Bird Protect Quebec "Field Trip Report" November 10

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Morgan Arboretum

A glorious, crisp and sunny morning - so nice that even if we had seen no birds at all we would have had a wonderful time just being there.

Some 30 birders turned out (plus or minus a couple who came and went) and walked the red and yellow trails plus diversions. Stretches of the route were quite quiet while others were hopping with activity and the day turned out to be very productive indeed with some nice surprises.

The advance notice of the trip mentioned that we were hoping to see the Red-bellied Woodpecker ... well, we didn't BUT, Betsy was out before us and did get it and along the trail we walked too. Such are the joys of serendipitous birding. Highlights for the group included two Ravens and a Red-tailed Hawk circling around each other as they soared high above us, two Barred Owls (one beside the red trail and one at eye level right beside the edge of the larches in the small field north of Chalet Pruche - posing for the photographers), and a small group of White-winged Crossbills cracking seed from larch cones just above our heads beside the "Bobolink field".

We had a division amongst as to bird of the day and so we awarded the honour equally to the cooperative eye-level Owl and to the Crossbills.

The list for the morning was as follows: House Finch 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 6, Blue Jay 12, American Crow 8, Mourning Doves >20, Pileated Woodpeckers 4, American Robin 20, Black-capped Chickadee >50, European Starling 3, American Goldfinch 12, Barred Owl 2, Brown Creeper 1, Downy Woodpecker 6, Hairy Woodpecker 6, White-winged Crossbill 4, Canada Geese 50 (+ another 200 on the campus fields), Rough-legged Hawk 1, Ring-billed Gull 3, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2, Dark-eyed Junco 5, Northern Cardinal 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1 (+ 1 just outside the arboretum beside the highway), Common Raven 3, Pine Siskin 1

Roselin familier 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 6, Geai bleu 12, Corneille d'Amérique 8, Tourterelles tristes> 20, Grand Pic 4, Merle d'Amérique 20, Mésange à tête noire> 50, Étourneau sansonnet 3, Chardonneret jaune 12, Chouette rayée 2, Grimpereau brun 1, Pic mineur 6, Pic chevelu 6, Bec-croisé bifascié 4, Bernache du Canada 50 (+ 200 autres sur les champs de campus), Buse pattue 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 3, Roitelet à couronne dorée 2, Junco ardoisé 5, Cardinal rouge 2, Buse à queue rousse 1 (+ 1 juste à l'extérieur de l'arboretum à côté de l'autoroute), Grand corbeau 3, Tarin des pins 1

To which we should add Betsy's observations: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Red-bellied Nuthatch

Pic à ventre roux, Gros-bec errant, Sizerin flammé, Sittelle à poitrine rousse- Richard

Sightings for Saturday November 10

Sainte-Catherine: Yesterday, at the Récré-O-Parc , there was a Cackling Goose amongst about 2000 Canada Geese. Seen here behind a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull - photo
Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu: This morning, at Parc des Voiles de, a cormorant was perched far from shore, on a tree trunk washed up the Chambly Basin. A second cormorant is subsequently situated next to the first individual, where I was able to confirm the presence of the Great Cormorant (first winter). I post a photo still of poor quality, where the comparison of dimensions supports my hypothesis. - photo

Hier, au Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine, il y avait une Bernache de Hutchins parmi environ 2 000 Bernaches du Canada. On la voit ici derrière un Goéland argenté et un Goéland à bec cerclé - photo

Ce matin, à partir du Parc des Voiles de Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, un cormoran était posé loin du rivage, sur un tronc d'arbre échoué sur le bassin de Chambly. Un second cormoran s'est par la suite posté à côté du premier individu, où j'ai pu confirmer la présence du Grand Cormoran de premier hiver. J'affiche tout de même une photo de faible qualité, où la comparaison des dimensions supporte mon hypothèse de départ. - Raymond Belhumeur
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St-Jean-sur-Richelieu: the Barnacle Goose is still present, a Greater White-fronted Goose was also there. The two rare birds were visible from the channel strip, accessible by the boardwalk  in front of rue Notre-Dame.

La Bernache nonnette était toujours présente à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Une Oie rieuse s'y trouvait également. Les deux oiseaux rares étaient visibles à partir de la bande du canal, accessible par la passerelle en face de la rue Notre-Dame.- Sylvain Mathieu
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Victoriaville, réservoir Beaudet: 2 Ross's goose adults and a hybrid goose (Ross's X Snow goose)

2 Oie de Ross adultes et une oie hybride (Ross X Oie des neiges) - Daniel Gagné
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St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near the autoroute 35 bridge: Greater white-fronted goose (Oie rieuse) (1)

missisquoi nwr, VT (just across the border from Clarenceville, qc) on missisquoi bay : Long-tailed duck (1), White-winged scoter (10+), Red-throated loon (3) (Harelde kakawi (1), Macreuse brune (10 +), Plongeon catmarin (3) - David Jeremy Kaiser

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, November 10 - samedi 10 novembre

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue
Morgan Arboretum - Arboretum Morgan
http://www.morganarboretum.org/


Leader: Richard Gregson  e-mail

8:00 a.m. From Montreal take Highway 40 west. Take exit 44 (Morgan Blvd.). Turn left on Chemin Ste-Marie. Drive 1.4 km to second stop sign (at Arboretum road). Turn right. Drive 1 km to main parking on left. $5.00 admission charge for non-Arboretum-members. Half day.

8h00 De Montréal, prendre l'autoroute 40 ouest, sortie 44 (boul. Morgan). Tourner à gauche sur le chemin Ste-Marie et continuer sur une distance de 1,4 km jusqu'au second arrêt (rue Arboretum). Tourner à droite et rouler sur une distance de 1 km jusqu'au stationnement principal, situé à gauche. Frais d'entrée : 5,00 $ pour les non-membres. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday November 4

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard: Wood duck (2), Red-tailed Hawk (1), Ring-billed Gull (2), Downy Woodpecker (3), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (2), American Crow (6), Blue Jay (2), Black-capped Chickadee (12), White-breasted Nuthatch (3), Brown Creeper (5), Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), American Robin (1), Bohemian Waxwing (3), Northern Cardinal (2), Pine Grosbeak (7), American Goldfinch (3)

Canard branchu (2), Buse à queue rousse (1), Goéland à bec cerclé (2), Pic mineur (3), Pic chevelu (1), Grand pic (2), Corneille d'Amérique (6), Geai bleu (2 ), Mésange à tête noire (12), Sittelle à poitrine blanche (3), Grimpereau brun (5), Roitelet à couronne dorée (2), Merle d'Amérique (1), Jaseur boréal (3), Cardinal rouge (2), Durbec des sapins (7), Chardonneret jaune (3) - Lisa Keelty
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île-aux-Hérons: 40 Wild turkeys (Dindons sauvage) - Raymond Belhumeur
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Terrebonne, au ruisseau de feu: Cattle Egret was still present at the end of rue Bernard-Gagnon (street blocked by concrete blocks).

au ruisseau de feu: ce midi, pour constater que le Héron garde-boeufs était encore présent au bout de la rue Bernard-Gagnon (rue bloque par des blocs de béton). - Samuel Denault
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A Swan (Cygne) was flying with a large group of Canada geese (Bernaches du Canada) just across the border in Ontario at Voyageur Provincial Park It disappeared into the bay at the west end of the park off Front Road (regional Road 4) before a positive species ID could be made.
Also an immature Iceland Gull (Goéland artique) below the Carillon Dam in Pointe Fortune just this side of the Ontraio border. - Wayne Grubert

Sightings for Saturday November 3

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Early this morning, the Barnacle Goose was present in front of rue Cayer and Champlain. At about 9:00 am, she left to feed in the fields in the area. PHOTO


Tôt en matinée, la Bernache nonnette était présente en face des rues Cayer et Champlain, à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Vers 9h00, elle a quitté pour s'alimenter dans les champs du secteur. PHOTO - Raymond Belhumeur

Bird Protection Quebec "Monthly lecture"

November 5

Lecture starts at 19h30 at Knox Crescent Kensington and First Presbyterian Church 625 Godfrey Avenue, Montréal in NDG

Woodpeckers and Deadwood

Recently Burned and Old Forests in the Boreal Ecosystem: Key Interactions for the Maintaining Biodiversity with Pierre Drapeau, professor, Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal.

Loss of old growth forests in different ecosystems affects several bird species particularly those associated with decaying and deadwood. Among them, hole-nesting birds, particularly woodpeckers are considered keystone species given their disproportionate influence in providing resources, such as cavities, to many species in forest ecosystems. This presentation looks at the ongoing work conducted on woodpeckers in recently burned and old forests of the boreal ecosystem. It shows their ecological contribution and their relationship with decaying and deadwood both for nesting and foraging.

Pierre Drapeau is professor in conservation ecology at the département des Sciences biologiques of Université du Québec à Montréal. He is also co-chair of the Centre for Forest Research (CFR), a research center that brings together 57 scientists from eleven universities in the province of Québec working in forest ecology and forestry.

His research program investigates wildlife-habitat relationships in managed and naturally disturbed landscapes of temperate and boreal ecosystems covering topics such as habitat loss and fragmentation effects on wildlife populations (birds and mammals), populations dynamics of birds and insects in recently burned forests, and deadwood dynamics and deadwood associates in old growth forests. Applications of his research program deal with integrating knowledge on habitat requirements of wildlife to refine ecosystem-based approaches of sustainable forest management.

He recently co-edited a book on « Ecosystem management in the boreal forest » published at Presses de l'Université du Québec.

Sightings for Friday November 2

Rigaud: Around noon at my backyard feeder near Rigaud mountan, a flock of 20 - 30 Pine Siskins (Tarin des pins). Jim Forster

Sightings for Thursday November 1

St-Stanislaus de Kostka: I saw a Pacific Loon (Plongeon du Pacifique) in non-breeding plkumeage about 400m along the Beauharnois Canal from the Hungry Bay parking lot. Also in the same general area, a single Red-throated Loon (Plongeon catmarin) (immature) and a further seven over in one group going east and around 26 Common Loons (Plongeon huard); nine Red-necked Grebes (Grèbe jougris) up to 50 Black Scoters (Macreuse à bec jaune), three White-winged Scoters (macreuses brune) and a single Surf Scoter (Macreuse à front blanc). Also along the cycle path 30 Snow Buntings (Plectrophanes des neiges) and two showy Tufted Titmice (Mésange bicolore).

Earlier in the day I'd been at Les Coteaux but the wind had shifted and there was not much to report from there, just a couple more Red-necked Grebes (Grèbe jougris)

At St-Lazare sand pits 1 Dunlin (Bécasseau variable) and 4 Cackling Geese (Bernaches de Hutchins) in with the Canada Geese (Bernaches du Canada) in the morning before they head out to the local fields.- Mark Dennis
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Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Barnacle Goose was present at 8:30 this morning across from rue Cayer
Bernache nonnette tait toujours présente ce matin 8h30 en face de la rue Cayer. - Bertrand Hamel

Sightings for Wednesday October 31

St-Stanislaus de Kostka: at the mouth of the Beauharnois Canal 2 Black scoters, Long-tailed duck, 8 Common goldeneye. chemin Larocque bridge 2 Tufted titmouse accompanying a group of Black-capped chickadee. There were also three Red-necked grebes near the bridge.

l'embouchure du canal de Beauharnois Saint-Stanislas de Kostka: 2
Macreuse à bec jaune, harelde kakawi, 8 Garrot à oeil d'or. Au pont du chemin Larocque 2 mésange bicolore qui accompagnait un groupe de mésange à tête noire. Il y avait aussi trois Grèbe jougris prés du pont. - Denis Collins.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 3 November - samedi 3 novembre
Montréal, Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Leaders: To be announced

8:00 a.m. Take Highway 40 East to the exit for Boul. Gouin (Exit 92). Turn left (west) on Gouin Blvd. and follow it for 1.9 km, looking for the blue signs indicating "Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies." The parking lot is located at the Pavillon des Marais section of the park, at 12,300 Gouin Blvd. East. Parking: $8.00. Half day.

8h00 À partir de l'autoroute 40 est, prendre la sortie pour le boulevard Gouin (sortie 92). Tourner à gauche, direction ouest, sur le boulevard Gouin. Continuer sur Gouin sur une distance de 1,9 km jusqu'au panneau bleu indiquant l'entrée du Parc-Nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies. Le stationnement est situé au Pavillon des marais, 12 300 boulevard Gouin Est. Frais de stationnement : 8,00 $. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Tuesday October 30

Dundee, sentier de la Grande-aigrette: 10 (possiblement 12) Grues du Canada (Sandhill-crane), 1 Buse pattue (Rough-legged Hawk), 2 Buse à queue rousse (Red-tailed Hawk), 1 Épervier de Cooper (Coopers' Hawk) - Jean De Marre
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Les Coteaux this morning. There is a nice jetty there where you can park and scan the upper reaches of Lac St-Francois opposite Hungry Bay. Between 8-10:30 I saw: Common Loon 48 (Plongeon huard) (probably a lot more, many were moving east); Black Scoter (Macreuse à bec jaune), two on the lake then a flight at 9:41 of around 250 heading east. White-winged Scoter (Macreuse brune) 7; Long-tailed Duck Harelde kakawi 8; Bonaparte's Gull  (Mouette de Bonaparte) 30; Red-necked Grebe (Grèbe jougris) 2 & Horned Grebe (Grèbe esclavon), 2. Plus all the expected stuff like both Scaup (Fuligule), Common Goldeneye (Garrot à oeil d'or) etc.
To find the Les Coteaux lake watch point, going west from Montreal exit highway 20 at junction 12, go south a short way, straight on at the lights on Comte and the jetty is in front of you. You can drive and park near the bollards at the end. - Mark Dennis

Sightings for Sunday October 28

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Morgan Arboretum: White-winged Crossbills, Bohemian Waxwings and one Evening
Bec-croisé bifascié, Jaseur boréal et un Gros-bec errant - Betsy McFarlane
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Rigaud: four to six White-winged crossbills (Bec-croisé bifascié) stopped at my backyard pond. near Rigaud mountain - Jim Forster
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From the comments

This is a little far off from Quebec but I thought perhaps you might be interested in the following. I live in Toronto, and this past Friday, my wife and I came upon an adult Saw-Whet Owl out in the bush. This was the first time as birders that we had ever seen a Saw-Whet Owl. Fortunately, we had our camera with us and got some good pictures and video. We have posted them for anyone interested at: http://frametoframe.ca/photo-essay-northern-saw-whet-owl-sighting

Bird Protect Quebec "Field Trip Report" October 27

Granby, Lac Boivin

Driving along the Eastern Townships Autoroute to Granby early this morning was a bit of an adventure, mainly due to the heavy fog, causing severely reduced visibility, and the strong smell of fertilizer from the farms. By the time we arrived at our destination though, the fog had lifted and 14 birders has a great morning of fall birding with mild, rain-free and wind-free weather. In fact the Sun even broke through at times later in the morning.

Everyone experienced the attack of the hungry and bold Chickadees, accompanied by a few Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, all to comfortable with the visitors to the park. Hand-feeding took place at numerous spots throughout the park.

Ducks and geese were numerous on the lake, with the up-close-and-personal contact with the Wood Ducks along the boardwalk being one of the day's highlights.

Our bird of the day was the Bohemian Waxwing, with a group of ten easily observed at two locations along the water's edge.

Strangely there were many common or anticipated species missing today, including Mourning Doves, woodpecker species, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Cardinal, to name a few.

Here is our list of 34 species for the day: Snow Goose 200, Canada Goose 200, Wood Duck 20, Gadwall 12, American Wigeon 100, American Black Duck 4, Mallard 75, Blue-winged Teal 4, Northern Shoveler 6, Green-winged Teal 15, Ring-necked Duck 8, Hooded Merganser 25, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Ring-billed Gull 750, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 20, American Crow 13, Black-capped Chickadee 80, Red-breasted Nuthatch 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 14, Brown Creeper 2, Golden-crowned Kinglet 3, American Robin 2, Bohemian Waxwing 10, American Tree Sparrow 1, Fox Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 2, Dark-eyed Junco 3, Red-winged Blackbird 85, Rusty Blackbird 7, American Goldfinch 6
  Oie des neiges 200, Bernache du Canada 200, Canard branchu 20, Canard chipeau 12, Canard d'Amérique 100, Canard noir 4, Canard colvert 75, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 4, Canard souchet 6, Sarcelle d'hiver 15, Fuligule à collier 8, Harle couronné 25, Grèbe à bec bigarré 2, Cormoran à aigrettes 1, Grand Héron 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 750, Grand Pic 1, Geai bleu 20, Corneille d'Amérique 13, Mésange à tête noire 80, Sittelle à poitrine rousse 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 14, Grimpereau brun 2, Roitelet à couronne dorée 3, Merle d'Amérique 2, Jaseur boréal 10, Bruant hudsonien 1, Bruant fauve 1,Bruant chanteur 2, Junco ardoisé 3, Carouge à épaulettes 85, Quiscale rouilleux 7, Chardonneret jaune 6

Sightings for Wednesday October 23

Victoriaville, Réservoir Beaudet:  Cackling goose (Bernache de Hutchins) - Lise Jacques

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 27 October – samedi 27 octobre
Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (CINLB), Granby
Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459   e-mail
8:00 a.m. Meet in the CINLB parking lot, 700 rue Drummond, Granby, Quebec

$5 per person entry fee



Centre d'Interpretation de la Nature du Lac Boivin webpage: http://cinlb.org/
DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: From the Champlain Bridge, follow the Eastern Townships Autoroute (Hwy 10) to Exit 68. Turn right off the exit on to boul.Daniel Bouchard (Hwy 139). Follow boul. Daniel Bouchard into Granby, crossing Hwy 112 and continuing past Granby Zoo. Continue on boul. Daniel Bouchard to the intersection with rue Drummond. Turn right on to rue Drummond. The free parking for the CINLB will be on your left. This site is approximately 75 minutes from the South Shore side of Champlain Bridge.

This is a great spot to visit, particularly at this time of the year with the changing leaves. This is a walking trip, with extensive trails throughout the park and an observation tower overlooking Lac Boivin. The park offers a variety of habitats including the lake itself, wooded trails and areas of open fields and brushy areas. There should be a good selection of species, including migrating songbirds, ducks, geese and, hopefully, a few surprises. Bring along some bird seed as the chickadees, white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches are very friendly here and always looking to feed from the hands of the visitors! Half day.

8h00 Rendez-vous dans le stationnement du CINLB, 700 rue Drummond, Granby, Québec

5 $ prix d'entrée, par personne

Centre d'Interprétation de la Nature du Lac Boivin page: http://cinlb.org/~~V

DIRECTIONS: À partir du pont Champlain, suivez l'autoroute des Cantons de l'Est (autoroute 10) jusqu'à la sortie 68. Tourner à droite après la sortie sur le boulevard Daniel Bouchard (route 139). Suivez le boulevard Daniel Bouchard dans Granby, en traversant la route 112 et continuer jusqu'à dépasser le Zoo de Granby. Continuer sur le boul. Daniel Bouchard jusqu'à l'intersection avec la rue Drummond. Tourner à droite sur la rue Drummond. Le parking gratuit pour le CINLB sera sur votre gauche. Ce site est situé à 75 minutes de la rive sud du pont Champlain.

C'est un endroit formidable à visiter, en particulier à cette période de l'année lorsque les feuilles changent. Il s'agit d'une excursion à pied, sur les sentiers qui sillonnent le vaste parc et à destination d'une tour d'observation surplombant le lac Boivin. Le parc offre une variété d'habitats, y compris le lac lui-même, des sentiers boisés et des zones de champs ouverts et des zones broussailleuses. On devrait y trouver une bonne sélection d'espèces, y compris les oiseaux chanteurs migrateurs, canards, oies et, espérons-le, quelques surprises. Apportez quelques graines pour les oiseaux qui comme les mésanges, les sitelles à poitrine blanche et à poitrine rousse sont très peu farouches et cherchent toujours à la recherche à se nourrir dans les mains des visiteurs! Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday October 21

Sainte-Catherine: I spent a few hours this morning at the Recre-O-Parc, and there were still hundreds of tree swallows flitting over rapids. A Brant passed quickly in my field of vision, as well as a Great Egret.


J'ai passé quelques heures ce matin au Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine, et il y avait encore une centaine d'Hirondelles bicolores voletant au-dessus des rapides. Une Bernache cravant est passée rapidement dans mon champ de vision, ainsi qu'une Grande Aigrette.


Further, around the Laprairie Basin, among a group of Ring-billed Gulls feeding at the edge of the water, I spotted a Little Gull in second year winter plumage

Au loin, vers le bassin de Laprairie, parmi un groupe de Goélands à bec cerclé s'alimentant au raz de l'eau, j'ai repéré une Mouette pygmée en plumage de 2e hiver - Raymond Belhumeur ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ste-Anne-d​e-Bellevue: I saw a Black Scoter (Macreuse à bec jaune) (female) with a raft of Lesser Scaup (Petit Fuligule)from the MacDonald Tennis Courts on Lakeshore Rd. overlooking the St. Lawrence at 12pm today. Also seen today/yesterday of interest in Ste-Annes: 7 species of sparrows including Fox Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch (2) (Bruant fauve, Bruant, Bruant à couronne blanche et bruant à gorge blanche, Roselin pourpré (2) in the Morgan Arboretum and Snow Goose (2) with the Canada Geese (Oie des neiges (2) avec les Bernaches du Canada) in the agricultural fields. - Alex Stone

Bird locating tool for the Montreal area

Bird Protection Quebec has set up a new tool to find birds located 30 miles around the Montreal area. You can check it out here

Bird Protection Quebec's "Field Trip"

Saturday 20 October - samedi 20 octobre

Cooper Marsh - Lancaster, Ontario
Leader: Martin Bowman 613-347-1655  e-mail

8:00 a.m. Take Highway 20 (Ontario Highway 401) and exit at Lancaster, Ontario (exit 814). Follow Highway 2 west, and follow signs to Cooper Marsh. Allow at least an hour's travel time from Montreal. Looking for waterfowl, hawks, shorebirds and migrating passerines. Half day.

8h00 À partir de l'autoroute 20 (Ontario 401), prendre la sortie pour Lancaster, Ontario (sortie 814). Prendre l'autoroute 2 ouest et suivre les indications pour le marais Cooper. Prévoir au moins 1 h de route. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, rapaces diurnes, limicoles et passereaux en migration.. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday October 14

Victoriaville, réservoir Beaudet: one Ross's goose and at least two Lesser black-backed gulls (1 3rd year winter and 1 adult)

une Oie de Ross et au moins deux Goélands bruns (1 de 3e hiver et 1 adulte). - Daniel Gagné

Sightings for Saturday October 13

Sainte-Catherine: Again thousands of Tree Swallows at the rapids, in front of the Recre-O-Parc. Also, 4 Black-Crowned Night-Herons and a Great Egret
Encore des milliers d'Hirondelles bicolores dans les rapides face au Récré-O-Parc. Aussi, 4 Bihoreaux gris et une Grande Aigrette



Saint-Constant: in a plowed field on Montee Saint-Christophe, there were 5 Golden Plovers, 15 Killdeer, several Horned Larks and American Pipits and a Vespral Sparrow, hundreds of American Crows. On chemin Saint-Simon, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Turkey Vultures and a Common Raven. On the same road but in Saint-Isidore, there were thirty Killdeer, and another Vespral Sparrow. Dans un champ aplani sur la Montée Saint-Christophe, il y avait 5 Pluviers bronzés, 15 Pluviers kildirs, plusieurs Alouettes hausse-col et Pipits d'Amérique ainsi qu'un Bruant vespéral, et des centaines de Corneilles d'Amérique. Sur le chemin Saint-Simon, 2 Buses queue rousse, 2 Urubus à tête rouge et un Grand Corbeau. Sur le mème chemin mais dans Saint-Isidore, il y avait une trentaine de Pluviers kildirs, et un autre Bruant vespéral.- Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Friday October 12

Rigaud: male Northern Harrier (Busard Saint-Martin) hovering over the hay fields, near Rigaud mountain - Jim Forster
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Charlemagne: in an area immediately to west of Rue Picard (west of Blvd Celine-Dion) The woods/ fields here are like a small trap for birds, since they are bounded by roads, rail line and the river.: Osprey, Blue-headed vireo, Red-eyed vireo, Hermit thrush (4)
Balbuzard pêcheur, Viréo à tête bleue, Viréo aux yeux rouges, Grive solitaire (4)

October 11: American bittern, Osprey, Northern harrier 2, Blackpoll and Nashville warblers, Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Hermit thrush (5)
11 octobre: ​​Butor d'Amérique, Balbuzard pêcheur, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Paruline rayée et à joues grises, Pic maculé, Grive solitaire (5) - Nathan Gricks
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St-Louis de Gonzague: 9:30 - 11:30 this morning  at the pond, Here are my observations: Canada Geese: minimum 100, Snow goose: 1, American Wigeon: a hundred, Ring-necked Duck: a few hundred, Redhead: 2 nice males , Lesser Scaup, Gadwall: 8, Wood duck: 1 male, Pied-billed Grebe: ten, Mallard, Black duck, Double-crested cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Song Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler: 4, Dark-eyed Junco.

Ce matin de 9h30 11h30 l'étang du pont St-Louis de Gonzague. Voici mes observations: Bernaches du Canada: minimum 100, Oie des neiges: 1 seule, Canard d'Amérique : une centaine, Fuligule à collier: quelques centaines, Fuligule à tête rouge: 2 beaux mâles, Petit fuligule, Canard chipeau : 8, Canard branchu: 1 mâle, Grèbe à bec bigarré: une dizaine, Canard colvert, Canard noir, Cormoran aigrette, Goéland à bec cerclé, Bruant chanteur, Paruline à croupion jaune: 4, Junco ardoisé. - Michel Juteau

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 13 October - samedi 13 octobre

Alfred, Ontario
Leader: Jacques Bouvier 613-524-1154   e-mail

8:30 a.m. Meet at the Ultramar Service Station in Alfred. Take Hwy 40 to the Ontario border (signpost Ottawa) and continue on Hwy 417 west to exit 9 (Rte 17). Follow Rte 17 beyond Hawkesbury towards Alfred (about 32 km from Exit 9 of 417). Proceed to the edge of Alfred. The Ultramar gas station is on your right at the corner of Rte 17 and Peat Moss Road. About 90 minutes from Montreal. We will explore the area around Alfred including Alfred Bog, Alfred Sewage Lagoon and the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail. Looking for waterfowl, raptors, and migrating passerines and shorebirds. Half day.

8h30 Rassemblement au poste d’essence Ultramar d’Alfred. À partir de Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 40 jusqu'à la frontière ontarienne et continuer sur l'autoroute 417 ouest jusqu’à la sortie 9 (route 17). Prendre la route 17 et continuer sur celle-ci en dépassant Hawkesbury et en continuant jusqu’à Alfred (environ 32 km). Le poste d’essence Ultramar se trouve sur la droite, au coin des routes Peat Moss et 17. Prévoir environ 1h30 de route à partir de Montréal. Nous comptons explorer les environs d'Alfred, incluant la tourbière d'Alfred, les bassins d'épuration d'Alfred et le sentier récréatif Prescott-Russell. À la recherche d'oiseaux aquatiques et de rapaces ainsi que de passereaux et limicoles en migration. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Saturday October 6

Gatineau: Western Kingbird near the west end of Rue Lamoureux just east of where the bicycle path crosses Lamoureux.

  Un Tyran de l'ouest au bout du chemin Lamoureux, juste à l'est de l'endroit où la piste cyclable traverse Lamoureux - Jean Dubois
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Bergeronnes: This morning at 8am, I observed a Dickcissel (possibly a young female) at a feeder at 315 chemin de la rivire

Ce matin vers 8h, j'ai pu observer un Dickcissel d'Amérique (possiblement une jeune femelle) un poste d'alimentation au 315 chemin de la rivière - Samuel Denault

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip report" October 6

Châteauguay

Four other birders showed up at Île Saint Bernard this morning despite the rain. Although we decided to shorted the trip and just do perhaps the first kilometer or so. To the trail that goes to the water, to check for shorebirds. Just past where the old swamp oak was that came down last year.


The following is the list for the two hours we were there. - Tom Long

14 Canada Goose, 12 Wood Duck, 6 American Black Duck, 35 Mallard, 1 Common Loon, 6 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron, 3 Great Egret, 1 Turkey Vulture, 8 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Rock Pigeon, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 3 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Northern Flicker, 1 Blue Jay, 25 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Tufted Titmouse, 4 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Marsh Wren, 1 American Robin, 12 European Starling, 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 15 Song Sparrow, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 10 White-throated Sparrow 6, White-crowned Sparrow, 6 Dark-eyed Junco, 6 Red-winged Blackbird, 1 Rusty Blackbird, 2 House Sparrow

14 Bernache du Canada, 12 Canard branchu, 6 Canard noir, 35 Canard colvert, 1 Plongeon huard, 6 Cormoran à aigrettes, 1 Grand Héron, 3 Grande Aigrette, 1 Urubu à tête rouge, 8 Bécasseau semipalmé, 4 Goéland à bec cerclé, 1 Goéland marin, 4 Pigeon biset, 1 Pic maculé, 3 Pic mineur, 3 Pic flamboyant, 1 Geai bleu, 25 Mésange à tête noire, 2 Mésange bicolore, 4 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 1 Grimpereau brun, 1 Troglodyte des marais, 1 Merle d'Amérique, 12 Étourneau sansonnet, 15 Paruline à croupion jaune, 15 Bruant chanteur, 1 Bruant des marais, 10 Bruant à gorge blanche 6, Bruant à couronne blanche, 6 Junco ardoisé, 6 Carouge à épaulettes, 1 Quiscale rouilleux, 2 Moineau domestique

Sightings for Friday October 5

Châteauguay, Île Saint Bernard - Refuge faunique Marguerite D'Youville: Canada Goose 30, Wood Duck 4, Mallard 75, Blue-winged Teal 3, Green-winged Teal 8, Hooded Merganser 13, Common Merganser 1, Common Loon 1, Double-crested Cormorant 350, Great Blue Heron 3, Great Egret 8, Black-crowned Night-Heron 1, Turkey Vulture 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Black-bellied Plover 15, Killdeer 1, Greater Yellowlegs 2, Semipalmated Sandpiper 6, Ring-billed Gull 30, Great Black-backed Gull 3, Rock Pigeon 5, Mourning Dove 1, Downy Woodpecker 4, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 3, American Crow 4, Common Raven 1, Black-capped Chickadee 35, Tufted Titmouse 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 4, American Robin 6, Gray Catbird 1, European Starling 20, Yellow-rumped Warbler 16, Savannah Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 20, White-throated Sparrow 20, White-crowned Sparrow 6, Northern Cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 6, Rusty Blackbird 3

Bernache du Canada 30, Canard branchu 4, Canard colvert 75, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 3, Sarcelle d'hiver 8, Harle couronné 13, Grand Harle 1, Plongeon huard 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 350, Grand Héron 3, Grande Aigrette 8, Bihoreau Gris 1, Urubu à tête rouge 1, Buse à queue rousse 1, Pluvier argenté 15, Pluvier kildir 1, Grand Chevalier 2, Bécasseau semipalmé 6, Goéland à bec cerclé 30, Goéland marin 3, Pigeon biset 5, Tourterelle triste 1, 4 Pic mineur, Pic chevelu 1, Pic flamboyant 2, Grand Pic 1, Geai bleu 3, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Grand Corbeau 1, Mésange à tête noire 35, Mésange bicolore 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 4, Merle d'Amérique 6, 1 Moqueur chat, Étourneau sansonnet 20, Paruline à croupion jaune 16, Bruant des prés 1, Bruant chanteur 20, Bruant à gorge blanche 20, Bruant à couronne blanche 6, Cardinal rouge 1, Carouge à épaulettes 6, Quiscale rouilleux 3
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Boucherville: This morning, I birded Parc de la Frayère on the south shore near Varennes. I had 40 species, highlights including Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, a Magnolia Warbler, 3 Hermit Thrushes, both Kinglets, Winter Wren, lots of sparrows, particularly White-throated Sparrows but also Song, Swamp and one White-crowned, and a Pine Siskin. Of interest to me were the Winter Wrens as I had a total of 6 in 3 separate sightings-more than I have ever had in one place. There were also good numbers of American Robin, Cedar Waxwing and Yellow-rumped Warbler. On the river, for ducks, I could only find Mallards while in the adjacent pond, there were 22 Green-winged Teal, a few Mallards and two Pied-billed Grebes.

Montréal: This afternoon, however, while jogging along the Lachine Canal, I saw 4 American Wigeons in the Peel Basin. - Charlie Nims

Sightings for Wednesday October 3

Rivière-Ouelle dock: (6:15 to 9:00) stationary at the end of the dock: Red-throated Loon ... 40 Common Loon ... 5 Horned Grebe... 2  Red-necked Grebe  ... 5 Double-crested cormorant ... 315 Snow goose  ... 875 Green-winged Teal 2 Black Duck ... 30 Mallard ... 12 Northern pintail ... 6 Greater Scaup ... 17 Lesser Scaup ... 3 Common eider ... 32 Black Scoter ... 1 Sur scoter ... 13 Common Goldeneye 3 Semipalmated Plover ... 45 Sanderling ... 6  Dunlin sandpiper... 8 Sandpiper sp ...30 Bonaparte's Gull ... 4  Ring-billed gull 140 Herring gull ... 18 Great black-backed gull... 5  Black guillemot... 4

quai de Rivière-Ouelle (6h15-9h00) en stationnaire au bout du quai: Plongeon catmarin   ...40  Plongeon huard   ...5  Grèbe esclavon   ...2  Grèbe jougris   ...5  Cormoran  aigrettes   ...315  Oie des neiges   ...875  Sarcelle d'hiver   ...2  Canard noir   ...30  Canard colvert   ...12 Canard pilet   ...6  Fuligule milouinan   ...17  Petit Fuligule   ...3  Eider à duvet   ...32  Macreuse à bec jaune   ...1  Macreuse à  front blanc   ...13  Garrot à oeil d'or   ...3  Pluvier semipalmé   ...45  Bécasseau sanderling   ...6  Bécasseau variable   ...8  bécasseau sp.   ...30  Mouette de Bonaparte   ...4  Goéland à bec cercle   ...140  Goéland argente   ...18 Goéland marin   ...5 Guillemot  miroir   ...4  - Jean-Franois Rousseau

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip October 6

Saturday 6 October - samedi 6 octobre
Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite D'Youville on Île Saint Bernard
Leader: 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 on to 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.

8h00 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 porter des chaussures adéquates. Frais d’entrée de 3.00$. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Tuesday October 2

Montréal: A small tour on rue Marc Cantin in Technopark bordering the Bonaventure autoroute allowed me to count at least 5 Northern Mockingbirds. There were 4 or 5 American Kestrels, 50 Song sparrows and a few White-crowned Sparrows.

Verdun: I then visited the southern tip of île des Soeurs and there were at least a hundred Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Palm Warbler that sang several times, a Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern parula and a Nashville Warbler. also present, hundreds of Song sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, a Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Hermit thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robins, a Cedar Waxwing, both species of kinglets a Winter wren, etc.
Montréal: Une petite tourne sur la rue Marc-Cantin dans le TechnoParc en bordure de l'autoroute Bonaventure m'a permis de compter au moins 5 Moqueurs polyglottes. Il y avait aussi 4 ou 5 Crécerelles d'Amérique, une cinquantaine de Bruant chanteurs et quelques Bruants à couronne blanche.

Verdun: J'ai ensuite visit la pointe sud de l'île des Soeurs ou il y avait au moins une centaine de Paruline à croupion jaune, une Paruline  à couronne rousse qui a chant plusieurs fois, une Paruline à gorge noire, une Paruline collier et une Paruline joues à grises. également présents, une centaine de Bruants chanteurs, des Bruants à gorge blanche, un Viréo aux yeux rouges, 2 Grives solitaires, des Juncos ardoisés, des Carouges épaulettes, des Merles d'Amérique, un Jaseur d'Amérique, les 2 espèce de Roitelets, un Troglodyte des forets, etc. - Pierre Bannon
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Cap Tourmente: A west wind encouraged me to go to Cap Tourmente this morning.

A little surprise was waiting for me at marais des Graves (marsh), not one Long-billed Dowitcher at the marsh but three all immature. They all fed very close to each other in front the observation area.

The raptor side was particulirement interesting. Denise Lacasse, Denis Chalifour and I watched the sky above the mountains between 11:15 and 14:00. Here, by decreaseing amounts that we have noted: Sharp-shinned Hawk 144, Red-tailed Hawk 104, American Kestrel 11, Northern Goshawk 9, Osprey 6, Northern Harrier: 5, (two above the mountain) White eagle head: 3 Peregrine Falcon : 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 (marais des Graves), Red-shouldered Hawk 1

Un vent d'ouest m'a incit me diriger vers le cap Tourmente ce matin.Une petite surprise m'attendait au marais des Graves, ce n'est pas un Bécassin long bec qui se tenait dans le marais mais trois. Tous des immatures. Ils se nourrissaient ensemble trs prés l'un de l'autre en face de l'observatoire.

Du coté rapace ce fut particulirement intéressant. Denise Lacasse, Denis Chalifour et moi avons scrut le ciel au dessus de la montagne entre 11h15 et 14h00. Voici, par quantit dcroissante ce que nous avons not : épervier brun : 144 Buse à queue rousse : 104 Crécerelle d'Amérique : 11 Autour des palombes : 9 Balbuzard pecheur : 6 Busard St-Martin : 5 (deux au dessus de la montagne) Pygargue à tete blanche : 3 Faucon plerin : 2 épervier de Cooper : 1 (au marais des Graves) Buse à épaulettes : 1 - Gérard Cyr

Sightings for Saturday Septemebr 29

Brossard: A small flock of about 5 Female  Evening Grosbeaks (Gros-becs errants) were seen by my home in Brossard earlier this morning - Nick Bonnema
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Laval: 2 female canvasbacks accompanied scaup Red heads and Ring-necked ducks this morning at the old beach of Laval west on rue Riviera. Several American wigeon, mallards, Wood duck, Canada geese and a couple of Green-winged teals also on site. A Greated yellowlegs  great passed by in flight.

2 femelles fuligules à dos blanc accompagnaient des fuligules à tête rouge et des fuligules à collier ce matin la vieille plage de Laval ouest sur Riviera. Plusieurs canards d'Amériques, mallards, branchus, bernaches ainsi qu'un couple de sarcelles d'hiver taient galement sur place. Un grand chevalier est pass au vol. - Alain Robert
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Montréal: Mount Royal Cemetery this afternoon from 2-4pm. 32 species observed. Merlin 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 3, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Philadelphia Vireo 1, Blue-headed Vireo 3, Blue Jay 5, American Crow 20, Black-capped Chickadee 15, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown Creeper 1, Winter Wren 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 5, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7, American Robin 6, Hermit Thrush 4, Swainson's Thrush 2, European Starling 20, Northern Parula 2, Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (Pacific race), Nashville Warbler 2, Magnolia Warbler 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler 10, Northern Cardinal 3, White-throated Sparrow 15, White-crowned Sparrow 5, Fox Sparrow 3, Song Sparrow 5, Dark-eyed Junco 20, American Goldfinch 5, House Sparrow 4

Cimetière Mont-Royal cet après-midi à 14h - 16h 32 espèces  observés. Faucon émerillon-1,Pic mineur-2, Pic chevelu-1, Pic flamboyant-3, Pic maculé-2, Viréo de Philadelphie-1, Viréo à tête bleue-3, Geai bleu-5, Corneille d'Amérique-20, Mésange à tête noire-15, Sittelle à poitrine blanche-2, Grimpereau brun-1, Troglodyte des forêts (mignon)-1, Roitelet à couronne dorée-5, Roitelet à couronne rubis-7, Merle d'Amérique-6, Grive solitaire-4, Grive à dos olive-2, Étourneau sansonnet-20, Paruline à collier-2, Paruline verdâtre-1 (race Pacifique), Paruline à joues grises-2, Paruline à tête cendrée-1, Paruline à croupion jaune-10, Cardinal rouge-3, Bruant à gorge blanche-15, Bruant à couronne blanche-5, Bruant fauve-3, Bruant chanteur-5, Junco ardoisé-20, Chardonneret jaune-5, Moineau domestique-4 - Vivek Govind Kumar
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Cap Tourmente: Gray catbird, Dark-eyed junco, Sharp-shinned hawk hunting, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Palm warbler

Moqueur chat,  Juncos ardoisé, Épervier brun en chasse, Paruline croupion jaune, Paruline à tête cendrée,  Paruline à joues grises, Paruline obscure, Paruline masque,  Paruline à calotte noire, Paruline à couronne rousse - Diane Labarre