Sightings for Friday January 4

Laval, rivière des Mille Îles: Montée du Moulins, the Great commorant was still there around 2 pm

Montée du Moulins le Grand Cormoran y était toujours vers 14h00. - Marc Boisvert

Bird Protection Quebec's "Monthly Meeting/Lecture"

Date: Monday January 7, 2013
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Knox Crescent Kensington and First Presbyterian Church 6255 Godfrey Avenue NDG
Notes: International Birding

Many of our members are ecotourists, travelling the world to see birds. We thought it would be interesting and fun to have them share their experiences and perhaps inspire more members to go globe-trotting. So this is the night.

INTERNATIONAL BIRDING

Nick Acheson: GETTING STARTED

I have been on birding trips in the USA ( Alaska, Texas, Montana, Arizona ) Australia, Antarctica and Ecuador and have enjoyed birding on my own at resorts in Mexico and Central America where we go for short respites from Montreal winters! International birding is great fun and I can give you some advice on how to get involved in such trips.

Jane Cormack: KENYA BIRDING SAFARI

A presentation featuring the highlights of of the 2012 birding safari in Kenya , led by David Bird and Rodger Titman. We visited a variety of sites including the famous Nairobi and Maasai Mara game parks and lesser known research and wildlife centres, covering habitats from the vast open savannah to the rich lakes of the Rift Valley to the flooded streets and traffic jams of Nairobi. Our accommodations covered the full gamut from rustic cabins with outdoor facilities to four and five star hotels. The wildlife did not disappoint. We saw the big five , some of the small five as well as flamingoes, ostrich, honeyguides, barbets and tinkerbirds, hornbills, hoopoe, kingfishers, bitterns ,pelicans, rollers, secretary birds and go-away birds.

Jean Demers and Clémence Soulard: BIRDING IN COLOMBIA

With approximately 1,900 bird species, 80 of which are endemic. we opted for a Colombian tour. For us, it's very important to hire local people and thereby help the local economy. We were in contact with Luis Eduardo Urena the director and owner of Manakin Nature Tours� http://www.manakinnaturetours.com for over a year before our vacation. We felt fortunate to find a tour operator who was very professional and worked hard to ensure that we saw particular birds. (He worked so hard that he found two lifers for himself!)

We travelled mostly in the mountains, between 300m and 4,000m. We started in Bogota (2600m) at Parque La Florida, and then drove to El Jard�n Encantado in San Francisco. The main attraction there was 28 Hummingbird feeders. In two hours, we counted 16 species including Long Bill Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear and the magnificent Red-billed Emerald.

Martin Bowman: SOUTH KOREA AND HOKKAIDO, JAPAN'S NORTHERN ISLAND

South Korea is one of the most accessible places on the planet to see birds on migration from Siberia to southern Asia with the west coast of the country on the flyway of many interesting species. We were there in early October, our visit timed to see the Spoon-billed sandpiper and we were not disappointed. Hokkaido is Japan's wild northern frontier, home to the Red-crowned or Japanese Crane and the spectacular Blakiston's Fish-Owl; it is also the wintering grounds of the Steller's Sea -Eagle.The pelagic birding is amazing.

Eileen Meillon: ON THE FRENCH- SPANISH BORDER

The Parc national des Pyrenees is accessible from six valleys in the Hautes-Pyrenees department of the French-Spanish border. While the mountain scenery is magnificent, one can also see some of the world's largest raptors. The park has recently partnered with La Ligue pour La Protection des Oiseaux for the protection of some of them, including the Lammergeier. Smaller birds like the Alpine Accentor and the Rock Thrush also prefer a mountain habitat.

Virginia Elliott and Nancy Montgomery: THE GALAPAGOS

"Galapagos " has become synonymous with conservation. Elsewhere in the world environmentalists struggle to have the protection of habitat and animal species recognized as a priority . The Galapagos have become the focus of how to harmonize human impact and the natural world . It is a privilege to travel there , not only because there are unique species but to witness the positive effect that the worldwide attention on conservation has had.

The speakers have ten minutes for their presentation but you will be able to speak to them at the back of the room afterwards.

Sightings for Thursday January 3

Laval, rivière des Mille Îles: I refound the Great commorant found yesterday by Louise Dumont. Around 9am it was on Laval side - rue Dessureaux, between rue Dessureaux and the Terrebonne bridge.
rivière des Mille Îles: J'ai retrouvé le Grand Cormoran trouvé hier par Louise Dumont. Vers 9hrs il etait du cote de Laval a la hauteur de la rue Dessureaux, entre la rue Dessureaux et le pont de Terrebonne - Georges Lachane
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Saint-Lazare: The Great Gray Owl (Chouette lapone) reported from Saint-Lazare a few days ago was seen again today at about 4:00 PM. The location was along Montee Saint-Lazare, roughly 200m south of the intersection with Rue des Loisiers. The bird was perched atop a roadside tree where it sat for several minutes before flying across the road into the woodlot on the east side of the road. - Jay VanderGaast
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Lachute: I took a look at the dump gulls near Lachute this afternoon. In the field south of the dump were around 70 loafing gulls, in with them was a 1st Winter Thayer's Gull (Goéland de Thayer); 12 Glaucous Gulls (Goélands bourgmestres) (1stW, 2ndW, ad) and 4 Iceland Gulls (Goélands artique) (2 ad, 2 1stW). The gulls can be viewed from the road although they may vary in range, a scope is advised. To locate the field, from Montreal take highway 50 to Lachute, exit south-east on route 329. Go around 4km until Chemin de la Sources appears as a crossroads, take the right turn. Drive past the obvious dump entrance and down the hill to check the fields. Depending where the gulls are loafing, it may be possible to drive closer by taking a cleared farm track on the left further down the hill. - Mark Dennis
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Saint-Constant: with Nicole Guenette, we had the opportunity to observe and photograph around 15:30, 2 Broad-winged Hawks in a tree at the rear of the residence of 506 Chemin de la Petite Côte Saint-Constant. The two winged Hawks then left all to follow the (stream) ruisseau Lasaline finally heading off onto the land of Lafarge cement which is located between the Chemin de la Petite Côte and Highway 15.

En compagnie de Nicole Guénette, nous avons eu la chance d'observer et de photographier vers 15h30, deux Petites Buses dans un arbre à l'arrière de la résidence du 506 Chemin de la Petite Côte à Saint-Constant. Les 2 Petites Buses ont quitté ensemble pour suivre le ruisseau Lasaline pour finalement bifurquer vers le terrain de la cimenterie Lafarge qui est situé entre le Chemin de la Petite Côte et l'autoroute 15. - Lucien Lemay

Bird Protection Quebec "Research Grants 2013"

Applications for research funding from BPQ should be received by no later than the last day of February. Anyone intending to make an application should consult the appropriate section of our website for information concerning the format in which applications should be made and the information to be provided. Applications may be made in either French or English but should include a synopsis in the other official language.

Amounts, normally of up to $3000 per annum, are available for single or multi-year projects relating to Quebec birds. Normally, the studies should be conducted within Quebec but we are open to appropriate requests for support for studies partly or wholly conducted outside Quebec provided they are demonstrably relevant to Quebec species or habitat.

Studies are to be conducted during 2013 and applicants should note that an end of year written summary of results and conclusions is a mandatory requirement of individuals or groups that we support.

Please pass this to anyone you are in contact with who may be interested.

We are particularly interested in working with groups conducting long-term studies with established goals.

Richard Gregson

President of BPQ and Chair of the BPQ Grants Committee.

Sightings for Wednesday January 2

Westmount: At 7:35 this morning a Great Grey Owl (Chouette lapone), with about 20 Crows (Corneilles) following it flew across the Boulevard at the corner of Lansdowne in Westmount. The bird landed in a crab apple tree on Edgehill just above the Boulevard. It stayed approximately 5 minutes then flew eastbound with the crows in trail. - Bruce
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Québec: Northern hawk owl at the north end of the rue Jean-Gauvin (in the field on the west side).

Chouette épervière à l'extrémité nord de la rue Jean-Gauvin (dans le champ du côté ouest).

Lévis: a Red-Crossbill at 119 Boucher. The owner told me that the Crossbills have been there for 1 week.

un Bec-croisé des sapins au 119 Boucher. La propriétaire m'a dit que les becs-croisés étaient là depuis 1 semaine. - Marie-Hélène Hachey
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Terrebonne: Yesterday and today I had the chance to observe a Great Cormorant (GRCO) on the rivière des Mille Îles in Terrebonne. A first for me at this location.
I returned today starting at City Hall, I saw the cormorant was in the water and let himself drift to the pont (bridge) Sophie Masson. I lost sight of it, but then I found it again. It was hardly visible, pressed against the cement wall along the north side of the river, and then he moved a little, allowing me to clearly see the demarcation between the white and black of the front of the body. There was no other bird close by to compare the size of the cormorant. I took some photos digiscoping. I asked Patrice Franche that noticed and saw quite a few features of GRCO. He suggested I also send my pictures to Pierre Bannon who confirmed that it is indeed a Great Cormorant (first year). Thank you to both!

Hier et aujourd'hui, j'ai eu la chance d'observer un Grand Cormoran (GRCO) sur la rivière des Mille Îles à Terrebonne. Une première pour moi à cet endroit.


J'y suis retournée aujourd'hui et à partir de l'hôtel de ville, j'ai vu le cormoran qui était dans l'eau et qui se laissait dériver vers le pont Sophie-Masson. Je l'ai ensuite perdu de vue puis je l'ai retrouvé. Il était difficilement visible, collé contre le mur de ciment longeant la rivière du côté nord, puis il s'est déplacé un peu, me permettant de bien observer la démarcation nette entre la partie blanche et noire de l'avant du corps. Il n'y avait aucun autre oiseau tout près pour la comparaison de la dimension du cormoran. J'ai pris quelques photos en digiscopie. J'ai demandé à Patrice Franche un premier avis et il voyait bien quelques caractéristiques du GRCO. Il m'a suggéré d'envoyer aussi mes photos à Pierre Bannon qui m'a confirmé qu'il s'agit bien d'un Grand Cormoran (1ère année). Merci à tous les deux! - Louise Dumont
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Montreal: There were 11 Pine Grosbeaks (Duebec des sapins) in the crab apple trees behind the Insectarium in the Botanical Garden - Ingo Morgenstern

Sightings for Tuesday January 1

Montreal, Mont-Royal Cemetery: Did some New Year's birding from 11:30 am to 3 pm. Highlight was a Carolina Wren (Troglodyte de Caroline) at the feeder at the north entrance. Also around were 6 Common Redpolls, 10 House Finches, 1 Brown Creeper 1 Common Raven flying over, and the regulars (Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, American crow (6 Sizerin flammé, 10 Roselins familiers, 1 Grimpereau brun 1 Grand Corbeau volant au-dessus, et les habitués Mésange à tête noire Sittelle à poitrine blanche, le Pic mineur, la corneille d'Amérique). A good portion of the time spent at the feeders at the north entrance.. - Ingo Morgenstern, Jean-Guy Morisset

Sightings for Saturday December 29

Clarendon: Great gray owl  around 12:00 was found in a tree on the south side of chemin Front in front of the farm Armstrong (C 361). Near the intersection of chemins Front and Heath

Chouette lapone vers 12h00 se trouvait dans un arbre du côté sud du chemin Front en face de la ferme Armstrong (C 361). Presque à l'intersection des chemins Front et Heath. - Deborah Powell
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Les Cèdres: Between 2pm and 4pm there was a Great gray Owl on chemin St Féréol between civic numbers 575 and 577 on the west side of the road (or in front of 570) and south of aoutoroute 20. She was perchednear the road and highly visible on the edge of the woods.

Entre 14h et 16h il y avait une Chouette Lapone sur le chemin St-Féréol à Les Cèdres entre les numéros civiques 575 et 577 du côté ouest du chemin (ou en face du 570) et au sud de l'autoroute 20. Elle était perchée près de la route et très visible sur cette bordure de boisé. - Michel Juteau
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Rigaud: This mourning, a flock of 10 - 20 Snow Buntings (plectrophanes des neiges) investigating the manure pile of a Horse ranch , near the corner of highways 201 and 342. - Jim Forster

Hermit thrush (Grive solitaire) Early afternoon, on Montee St. Henri, near Chemin St. Henri, Rigaud. Feeding on the blue berries west side of the road. Also a flock of 6 Wild Turkeys (Dindon sauvage) close by. - George Palagian
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Sainte-Etienne-de-Beauharnois: about 25 Wild turkeys (Dindon sauvage) autoroute 30 just past the exit for Sainte-Etienne-de-Beauharnois -Tom Long
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Saint-Clet, 3e rang:  Snowy owl, Gray partridge 19 (Harfang des neiges, Perdrix grise 19) - Patrick Laniel
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St-Lazare, Montee St-Lazare: Great Grey Owl (Chouette lapone) photo on BLOG - Sandra & Mark Dennis

Sightings for Wednesday December 26

Sainte-Martine: Short-eared owl between 180 and 198 rue Grand Marais a
Hibou des marais entre le 180 et le 198 rue Grand Marais - Patrick Laniel

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Sainte-Catherine, Réc-réo-parc: Pine Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, American Tree Sparrows, Tufted titmouse, Black-capped chickadees, Common redpolls

Paruline des pins, Paruline à calotte noire, Bruant à couronne blanche, Bruants hudsonnien, Mésanges bicolore, Mésanges à tête noire, Sizerins flammé - Gilles Ethier

Sightings for Sunday December 23

Great Gray Owl (Chouette lapone) seen in Hudson area this morning but private property owner would prefer to keep exact location under wraps. Hope it or some of its friends stick around until Saturday's CBC. - Wayne Grubert
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Adult Bald Eagle (Pygargue à tête blanche) flew over the Old Mont Tremblant village around 14:00 - Bruce Campbell

Hudson Christmas Bird Count

The 72st Hudson Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday December 29

The count takes place in the area shown on this map

Interested in taking part? Then contact the compiler, Jean Demers by email

It started in 1939 and was done every year except 1951 and 1952 for reasons unknown. Over the years we observed 139 different species. In 2006 we had our greatest number of species 67 and our highest number of birds 16,031. Four species were seen every year, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and the White-breasted Nuthatch. Ruffed Grouse, House Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow 69 times, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling 70 times. Anybody interested in seeing all the data, detailed or summarized in an Excel format can contact me, e-mail and I will forward to you

This year the collation for the after count will be held at the St-Hubert 601 avenue St-Charles Vaudreuil.

Highway 40 going east, take exit 35 and the restaurant will be on your left. This link will take you to a map showing its location:

We will be in a little room to the left of the entrance. Some food will be available: onion rings, chicken wings, Nachos, mini-brochettes, mini-spring rolls etc. The room will be available from 16:00 to 19:00. If anybody prefers a full meal and drink, you will have to pay for it.

The Hudson circle: The Hudson circle is centered at the Cooper airport in St-Lazare and has a 24 km diameter. It covers cities like Vaudreuil, Dorion, Les Cèdres, Coteau-du-Lac, St-Clet, obviously Hudson and a small part of Oka.

Participation: You can participate in the Hudson Christmas Bird Count either in the field or in the warmth of your home as feeder-watcher. It is a very rewarding experience either way you choose and you are helping in gathering very important data.

Feeder-watcher: If you are already familiar with feeder counts, we are particularly interested in attracting Project Feeder-Watch participants. However even if you are not already a Project Feeder-Watch participant, and want to get involved, please feel free to participate. There are no entry restrictions.

You will find a list of instructions on how to participate by following the link on top of the page (same instructions as the Montreal Christmas Bird Count) and you can also download our feeder checklist. There is no charge for being a Feeder-watcher and you do not have to be a member of a bird, nature or environmental group. However we ask that you ensure first that you reside within our Count Circle. Please contact me for confirmation if you are really within the circle.

Field participants: There is no charge this year, however if you want to help Bird Studies Canada, you can give a little contribution, easily done on their website: The names of all field participants are included in the results published by the National Audubon Society.

If you want to participate, please contact me and I will assigned you to one of our 17 parties. Normally the count starts at dawn, not very early at this time of the year. You will be compiling all the birds you see, by species and by number of each, don’t worry you will be with an experienced birder. Detailed instructions will be provided to all the field participants. - Jean Demers Compiler

Sightings for Monday December 17

Rigaud: 8:30 am, on Chemin St Henri near the corner of Montee st Henri, perched on a power line overlooking a field , a Barred Owl (Chouette rayée). It turned to look at us when we stopped and flew off to the trees. Have heard it calling on occasion at night near home, (who-cooks-for-you). - Jim Forster

Montreal CBC

The unofficial total for the Montreal Christmas Bird Count was 80 species recorded so far. Still have the feeder watchers reports to come. The previous high, record species count was 76.

Sightings for Friday December 14

Ste-Catherine: I made a short visit to the Réc-réo-Parc, where I had the pleasure of finding Gérard Cyr. Together we found a Purple sandpiper on one of the islands of rocks in front of the park chalet.

Also of note there, a female bufflehead in the company of Common goldeneye and a Common loon and at the small bridge.

J'ai fait une petite visite au Réc-réo-Parc de Ste-Catherine où j'ai eu le plaisir d'y trouver Gérard Cyr. Ensemble, nous avons trouvé un Bécasseau violet sur un des ilots de roches à peu près en face du chalet du parc.

Autre fait à noter sur place, un petit garrot femelle en compagnie de garrot à oeil d'or et un plongeon huart au niveau du petit pont. - Daniel Ouellette

Black-Crowned Night-Heron PHOTO next to the dock in front of the restaurant l'Escale (4075 boul. Marie-Victorin). Also seen a Pied-billed grebe and a Sharp-shinned hawk

Bihoreau gris PHOTO à côté du quai en face du restaurant l'Escale (4075 boul. Marie-Victorin). Aussi vue, un Grèbe à bec bigarré et un Épervier brun - Michel Juteau

Sightings for Wednesday December 12

Montréal, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery: Northern Mockingbird He was in section TR (Troie) 5008-1. He seemed intrigued by flowers left on a grave. Then he flew towards the Parc du Mont-Royal (west of Beaver lake).

cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges: Moqueur polyglotte. Il se trouvait dans le secteur TR (Troie) 5008-1. Il semblait intrigué par des fleurs laissées sur une tombe. Puis il s'est envolé en direction du parc du Mont-Royal (à l'ouest du lac des Castors). - Julie Tremblay

Verdun: A male American Kestrel (PHOTO) with prey, seen today on the bank of the river across from rue Leclair and boulevard LaSalle Leclair

Crécerelle d'Amérique mâle (PHOTO) avec une proie, observeé aujourd'hui sur la rive du fleuve en face de la rue Leclair et boulevard LaSalle - Pierre Lamontagne

Sightings for Sunday Decemebr 9

Montréal, Northern Mockingbird (Moqueur polyglotte) on rue des Eclusiers, not far from the Atwater Market. - Jean Bacon
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St-Ferdinand, lac William: Redhead, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher

Fuligule à tête rouge, Grand harle, Garrot à oeil d’or, Petit fuligule, Fuligule à collier, Canard colvert, Bernache du Canada, Pygargue à tête blanche,Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique - Daniel Gagné

Sightings for Saturday December 8

Sherbrooke, Blanchard Park: European Goldfinch at the feeders near the welcome center. Also, a Brown Creeper, White-breasted nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, etc.. and hundreds if not thousands of Crows that congregate nearby.


Also, on the letters of the Delta on rue King, a Peregrine Falcon which has been there since the fall
parc Blanchard: Chardonneret élégant était dans les mangeoires à côté du centre d'accueil. Aussi, un Grimpereau brun, Sitelle à, poitrine blanche, Chardonneret jaune,  Sizerin flammé, etc. et des centaines pour ne pas dire des milliers de Corneilles qui se rassemblent tout près.

Aussi, sur les lettres du Delta de la rue King, un Faucon pèlerin qui s'y tient depuis cet automne - Benoît Turgeon

Montreal Christmas Bird Count

We have just about finalized the sector team leaders and team members for Saturday, December 15th.

I would just like to remind everyone to take note of any out of the ordinary sightings during the Christmas Count Week. They can also be noted in the count statistics. Please keep details of where and when they were seen. From December 12th to 14th and December 16th to 18th, 3 days on either side of the actual count day of December 15th, make up the Count Week.

There are a few sectors where we could definitely use a few more participants.  If any of you would like to participate in the Christmas Count but have not yet contacted me, please do so as soon as possible  514-637-2141 or by e-mail. We can easily place you on a team.

There are a few sectors in particular where we could use another person or two to join the existing teams. They are: South Shore Sector 4 - The Ste-Catherine Locks area Montreal Downtown Sector 2- Summit Park/Westmount/TMR West, etc Montreal Downtown Sector 4- Mount Royal Cemetery Montreal West-Sector 3- Lasalle/Angrignon Park/Montreal West

Finally, a note for the teams covering the Southwest sectors off the island (Chateauguay, Kahnawake, Ste-Catherine, St-Constant, Delson), the Mercier Bridge is scheduled to have one side closed to traffic next weekend, with two-way traffic, one lane in each direction on the open side. This may affect your travel plans to and from these areas on Count Day.

Sightings for Thursday Decemeber 6

Trois-Rivières, rue Williams: Red-bellied Woodpecker (Pic à ventre roux) - Maxime Carbonneau

Sighting for Monday, December 3

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard: We sighted two Red-throated Loons (Plongeon catmarin) from the north end of the park, overlooking Lake of Two Mountains, very close to shore when we first sighted them. Alas, a return visit today,Tuesday, did not result in seeing these birds again. - Ian and Eleanor Turner

Sightings for Sunday Decemebr 2

Saint-Hubert: 1 American tree sparrow (Bruant Hudsonien) along with other feeder birds including; Dark-eyed juncos (Junco ardoisé), Black-capped chickadees  (Mésanges à tête noire),  House finches (Roselin familier), House sparrows (Bruant moineau) and later in the afternoon a Merlin (Faucon émerillon) with its meal! -Shawna Sevigny