semipalmated Sandpipers (Bécasseau semipalmé) - Mark Dennis

Sightings for Sunday August 8th

St-Vallier, At the mouth of Boyer River (rest area): 1 Wilson Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope female in transitional plumage

Here are other shorebirds observed at this location: Black-belliedPlover 1, Semipalmated Plover 50, 3 Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 35, Semipalmated Sandpiper 40, Least Sandpiper 300, White-rumped Sandpiper 2, Pectoral Sandpiper 1

We also observed Bald Eagles, two adults and two immature as well as hundreds of swallows dominated by the Bank Swallow (300), and a Merlin

l’embouchure de la rivière Boyer (halte routière) Phalarope de Wilson, un Phalarope à bec étroit, une femelle en plumage de transition.


Voici les autres limicoles observés à cet endroit: Pluvier argenté 1, Pluvier semipalmé 50, Pluvier kildir 3, Grand Chevalier 1, Petit Chevalier 35, Bécasseau semipalmé 40, Bécasseau minuscule 300, Bécasseau à croupion blanc 2, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée 1

Nous avons aussi pu observer le Pygargue à tête blanche, deux adultes et deux immatures ainsi que des centaines d’hirondelles dominées par l’Hirondelle de rivage (environ 300). Un Faucon émerillon - Gérard Cyr, Martin St-Michel
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Saint-Basile-le-Grand: compost site 3 -4 pm. I was surprised to find a Northern Mockingbird perched on a power line pole.
There were also: American Kestrel, Northern Harrier female Great Blue Heron, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Goldfinches, Sparrows singer, robins, Europea starlings, American Crows, Killdeer Plover, Ring-billed Gulls, House Sparrows

This morning on the Rang des Vingt: American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Gray Catbird, Northern Flicker, Chimney Swifts, Black-capped chickadees

centre de compostage 15 à 16 heure. J'ai été surpris d'y trouver un Moqueur polyglotte perché sur un poteau de ligne électrique.
Il y avait aussi: Crécerelle d'Amérique, Busard Saint-Martin femelle, Grand héron, Tyran tritri, Chardonnerets jaune, Bruants chanteur, Merles d'Amérique, Étourneaux sansonnet, Corneilles d'Amérique, Pluviers kildir, Goélands à bec cerclé, Moineaux domestique

Ce matin sur le Rang des Vingt: Paruline flamboyante, Paruline masquée, Moqueur chat, Pic flamboyant, Martinets ramoneur, Mésanges à tête noire - Gilles Ethier
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Trois-Rivières: Ringed Turtle-Dove at my house 319 boulevard Thibeau

une tourterelle rieuse chez moi au 319 boulevard thibeau - Maxime Carbonneau

Today's Impromptu/Summer Series of Birding Trip to Ile Bizard

Three birders met for our "fill-in" Summer Series of Birding Trip to Ile Bizard Nature Park today. We were greeted with cool and pleasant morning temperatures of 13 - 18C and bright sunny skies.

A leisurely stroll on the boardwalk and later out to the point produced very few songbirds but marsh birds and raptors were cooperative. Bird of the day was a least bittern within four feet of the boardwalk which seemed oblivious to the gathering of photographers it had attracted and were happily snapping away. Either that or it was doing its best Lindsay Lohan impersonation posing for the cameras while trying to look bored. (See below). Runners-up in the bird of the day category were a Virginia Rail at close range with black chicks in tow.

our list of 43 species included: Wood Duck - 5, American Black Duck - 1, Mallard - 25, Pied-billed Grebe - 4, Least Bittern - 1, Great Blue Heron - 4, Green Heron - 7, Sharp-shinned hawk - 1, Cooper's hawk - 1, Merlin - 2, Virginia Rail - 1 adult + 2 or 3 young, Common Moorhen - 10, Spotted Sandpiper - 1, Least Sandpiper - 2, Ring-billed Gull - 24, Great Black-backed Gull - 3, Common Tern - 5, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, Belted Kingfisher - 3, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2, Northern Flicker - 2, Eastern Kingbird - 4, Red-eyed Vireo - 3, Blue Jay - 2, American Crow - 6, Purple Martin - 5, Tree Swallow - 2, Bank Swallow - 1, Barn Swallow - 6, Black-capped Chickadee - 12, House Wren - 1, Marsh Wren - 1, American Robin - 30, Gray Catbird - 6, Cedar Waxwing - 2, Yellow Warbler - 1, American Redstart - 2, Song Sparrow - 2, Swamp Sparrow - 1, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 1, Common Grackle - 6, American Goldfinch - 12

Sidebar: What do you call a group of well behaved bird photographers? In a look back at the good old days I'm going to nominate "a film of photagraphers." Any other suggestions? - Wayne

Sightings for Saturday August 7th

Boucherville: Mute swan is still present off Île de  Grosbois and is easy to see from parc de la Frayère.

Cygne tuberculé est toujours présent au large de l’Île de Grosbois et est facile  à repérer à partir du parc de la Frayère - Ron Calderoni
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Maple-Grove: At the end of rue McDonald, there were about twenty Caspian Tern this morning, then a stop at the end of the rue Divina Sauve allowed me to add a dozen more.
at the end of the Rue Saint-Joseph: I discovered a small park which I do not know. A great place to add to your circut if you go to Beauharnois or St. Timothy. There is an observation tower overlooking a marsh and îles de la Paix. The interesting species at this site: 2 Great Egrets, 5 Turkey Vultures, a young Peregrine falcon, two Caspian Terns, several families of Pied-billed grebe, 2 families Common moorhens etc.

Beauharnois dam: 400-500 Comon terns, 20 Bonaparte's Gulls, 20 Black Terns

marais St. Timothy (marsh) allowed me to add a Least bittern, 1 Green Heron, a few Black-crowned Night-heron, two broods of Ring-necked ducks etc. There was also a gathering of at least 150 Purple Martins.
54 species for the day

Maple-Grove: Au bout de la rue McDonald à: il y avait une vingtaine de Sternes caspiennes ce matin, puis un arrêt au bout de la rue Divina-Sauvé m'a permis d'en rajouter une douzaine.
au bout de la rue Saint-Joseph: j'ai découvert un petit parc que je ne connaissais pas. Un bel endroit à ajouter à votre circuit si vous allez à Beauharnois ou St-Timothée. Il y a une tour d'observation avec vue sur un marais et les îles de la Paix. Les espèces intéressantes à cet endroit: 2 Grandes Aigrettes, 5 Urubus à tête rouge, un jeune Faucon pèlerin, 2 Sternes caspiennes, plusieurs familles de Grèbes à bec bigarré, 2 familles de Gallinules poule-d'eau, etc.

Au barrage de Beauharnois: il y a environ 400-500 Sternes pierregarin, une vingtaine de Mouettes de Bonaparte et une vingtaine de Guifettes noires.

marais de Saint-Timothée m'a permis d'ajouter un Petit Blongios, un Héron vert, quelques Bihoreaux gris, 2 couvées de Fuligules à collier etc. Il y avait aussi un rassemblement d'au moins 150 Hirondelles noires.
54 espèces pour la journée - Pierre Bannon
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Laval: Caspian terns on the point at the end of 55th ave Laval ouest (west). There were 3 juveniles and 3 adults. There were also 5 Common terns

Sternes caspiennes sur la pointe au bout de l'avenue 55 à laval ouest. Il y avait 3 juvéniles et 3 adultes. Il y avait également 5 Sternes pierregarin - Alain Robert

Sightings for Friday August 6th

Terrebonne, sewage treatment plant near the 640 (chemin de la cabane ronde). : 2 White-rumped sandpipers, 1 Baird's sandpiper

l'usine d'épuration des eaux de Terrebonne près de la 640 (chemin de la cabane ronde). 2 Bécasseau à croupion blanc et 1 Bécasseau de Baird. - Alain Goulet, Andrew Plimer

Sightings for Thursday August 5th

Trois-Rivieres, along the river, at the end of rue du Héron bleu: 250+ Least sandpiper, 200+ Semipalmated sandpiper, 150+ Lesser yellowlegs, 100+ Semipalmated plover, 40+ Killdeer, 25+ Greater yellowlegs, 1 White-rumoed sandpiper, 1 Osprey, 1 Bald eagle (imm), 1 Northern harrier, 1 Merlin

En bordure du fleuve, au bout de la rue du Héron bleu à Trois-Rivières: Bécasseau minuscule (250 +), Bécasseau semipalmé (200 +), Petit Chevalier (150 +), Pluvier semipalmé (100 +), Pluvier kildir (40 +), Grand Chevalier (25 +), Bécasseau à croupion blanc (1), Balbuzard pêcheur (1), Pygargue à tête blanche ( 1 imm.), Busard St-Martin (1), Faucon émerillon (1) - Micheline Bisson

Added incentive to visit MBO

Following up my plea for censusers, some exciting news from the MBO front: the 201st species was observed on site today! A Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard on census by Chris Murphy and Barbara MacDuff and then heard again by Simon Duval later on. Wouldn't YOU like the discover the 202nd species?

I know, I'm shameless.
Good birding, whether it be at MBO or elsewhere! - Marie-Anne

Censusers needed for August!

22 hectare Stoneycroft Wildlife Area, adjacent to the Morgan Arboretum in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue

I spent an hour running the McGill Bird Observatory (MBO) census this morning, and other than a few pesky mosquitoes, I was in heaven. There are baby birds everywhere squawking for food, tons of berry bushes that will soon be teeming with hungry migrants, and even a very scruffy looking Tennesee Warbler who stopped to moult a few feathers as he continues south from the Boreal after what was hopefully a successful breeding season.

Why am I telling you this? Because the MBO desperately needs volunteers to run the census, to scribe, and to observe. August is the most difficult month in terms of finding volunteers, and the bander-in-charge (Simon Duval) is largely manning the station alone. Running the nets is time-consuming enough without having to worry about fitting the census in as well. It's one of the easiest things to do during the day and only requires knowledge of birds, the route (don't worry, we have maps!) and one hour of your time.

I'm trying to fit it in as much as I can whenever I'm in from Ottawa, and I encourage you to do the same. If you're at all interested, please e-mail  or visit the website www.migrationresearch.org/mbo.html. I promise that it'll be a tremendous experience! - Marie-Anne Hudson

Sightings for Tuesday August 3rd

Boucherville: Mute swan is still off the tip of Île de Grosboi, painfully visible in the mist from the banks of Parc de la Frayère

Cygne tuberculé se trouve toujours au large de la pointe de l’Île de Grosbois, péniblement visible dans la brume à partir des berges du Parc de la Frayère - Ron Calderoni

Sightings for Monday August 2nd

Boucherville, Parc de la Frayère: Mute swan at the point of Île Ste-Marguerite

Cygne tuberculé sur la Pointe de l’Île Ste-Marguerite - Georges Néron
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Saint-Vallier & Montmagny 11 species of shorebirds in Saint-Vallier (SV) and Montmagny (M) at high tide. Observations made in part with Gerard Cyr Saint-Vallier and also with Jean-Pierre Ouellet and Alain Cote in Montmagny - Black-bellied plover 1 - SV, Semipalmated plover 25 - SV, Killdeer 15 - SV, Spotted sandpiper 3 - SV - 4 - M, 1 Greater yellowlegs 1 - SV, Lesser yellowlegs 5 - SV - 75 - M, Semipalmated sandpiper 50 - SV, Least sandpiper 90 - SV, White-rumped sandpiper 2 - SV, Baird's sandpiper 1 - SV, Short-billed dowitcher 1 - M (adult). Also 2 Bald eagles at - SV 1 adult  and 1 immature

11 espèces de limicoles à Saint-Vallier (SV) et Montmagny (M) à la marée montante. Observations faites en partie avec Gérard Cyr à Saint-Vallier et aussi avec Jean-Pierre Ouellet et Alain Côté à Montmagny - Pluvier argenté : 1 à SV, Pluvier semipalmé : 25 à SV, Pluvier kildir : 15 à SV, Chevalier grivelé : 4 à SV, 3 à M, Grand Chevalier : 1 à SV, Petit Chevalier : 5 à SV, 75 à M, Bécasseau semipalmé : 50 à SV, Bécasseau minuscule : 90 à SV, Bécasseau à croupion blanc : 2 à SV, Bécasseau de Baird : 1 à SV, Bécassin roux : 1 à M (adulte), Aussi 2 Pygargues à tête blanche à SV, 1 adulte et 1 immature - Gaétan Lord

Sightings for Saturday July 31st

St-Armand: Willow flycatcher (Moucherolle de saules) singing (2), Yellow-throated vireo (Viréo à gorge jaune) (1), along rock creek, a little north of town - David Kaiser

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series 2010" - Trip #6 Report

8 birders joined up in Dundee, Quebec yesterday on a simply beautiful day of sunshine with low heat and humidity. We explored the trails of the réserve faunique du lac St-François, including the observation tower, the wooded areas and part of the extensive boardwalk. We then moved on to some open farm fields along Montee Watson and then to the Great Egret Walk. Our final stop was on Chemin Gordon hoping to find Sedge Wren that have been spotted there regularly in years past...but not this time!

We met up with a number of "Friends of the Lac-St-Francois Reserve", a volunteer group that staffs the welcome centre and, more importantly works on the never-ending job of upkeep of the reserve. They have a young and enthusiastic group. They continue to work hard on improving the facilities and they encourage more and more of Quebec's birders to visit the reserve to enjoy the results of their continuing efforts.

The highlight of our day was a pair of high-soaring Bald Eagles, one amazing adult together with a probable youngster. Runners-up were the Sandhill Cranes which all of us heard at the Great Egret Walk, and which a couple of our group got to see in a fly-over!

Strangely enough, we did not spot a Great Blue Heron, normally seen in large numbers in Dundee.

Here is our complete species list for the day: Wood Duck - 1, Mallard - 6, Great Egret - 1, Green Heron - 3, Turkey Vulture - 2, Osprey - 4, Bald Eagle - 2, Northern Harrier - 2, Red-tailed Hawk - 2, Sandhill Crane - 2 (for sure, possibly more), Ring-billed Gull - 6, Rock Pigeon - 10, Mourning Dove - 12, Belted Kingfisher - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 4, Alder Flycatcher - 6, Eastern Phoebe - 1, Eastern Kingbird - 12, Red-eyed Vireo - 2, Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 24, Tree Swallow - 150, Barn Swallow - 6, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 2, House Wren - 1, Veery - 3, American Robin - 6, Gray Catbird - 3, European Starling - 20, Cedar Waxwing - 15, Yellow Warbler - 40, American Redstart - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 20, Eastern Towhee - 1, Chipping Sparrow - 6, Song Sparrow - 20, Swamp Sparrow - 6, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2, Red-winged Blackbird - 30, Common Grackle - 10, Purple Finch - 4, American Goldfinch - 50 - Sheldon

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #6 - Saturday, July 31

This Saturday we will be visiting an excellent birding area of the province for the first time ever in our Summer Series. We will visit the Lac St-Francois Reserve at Dundee, and the surrounding areas in the southwestern corner of the province close to the point where Quebec, Ontario and New York State
meet.

DATE: Saturday, July 31, 2010
TIME: 8 AM; Half-day (but feel free to bring along lunch)
MEETING PLACE: The Visitor Centre parking lot on Fraser Point Road at the Lac-St-Francois Nature Reserve in Dundee, Quebec. Calculate about 1 to 1.5 hours from Montreal to Dundee.

Driving Instructions: From Montreal, take the Mercier bridge on to Highway 138. Follow it through Châteauguay to Highway 132. Turn right on to Highway 132 and follow it to Beauharnois. In Beauharnois (before reaching the bridge and dam), turn left on Hwy 236 and follow it through St-Étienne-de-Beauharnois, St-Louis-de-Gonzague, and St-Stanislas-de-Kostka until it joins again with Hwy 132. Continue on Hwy 132 west through Ste-Barbe, St-Anicet and Cazaville. Continue approximately 8 km on Hwy 132 past Cazaville to chemin-de-le-Pointe-Fraser. Turn right on this road and meet at the visitor centre parking lot about 1 km along on the left.

NOTE: For those in West Island, for an optional route to avoid the Mercier Bridge, take Hwy 20 west to Exit 14 and cross over the river at Valleyfield on the Msgr. Langlois Bridge on to Hwy 201. Follow it to join up with Hwy 30 which then becomes Hwy 132 and continues west through to Dundee.

Itinerary: We will begin by walking the wooded areas, the marsh boardwalk and the observation tower from the welcome centre. We will also bird along the length of Fraser Point Road. We will then drive to the Great Egret Walk trail and explore it. From there we will stop at a few other excellent birding areas in the region including Gordon Road, a road known for its Sedge Wrens in the past.

Saturday looks to be a perfect weather day. If you need any further info, please contact me at 450-462-1459. On Saturday morning, you can reach me on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141.

Sightings for Sunday July 25th

Quai de Rivière-Ouelle (dock): 6-8 am from the end of the dock: 30 Common loon, 15 Red-throated loon, 1 Northern gannet (adult in flight headed east) 45 Double-crested cormorants (in flight headed west), 10 Great blue heron, 1 black duck (in flight headed east), 2 Gadwall (in flight headed west), 15 Common eider (in flight both directions), 2 Surf scoter (in flight headed east), 1 Common goldeneye (in flight headed east), 1 Hooded merganser (in flight headed west), 1 Bonaparte’s gull, 12 Ring-billed gull, 35 Herring gull, 10 Great black-backed gull, 8 Razorbill (in flight headed west)


(6h-8h) au bout du quai: Plongeon huard 30, Plongeon catmarin 15, Fou de Bassan 1 (adulte en vol vers l'est), Cormoran à aigrettes 45 (en vol vers l'ouest), Grand Héron 10, Canard noir 1 (en vol vers l'est), Canard chipeau 2 (en vol vers l'ouest), Eider à duvet 15 (en vol dans les 2 directions), Macreuse à front blanc 2 (en vol vers l'est), Garrot à oeil d'or 1 (en vol vers l'est), Harle couronné 1 (en vol vers l'ouest), Mouette de Bonaparte 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 12, Goéland argenté 35, Goéland marin 10, Petit Pingouin 8 (en vol vers l'ouest) - Jean-François Rousseau

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series 2010" - Trip #5 Report

9 birders took part in the most productive Summer Series field trip, species-wise, ever since beginning these summer outings way back in 2004! Overcast skies for most of the day helped in keeping the temperature and high humidity levels down, making for quite a pleasant morning and early afternoon in the low to mid-20s.

We departed from the Hudson Inn, south on Highway 201, heading for Fief Road in St-Lazare. This turned into an incredible productive stop as we quickly discovered a number of excellent species in the fields and wooded areas along the length of the road. We were particularly impressed with the 8 Indigo Buntings, juvenile Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolinks seen here. We next headed to Montee Ste-Angelique where we added a nice group of 8 Eastern Bluebirds to our list.

We then headed west along Chemin Ste-Marie/2e Rang, towards the Ontario border. We crossed into Ontario and then began heading north along Lemieux Road and La Grande Montee all the way to the Carillon Dam at Pointe-Fortune.

Certainly one of the highlights of the day was a stop at a recently cut field on La Grande Montee where we found a mixed group of adult and juvenile Horned Larks together with no less than a dozen Upland Sandpipers, including a flock of 7 in-flight across the field.

Other highlights of the day included an American Kestrel and a Merlin, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, a Purple Finch, a Winter Wren and a Brown Thrasher.

Our 66 species topped our previous Summer Series field trip high of 63 species seen on July 4, 2009 in Philipsburg/St-Armand. Thanks to Jane Atkinson for e-mailing after the trip to note that she spotted an Osprey just as she was leaving the Carillon Dam to top off the day.

So, here is our complete list. Thanks to all who joined in the fun.

Mallard 1, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant 10, Great Blue Heron 1, Green Heron 1, Turkey Vulture 1, Osprey 1, Northern Harrier 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, American Kestrel 1, Merlin 1, Killdeer 6, Spotted Sandpiper 4, Upland Sandpiper 12, Ring-billed Gull 150, Common Tern 13, Rock Piegon 30, Mourning Dove 25, Chimney Swift 1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 3, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3, Downy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 6, Alder Flycatcher 6, Eastern Phoebe 1, Eastern Kingbird 12, Red-eyed Vireo 3, Blue Jay 6, American Crow 24, Horned Lark 8, Tree Swallow 100, Barn Swallow 15, Black-capped Chickadee 20, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown Creeper 1, House Wren 3, Winter Wren 1, Eastern Bluebird 10, Veery 1, Wood Thrush 1, American Robin 24, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 1, European Starling 200, Cedar Waxwing 25, Yellow Warbler 6, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, American Redstart 1, Common Yellowthroat 3, Scarlet Tanager 1, Chipping Sparrow 20, Savannah Sparrow 6, Song Sparrow 24, White-throated Sparrow 1, Northern Cardinal 2, Indigo Bunting 8, Bobolink 12, Red-winged Blackbird 70, Eastern Meadowlark 2, Common Grackle 35, Baltimore Oriole 3, Purple Finch 1, American Goldfinch 75, House Sparrow 6 - Sheldon

Sightings for Thursday July 22nd

Montréal: Three Great egrets (Grand aigrette) with a Great blue heron (Grand Héron) on the Montréal side of Jean Drapeau parc, just past the giant metal teepee structure on the St-laurent river beneath the bridge. - Amanda Collins

Quai de Rivière-Ouelle (dock): 7-9 am stationary at the end of the dock: 1 Common loon, 5 Red-throated loon, 260 Double-crested cormorants, 12 Great blue heron, 2 Mallard, 45 Common eider, 2 Surf scoter, 1 Merlin, 5 Spotted sandpiper, 14 Ring-billed gull, 3 Herring gull, 12 Great black-backed gull, 1 Caspian tern, 20 Razorbill (2 groups in flight headed west)

(7h-9h) d'observation en stationnaire au bout du quai: Plongeon huard...1, Plongeon catmarin...5, Cormoran à aigrettes...260, Grand Héron...12, Canard colvert...2, Eider à duvet ...45, Macreuse à front blanc...2, Faucon émerillon...1, Chevalier grivelé...5, Goéland à bec cerclé...14, Goéland argenté...3, Goéland marin...12, Sterne caspienne...1, Petit Pingouin...20, (En 2 groupes, en vol vers l'ouest) - Jean-François Rousseau

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #5 - Saturday, July 24

Our fifth field trip in the "Summer Series of Birding 2010" will take place Saturday, July 24 covering sections of St-Lazare, Ste-Marthe & Ste-Justine de Newton, then heading across the Quebec/Ontario border. We then head north towards Pointe Fortune. This will be a half-day trip, mostly driving, with several stops along the route. This is a trip which we did way back in July 2006, turning up 51 species.

DATE: Saturday, July 24
TIME: 8:00 AM - A Half-day outing
MEETING PLACE: Hudson Inn parking lot at Exit 17 off of Highway 40.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO MEETING SPOT: Take the Trans-Canada Highway 40
(direction Ottawa) to Exit 17 - Highway 201 Montee Lavigne / Hudson. Meet in the parking area outside the Hudson Inn complex. We should attempt to carpool from this location.

ITINERARY: From the Hudson Inn, we will drive south on Highway 201 into St-Lazare checking out Montee Ste-Angelique and ch. de Fief, looking for various species of field and grassland birds, etc. We then head west towards the Quebec/Ontario border along ch. Ste-Marie, into Ontario to Lemieux Road & La Grande Montee Road. Here we will be again be looking for grassland birds, including Upland Sandpipers, Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, etc. seen here in the past. We will continue north on La Grande Montee to Pointe Fortune and visit the
Carillon Dam where various gulls and shorebirds are often seen.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 450-462-1459. You may reach me by cellphone at 514-637-2141 on Saturday morning. Those who wish to can bring along a lunch, but we hope to wrap up the trip within the half-day period, but we all know what can happen when the birds co-operate!! - Sheldon
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Sightings for Wednesday July 21st
barrage Ste Martine (dam): Great egret, Mallards, Common tern, Canada goose, Greater yellowlegs, Lesser yellowlegs, Least sandpiper, Spotted sandpiper, Killdeer, Swallows - tree & barn

grande aigrette, canards colvert, sterne pierregarin, bernache du canada, grand chevalier, petit chevalier, becasseau minuscule 6-7, chevalier grivele 15, pluvier kildir, Hirondelles - bicolore & rustique - DaniellePaquette

Sightings for Monday July 19th

Montréal: again tonight, again around 8 pm, 3 Common Nighthawks hunted insects above Lafontaine Park. They were accompanied by 8 Chimney Swifts who were doing the same.

Encore ce soir, vers 20h00 de nouveau, 3 Engoulevents d'Amérique chassaient les insectes au-dessus du Parc Lafontaine. Toutefois, ils étaient accompagnés par 8 Martinets ramoneurs qui faisaient de même. - Patrick Laniel

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series" 2010 - Trip #4 Report

It was a hot one, but we managed to get the trip in well before the skies opened up for the late afternoon rain. 11 birders, including a visitor from Trois-Rivieres, Robert Huxley, participated in a trip along the eastern shore of the Richelieu River, taking us through the communities of St. Jean, Sabrevois, Henrysburg and Noyan. Periodic cloudy periods, the occasional cooling breeze, and a welcomed rest-stop in an air-conditioned depanneur contributed to a fun day of birding with a total of 50 species. Here is our list.

Canada Goose - 1, Wood Duck - 2, Mallard - 1, Double Crested Cormorant - 3, Great Blue Heron - 8, Black-crowned Night Heron - 1, Turkey Vulture - 6, Osprey - 2, Northern Harrier - 1, Killdeer- 2, Solitary Sandpiper- 1, Spotted Sandpiper - 1, Wilson's Snipe - 1, Ring-billed Gull - 24, Common Tern - 2, Rock Pigeon - 20, Mourning Dove - 20, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2, Belted Kingfisher - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 2, Northern Flicker - 8, Eastern Wood Pewee - 2, Willow Flycatcher - 2, Eastern Phoebe - 2, Great Crested Flycatcher - 2, Eastern Kingbird - 1, Warbling Vireo - 2, Red-eyed Vireo - 2, Blue Jay - 3, American Crow - 12, Tree Swallow - 40, Bank Swallow - 1, Cliff Swallow - 15 Barn Swallow - 50 , Black-capped Chickadee - 6, House Wren - 1, Marsh Wren - 6, American Robin - 6, European Starling - 100, Cedar Waxwing - 10, Yellow Warbler - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 1, Chipping Sparrow - 2, Song Sparrow - 12, Swamp Sparrow - 20, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 15, Common Grackle - 12, American Goldfinch - 24, House Sparrow - 10 - Sheldon

Sightings for Friday July 16th

Vaudreuil, Chemin de l'Anse: 5 Short-billed Dowitchers (Bécassin roux) feeding opposite Parc Leclerc where the storm water drain flows into the lake. Nice breeding plumage on all and surprised to see so many together.

Stilt Sandpiper (Bécasseau à échasses) is in its usual spot and was feeding with Lesser Yellowlegs (Petit chevalier). A few Least Sandpipers (Bécasseau minuscule) around as well. - A. Plimer

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #4 - Saturday, July 17

This Saturday we will return to a region that produced two of our most popular and successful summer trips in the past, with 55 species in 2008 and 61 species in 2007. We will follow the eastern shore of the Richelieu River, south of Iberville, through the towns of Sabrevois, Henryville and Noyan. This will be a full day outing exploring a combination of forest, marshland and waterfront habitats. Saturday's weather forecast calls for 27 degrees and sunny.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 17, 2010
TIME: 8:00 AM – Full day; a driving trip with several stops.
MEETING PLACE: Zellers parking lot, Place Portobello, Taschereau Blvd. in Brossard

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO MEETING PLACE: From Montreal, take the Champlain Bridge
to Exit 8 - Taschereau Blvd. Turn right on Taschereau Blvd. The parking lot will be immediately on your right. Take the first entrance into the parking lot and turn right. Please try to be prompt as we would like to depart on time. Carpooling is highly recommended. Cars may be left in the parking lot for the day.

ITINERARY: From Brossard, we will take the Eastern Townships Autoroute to Exit 22, following Highway 35 across the Richelieu River to Route 133. You may recognize this as the route towards Philipsburg. Our first stop will be in the town of Sabrevois, exploring 11th, 21st, 26th avenues, etc. We will then continue on to the Henryville Marsh, rang Melaven, and rang des Cotes. These are all very well known, productive birding areas. We then continue on to Noyan, crossing back over the Richelieu to Lacolle where we join up with Highway 15 for
the return trip to Montreal.

Please bring along a lunch. We will choose a suitable spot of a lunch break, plus include occasional bathroom breaks throughout the trip. If you have portable, two-way radios, please bring them along. I will have several radios to share with those who do not have them.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. If you need to reach us on Saturday morning, please call the BPQ cellphone, 514-637-2141. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. - Sheldon

Sightings for Tuesday July 13th

Dunham, 3034 rang St-Joseph: Clay-coloured sparrow (Bruant des plaines) - Claude Lalande

Sightings for Saturday July 10th

Johnville: Clay-coloured sparrow is aways present in the pine plantation at the corner of Chemins Johnston & Simard

Bruant des plaines est toujours présent dans la plantation de sapins au coin des Chemins Johnston et Simard - Gisèle Gilbert
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Vaudreuil, chemin de l'Anse: at little bit east of #238 - Marbled godwit, Short-billed dowitcher, Stilt sandpiper, Lesser yellowlegs, Killdeer, Least sandpipers, Great blue heron, Common terns, Ring-billed gulls, a young Great black-backed gull, Canada geese

en peu à l'est du numéro civique 238 - Barge marbrée, Bécassin roux, Bécasseau à échasses, Petit Chevaliers, Pluviers kildirs, Bécasseaux minuscules, Grand Héron, Sternes pierregarins, Goélands à bec cerclé, un jeune Goéland marin, Bernaches du Canada - Michel Betrand

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series" 2010 - Trip #3 Report

Mission accomplished! Today's trip started out on ch. de l'Anse in Vaudreuil along the western shore of Lac Deux Montagnes looking in particular for the Marbled Godwit and the Stilt Sandpiper, both which had been observed by several birders earlier in the week.

Jean and Clemence, Felix and Gillian were already on-site when the rest of us arrived and had succeeded in locating the two birds. These two species were lifers for several people on the trip. Throw in a fly-by by a couple of Caspian Terns, and our visit became a very productive one.

Cloud cover helped to keep the temperature down in the early morning although we could feel the humidity and heat starting to build.

Once exhausting the possibilities in Vaudreuil, the group decided to continue on to St-Lazare to visit one of Mark Dennis' favourite birding spots, the sandpits.

In total, 13 birders participated in today's trip, ending up with a total of 43 species. Our apologies to Jim and Nicole who we somehow managed to get separated from between Vaudreuil and St-Lazare. We're confident you made it back safely!!

So here is our total species list for the day. Thanks to all for your eyes and ears! - Sheldon

Canada Goose 10, Wood Duck 5, American Black Duck 3, Mallard 24, Green-winged Teal 8, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Great Blue Heron 4, Green Heron 3, Killdeer 20, Greater Yellowlegs 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 4, Spotted Sandpiper 4, Marbled Godwit 1, Least Sandpiper 12, Stilt Sandpiper 1, Ring-billed Gull 100, Caspian Tern 2, Common Tern 6, Rock Pigeon 2, Mourning Dove 4, Belted Kingfisher 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Least Flycatcher 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Eastern Kingbird 5, Blue Jay 2, American Crow 6, Tree Swallow 4, Barn Swallow 1, Black-capped Chickadee 8, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, American Robin 6 , European Starling 12, Cedar Waxwing 8, Yellow Warbler 1, Chipping Sparrow 30, Song Sparrow 4, Northern Cardinal 2, Red-winged Blackbird 8, Common Grackle 15, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, American Goldfinch 24, House Sparrow 2

Sightings for Friday July 9th

Dorval, Valois Bay: Great Egret & a Canada Gooose with goslings - Shirley Taylor & Neill Graham - click photos to enlarge


Vaudreuil: At 11:30 a.m. the Marbled Godwit (Barge Marbré) had been joined by a Stilt Sandpiper (Bécasseau à échasses) still in mostly breeding plumage - heavily barred below with a touch of chestnut behind the eyes. Not sure I have ever seen one in this plumage before as I think most of our sightings in this area are of birds later in the summer or fall - W. Grubert

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #3 - Saturday, July 10, 2010

Some of you may have noticed the postings by Mark Dennis and Felix Hilton this week indicating that a Marbled Godwit has appeared along ch. de l'Anse in Vaudreuil, along the western shore of Lake of Two Mountains.

As a result, this Saturday, July 10 at 8 AM we will visit this area. The water levels continue to be low in the Montreal region. In past years, this stretch of road heading north from Highway 40 up to the Vaudreuil/Hudson boundary has been an interesting spot, particularly when the water level is low when long stretches of sand and rocks are exposed. In addition to the Godwit seen this week, other shorebirds have been noted as well.

LOCATION: ch. de l'Anse, Vaudreuil
DATE: Saturday, July 10, 2010
TIME: 8 AM - Half day trip
MEETING SPOT: Passion Jardin Garden Centre, 999 av. St. Charles, Vaudreuil, QC

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From anywhere on the island of Montreal, take Highway 40 west. Cross the Ile aux Tourtes Bridge and take Exit 35. Follow the exit until you reach av. St. Charles. Turn RIGHT on St. Charles. Our meeting point will be at the parking of a garden centre, "PASSION JARDIN" on your right at 999 St. Charles, just near the intersection with ch. Dumberry. From that meeting point, we will drive to ch. de l'Anse. Parking along the road is next to impossible in most spots, but there is a small public parking lot where we can leave our cars
and then walk along the road. There are various access points leading down to the waterfront.

SITE DESCRIPTION: ch de l'Anse runs parallel to the western shore of Lac des Deux Montagnes, overlooking the water from a sutstantial height. The road is fairly narrow, and often busy, so we will need to pay close attention as we walk along. There is one small side road off ch. de l'Anse, rue St-Denis, about halfway between the southern end of ch de l'Anse and the Hudson boundary. After exploring part of the road, we can then drive to rue St-Denis, park and explore
again from that point.

NOTE: There are no washroom or restaurant/service station facilities along the road. Scopes are recommended for viewing out on to the lake and along the shoreline.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 450-462-1459.
On Saturday morning you may reach me on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

Sheldon Harvey

Sightings for Thursday July 8th

Verdun: Adult Bald eagle flew over the Bell Canada campus on Île-Des-Soeurs at 8:50

un Pygargue à tête blanche adulte vient tout juste de survoler le Campus de Bell Canada sur l'Île-Des-Soeurs 08h50 - Norman Auger
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Mont St-Hilaire, 937 Chemin de la montagne: Clay-coloured sparrow this morning around 10:45 in the orchard, in front of the boutique La Vieille Cave. There is a small parking lot in front of the shop, but it takes good ears to hear because there is a lot of traffic. The bird was on both sides of the road but was mostly in the orchard.

Bruant des plaines ce matin vers 10h45 dans le verger situé devant la boutique La Vieille Cave. Il y a un petit stationnement en face de la boutique. Ça prend de bonnes oreilles pour l'entendre car il y a beaucoup de circulation. L'oiseau se promenait des 2 côtés de la route mais se tenait la plupart du temps dans le verger - Charles Ménard
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Godmanchester, Chemin Biggar: Yellow-billed cuckoo, Eastern towhee, Field sparrow and Brown thrasher

Coulicou à bec jaune, Tohis à flancs roux, Bruant des champs et Moqueur roux.

Rockburn, chemin Gowan: Another Yellow-billed cuckoo. I saw and heard the cuckoo 150m east of the civic number 2213. It was perched high in the leaves north of chemin Gowan between two large stands of pine white and a little planting of corn. He flew into the wooded
hardwood end of the field south of the road.

Paruline des pins. un autre Coulicou à bec jaune. J'ai vu et entendu le coulicou grogner 150m à l'est du numéro civique 2213. Il était perché haut dans les feuillus situés au nord du chemin Gowan entre les 2 gros peuplements de Pins blancs et une petite plantation de maïs. Il s'est envolé dans le boisé de feuillus au bout du champ situé au sud de la route - Dominique Lavoie

Sightings for Wednesday July 7th

Vaudreuil: Marbled Godwit present this morning around 11:30 across from 258 chemin de l'Anse

Barge Marbré était toujours présente ce matin vers 11h30 en face du 258 chemin de l'Anse - Charles Ménard

Sightings for Tuesday July 6th

Vaudreuil: Marbled Godwit on the Chemin de l'anse, halfway down where they launch the ice fishing huts

Barge marbrée à mi-chemin avec la rampe du kiosque pour la pêche sur glace - Mark Dennis
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Les Escoumins, 94 rue St-Marcellin Ouest: Northern Mockingnird perched at the top of a dead tree

Moqueur Polyglotte pose sur le sommet d'un gros arbre mort. - Leah den Besten
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Lake Memphramagog: On the east shoreline opposite Île Longue we had a good view of a
Great Blue Heron (Grand Héron) flying to and from nest in the tree tops. The female stayed in the tree. Two Common loons (Plongeon haurd) alongside same island and 1 female Mallard (Canard colvert) brought her 3 young to the rock were were picnicking.

On June 27th - An American Bittern (Butor d'Amérique) landed at our pond and we witnessed him catching and eating one of our frogs. He has since returned 2 more times - Jeannie Bird

Bird Protection Quebec's "Summer Series" 2010 - Trip #2 Report

15 birders, including a few first-timers, participated in Saturday morning's field trip to Parc de la Frayere in Boucherville on a simply perfect morning. The temperature was very pleasant, with a nice breeze helping to keep down the mosquito population. Clear, sunny conditions topped everything off as we were able to observe a total of 48 species.

Everyone was particularly impressed with the location which offers such a wide variety of habitats in such a small area, with newly installed observation decks on the marsh, well defined trails and excellent waterfront views. Newly installed washroom facilities are also a welcome addition to the site!

Bird-wise, the abundance of Black-crowned Night Herons on the small marsh was most impressive. Here is our complete bird list for the day - Sheldon


Canada Goose - 50
Wood Duck - 5
Gadwall - 13
Mallard - 6
Pied-billed Grebe - 8
Double-crested Cormorant - 20
Great Blue Heron - 8
Great Egret - 1
Black-crowned Night Heron - 17
Am. Kestrel - 1
Common Moorhen - 4
Spotted Sandpiper - 3
Ring-billed Gull - 50
Greater Black-backed Gull - 1
Common Tern - 4
Rock Pigeon -1
Mourning Dove - 1
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 3
Great Crested Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Kingbird - 2
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 6
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Am. Crow - 3
Tree Swallow - 5
Black-capped Chickadee - 4
Am. Robin - 15
Gray Catbird - 2
European Starling - 6
Cedar Waxwing - 5
Nashville Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 20
Am. Redstart - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 10
Chipping Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 8
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 24
Common Grackle - 6
Brown-headed Cowbird - 12
Baltimore Oriole - 3
Am. Goldfinch - 20
House Sparrow - 8

Sightings for Saturday July 3rd

mont Saint-Hilaire summit: 5 Turkey Vultures Soared to at least 1500 ft (300 ft min higher than mont Saint-Hilaire. Coordinates: 45 ° 33 '37 "North 73 ° 09' 57" West

Au sommet du mont Saint-Hilaire: 5 Urubu à tête rouge Planaient à au moins 1500 pi (min de 300 pi plus haut que le mont Saint-Hilaire. Coordonées: 45° 33′ 37″ Nord 73° 09′ 57″ Ouest - Louis-Philippe Durocher
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Laval: Peregrine falcon perched on the bridge over the Rivière des Prairies on the A-15
Faucon pèlerin est perché sur le pont surplombant la Rivière-des-Prairies sur l'A-15

St-Donat, Montagne Noire: Once there, the birds are already singing getting out of the car, the day will be fruitful. 39 species in total including 16 breeding possible, 13 breeding probable and 10 confirmed breeding. Most breeding likely have been classified by the (code M), but also a code P (couple) and an A (adult agitated). For confirmed breeding, juveniles were observed for 8 species (Code JE), and an adult carrying the food for two others (code TA).

The most abundant species, the Swainson's thrush with 36 indivduals! Next was the
Red-eye Vireo 24, Black-throated Green Warbler 22, Magnolia Warbler 18,
Black-throated blue warbler 16, Winter Wren and White-throated Sparrow 15, Nashville warbler 14, Dark-eyed Junco 13.

The nice surprise, Common Goldeneye, Hooded merganser with young and a pair of Ring-necked ducks

And two endangered species: a young and a female carrying food and 2 singing male Canada Warblers

The other endangered species, the Bicknell's Thrush. It called when I reached the summit at 11.15; I then got the camera to take some pictures (not extraordinary quality) but good enough quality to for identification. Click Photos to enlarge

Une fois sur place, les oiseaux chantent déjà en sortant de l'auto, la journée
sera fructueuse, soit 39 espèces au total dont 16 nicheuses possibles, 13 nicheuses probables et 10 nicheuses confirmés. La plupart des nicheuses probables ont été qualifiés par le nombre (code M), mais aussi un code P (couple présent) et un code A (adulte agité). Pour les nicheuses confirmées des jeunes ont été observés pour 8 espèces (code JE), un adulte transportant de la
nourriture pour 2 autres (code AT).

L'espèce la plus abondante, la Grive à dos olive avec 36 individus! Suivent le
Viréo yeux rouges 24, Paruline gorge noire 22, Paruline à tête cendrée 18,
Paruline bleue 16, Troglodyte mignon et Bruant à gorge blanche 15, Paruline à
joues grises 14 et Junco ardoisé 13

Les belles surprises, le Garrot à oeil d'or, le Harle couronnée avec des jeunes
et un couple de Fuligule à collier.

Et 2 espèces menacées : un jeune et une femelle transportant de la nourriture
et 2 mâles chanteurs de la Paruline du Canada.

L'autre espèce menacée, la Grive de Bicknell. J'ai alors sorti la caméra et pu en prendre quelques clichés (pas de qualité extraordinaire) d'assez bonne qualité pour en faire l'identification. Pour agrandir cliquez les photos - Richard Guillet

Sightings for Thursday July 1st

Seen from the shore of Lake Memphremagog about 4 km north of Georgeville. Bellieved to be nesting on Ile Lord. I am fairly sure they are Red-Breasted Mergansers (Harle Huppé) - Olaf Knutson
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Sightings for Wednesday June 30th
Parc Nature de l’île Bizard : Black Tern nest with three eggs (male and female exchange brooding). The hatchings are expected in the coming days. Small Virginia Rail (all black) with adults. Green Heron Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird (male and female at the nest) feeding the young. Juvenile Moorhen, Gray Catbird seen in the parking lot.

Guifette noir au nid avec trois œufs(mâle et femelle relais la couvaison).L’éclosion devrait avoir lieu dans les prochains jours. Petit râle de virginie (tout noir) avec les adultes. Héron vert Grand pic Tyran tritri (mâle et femelle au nid ) nourrissant les petits. Poule d’eau juvénile Moqueur chat vu dans le stationnement. - Michel Paquin
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Pointe de Yamachiche: 4 Caspian terns, 2 Lesser yellowlegs, 3 Black bellied plovers and many Killdeer and Spotted sandpiper

4 Sternes caspiennes, 2 petites chevaliers, 3 pluviers argentés et plusieurs pluviers kildir et Chevaliers grivelés - Jacques Gelinas

Summer Series of Birding 2010 - Trip #2 - Saturday, July 3

This Saturday, July 3 at 8 AM we will be returning to the spot where the very first Summer Series of Birding trip was held back in June 2004. We'll head to the South Shore to visit Parc de la Frayere (MAP) in Boucherville. This is a Ducks Unlimited site, with an excellent variety of birds and habitats.

LOCATION: Parc de la Frayere, boul. Marie-Victorin, Boucherville (FREE PARKING)
DATE: Saturday, July 3, 2010
TIME: 8 AM - Half day trip

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: The site is a little less than 30 minutes from the South Shore side of the Champlain Bridge. From Montreal, take the Champlain Bridge, to the first exit (Exit 6) off the bridge. Follow Highway 20/Highway 132 EAST, heading towards
Varennes/Longueuil). Continue east on Highway 20/132. Note that Highway 20 and 132 split at Exit 15 for Quebec City/Hippolyte-Lafontaine Tunnel. Stay to the left at this exit, continuing east on Highway 132. Continue past the exits for de Montarville, de Montbrun and chemin du General Vanier. The next traffic lights will be at Boul. de la Marine/Boul. Lionel Boulet (Highway 229). Turn left at the traffic lights on to Boul. de la Marine, heading north towards the waterfront. Continue north, cross the railway tracks and turn left at the traffic lights at the corner of boul. Marie Victorin. Continue on boul. Marie Victorin, past the massive hydro pylons. You will see an entrance road into the parking lot for the Parc de la
Frayere on your right. There is a large Ducks Unlimited sign at the entrance to the parking, but a little difficult to see from the road.

SITE DESCRIPTION: There are five distinct habitats at this one location, all within very easy walking distance: open water, shoreline, a marsh, open fields, and wooded trails with small streams and ponds. All paths and trails are easily accessible.

Washroom facilities and picnic tables available on-site. Insect repellent is recommended. Spotting scopes will be very helpful, particularly on the waterfront.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 450-462-1459. On Saturday morning you may reach me on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141.

Sheldon Harvey

Sightings for Tuesday June 29th

Johnville, parc éco forestier: From 7:15 to 11:15, 49 species Bobolink, Eastern meadowlark, Savannah Sparrow, Blue Jays, White-throated Sparrow, Killdeer, Brown Thrasher, Northern Flicker, Wilson’s Snipe, Indigo bunting, Magnolia Warbler, Veery.

Clay-colored Sparrow, in a plantation of conifers at the intersection of Chemin Simard & chemin Johnston at the end of Johnville. Of course, it is private land but can clearly visible from the road. The houses are still quite far the from plantation to avoid disturbing the owners,

7h15 à 11h15, 49 espèces Goglus des prés, Sturnelles des prés, Bruants des prés, Canards colverts, Geais bleus, Bruant à gorge blanche, Pluvier kildir, Moqueur roux, Pic flamboyant, Bécassine des marais, Passerin indigo, Paruline à tête cendrée, Grive fauve.

Bruant des plaines, Il était dans une plantation de sapins à l'intersection du Chemin Simard et du chemin Johnston dans le bout de Johnville. Bien sûr, c'est un terrain privé mais on peut le voir facilement de la route. Les habitations sont quand même assez éloignées de la plantation pour ne pas déranger les propriétaires - Gisèle Gilbert

Cap Tourmente 5:30 to 11:30 - Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (2): 2 male singing in the fields of Sector F-1 just south of the small lake used for water treatment along the track.
Willow Flycatcher (2): male singing with the female in F-2 along the track, 300 meters west of the interpretive center.
Northern Harrier (2): breeding pair in F-2. Female takes a prey to the nest. Calling a lot reacting to my presence on the territory ...
House Wren (2): couple observed near the nest box located at the trailhead La Cédrière. The male sings constantly.
Eastern Kingbird (2): discovery of a nest in the F-4. 3 downy young inside.

Also Indigo bunting, Scarlet tanager, the two Rails, Bald eagle, Peregrine, Common loon (3)!, Black-crowned Night-heron (3), Bittern and many Great blue herons (8). Grand total for the day 62 species

5:30 à 11:30 - Bruant de Nelson (2) : 2 mâles chanteurs dans les champs du secteur F-1
tout juste au sud du petit lac servant d’étang d’épuration le long de la voie ferrée.
Moucherolle des saules (2) : mâle chanteur avec sa femelle dans le F-2 le long de la voie ferrée, 300 mètres à l’ouest du centre d’interprétation.
Busard Saint-Martin (2: couple nicheur dans le F-2. Femelle apporte une proie au nid. Crie beaucoup et réagi fortement à ma présence sur le territoire…
Troglodyte familier (2): couple observé près du nichoir situé au début du sentier La Cédrière. Le mâle chante constamment.
Tyran tritri (2) : découverte d’un nid dans le F-4. Trois jeunes en duvet à l’intérieur.

Aussi passerin indigo, piranga écarlate, les deux râles, pygargue, pèlerin, plongeon huard (3), bihoreau (3), butor et nombreux grands hérons (8). Grand total de la journée 62 espèces. - Robin Gingras

Bird Protection Quebec's Summer Series 2010 - Trip #1 Report

We kicked off the summer series on Saturday morning with a visit to Pointe de Yamachiche on the north shore of Lac St-Pierre, about 30 km. southwest of Trois-Rivieres.

The conditions were very good; mild, not a lot of humitidy, no rain and very few mosquitos! We discovered first-hand about the record low level in the waters around our region. The sandy point sticking out into the lake extended far beyond what we have seen in the past at this location. It appeared to be prime for spotting shorebirds however, in speaking with a local area birder who visits the site regularly, the shorebird migration from the south was very early this
year and he expects them to make an earlier than usual return to the south. Our timing in late June put us in a period of no shorebird activity, except for a few Spotted Sandpipers.

Still our group of 7 birders had a pleasant morning producing a total of 43 species. Here is our list for the trip, with a couple of surprises. Thanks to all who participated.

Snow Goose - 3, Canada Goose - 12, Gadwall - 6, Mallard - 15, Northern Shoveler - 8, Green-winged Teal - 9, Pied-billed Grebe - 6, Double-crested Cormorant - 20, Great Blue Heron - 30, Great Egret - 5, Falcon Species - 1, Killdeer - 4, Spotted Sandpiper - 3, Ring-billed Gull - 300, Great Black-backed Gull - 10, Common Tern - 3, Mourning Dove - 1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 2, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1, Great Crested Flycatcher- 4, Blue-headed Vireo - 2, Warbling Vireo - 4, Red-eyed Vireo - 4, American Crow - 12,
Tree Swallow - 6, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 8, White-breasted Nuthatch - 3, Veery - 6, American Robin - 10, Gray Catbird - 3, Yellow Warbler - 20, American Redstart - 4, Common Yellowthroat - 8, Song Sparrow - 4, Swamp Sparrow - 2, White-throated Sparrow - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 12, Common Grackle - 30, Brown-headed Cowbird - 1, Baltimore Oriole - 2 - Sheldon

Sightings for Sunday June 27th

Val-d'Or, secteur Val-Senneville - We observed Bobolinks if a field at the intersection of chemins Beaudet & Paré. We heard the song of the Le Conte's sparrow through the singing of Savannah sparrows.

Nous observions les Goglus des prés dans un champ à l'intersection des chemins Beaudet et Paré, nous avons entendu le chant d'un Bruant de Le Conte au travers le chant des Bruants des prés. - Claudia Siano et Raymond Ladurantaye

Sightings for Saturday June 26th

St-Nicolas: Clay-coloured sparrow found and reported by Gérard Cyr yesterday. Was heard and seen today from the parking area at the corner of l'Entente and Pioneers, just opposite the church.

Bruant des plaines trouvé et rapporté par Gérard Cyr hier, était toujours au même endroit. Ce matin entendu puis vu à partir du stationnement situé à l’angle des rues de l’Entente et des Pionniers, juste en face de l’église. - Anne Déry

Sightings for Thursday June 24th

Ste. Anne de Bellevue: For the third time in two weeks a Northern Mockingbird ( Moqueur polygotte) was seen singing atop a tree near the corner of Ste-Elizabeth and Lamarche - Ryan Young

Summer Series of Birding - Trip #1 - Saturday, June 26

We begin the 7th annual Summer Series of Birding field trips this Saturday with a visit to a location we visited last summer. We will be heading to Pointe de Yamachiche, located near the town of Yamachiche, on the north shore of Lac St. Pierre, north-east of Montreal, approximately 120 km. from central Montreal.

DATE: Saturday, June 26, 2010
TIME: 8:00 AM – Half-day outing
MEETING PLACE: The parking lot at Exit 180 off Autoroute 40, at Yamachiche

Driving directions: From Montreal, take highway 40 east, off the island of Montreal at the far eastern tip, on to the north shore. Continue on Autoroute 40 (direction Trois-Rivieres) to Exit 180. Just off the exit there is a parking lot for Pointe de Yamachiche. This will be our meeting point. Calculate approximately a 90-minute drive to the meeting point, particularly if you are coming from the western part of Montreal.

ITINERARY: We will walk from the parking lot exploring the new boardwalk which was installed just last year. We will also walk through a wooded path leading to the waterfront of Lac St-Pierre. We will be looking for waterfowl and shorebirds at the waterfront. A scope will be useful on this trip, particularly at the waterfront. Insect repellent may be needed through the wooded area. This will be a half-day trip wrapping up by approximately Noon.

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the very low water level in the rivers and lakes in our region this year, trips to this location by other groups in the past month or so have found large numbers of shorebirds along the waterfront.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. You can reach me on Saturday morning on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141.

Sightings for Wednesday June 23rd

From 11:00 to 2:00 p.m., I was in St. Catherine on the south shore and three Willets (race semipalmata) rested on a rock in the bay facing the locks. They were clearly visible, although remote, from the road to the Recre-O-Parc. Along this road, trees obstruct the view continuously, but there is a gap near a sign saying "$5.00 per vehicle. That's from where I could observe, and they were still there when I left.

De 11h00 à 14h00, j'étais à Sainte-Catherine sur la rive sud et trois Chevaliers semipalmés (race semipalmata) se reposaient sur une roche dans la baie face aux écluses. Ils étaient bien visibles, bien que distants, à partir de la route menant au Récré-O-Parc. Le long de cette route, les arbres obstruent continuellement la vue, mais il y a une brèche près d'une pancarte indiquant "5.00$/véhicule". C'est de là que j'ai pu les observer. Ils étaient toujours là quand j'ai quitté. - Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Tuesday June 22nd

Verdun, Île des Soeurs: Ruddy turnstone on the rocks at the southern point

Tournepierre à collier sur les rochers à la pointe sud de l'île - Marc Boisvert

Sightings for Monday June 21st

Verdun, Île des Soeurs: At the southern tip, we could see few small balls of fluff on the rocks where the Common terns nest. The settlement goes far beyond a hundred pairs This is the first time this year that one could see the baby just out of their shell. Also a Great black-backed Gull couple has produced 2 young on one of these rocks. A Brant was a beautiful Summer Surprise.

In the woods, I was a little surprised to hear a Winter wren, this making it a likely breeding bird since he also sang to the end of May. Since June 16, the Cooper's hawk nest contains at least one young. The Screech Owl is still present. I also tried to make a count of Purple Martins using the many condos located on the island. A rough estimate gives at least 33 couples.

À la pointe sud, on pouvait voir quelques petites boules de duvet sur les rochers au large où nichent les Sternes pierregarins. La colonie dépasse largement une centaine de couples et c'est la première fois cette année qu'on pouvait voir des jeunes à peine sortis de leur coquille. Également un couple de Goéland marin a produit 2 jeunes sur l'un de ces rochers. Une Bernache cravant constituait une belle surprise estivale.

Dans le boisé, j'ai été un peu étonné d'entendre un Troglodyte mignon, ce qui en fait un nicheur probable puisqu'un oiseau chantait également vers la fin de mai. Depuis le 16 juin, le nid d'Épervier de Cooper contient au moins un jeune. Le Petit-duc maculé est aussi toujours présent. J'ai également tenté de faire un décompte des Hirondelles noires utilisant les nombreux condos installés sur l'île. Une évaluation grossière donne au moins 33 couples. - Pierre Bannon
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Johnville, parc éco forestier 6h30 - 11h30: I saw and heard 52 species with 14 species of Warbler - Nashville (with young), Northern parula, Magnolia, Black-throated blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated green, Blackburnian, Palm, Black & white, Ovenbird, Northern waterthrush, Common yellowthroat, Canada (nesting), Pine. A small family of Hooded merganser (1 adult 4 Juveniles), Brown thrasher, Eastern wood pewee, Lincoln's sparrow, Hairy woodpecker feeding a juvenile. 5 Broad-winged hawks at the same time. 1 Black-backed woodpecker

J'ai observé et entendu 52 espèces dont 14 sortes de Parulines - à joues grises (avec juvénile), à collier, à tête cendrée, bleue, à croupion jaune, à gorge noire, à gorge orangée, à couronne rousse, noir et blanc, couronnée, des ruisseaux, masquée, du Canada (nicheuse), Paruline des pins. Une petite famille de Harle couronné (1 adulte et 4 juvéniles), Moqueur roux, Piouis de l'Est, Bruants de Lincoln, Pic chevelu nourrissant un juvénile. 5 Petites Buses en même temps. un Pic à dos noir - Gisèle Gilbert
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Sightings for Sunday June 22th
Dorval: Pair of Great Egrets (Grande Aigrette) in Valois Bay. They were wading and feeding in the shallow waters of Lake St. Louis - Shirley Taylor

Bird Protection's Field Trip for June 19th

Field Trip Report, 5:30 am: southwestern Quebec

It was the grand finale to the regularly scheduled field trip season as 18 birders met at 5:30 a.m. for the third annual summer solstice field trip (the second to southwestern Quebec). The only "complaint" received was that, with the sun already up at 5:30, we could have started earlier!

At 5:40 we set out and in the next 8 hours and 30 minutes we covered about 80 kilometers with frequent stops to enjoy the widely varied habitat available in this wonderful birding area. Only a couple of the roads we took are well traveled, so for the most part parking was easy and the birding on foot undisturbed by passing vehicles.

The temperature was 15 degrees Celsius at 5:30 and reached 30 degrees C. by the end of the trip after 2:00 p.m.. The rain stayed off until everyone was on the way home.

The Bird of the Trip was Upland Sandpiper with the following species as runners-up: Scarlet Tanager, Bobolink, Northern Harrier, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

There were many highlights. The single most breathtaking moment (literally) was to watch a Merlin fly in to a nearby tree and take a Cedar Waxwing.

Happily, we were lucky with Upland Sandpipers. At the first site, we had a pair perched on fence posts and in flight, with one making that haunting call.

The Grasshopper Sparrow on Montée Jameson was eventually co-operative as it perched on a wire and threw its head back in song.

Field Sparrows remained elusive though we heard four.

Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks were plentiful and seen well on numerous occasions.

It was nice to hear a Willow Flycatcher, a bird many had hardly encountered this season.

The pair of Northern Harriers on Montée Biggar gave quite a show, interacting briefly in flight.

The Bank Swallow (aka Sand Martin) colony in the far southwest was a surprise . . with many nest holes in the walls of a sandpit.

The Eastern Bluebirds were seen at some distance through telescopes.

Among the breeding bird evidence in this first year of the atlas we had the following: a pair of American Kestrels; an Eastern Phoebe feeding young; a Red-eyed Vireo on the nest (about 2 feet off the ground in a conifer); and a Common Yellowthroat carrying food.

The list of observed birds ncludes 77 species.

The smaller totals for individual birds are reliable; the higher the number of individuals seen, the more the figure is a guesstimate at best.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this special trip even more special.

Thanks so much to Wayne for co-leading.

A special thanks goes to Mark for his magnificent effort in bringing birders without transport.

To those who had to leave before the end of the trip, if I've missed any species, please let me know.

Martin

Species List (77):

Canada Goose 6; Mallard 2; Great Blue Heron 4; Great Egret 1; Green Heron 1; Turkey Vulture 12; Northern Harrier 2; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 2; American Kestrel 5; Merlin 1; Killdeer 12; Upland Sandpiper 4; Ring-billed Gull 50; Rock Pigeon 24; Mourning Dove 28; Chimney Swift 7; Belted Kingfisher 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 6; Downy Woodpecker 6; Northern Flicker 4; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 4; Alder Flycatcher 12; Willow Flycatcher 1; Least Flycatcher 30; Eastern Phoebe 6; Great Crested Flycatcher 5; Eastern Kingbird 8; Warbling Vireo 6; Red-eyed Vireo 10; Blue Jay 6; American Crow 24; Horned Lark 3; Tree Swallow 10; Bank Swallow 75; Cliff Swallow 1; Barn Swallow 25; Black-capped Chickadee 6; White-breasted Nuthatch 2; House Wren 7; Eastern Bluebird 3; Veery 12; Wood Thrush 6; American Robin 15; Gray Catbird 2; Brown Thrasher 1; European Starling 60; Cedar Waxwing 30; Yellow Warbler 10; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Bay-breasted Warbler 1; Black-and-White Warbler 5; American Redstart 2; Ovenbird 15; Northern Waterthrush 3; Common Yellowthroat 12; Scarlet Tanager 6; Eastern Towhee 3; Chipping Sparrow 10; Field Sparrow 4; Savannah Sparrow 10; Grasshopper Sparrow 1; Song Sparrow 15; Swamp Sparrow 3; White-throated Sparrow 5; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2; Indigo Bunting 2; Bobolink 40; Red-winged Blackbird 50; Eastern Meadowlark 12; Common Grackle 20; Brown-headed Cowbird 12; Baltimore Oriole 6; American Goldfinch 20; House Sparrow 20

Sightings for Thursday June 17th

Montréal - Pointe Saint-Charles: At the end of rue Charon, I found a hole in the fence where I could slip in. I saw 3 Northern mockingbirds, 2 males singing and a bird not singing, probably a female. One of the male was equally visable at the end of rue Sainte-Madeleine

Au bout de la rue Charon, j'ai trouvé un trou dans la clôture et je m'y suis faufilé. J'y ai repéré 3 Moqueurs polyglottes, 2 mâles chanteurs et un oiseau qui n'a pas chanté, probablement une femelle. L'un des mâles était également visible au bout de la rue Sainte-Madeleine - Pierre Bannon

Pincourt: House Finch (Roselin familier) feeding with some American goldfinches (Chardonneret jaune) on our backyard feeder - Mathias Mutzl

Sightings for Wednesday June 9th

A very productive day today at Ile Sainte-Ignace-de-Loyola and Pointe Yamachiche, with 62 species in total being seen.

At Ile Sainte-Ignace we had 3 Upland Sandpiper (Maubèche des champs), Great Egret (Grande Aigrette), Blue-winged Teal (Sarcelle à ailes bleues), numerous Bobolink (Goglu des prés) in one field, and Wilson's Snipe (Bécassine de Wilson) .

At Pointe Yamachiche we had a very fat and healthy looking Red Knot (Bécasseau maubèche) in breeding plumage, Osprey (Balbuzard pêcheur), Snow Goose (Oie des neiges), Common Tern (Sterne pierregarin), Ruddy Turnstone (Tournepierre à collier), Semipalmated Plover (Pluvier semipalmé), Semipalmated Sandpiper (Bécasseau semipalmé), possible White-rumped Sandpiper (Bécasseau à croupion blanc)? (but flew before we could positively ID,) Black-bellied Plover (Pluvier argenté), Lesser Yellowlegs (Petit Chevalier), Bank Swallow (Hirondelle de rivage) and Ring-necked Duck (Fuligule à collier) - Alain Goulet, Andrew Plimer

Sightings for Friday June 4th

Ste-Foy: Snowy egret at the Base de pleinair. Go to the end of the lake, east-side where there is a boardwalk with two benches.

Aigrette neigeuse à la Base de pleinair. Il faut aller au bout du lac, du coté est, là oû il y a une passerelle avec deux bancs. - Maurice Raymond

Sightings for Wednesday June 3rd

Ile Perrot: Great egret (Grand aigrette) east side in what is called "La Grand Anse" a part of Lake St. Louis. As the water is very low, it was feeding among the weeds - Gordon Racey
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Valleyfield: Snow goose west of pont Larocque (bridge) north sidenear the parking lot.

Oie des neiges près de Valleyfield a l'ouest du pont Larocque côté nord près du stationnement - Marc Boisvert

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Possible Golden Eagle at Ile-Bizard

Very surprising sighting at Ile-Bizard today, Wednesday, June 2nd. Can anyone confirm this? Out with students after school today, we saw many of the expected species (including Pied-billed Grebe and Common Moorhen chicks, and very young Wood Duck ducklings); I alerted the students to what I at first thought was a turkey vulture, but soon began to realize as it approached, soaring steadily, that this was no "T.V." It was very large, (had great blue heron for comparison), and all dark, with an absolutely steady flight. The only thing that added up was a mature Golden Eagle. I would love any possible confirmation of this, as the late date, as well as relatively low altitude of flight (I'd guess at less than 100 feet) seem very unusual for this location. - Ian Turner

Sightings for Tuesday June 1st

Saint-Timothée marsh: Eurasian wigeon - About 2 km by bike. It was on the other side in front of the cranes. Just behind the aspens a Yellow-billed cuckoo was heard

marais de Saint-Timothée: Canard sifleur - Environ 2 km en vélo pour le voir, il était de l'autre côté devant les grues. Juste en arrière dans les trembles un coulicou à bec jaune entendu. - Marc Boisvert