Sightings for Tuesday Novemebr 11

Chateauguay, Refuge Faunique Marguerite-D'Youville: Went for a quick walk on Ile Saint-Bernard this afternooon. It was fairly quiet, but we did get to see a Northern shrike. T. Long, s. Veysey

17 species: Mallard  40, Green-winged Teal  7, White-winged Scoter  11, Black Scoter  17, Bufflehead  2, Great Blue Heron  1, Ring-billed Gull  4, Downy Woodpecker  2, Hairy Woodpecker  2, Northern Flicker  1, Pileated Woodpecker  1, Northern Shrike  1, American Crow  4, Black-capped Chickadee  24, White-breasted Nuthatch  6, 
American Robin  20, Northern Cardinal  2

17 Espèce: Canard colvert 40, Sarcelle d'hiver 7, Macreuse brune 11, Macreuse noire 17, Petit Garrot 2, Grand héron 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 4, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu 2, Pic flamboyant 1, Grand Pic 1, 1 Pie-grièche grise, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Mésange à tête noire 24, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 6, Merle d'Amérique 20, Cardinal rouge 2

Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague pond: Today, between 14:00 and 15:00, about 5000 Snow Geese were in the pond in the company of about 1,000 ring-necked ducks Greater and Lesser scaup. I managed to find a Ross' Goose in the lot with 1 Double-crested Cormorant and 4 American coots. The bay near the bridge had about 3,000 Canada geese 

Étang du pont de Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague; Aujourd'hui, entre 14h00 et 15h00, prés de 5000 Oies des neiges se trouvaient dans l'tang en compagnie d'environ 1000 fuligules collier/milouinan/Petits. J'ai russi trouver 1 Oie de Ross dans le lot avec 1 Cormoran aigrettes et 4 Foulques d'Amérique.La baie prés du pont, environ 3000 Bernaches du Canada s'y trouvaient.- Patrick Laniel
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Yamachiche: 2 Cattle Egrets near  300 chemin des Petites-Terres, were present at 12:00. Easy to find, park along road, go onto to the train tracks, looking straight at the farm.

2 Hérons garde-boeufs prés du 300, chemin des Petites-Terres, étaient toujours présents 12h00.Trop faciles trouver : stationnez le long du chemin, montez sur la voie ferre, regardez droite de la ferme - Patrick Laniel
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Sainte-Catherine: 9:45 Parc Francis-Xavier-Fontaine Townsend's solitaire / Solitaire de Townsend - Thierry Grandmont 

Sightings for Monday November 10

Sainte-Catherine; We saw the Townsend's Solitaire this morning, around 7: 30 pm at Francis-Xavier Fontaine park

Nous avons vu le Solitaire de Townsend ce matin, vers 7 h 30, au parc Francis-Xavier-Fontaine - Joanne Beaulieu et Francine Viau

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" November 8

Twelve birders participated in Saturday's 5 km walk around Cap St Jacques Nature Park in cool (2-3°C), breezy,cloudy conditions. Water levels were high and the current fast moving which may have led to fewer waterfowl than can normally be observed at this location. The exceptions were several large flocks of Common Goldeneyes but even these were mainly flyby's and not actually settling on the water. Strong winds made viewing conditions of the Lake of Two Mountains near the farm extremely difficult as well.

Passerines were also low in both species and overall numbers. Robins were the exception here with many passing through or stopping to feed on buckthorn berries. A large group of 100+ crows heading in a southwesterly direction was also interesting. - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of species included: Canada Goose - 500, Mallard - 10, Scaup sp.- 20, Common Goldeneye - 150, Common Merganser - 3, Ring-billed Gull - 6, Downy Woodpecker - 6, Hairy Woodpecker - 2, Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 100, Black-capped Chickadee - 40, White-breasted Nuthatch - 5, Brown Creeper - 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2, American Robin - 100, European Starling - 100, American Tree Sparrow -10, Fox Sparrow - 1, White-throated Sparrow - 6, Dark-eyed Junco - 30, Northern Cardinal - 5, House Finch - 3, American Goldfinch - 4

Bernache du Canada - 500, Canard colvert - 10, Fuligule sp.- 20, Garrot à oeil d'or- 150, Grand Harle - 3, Goéland à bec cerclé - 6, Pic mineur - 6, Pic chevelu - 2, Geai bleu - 4, Corneille d'Amérique - 100, Mésange à tête noire - 40, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 5, Rrimpereau brun - 1, Roitelet à couronne dorée - 2, Merle d'Amérique - 100, Étourneau sansonnet - 100,  Bruant Hudsonien -10, Bruant fauve - 1, Bruant à gorge blanche - 6, Junco ardoisé - 30, Cardinal rose - 5, Roselin familier - 3, Chardonneret jaune - 4

Sightings for Sunday November 9

Montée Cholette near Ste Marthe/St Clet/St Polycarpe: Snowy owl (Harfang des neiges) adult on a fresh furrow in a contrasting black field. Bonuses nearby included a small flock of Snow Buntings (Plectrophane des neiges) and a hunting female Northern Harrier (Busard St-Martin) - Rodger Titman
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Sainte-Catherine: Townsend's Solitaire at Francis-Xavier Fontaine park, just behind the bank on the left side of the soccer field, around 7:30

Solitaire de Townsend au Parc Francis-Xavier-Fontaine, juste derrire le banc de gauche du terrain de soccer, vers 07h30 - Marie-Lise Beaudin, Patrick Laniel

Lachute: PRIVATE PROPERTY - Yellow-throated Warbler at 225 and 220 rue des Cédres

PROPRIÉTÉ PRIVÉE - Paruline à gorge jaune au 225 et au 220 rue des Cédres - Patrick Laniel

Sightings for Saturday November 8

Sainte-Catherine; 7:15 a.m. a Townsend's Solitaire was found at the edge of the woods between the Francis Xavier-Fontaine park, soccer field and the bay of St. Lawrence seaway 

un Solitaire de Townsend se trouve dans la lisire de bois entre le terrain de soccer du Parc Francis-Xavier-Fontaine et la baie de la voie maritime du Saint-Laurent - Alain Sylvain

Sightings for Friday November 7

Beaconsfield: Immature Turkey vulture (Urubu à tête rouge) has been around for several hours. Mostly on ground, but have seen it flying. Seems to be aware of people and does not seem to be concerned by me being close. I gave it a squirrel, which it is devouring. - Dennis Partington
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Lachute: PRIVATE PROPERTY - Yellow-throated Warbler still present at 10:30, near the intersection of rue Pine and Daniel

PROPRIÉTÉ PRIVÉE - Paruline à gorge jaune toujours présesent 10hr30, tous prés de l'intersection rue des Pins et Daniel. présesent 10hr30, tous prés de l'intersection rue des Pins et Daniel. - Marc Boisvert

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Montreal, Parc Nature du Cap-St-Jacques
https://goo.gl/maps/TLEH1

Guide: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 / 514-774-0811(Cell – Morning of trip only) e-mail 

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

Sightings for Saturday November 1

Côte-Ste-Catherine: Lesser black-backed gull 2nd winter in the Cote-Ste-Catherine bay

Un Goéland brun 2ime hiver dans la baie Côte-Ste-Catherine - Samuel Denault
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Philipsburg: 11:30 am at the dock in Philipsburg, I saw a Little Gull. It flew in the company of a hundred Bonaparte gulls about 500 m from the dock. Very easy to spot

vers 11 h 30 au quai de Philipsburg, jai vu une Mouette pygmée. Elle volait en compagnie d'une centaine de Mouette de Bonaparte à environ 500 m du quai. Très facile à repérer. - Jean-Guy Papineau
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Sainte-Pétronille, rue Horatio Walker: Wilson's Storm / Petrel Océanite de Wilson - Gérard Cyr

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" November 1

Lac-Boivin

Wood duck / Canard branchu

Tom Long

Today's field trip to Lac-Boivin in Granby attracted just five birders (Tom, Doug, Mary Ellen, Darlene, Sheldon). The weather forecast was not great and may have discouraged some but, as it turned out, no rain at all and nowhere near the high winds that were called for. The park at Lac-Boivin was quite quiet today so we decided to also include a short drive to Roxton Pond, about 10 km from Granby, in our trip for the day. Timing was everything as we arrived on the southern side of Roxton Pond, thousands of snow geese began to arrive from the south, settling on the lake.

Today was not about a high species count, but more about the volume of birds, particularly geese, both Canada and Snow. Our total species count for the day was just 20. Here is our list for the day. Note that the Snow Geese and Black Scoters were only seen at Roxton Pond.

Also, a huge flock of crows were seen emerging from a wooded area along Highway 139 entering Granby prior to the start of the trip, just as daylight was breaking. There is obviously a crow roost close by. Those crows are not reflected in our field trip report below.

Strange today was the total absence of any sparrow or finch species on the trails in the park.- Sheldon

Snow Geese - somewhere between 5000 to 10000 arriving on the water at Roxton Pond, Canada Goose 1000+ - large flocks in the fields across from the park entrance, Wood Duck 5, Gadwall 4, American Wigeon 12, American Black Duck 2, Mallard 20, Scaup species 10, Black Scoter 15, Hooded Merganser 40, Common Merganser 4, Ring-billed Gull 20, Herring Gull 2, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 3, Blue Jay 8, American Crow 10, Black-capped Chickadee 40, White-breasted Nuthatch 6, Red-winged Blackbird 2

Oies des neiges - entre 5000-10000 arrivant sur ​​l'eau à Roxton Pond, Bernache du Canada 1000 - dans les champs en face de l'entrée du parc, Canard branchu 5, 4 Canard chipeau, Canard d'Amérique 12, Canard noir 2, Canard colvert 20, espèces Fuligule 10, Macreuse noire 15, Harle couronné 40, Grand Harle 4 , Goéland à bec cerclé 20, Goéland argenté 2, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu 3, Geai bleu 8, Corneille d'Amérique 10, Mésange à tête noire 40, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 6, Carouge à épaulettes 2

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, November - 1 samedi 1 novembre

Location:  Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin (CINLB), Granby

Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 /Cell # on Saturday morning 514-637-2141

8:00 a.m. Meet in the CINLB parking lot, 700 rue Drummond, Granby, Quebec

Centre d'Interprétation 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 ofChamplain Bridge.

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

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

DIRECTIONS: A 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.

Il s'agit d'une excursion à pied, sur les sentiers qui sillonnent le vaste parc et a destination d'une tour d'observation surplombant le lac Boivin. Le parc offre une variété d'habitats, y compris le lac lui-mème, 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 trés peu farouches et cherchent toujours à la recherche à se nourrir dans les mains des visiteurs! Demi-journée.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" October 25

Parc National d'Oka

Good weather, good company, not so great birds. That very much summarizes yesterday's field trip to Parc National d'Oka. A total of 20 birders showed up on a morning which started sunny and breezy before clouds moved in. But unlike many previous years for this trip the rain held off until we were well finished. Temperatures hovered around a pleasant 10°C for much of the morning.

Overall bird numbers, both with regard to species and number of individuals, were disappointing with a few exceptions. We started our trip with a quick walk near the Rivière des Serpents in back of the Centre d'Acceuil Camping where many were pleased to see their first American Tree Sparrows of the fall season. We then proceeded in convoy to the beach area which due to high water levels was quite restricted in extent. A group of 200+ scaup far off shore definitely contained both greater and lesser but distance, backlighting and choppy conditions made getting exact numbers of each species difficult. (That's our excuse). Consensus seemed to be that the majority might have been Greater Scaup. A half dozen White-winged Scoters were feeding with the group.

With the cloud layer building we decided to head for the Sentier de la Grande Baie so as not to be caught by rain before we could enjoy this usually productive area. Unfortunately water levels there were also very high (it does connect directly to the Ottawa River) and this seems to have rendered the habitat less attractive than normal. For those familiar with the trail the floating boardwalk was actually floating for its entire length and the water was several feet deep. A large group of mainly resting Ring-necked Ducks and a few American Wigeon and Gadwall were all that were present on the water. A distant group of 5 Eastern Bluebirds were seen passing through and identified mostly by call.

A few participants went back to the sewage/evaporation ponds located along Chemin des Collines and added a few species to our list including Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck and Common Raven (and a much larger group of Gadwall)

Our complete list of 34 species can be found below.

Thanks to all who came out for a fun if not entirely productive morning. - Wayne Grubert

Species List: Canada Goose - 500+ (many seen in the distance), Wood Duck - 2, Gadwall - 70, American Wigeon - 7, American Black Duck - 3, Mallard - 5, Green-winged Teal - 6, Ring-necked Duck - 300+, Greater Scaup/Lesser Scaup - 200+ (Definitely contained both species), White-winged Scoter - 6, Ring-billed Gull - 100+, Great Black-backed Gull - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 2, Hairy Woodpecker - 3, Northern Flicker - 1, Blue Jay - 5, American Crow - 50, Common Raven - 2, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 2, Winter Wren - 2 (heard only, Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3, Eastern Bluebird- 5, American Robin - 100+, European Starling - 20, America Tree Sparrow - 3, Dark-eyed Junco - 6, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 100+, Rusty Blackbird - ˜6 (heard only), Common Grackle - 100+, American Goldfinch - 2 (heard only)

500+ (beaucoup, vu dans la distance), Canard branchu - 2, Canard chipeau - 70, Canard d'Amérique - 7, Canard noir - 3, Canard colvert - 5, Sarcelle d'hiver - 6, fuligule à collier - plus de 300, Fuligule milouinan  / Petit Fuligule - 200+ (les deux espèces), Macreuse brune - 6, Goéland à bec cerclé - 100+, Goéland marin - 2, Pic mineur - 2, Pic chevelu - 3, Pic flamboyant - 1, Geai bleu - 5, Corneille d'Amérique - 50, Grand Corbeau - 2, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 2, Troglodyte mignon - 2 (entendu seulement), Roitelet à couronne dorée - 1, Roitelet à couronne rubis - 3, Merlebleu de l'Est Bluebird- 5, Merle d'Amérique - 100+, Étourneau sansonnet - 20, Bruant hudsonien - 3, Junco ardoisé - 6, Cardinal rouge - 1, Carouge à épaulettes - 100+, Quiscale rouilleux - 6 (entendu seulement), Quiscale bronzé - 100+, Chardonneret jaune - 2 (entendu seulement)

Saturday's Oka Park Field Trip

For those planning to attend Saturday's trip to Parc National d'Oka please note that the entrance fee will probably be $6.50 per person by the time taxes are added in.

We will meet at the Centre d'Accueil du Camping at the west end of the park.

Our directions say that at the end of Highway 640 continue directly into the park along Chemin du Colline. If for some reason that park gate is not open then continue west along Highway 344 to the western park entrance.

This map might help orient you.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z8eXsXqxXWnk.kL4LMe04CLSE

Wayne

Sightings for Wednesday October 22

Verdun: Parasitic Jaeger was still present this morning behind the Natatorium in Verdun.

More details, including photos and videos, to the following address - http://ornitho-graphie.blogspot.ca/2014/10/un-labbe-montreal.html

Labbe parasite était toujours présent cet avant-midi derrière le Natatorium, à Verdun.


Plus de détails, incluant photos et vidéos, à l'adresse suivante - http://ornitho-graphie.blogspot.ca/2014/10/un-labbe-montreal.html  - Jean-Sébastien Guénette 

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, October 25 – samedi 25 octobre
Parc National d’Oka, QC
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 e-mail
latest sightings eBird Hotspot

8:00 a.m. Take Hwy 13 north to Hwy 640. Go west on 640 to its intersection with Hwy 344. Cross 344 into Parc d’Oka. Proceed 6.2 km to the Accueil Camping. An entrance fee of approximately $5.00 will be charged. Looking for migrating passerines, raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds. Half day.

8 h 00. De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 13 nord jusqu’à l’autoroute 640. Continuer sur l’autoroute 640 ouest jusqu’à l’intersection avec l’autoroute 344. Traverser la 344 et entrer dans le Parc d’Oka. Continuer sur une distance de 6,2 km jusqu’à l’Accueil Camping. Frais d’entrée: environ 5,00$. Espèces recherchées : passereaux en migration, rapaces, sauvagine et limicoles. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday October 19

Hudson: A large flock of approximately 400 Black Scoters (macreuse noire) made a brief appearance off Jack Layton Park this morning and after rising and settling several times headed en masse east along the Ottawa River. Where to? Farther east on Lake of Two Mountains? Lac St Louis? - Wayne Grubert
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La Prairie; At the corner of Marie-Victorin and Leon Bloy-O, on the river, there were 10 Long-tailed Ducks, 5 Black scoter amongst a raft of 200+ Scaup.

Au coin de Marie-Victorin et Leon-Bloy O, sur le fleuve, il y a 10 Harelde kakawi, 5 Macreuse noire parmi un radeau de 200 et plus fuligules. - José Gagnon et Alain Sylvain

Sightings for Saturday October 18

Victoriaville, Réservoir Beaudet: Tonight around 5:00 p.m. a Greater white-fronted Goose  was amongst the Snow geese. Also the Canvasback was still there

Une Oie rieuse parmi les Oies des neiges. Aussi le Fuligule à dos blanc était toujours sur place. Daniel Gagné
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Henryville: south of the bridge on rte 225 -5 Killdeer - 4 Greater Yellowlegs - 22 Lesser yellowlegs - 1 Stilt sandpiper (late!) -1 long-billed dowitcher - 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers (late)  -1 Dunlin - 27 Pectoral sandpipers -4 Wilson's snipe

au sud du pont de la 225 - 5 Pluviers kildirs - 4 Grands Chevaliers - 22 Petits chevaliers - 1  Bécasseau échasses (tardif!) -1 Bécassin long bec - 2 Bécasseaux semipalms (tardifs) -1 Bécasseau variable -27 Bécasseaux poitrine cendrée - 4 Bécassines de Wilson - Samuel Denault 

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" October 18

Hungry Bay, Beauharnois, St Timothée Area

8 birders joined the field trip this morning along the Beauharnois Canal. We were lucky enough to avoir rain all morning (expect a few drops for 3 minuts), making it a wonderful fall morning for birding mild and with limited wind. This allowed us to find a nice variety of waterfowl (22 species), including 3 species of grebe, scoters and eurasian Wigeon.

The ducks were particularly numerous - 1000s of scaups, ring-necked ducks and wigeons - at the 'étang' in St-Louis-de-Gonzague.

Overall, 44 species were observed by the group + 1 specie observed before the start of the trip - Fred Hareau

Snow Goose 52, Canada Goose 2000+, Gadwall 30, Eurasian Wigeon 1, American Wigeon 300+, American Black Duck 10, Mallard 30, Northern Pintail 20, Green-winged Teal 6, Ring-necked Duck 100+ (likely in the 1000s), Greater Scaup 30, Lesser Scaup 6, Greater/Lesser Scaup 1000+, White-winged Scoter 8, Black Scoter 3, Long-tailed Duck 5 (before start of the trip), Hooded Merganser 2, Common Merganser 1, Ruddy Duck 2, Common Loon 12, Pied-billed Grebe 6, Horned Grebe 1, Red-necked Grebe 2, Double-crested Cormorant 100+, Great Blue Heron 2, Ring-billed Gull 30, Herring Gull 6, Great Black-backed Gull 4, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 20, Mourning Dove 5, Downy Woodpecker 2, Peregrine Falcon 2, Blue Jay 4, American Crow 10, Common Raven 1, Black-capped Chickadee 10, American Robin 4, European Starling 8, Yellow-rumped Warbler 4, Song Sparrow 3, Swamp Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 2, Dark-eyed Junco 2, Red-winged Blackbird 30, Rusty Blackbird 10, Common Grackle 1

Oie des neiges 52, Bernache du Canada, plus de 2000, Canard chipeau 30 Canard siffleur 1, Canard d'Amérique plus de 300, Canard noir 10, Canard colvert 30, Canard pilet 20, Sarcelle d'hiver 6, Fuligule à collier 100 + (probablement dans les 1000s ), Fuligule milouinan 30, Petit fuligule 6, Grand / Petit Fuligule 1000, Macreuse brune 8, Macreuse noire 3, Harelde kakawi 5 (avant le début d'excursion), Harle couronné 2, Grand Harle 1, Érismature rousse 2, Plongeon huard 12, Grèbe à bec bigarré 6, Grèbe esclavon 1, Grèbe jougris 2, Cormoran à aigrettes 100 +, Grand Héron 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 30, Goéland argenté 6, Goéland marin 4 , Pigeon biset 20, Tourterelle triste 5, Pic mineur 2, Faucon pèlerin 2, Geai bleu 4, Corneille d'Amérique 10, Grand Corbeau 1, Mésange à tête noire 10, Merle d'Amérique 4, l'Étourneau sansonnet 8, Paruline à croupion jaune 4, Bruant chanteur 3, Bruant des marais 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Junco ardoisé 2, Carouge à épaulettes 30, Quiscale rouilleux 10, Quiscale bronzé 1

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, October 18 – samedi 18 octobre
Hungry Bay, Beauharnois, St Timothée Area
Leader: Fred Hareau

8:00 a.m. Meet at Hungry Bay. If you are taking the Mercier Bridge from Montreal, go (left) east on Highway 132 for 4.5 km to Highway 730. Take Highway 730 to its junction with Highway 30. Proceed west on Highway 30 for approximately 33 km to the exit for Highway 530. Take Highway 530 until its end. Turn left onto Highway 132, crossing the bridge, and continue approximately 1.0 km. Turn right on Chemin du Canal. Bear right after 2.3km and continue following Chemin du Canal to its end. Caution: This becomes a very narrow road. An alternative route, especially from the West Island, is to take Hwy 20 or 40 west past Vaudreuil-Dorion to Highway 30. Take Highway 30 (Toll $2.00) and then exit onto Highway 530 and continue as per instructions above.

During this fall migration period we will be looking for goldeneyes, scaup, grebes, scoters and other diving waterfowl which never fail to frequent this region. We will also look for other migrants including passerines and raptors. We will begin our trip at Hungry Bay near Valleyfield, then go back along the Beauharnois Canal visiting the ponds at Saint-Louis de Gonzague and finish our outing at St Timothée. Half day.

8 h 00. Rassemblement à Hungry Bay. Si vous arrivez depuis le pont Mercier en provenance de Montréal, prenez vers l’est (gauche) sur la route 132 pour 4.5 km jusqu’à l’autoroute 730. Prendre l’autoroute 730 jusqu’à sa jonction avec l’autoroute 30. Continuez vers l’ouest sur l’autoroute 30 pendant environ 33 km jusqu’à la sortie vers l’autoroute 530. Prendre l’autoroute 530 jusqu’au bout. Tournez à gauche sur la route 132, traverser le pont et continuer sur environ 1.0 km. Tournez à droite sur Chemin du canal. Restez à droite après 2.3 km et continuez jusqu’au bout du Chemin du Canal. Faites attention car c’est une route très étroite.

Un itinéraire alternatif depuis l’Ouest de l’Île de Montréal, consiste à prendre l’autoroute 20 ou 40 ouest au-delà de Vaudreuil-Dorion jusqu’à l’autoroute 30. Prenez l’autoroute 30 (frais de 2,00 $), puis sortez sur l’autoroute 530 et continuer en suivant les instructions données ci-dessus.

En cette période de migration automnale, nous serons à la recherche des garrots, fuligules, grèbes et macreuses et autres canards plongeurs qui ne manquent pas de fréquenter la région du Canal de Beauharnois. Nous chercherons également les autres migrateurs, notamment les passereaux et rapaces. Nous débuterons notre excursion par Hungry Bay, aux abords de Valleyfield, puis remonterons le canal de Beauharnois, visitant les étangs de Saint-Louis de Gonzague, pour finir notre sortie à St Timothée. Demi-journée.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" October 11

The field trip to Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville in Chateauguay had 13 participants on a cool morning 5 C, with 2 or 3 light showers lasting only a few minutes each, but thankfully no wind. With the calm water we expected a few more duck species than were seen. Although we did manage to see 6 Red-necked grebes and 6 Loons, which were considered to be the birds of the day. The find of the day was a Virginia rale seen by a few of us, that was found by Sylvie Vanier.

47 species, plus 2 unidentified raptors: 100 Canada Goose, 2 Wood Duck, 6 American Black Duck, 40 Mallard, 7 Green-winged Teal, 2 Greater Scaup, 1 Common Goldeneye, 6 Common Loon, 6 Red-necked Grebe, 20 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 American Bittern, 1 Great Blue Heron, 9 Great Egret, 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Virginia Rail, 3 Wilson's Snipe, 3 Bonaparte's Gull, 30 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Rock Pigeon, 2 Belted Kingfisher, 3 Downy Woodpecker, 4 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 20 Blue Jay, 6 American Crow, 30 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Tufted Titmouse, 14 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown creeper, 1 Marsh Wren, 6 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 30 American Robin, 40 European Starling, 20 , Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Fox Sparrow, 12 Song Sparrow, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 20 White-throated Sparrow, 20 

White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Dark-eyed Junco, 5 Northern Cardinal, 20 Red-winged Blackbird, 20 Rusty Blackbird

47 espèces, plus 2 rapaces non identifiés: 100 Bernache du Canada , 2 Canard branchu, 6 Canard noir, 40 Canard colvert, 7 Sarcelle d'hiver, 2 Fuligule milouinan, 1 Garrot à oeil d'or , 6 Plongeon huard, 6 Grèbe jougris, 20 Cormoran à aigrettes, 1 Butor d'Amérique, 1 Grand Héron, 9 Grande aigrette, 2 Bihoreau gris, 1 Râle de Virginie, 3 Bécassine de Wilson, 3 Mouette de Bonaparte, 30 Goéland à bec cerclé, 2 Goéland marin, 6 Pigeon biset, 2 Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, 3 Pic mineur, 4 Pic chevelu, 1 Pic flamboyant, 2 Grand Pic, 1 Viréo aux yeux rouges, 20 Geai bleu, 6 Corneille d'Amérique, 30 Mésange à tête noire, 1 Mésange bicolore, 14 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 1 Grimpereau brun, 1 Troglodyte des marais, 6 Roitelet à couronne dorée, 8 Roitelet à couronne rubis, 30 Merle d'Amérique, 40 Étourneau sansonnet, 20, Paruline à croupion jaune, 1 Bruant fauve, 12 Bruant chanteur, 1 Bruant des marais, 20 Bruant à gorge blanche, 20 Bruant à couronne blanche, 3 Junco ardoisé, 5 Cardinal rouge, 20 carouge à épaulettes, 20 Quiscale rouilleux

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, October 11- samedi 11 octobre
Chateauguay, Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville on Île St-Bernard
http://www.heritagestbernard.qc.ca/rfmy.html
Leader: Tom Long 450-692-1590 e-mail

latest sightings eBird Hotspot

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.

8 h 00. Rassemblement à l’accueil du refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville de l’île Saint-Bernard à 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 au-delà de 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 du 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. Le refuge faunique Marquerite-D’Youville est indiqué. 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 vous amènera 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 Monday October 6

Saint-Blaise: A Hudsonian Godwit, 1 Black-bellied Plover and a Lesser yellowlegs feeding at the edge of the Richelieu near 1414 1re rue not far from 53 Avenue

une Barge hudsonienne, un Pluvier argenté et un Petit chevalier s'alimentent en bordure du Richelieu la hauteur du 1414 1re rue non loin de la 53 avenue. Jose Lefebvre, Lucien Lemay

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, October 4 – samedi 4 octobre
Dundee, Ste-Martine, Qc (La Réserve Nationale de Faune du Lac Saint-François)
latest sightings eBird Hotspot  RNF du Lac-St-François--Digue aux aigrettes  -  RNF du Lac-St-François--Pointe Fraser

Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 e-mail
Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 e-mail

8:00 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Centre parking lot. If you are taking the Mercier Bridge from Montreal, go (left) east on Highway 132 for 4.5 km to Highway 730. Take Highway 730 to its junction with Highway 30. Proceed west on Highway 30 for approximately 33 km to the exit for Highway 530. Take Highway 530 until its end. Turn left onto Highway 132, crossing the bridge, and continue approximately 33km past Sainte- Barbe and Saint-Anicet to Cazaville. Continue another 8 km on Hwy 132 past Cazaville to chemin de la Pointe-Fraser.Turn right on this road and meet at the visitor centre parking lot about 1 km along on the left.

An alternative route, especially from the West Island, is to take Hwy 20 or 40 west past Vaudreuil-Dorion to Highway 30. Take Highway 30 (Toll $2.00) and then exit onto Highway 530 and continue as per instructions above. Allow about 1.5 hours from Montreal. After birding the Dundee area, we will return in convoy to Ste-Martine to look for shorebirds. Looking for waterfowl, raptors, migrating passerines and shorebirds. Half day.

 8 h 00. Rassemblement dans le stationnement de l’accueil. Si vous arrivez depuis le pont Mercier en provenance de Montréal, prenez vers l’est (gauche) sur la route 132 pour 4.5 km jusqu’à l’autoroute 730. Prendre l’autoroute 730 jusqu’à sa jonction avec l’autoroute 30. Continuez vers l’ouest sur l’autoroute 30 pendant environ 33 km jusqu’à la sortie vers l’autoroute 530. Prendre l’autoroute 530 jusqu’au bout. Tournez à gauche sur la route 132, traverser le pont et continuer sur environ 33 km, en passant par Sainte-Barbe et Saint-Anicet jusqu’à Cazaville.

Continuez encore 8 km sur la route 132, passez Cazaville jusqu’au Chemin de la Pointe-Fraser. Tournez à droite sur cette route et rendez-vous dans le stationnement du centre d’accueil sur la gauche à environ 1 km.

 Un itinéraire alternatif depuis l’ouest de l’Ile de Montréal consiste à prendre l’autoroute 20 ou 40 ouest au-delà de Vaudreuil-Dorion jusqu’à l’autoroute 30. Prenez l’autoroute 30 (frais de 2,00 $), puis sortez sur l’autoroute 530 et continuer en suivant les instructions données ci-dessus. Prévoir environ 1h à 1h30 de route à partir de la région de Montréal. Après avoir parcouru la région de Dundee, nous reviendrons vers Sainte-Martine, en roulant à la file, à la recherche de limicoles. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, rapaces, parulines en migration et limicoles. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Friday September 26

St-Lazare (Vaudreuil): Ring-necked pheasant walking down a side street near St-Angelique.  - Ann Peters

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, September 27- samedi 27 septembre
 Philipsburg George H. Montgomery Bird Sanctuary, 

latest sightings eBird Hotspot
http://www.pqspb/sanctuaries.html
Leader: Sandy Montgomery 514-212-6208 e-mail 

8:30 a.m. Meet at the defunct Motel Frontière. From Montreal take the Champlain Bridge, Highway 10 east to exit 22, Highway 35 south to St. Jean to join Highway 133 south to Philipsburg. Now that the motel has been demolished the location is not easy to see from the southbound side of the road so continue towards the border crossing. Immediately before the border buildings take the well- marked U-turn on the left to cross over to the northbound side of the road. Look on your right for the large white sign telling drivers to fasten their seat belts – the entrance to the old motel site and the parking area is immediately beyond it. Note that there are two gravelled entrances – do NOT take the first, it is washed out and impassable; the second entry is excellent. Good choice of trails from long and strenuous to short and easy. Bring a lunch. Looking for migrating passerines, waterfowl and hawks. All day.

8 h 30. Rassemblement au défunt Motel Frontière. De Montréal, traverser le pont Champlain et continuer sur l’autoroute 10 est. Prendre la sortie 22 et rejoindre l’autoroute 35 sud. Continuer sur celle-ci jusqu’à Saint-Jean. De là continuer sur l’autoroute 133 sud en direction de Philipsburg. Maintenant que le motel a été démoli le stationnement est difficile de voir du côté sud de la route. Donc, continuer vers le poste frontalier . Juste avant les bâtiments de passage, prendre le bien-marquée demi-tour sur la gauche pour passer sur la direction du nord côté de la route. Chercher le grand panneau blanc indiquant aux conducteurs de boucler leur ceinture de sécurité sur votre droite – l’entrée sur le site vieux motel et le stationnement est immédiatement au-delà. Bonne variété de sentiers dont les niveaux de difficulté vont de longs et ardus à courts et faciles. Apporter un lunch. Espèces recherchées : passereaux en migration, sauvagine et rapaces diurnes. Toute la journée.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" September 21

With this morning's risk of rain, only a handful of birders (8) appeared for this field trip at l'Île de la Visitation -e-bird

With a short delay (8am) we still managed to have a field trip. The conditions were perfect, with some sunshine after drops of rain and southern winds and active insects, the group with treated with a few 'Warbler Attacks'!

A total of 45 species of birds were observed. Among them, 11 species of warblers. We could expect after a couple of days of uncertain weather that it might be interesting this upcoming Tuesday's 'Fall Warbler Walk'.

Here are the species observed this morning: Canada Geese (12), Wood Duck (6), American Black Duck (4), Mallard Duck (12), Double-crested Cormorant (2), Great Blue Heron (4), Black-crowned Night-Heron (4), Cooper's Hawk (1), Rock dove (2), Great-Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (1), Ring-billed Gull (40), Yellow-Woodpecker (1), Downy Woodpecker (2), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (2), Eastern Phoebe (1), Blue-headed Vireo (1), Warbling Vireo (2), Philadelphia Vireo (1), Red-eyed Vireo (6), American Crow (1), Black-capped Chickadee (12), White-breasted Nuthatch (2), Brown Creeper (1), Winter Wren (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2), American Robin 12), Gray Catbird (4), European Starlings (4), Orange-crowned Warbler (1), Nashville Warbler (2), Northern Parula (2), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (4), Black-throated Blue Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (2), Black-throated Green Warbler (4), Blackpoll Warbler (3), American Redstart (2), Wilson's Warbler (1), Chipping Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (6), White-throated Sparrow (12), NorthernCardinal (6)

Bernache du Canada (12), Canard branchu (6), Canard noir (4), Canard colvert (12), Cormoran à aigrettes (2), Grand Héron (4),Bihoreau gris (4), Épervier de Cooper (1), Pigeon biset (2), Goéland marin (2), Goéland argenté (1), Goéland à bec (40), Pic maculé (1), Pic mineur (2), Pic chevelu (2), Pic flamboyant (2), Moucherolle Phébi l'Est (1), Viréo à tête bleue (1), Viréo mélodieux (2), Viréo de Philadelphie (1), Viréo aux yeux rouges (6), Corneille d'Amérique (1 ), Mésange à tête noire (12), Sittelle à poitrine blanche (2), Grimpereau brun (1), Troglodyte mignon (1), Roitelet à couronne rubis (2), Merle d'Amérique 12), Moqueur chat (4),Étourneaux sansonnet (4), Paruline verdâtre (1), Paruline à joues grises (2), Paruline à collier (2), Paruline à flancs marron (1), Paruline à tête cendrée (4), Paruline bleue (1), Paruline à croupion jaune (2), Paruline à gorge noire (4), Paruline rayée (3), Paruline flamboyante (2), Paruline à calotte noire (1), Bruant familier (2), Bruant chanteur (6), Bruant à gorge blanche (12), Cardinal rouge (6)

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Sunday, September 21 – dimanche 21 septembre
Montreal, l’Île de la Visitation
Leader: Joël Coutu - e-mail 

Meet: The welcome centre at the park at 2425, boul. Gouin E., Montréal. From Highway 40 (Metropolitan Blvd) take Papineau north to Henri Bourassa. Turn right (east) on Henri Bourassa and turn left on Rue de Lille. Turn right onto Gouin and left into the parking area. Parking available on nearby roads or in the Nature Park’s parking lot (cost $9.).

Background: L’Île de la Visitation Nature Park is a true gem! Located along the Rivière des Prairies, in the heart of Sault-au-Récollet, this park is full of historical elements but has over the years become one of the best areas on the island of Montreal to observe migrating songbirds and other species. With more and more development in Laval and Montreal, green spaces for migrating birds in fall to feed and rest are few around the city. Every fall, with a variety of tree and shrubs species, this park attracts many species of warblers and other bird species as well. The field leader will try to help you identify these fall warblers and maybe even give you some ‘tricks of the trade’ in recognizing them. These walks are open for everyone from beginners to experts.

Sightings for Sunday September 14

Chateauguay, Refuge Faunique Marguerite-D'Youville: I made my first ever visit to this refuge this morning and was pleased with the outcome. I saw several groups of warblers as well as an immature Bald eagle that appeared to be migrating.

Hearing Sandhill cranes was pretty exciting too. - Barbara MacDuff

Here is my complete list ; Double-crested cormorant 1, Great egret 2, Wood duck 6, Mallard 4, Bald eagle 1, Northern harrier 1, Sandhill crane ( heard only ), Ring-billed gull 8, Mourning dove 2, Belted kingfisher 1, Downy woodpecker 2, Northern flicker 2, Pileated woodpecker 2, Small flycatcher (unidentified) , Blue jay 6, Common raven 1, Tree swallow 10, Black-capped chickadee 10, White-breasted nuthatch 3, Marsh wren 2, Gray catbird 4, Tennessee warbler 2, Yellow warbler 2, Yellow-rumped warbler 3, Pine warbler 1, Palm warbler 1, American redstart 2, Common yellowthroat 3, Song sparrow 4, Swamp sparrow 2, Northern cardinal 2, American goldfinch 4

Cormoran à aigrettes 1, Grande aigrette 2, Canard branchu 6, 4 Canard colvert, Pygargue à tête blanche 1, busard Saint-Martin 1, Grue du Canada (entendu seulement), Goéland à bec cerclé 8, Tourterelle triste 2, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, Pic mineur 2, Pic flaboyant 2, Grand pic 2, Petite moucherolle (non identifié), Geai bleu 6, Grand corbeau 1, Hirondelle bicolore 10, Mésange à tête noire 10, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 3, Troglodyte des marais 2, Moqueur chat 4, Paruline obscure 2, Paruline jaune 2, Paruline à croupion jaune 3, Paruline des pins 1, Paruline à couronne rousse 1, Paruline flamboyante 2, Paruline masquée, 3, Bruant chanteur 4, Bruant des marais 2, Cardina lrouge 2, Chardonneret jaune 4

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" September 13

A cool morning and a forecast of rain in the early afternoon did not discourage 10 people from participating in yesterday's field trip to Pointe de Yamachiche, near Trois-Rivieres. What surprised us most was the condition of the waterfront at Lac St-Francois. When visiting this site in years past we were always able to spend a lot of time on the large flat sandy area at the point. However, this time the point was covered in vegetation and lots of standing water, providing only a few small spots where we were able to scan out across the sandbars offshore. The wooded area was very quiet with little bird activity. There were small pockets of warblers moving through quickly but not easy to view through the high vegetation. Regardless of these drawbacks, we did accumulate a good number of species.

4 members of our group decided to continue on from Yamachiche, crossing the river at Trois-Rivieres and making a stop at Baie-du-Febvre. This proved to be quite productive, adding a number of waterfowl in particular to our day's total. Here is the complete list of our sightings, split into the two locations. Both sites combined for a total of 53 species - Sheldon Harvey

Greater yellowlegs / Grand chevalier

Pointe de Yamachiche - 36 species: Canada Goose 50, Wood Duck 5, Mallard 6, Common Loon 1, Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Turkey Vulture 2, Bald Eagle 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Merlin 1, Semipalmated Plover 2, Killdeer 1, Greater Yellowlegs 2, Spotted Sandpiper 2, Semipalmated Sandpiper 1, Least Sandpiper 1, Ring-billed Gull 100+, Great Black-backed Gull 10, Belted Kingfisher 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Blue Jay 4, American Crow 6, Black-capped Chickadee 12, European Starling 6, Cedar Waxwing 20, Tennessee Warbler 1, Nashville Warbler 1, Magnolia Warbler 1, Black and White Warbler 1, American Redstart 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 4

Bernache du Canada 50, Canard branchu 5, Canard colvert 6, Plongeon huard 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 1, Grand Héron 1, Urubu à tête rouge 2, Pygargue à tête blanche 1, Épervier brun 1, Faucon émerillon 1, Pluvier semipalmé 2, Pluvier kildir 1, Grand Chevalier 2, Chevalier grivelé 2, Bécasseau semipalmé 1, Bécasseau minuscule 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 100+, Goéland marin 10, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique 1, Pic chevelu 1, Pic flamboyant 1, Pioui de l'Est 1, Moucherolle huppé 1, Geai bleu 4, Corneille d'Amérique 6, Mésange à tête noire 12, Étourneau sansonnet 6, Jaseur d'Amérique 20, Paruline obscure 1, Paruline à joues grises 1, Paruline à tête cendrée 1, Paruline noir et blanc 1, Paruline flamboyante 1, Paruline masquée 1 , Bruant chanteur 2 Bruant à gorge blanche 4

Sharp-shinned hawk / Épervier brun

Baie-du-Febvre - 25 species: Canada Goose 30, Gadwall 12, Mallard 12, Blue-winged Teal 4, Northern Shoveler 25, Green-winged Teal 10, Ring-necked Duck 4, Common Goldeneye 10, Ruddy Duck 8, Wild Turkey 1, Pied-billed Grebe 3, American Bittern 1, Great Egret 1, Northern Harrier 2, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Merlin 1, Ring-billed Gull 15, Rock Pigeon 30, Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1, American Crow 6, Barn Swallow 2, European Starling 50, Red-winged Blackbird 12, American Goldfinch 6

Bernache du Canada 30, 12 Canard chipeau, Canard colvert 12, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 4, Canard souchet 25, Sarcelle d'hiver 10, Fuligule à collier 4, Garrot à oeill d'or 10, Érismature rousse 8, Dindon sauvage 1, Grèbe à bec bigarré 3, Butor d'Amérique 1, Grande Aigrette 1, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Épervier brun 1, Merlin 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 15, Pigeon biset 30, Tourterelle triste 6

Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique 1, Corneille d'Amérique 6, Hirondelle rustique 2, Étourneau sansonnet 50, Carouge à épaulettes 12, Chardonneret jaune 6

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, September 13 – samedi 13 septembre
Pointe Yamachiche   latest sightings eBird Hotspot
Leader: Sheldon Harvey – 450-462-1459 – e-mail

8:00 a.m. Allow 75 minutes driving time from Montreal. Take Highway 40 east to Exit 174. At the intersection in the middle of the exit drive straight forward. Within 100 metres there is a large parking lot which will serve as our meeting area. This is mainly a walking trip on trails that are usually dry, but bring boots just in case. We will visit two areas on Lac Saint-Pierre with a variety of habitats (woods, marsh, riverside, fields.) Bring a lunch in case the trip runs a little long. Half day.

8 h 00. Prévoir 1 h 15 de route depuis Montréal. Prendre l’autoroute 40 est, sortie 174. À l’intersection, au centre de la sortie, continuer tout droit. À 100 mètres de l’intersection se trouve un grand stationnement, lieu de notre rendez vous. Une bonne promenade nous attend au bord du Lac St-Pierre à travers champs, bois et terres qui risquent d’être humides, alors apportez des bottes imperméables. Apporter à boire et à manger si jamais notre sortie se prolonge. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Tuesday September 9

Beauharnois:  The 2 juvenile Sabine Gulls are still at Beauharnois

Les 2 mouettes de sabine sont toujours à Beauharnois: - Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Monday September 8

Beauharnois: Around the middle of afternoon, with André Crépeau, his partner, and

Monique Groulx, I was able to observe really well 2 juvenile Sabine Gulls simultaneously at the end of  chemin cahoteux on the west side of the Beauharnois dam. There were also a couple of Bonaparte's Gull and 2 dozen Common Terns.

Also today, a juvenile Northern goshawk at the Sainte-Martine dam face to face with a Merlin.

Finally, a Caspian Tern at the end of rue MacDonald in Maple Grove.

Vers le milieu de l'après-midi, en compagnie d'André Crépeau, sa compagne et Monique Groulx, j'ai pu très bien observer simultanément 2 Mouettes de Sabine juvéniles au bout du chemin cahoteux du côté ouest du barrage de Beauharnois. Il y avait aussi une quinzaine de Mouette de Bonaparte et 2 douzaines de Sternes pierregarin.

Aussi aujourd'hui, un Autour des palombes juvénile au barrage de Sainte-Martine face à face avec un Faucon émerillon.

Finalement, une Sterne caspienne au bout de la rue MacDonald à Maple Grove. - Pierre Bannon

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" September 6

Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary

We have a very respectable average of 14 participants for our first two field trips of the fall season. 28 participants last week and one this week. I should resurrect my dissertation from several years ago on the benefits of being the leader and sole participant on a bird outing.

In all seriousness when one combines the distance to this particular destination with an extremely 'iffy" weather forecast it was not surprising that no participants made the trek to the far side of Cornwall. In fact the weather was probably worse than predicted. The raincoat was on and off more times than a Kardashian sisters' wedding ring.

Cloudy, intermittent showers (at times heavy), breezy and humid conditions were the order of the day. Temperatures peaked at about 23C. But since I was the designated idiot for the week, and I was already there, I decided to take a tour. For those familiar with the area I walked the bicycle trail running east from the UCMBS parking lot as far as Farran Park Campground, a one way distance of about three kilometers. I also walked the Maple Trail in the sanctuary itself. Unfortunately a combination of age/neglect and some very industrious beavers has caused the closure of several of the better trails in the sanctuary. A group called the "Friends of the Sanctuary" is trying to raise funds to restore some badly decaying boardwalks that are not usable.

 

Highlights of the day included a large group of 600+ Red-winged Blackbirds at very close range in the cattails that kept rising up and settling in beautiful waves of sight and sound for several minutes. They seemed in no rush to leave their roost to go pillage the local corn fields. Two Bald Eagles were seen along the Long Sault Parkway to the east of the sanctuary. They are quite regular there now. One was chasing an Osprey. An immature Cooper's Hawk was being harassed by a group of crows when all it seemed to want to do was sit and dry out its wing and tail feathers. Pockets of passerines were few in number.

 

Four white-tailed deer, one snowshoe (varying) hare and a fair size garter snake were the non-avian highlights.

Here is my full list of 50 species which includes a few birds seen while driving the Long Sault Parkway. Most of the large groups of ducks were on the St Lawrence River near Farran park.

Thanks to all who came out in spirit,- Wayne

 Canada Goose - 100, Wood Duck - 4, Gadwall - 4, American Wigeon - 4, American Black Duck - 2, Mallard - 80, Blue-winged Teal - 40, Green-winged Teal - 70, Wild Turkey - 7, Double-crested Cormorant - 20, Great Blue Heron - 6, Great Egret - 10, Osprey - 3, Bald Eagle - 2, Cooper's hawk - 1, Red-shouldered Hawk - 1, Killdeer - 2, Greater Yellowlegs - 14, Ring-billed Gull - 30, Herring Gull - 1, Great Black-backed Gull - 2, Caspian Tern - 2, Belted Kingfisher - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 3, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 6, Eastern Wood-pewee - 3 ( 1seen, two heard), Eastern Phoebe - 1, Red-eyed Vireo - 4, Blue Jay - 15, American Crow - 35, Black-capped Chickadee - 20, Red-breasted Nuthatch - 3, White-breasted - 6, Brown Creeper - 2 (1 seen, one heard), American Robin - 8, Gray Catbird - 5, Cedar Waxwing 6, Yellow Warbler - 2, Magnolia Warbler - 3, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1, Black-throated Green Warbler - 4, Common Yellowthroat - 5, Wilson's Warbler - 2, Song Sparrow - 8, Swamp Sparrow - 3, Red-winged Blackbird - 600+, Common Grackle - 15, Baltimore Oriole - 1 (heard), American Goldfinch - 6

 

Bernache du Canada - 100, Canard branchu - 4, Canard chipeau - 4, Canard d'Amérique - 4, Canard noir - 2, Canard colvert - 80, Sarcelle à ailes bleues - 40, Sarcelle d'hiver - 70, Dindon sauvage - 7, Cormoran à aigrettes - 20, Grand héron - 6, Grande Aigrette - 10, Balbuzard pêcheur- 3, Pygargue à tête blanche - 2, épervier de Cooper - 1, Buse à épaulettes - 1, Pluvier kildir - 2, Grand Chevalier - 14, Goéland à bec cerclé - 30, Goéland argenté - 1, Goéland marin - 2, Sterne caspienne - 2, Martin-pêcheur - 2, Pic mineur - 3, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flamboyant - 6, Piou de l'Est - 3 (1 vu, deux entendu), Moucherelle phébi- 1, Viréo aux yeux rouges - 4, Geai bleu - 15, Corneille d'Amérique - 35, Mésange à tête noire - 20, Sittelle à poitrine rousse - 3, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 6, Grimpereau brun - 2 (1 vu, on entendait), Merle d'Amérique - 8, Moqueur chat - 5, Jaseur d'Amérique -6, Paruline jaune - 2, Paruline à tête cendrée- 3, Paruline à croupion jaune - 1, Paruline à gorge noire - 4, Paruline masquée - 5, Paruline à calotte noire - 2, Bruant chanteur - 8, Bruant des marais - 3, Carouge à épaulettes - plus de 600, Quiscale bronzé - 15, Oriole de Baltimore - 1 (entendu), Chardonneret jaune - 6

Cedar Waxwings \ Jaseurs d'Amérique

eating berries from a mountain ash in my garden in Ahuntsic

Peggy Killeen - click photo to enlarge

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, September 6 – samedi 6 Septembre
ONTARIO Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary  - eBird Hotspot
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498  e-mail

NOTE: The turning to take off Highway 2 to the sanctuary is at 44.972415,-75.044244 … enter this map reference into Google Maps to get a personalised route from where you live

8:00 a.m. Take Highway 401 west to exit 770 (Ingleside). Proceed south to Highway 2. Take Highway 2 west for several kilometres. Watch for signs on left for “Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary”. Turn left and follow road for 2 km to main parking lot. Allow 1.5 hrs driving time from Montreal. Looking for waterfowl, passerines and possibly shorebirds on a good network of trails through varying habitat. Half day.

8 h 00. Prendre l’autoroute 401 ouest. Vingt km dépassé Cornwall, Prendre la sortie 770 (Ingleside). Rouler en direction sud jusqu’à l’autoroute 2 pendant plusieurs kilomètres. À gauche, chercher la pancarte du “Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary”. Tourner à gauche et prendre ce chemin pendant 2 km jusqu’au stationnement. Prévoir 1.5 heures de route de Montréal. Demi?journée.