Sightings for Wednesday August 10

Pointe de Yamachiche -- map/carte: 45 species including 1 American White Pelican The bird, spotted yesterday, was still at the back of the baie de Yamachiche. Even from a distance you could enjoy its immense size and its massive and long yellow beak. 11 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Northern Harrier, 3 Bald Eagle, 1 Black-bellied Plover, 2 Semipalmated Plover, 4 Killdeer, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 5 Least Sandpiper

45 espèces avec: 1 Pélican d'Amérique L'oiseau, repéré hier, était encore au fond de la baie de Yamachiche. Même à distance on pouvait apprécier sa taille immense et son long et massif bec jaune. 11 Grand héron, 1 Grande Aigrette, 1 Bihoreau gris, 2 Busard saint-martin, 3 Pygargue à tête blanche, 1 Pluvier argenté, 2 Pluvier semipalmé, 4 Pluvier kildir, 2 Petit Chevalier, 5  Bécasseaux minuscule - Yves Gauthier

2016 Summer Series of Birding Field Trip #7 - Saturday, August 13

This Saturday's trip will be our annual trip to 4 eastern Ontario sewage lagoons.

DATE: Saturday, August 13, 2016
TIME: 6:00 AM – Full day, with lunch break; combination driving/walking trip.
MEETING PLACE: The Hudson Inn parking lot in Hudson, Quebec - Exit 17 off of Highway 40.

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/Ri5g3zfgwSG2


Please arrive early to be ready to depart at 6 AM sharp. We have about a 1-hour drive from Hudson to our first stop in St-Isidore.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: A detailed route for the day is available. If you would like a copy of the document, e-mail me

ITINERARY: We will visit 4 sewage lagoons; St- Isidore, St-Albert, Embrun and Casselman. We'll be looking for shorebirds and marsh-dwellers, as well as raptors and early migrating species. The stops at St-Isidore and St-Albert will fill the morning. We'll then break for lunch at Tim Horton's in Embrun, then move on to the Embrun and Casselman Lagoons. Bring your lunch or pick up something at the lunch stop in Embrun.

The trip involves a lot of walking. The lagoons are located in wide-open, exposed areas, away from any facilities. They provide no shade or shelter from the sun or rain. Please dress accordingly and bring along fluids and/or snacks. The grass can be quite wet, particularly early in the morning. Be equipped with suitable footwear. Spotting scopes will be very useful. If you have portable two-way radios, please bring them along for communicating between cars.

If you have questions please contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. If you are delayed on Saturday morning, please call 514-637-2141. We will leave Hudson at 6 am. Should you arrive late, you will have time to catch up to us at our first stop in St-Isidore.

Sheldon Harvey

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #4 Report - Saturday, August 6

15 people turned out for Saturday's field trip to Ste-Martine, Howick and Mercier, Quebec. It was a great day, weather-wise with mostly sunny conditions with less humidity than previous days this past week. Our timing was great as it seemed that a large number of shorebirds had arrived at the dam at Ste-Martine. The highlight from Ste-Martine was the discovery of two short-billed Dowitchers. Without a doubt though, the bird of the day was the Red-headed Woodpecker immediately found at the intersection of Highway 138 and rang du 40 near Howick. The bird offered up excellent views, a lifer for many in the group.

We completed the day with a total of 54 species. Here is the complete list. I will do separate listings for each location, for e-Bird purposes, later on. Thanks to everyone who participated. - Sheldon Harvey

Wood Duck 10, Mallard 80, Northern Shoveler 4, Green-winged Teal 5, Great Blue Heron 8, Great Egret 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 3, Turkey Vulture 3, Osprey 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 2, Semipalmated Plover 2, Killdeer 24, Spotted Sandpiper 8, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 40, Least Sandpiper 22, Pectoral Sandpiper 1, Semipalmated Sandpiper 1, Short-billed Dowitcher 2, Ring-billed Gull 75, Rock Pigeon 12, Mourning Dove 8, Chimney Swift 5, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker 3, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Merlin 1, Peregrine Falcon 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 2, American Crow 20, Purple Martin 4, Tree Swallow 20, Bank Swallow 4, Barn Swallow 30, Black-capped Chickadee 12, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Robin 4, European Starling 30, Nashville Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Yellow Warbler 6, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Song Sparrow 6, Northern Cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 3, Common Grackle 4, American Goldfinch 20, House Sparrow 2

Canard branchu 10, Canard colvert 80, Canard souchet 4, Sarcelle d'hiver 5, Grand héron 8, Grande Aigrette 1, Bihoreau gris 3, Urubu à tête rouge 3, Balbuzard pêcheur 1, Épervier brun 1, Épervier de Cooper 1, Buse à queue rousse 2, Pluvier semipalmé 2, Pluvier kildir 24, Chevalier grivelé 8, Chevalier solitaire 1, Petit Chevalier 40, Bécasseau minuscule 22, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée 1, Bécasseau semipalmé 1, Bécassin roux 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 75, Pigeon biset 12, Tourterelle triste 8, Martinet ramoneur 5, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Martin pêcheur d'Amérique 2, Pic à tête rouge 1, Pic mineur 3, Pic chevelu 1, Faucon émerillon 1, Faucon pèlerin 1, Pioui de l'Est 1, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux  2, Corneille d'Amérique 20, Hirondelle noire 4, Hirondelle bicolore 20, Hirondelle rivage4, Hirondelle rustique 30, Mésange à tête noire 12, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Merle d'Amérique 4, Étourneau sansonnet 30, Paruline à joues grises 1, Paruline masquée 1, Paruline jaune 6, Paruline à croupion jaune 1, Bruant chanteur6, Cardinal rouged 1, Carouge à épaulettes 3, Quiscale bronzé 4, Chardonneret jaune 20, Moineau domestique 2

2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #6 - Saturday, August 6

Saturday, August 6 - samedi 6 d’aout
Sainte-Martine, Howick, Mercier Lagoons, Mercier
Guide: Sheldon Harvey

514-637-2141 – E-mail
8:00 a.m. – Half-day
Meet at 1 rue du Pont, Sainte-Martine

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/OzxnL

Driving Instructions: If you are taking the Mercier Bridge from Montreal, go right on Highway 132/138 West. Drive for approximately 40 km on Highway 138 West to the town of Sainte-Martine. In Sainte-Martine, watch for the Subway Restaurant on the right just before rue du Pont. Turn right on rue du Pont, cross the bridge. The parking lot will be immediately on your right.

If you are taking Highway 30 from either the east or west, take Exit 26-ch. de la Beauce (Highway 205). Follow Highway 205 south to the intersection with Highway 138 (boul. St-Jean-Baptiste) in Sainte-Martine. Turn right on St-Jean-Baptiste. Watch for the Subway Restaurant on the right & follow the instructions above.

NOTE: From Ste-Martine we will continue on Highway 138 to rang du 40 to look for the Red-headed Woodpecker, then return on secondary roads to the Mercier Lagoons to look for the Red-necked Phalarope and Bonaparte’s Gull

8 h 00 – Demi-journée
LIEU de rencontre: Rassemblement à 1 rue du Pont, Sainte-Martine, QC.

CARTE DE GOOGLE: https://goo.gl/maps/OzxnL

La Route: Si vous arrivez depuis le pont Mercier en provenance de Montréal, prenez vers l’ouest (droite) sur la route 132/138 ouest. Suivez la route 138 ouest pour 40 km jusqu' à la ville de Sainte-Martine. En ville , sur la droite, vous trouverai le restaurant “Subway”. Après le “Subway” tournez à droite sur rue du Pont. Traversez le pont. Le stationnement est après le pont à la droite.

Si vous prenez l’autoroute 30, de l’ouest ou l’est, prendre la sortie 26 (Route 205-ch. de la Beauce) Continuez vers le sud sur route 205-ch. de la Beauce en direction Sainte-Martine jusqu’à l’intersection de Route 138 (boul. St-Jean-Baptiste). Tournez à droite sur boul. St-Jean-Baptiste et trouvez le restaurant “Subway” sur la droite. Après le “Subway” tournez à droite sur rue du Pont. Traversez le pont. Le stationnement est après le pont à la droite.

NOTE: De Ste-Martine, que nous allons continuer sur la route 138 à rang du 40 pour tenter de voir le pic à tête rouge, puis retour sur des routes secondaires au station d'épuration de Mercier pour chercher le Phalarope à bec étroit et la Mouette de Bonaparte.

Sightings for Thursday july 28

St-Blaise: Little Blue Heron juvenile 1e Rue near 53rd Ave. behind # 1387

Un juvénile Aigrette bleue 1e Rue près de 53e Ave. à l'arrière de # 1387  - T. Long. S. Veysey

Sightings for Wednesday July 27

St-Blaise: I saw the Little blue heron this morning at 6:55 at the same place it was found yesterday on the 1re rue by Ral Boulet, whom I thank for this wonderful discovery

J'ai vu l'aigrette bleue ce matin 6:55 au mme endroit que trouver hier sur la 1re rue par  Réal Boulet que je remercie pour cette superbe dcouverte. - Pierre Casavant
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Howick:  corner of rang du 40 and route 138, Red-headed Woodpecker  He appeared about 12 pm.

coin du rang du 40 et route 138, Pic à tête rouge - Il fit son apparition vers 12 h. - Alain Daigle

2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #5 - Saturday, July 30

Le Nichoir Annual Open House, Hudson

There will be no formal field trip for this coming Saturday, July 30, 2016. Instead we are encouraging everyone to come to the annual Le Nichoir Wild Bird Conservation Centre Open House event taking place at Le Nichoir, located at 637 Main Street in Hudson, Quebec from 10 AM to 2 PM.

5 Bird Protection Quebec members will be staffing a BPQ information booth at the event. Guided tours of the facilities will be conducted, plus nature walks on the property will be conducted by BPQ member and naturalist Chris Cloutier. - Sheldon Harvey


Full details of the event can be found at http://lenichoir.org/…/…/annual-open-house-saturday-july-30/

Vous pouvez trouver les details en francais ici... http://lenichoir.org/…/invitation-a-la-journee-portes-ouve…/

Sightings for Tuesday July 26

A Little Blue Heron has appeared at the corner of 1st Street and 53rd Avenue in St-Blaise on the Richelieu River

Un juvénile Aigrette bleue1e Rue coin 53e av St-Blaise. Depuis 14:45 toujours présente 17:37  - Réal Boulet, Ghislaine et Lucien Lemay

Sightings for Friday July 22

Red-headed Woodpecker / Pic à tête rouge near Ormstown

A lifer for both of us this morning with the Red-headed Woodpecker putting on a great show at the intersection of Highway 138 and rang du 40. I posted some photos on the BPQ Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Bird-Protection-Quebec-104138749621401/  - Sheldon

Sightings for Thursday July 21

Howick:  corner of rang du 40 and route 138 Red-headed Woodpecker

coin du rang du 40 et route 138, Pic à tête rouge - Patrick Laniel

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #5 - Saturday, July 23

Our destination for the fifth trip of the 2016 Summer Series of Birding field trips this Saturday will be

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard

DATE: Saturday, July 23, 2016
TIME: 8:00 AM – Half-day outing
MEETING PLACE: The parking lot at Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/JFpO4

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 40; exit St. Jean Blvd north to Gouin Blvd; left (west) on Gouin to Jacques Bizard Blvd; right (north) on Jacques Bizard Blvd, over bridge toBlvd Chevremont; left (west) on Chevremont to Montée de l'Église; right(north) on de l'Église to Ch. Bord-du-Lac; right (east) on Bord-du-Lac to park entrance, approx. 1 km.

Parking Fee: $9.00.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (ve2shw at yahoo.com), or by telephone at 514-637-2141.

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #4 Report - Saturday, July 16

8 people participated in Saturday's 4th Summer Series of Birding field trip, this time returning to Pointe-Yamachiche, the spot we had hoped to explore last week only to be rained out.

It was a much more pleasant day with sunshine throughout the morning and warm temperatures. There were some muddy spots along the path, and the sandy beachfront on Lac-St-Pierre did try to swallow up a few of us with spots that resembled and acted almost like quicksand, but we all survived, managing to find a total of 47 species, with the highlights of the morning definitely being 3 Bald Eagles and a Whimbrel that unfortunately made a quick fly-by and landed on the shoreline much to distant for us to get good looks, but the fly-by giving us views of the long curved beak made the identification possible. - Sheldon Harvey

Here is a list of our 47 species for the day: Canada Goose 50, Common Merganser 1, Double-crested Cormorant 2, Great Blue Heron 6, Bald Eagle 3, Spotted Sandpiper 3, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Whimbrel 1, Ring-billed Gull 60, Great Black-backed Gull 1, Caspian Tern 1, Common Tern 2, Mourning Dove 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 2, Downy Woodpecker 3, Northern Flicker 1, Merlin 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 2, Least Flycatcher 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 2, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 6, American Crow 4, Common Raven 1, Tree Swallow 2, Barn Swallow 4, Black-capped Chickadee 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, House Wren 1, Veery 2, Hermit Thrush 2, American Robin 6, Gray Catbird 1, European Starling 1, Cedar Waxwing 2, Common Yellowthroat 6, American Redstart 6, Yellow Warbler 12, Song Sparrow 12, Swamp Sparrow 2, Indigo Bunting 2, Red-winged Blackbird 12, Common Grackle 24, American Goldfinch

Bernache du Canada 50, Grand harle 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 2, Grand Héron 6, Pygargue à tête blanche 3, Chevalier grivelé 3, Chevalier solitaire 2, Petit Chevalier 1, Courlis corlieu 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 60, Goéland marin 1, Sterne caspienne  1, Sterne pierregarin 2, Tourterelle triste 3, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique  2, Pic mineur 3, Pic flaboyant 1, Faucon émerillon 1, Pioui de l'Est 2, Moucherolle tchébec 1, Moucherolle phébi 1, Tyran huppé 2, Viréo mélodieux 3, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Grand corbeau 1, Hirondelle bicolore 2, hirondelle rustique 4, Mésange à tête noire 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Troglodyte familier 1, Grive fauve 2, Grive solitaire 2, Merle d'Amérique 6, Moqueur chat 1, Étourneau sansonnet 1, Jaseur d'Amérique 2, Paruline masquée 6, Paruline flamboyante 6, Paruline jaune 12, Bruant chanteur 12, Bruant des marais 2, Paserin indigo 2, Carouge à épaulettes 12, Quiscale bronzé 24, Chardonneret jaune

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #3 - Saturday, July 16

With last week's field trip to Pointe-Yamachiche basically rained out, a few people have asked me if we can simply re-schedule it for this coming Saturday as they would really like to explore the area. So, to make things easy, this Saturday's trip will be to the destination planned for last week. There is currently a 30% chance of showers at this point for Saturday, but we should be OK...nothing like last week. So, once again, here are the details. Hope to see you on Saturday.

Our destination for the 4th trip of the 2016 Summer Series of Birding field trips this Saturday will be to “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche” at Yamachiche, on the north shore of Lac St. Pierre, north-east of Montreal, approximately 120 km. from central Montreal.

DATE: Saturday, July 9
TIME: 8:00 AM – Half-day outing
MEETING PLACE: The parking lot at “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche”

GOOGLE MAP:https://goo.gl/maps/sji4Mb1n4N92

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Montreal, take Autoroute 40 (Trans-Canada) east,(direction Trois-Rivieres) to Exit 180. Just off the exit there is a parking lot on chemin Louis-Gatineau. Parking is free. This will be our meeting point. Calculate approximately a 90-minute drive to the meeting point, particularly if you are coming from the western part of Montreal.

ITINERARY: We will first explore the elevated boardwalk and then follow a trail leading to the waterfront of Lac St-Pierre looking for a mix of songbirds, waterfowl, marsh birds and shorebirds. We may also explore a few local roads outside the reserve that lead to the Lac St-Pierre waterfront.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (ve2shw at yahoo.com), or by telephone at 514-637-2141.

Notre destination pour le troisième sortie de l’été 2016 ce samedi est “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche” à Yamachiche, sur la rive nord du Lac St. Pierre, au nord-est de Montréal, environ 120 km du centre de Montréal.

DATE: Samedi 9 juillet
HEURE: 8h00 - demi-journée
LIEU de rencontre : Stationnement a “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche” 

GOOGLE MAP:https://goo.gl/maps/sji4Mb1n4N92

La Route : De Montréal, prendre Autoroute 40 (Transcanadienne) est,(direction Trois-Rivieres) à sortie 180. Juste à côté de la sortie, il y a un parking sur le chemin Louis-Gatineau. Le stationnement est gratuit. Ce sera notre point de rencontre. Calculer environ 90 minutes de route au point de rencontre, surtout si vous venez de l’ouest de Montréal.

Itinéraire : Nous découvrir tout d’abord la passerelle et puis suivre un sentier menant à bord de l’eau du Lac St-Pierre à la recherche d’un mélange d’oiseaux chanteurs, oiseaux aquatiques, oiseaux de marais et oiseaux de rivage. Nous pouvons également envisager quelques routes locales en dehors de la réserve qui mènent au bord de l’eau de Lac St-Pierre.

Si vous avez des questions, n’hésitez pas à me contacter par courriel (ve2shw at yahoo.com), ou par téléphone au 514-637-2141.

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #3 Report - Saturday, July 9

Hey...what happened to everyone? Seems like this morning's heavy rain discouraged everyone from coming out on the third of our Summer Series birding trips! Today's destination was Pointe-Yamachiche on Lac St-Pierre. Driving through the heavy and consistent downpour on the way to Yamachiche this morning Darlene and I speculated on whether anyone would turn up. Our question was quickly answered as we pulled up to an empty parking lot.

The rain was much too heavy and constant to leave the comfort of the van throughout the morning but, given the fact that we were there, we decided to explore the roads around the region to see what we could find. We drove through Yamachiche, St-Thomas-de-Caxton, then on to Berthierville, Ile-Dupas and St-Ignace de Loyola before calling it a day.

We were able to come up with a total of 20 species. Seems that the rain kept the majority of the birds sheltered as well. Let's hope for better weather next Saturday. - Sheldon Harvey

Here is our list for the morning: Canada Goose 1, Mallard 2, Great Blue Heron 3, Turkey Vulture 3, Ring-billed Gull 60, Rock Pigeon 8, Mourning Dove 6, Eastern Kingbird 1, American Crow 6, Tree Swallow 10, Barn Swallow 1, American Robin 3, European Starling 30, Common Yellowthroat 1, Yellow Warbler 1, Song Sparrow 4, Northern Cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 25, Common Grackle 30, American Goldfinch 10

Bernache du Canada 1, Canard colvert 2, Grand héron 3, Urubu à tête rouge 3, Goéland à bec cerclé 60, Rocher Pigeon 8, Tourterelle triste 6, Tyran tritri 1, Corneille d'Amérique 6, Hirondelle bicolore 10, Hirondelle rustique 1, Merle d'Amérique 3, Étourneau sansonnet 30, Paruline masquée 1, Paruline jaune 1, Bruant chanteur 4, Ccardinal rouge 1, Carouge à épaulettes 25, Quiscale bronzé 30, Chardonneret jaune 10

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #3 - Saturday, July 9

Our destination for the third trip of the 2016 Summer Series of Birding field trips this Saturday will be to “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche” at Yamachiche, on the north shore of Lac St. Pierre, north-east of Montreal, approximately 120 km. from central Montreal.

DATE: Saturday, July 9
TIME: 8:00 AM – Half-day outing
MEETING PLACE: The parking lot at “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche”

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/sji4Mb1n4N92

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Montreal, take Autoroute 40 (Trans-Canada) east,(direction Trois-Rivieres) to Exit 180. Just off the exit there is a parking lot on chemin Louis-Gatineau. Parking is free. This will be our meeting point. Calculate approximately a 90-minute drive to the meeting point, particularly if you are coming from the western part of Montreal.

ITINERARY: We will first explore the elevated boardwalk and then follow a trail leading to the waterfront of Lac St-Pierre looking for a mix of songbirds, waterfowl, marsh birds and shorebirds. We may also explore a few local roads outside the reserve that lead to the Lac St-Pierre waterfront.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (ve2shw at yahoo.com), or by telephone at 514-637-2141.

Notre destination pour le troisième sortie de l’été 2016 ce samedi est “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche” à Yamachiche, sur la rive nord du Lac St. Pierre, au nord-est de Montréal, environ 120 km du centre de Montréal.

DATE: Samedi 9 juillet
HEURE: 8h00 - demi-journée
LIEU de rencontre : Stationnement a “la réserve naturelle de Pointe-Yamachiche”

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/sji4Mb1n4N92

La Route : De Montréal, prendre Autoroute 40 (Transcanadienne) est,(direction Trois-Rivieres) à sortie 180. Juste à côté de la sortie, il y a un parking sur le chemin Louis-Gatineau. Le stationnement est gratuit. Ce sera notre point de rencontre. Calculer environ 90 minutes de route au point de rencontre, surtout si vous venez de l’ouest de Montréal.

Itinéraire : Nous découvrir tout d’abord la passerelle et puis suivre un sentier menant à bord de l’eau du Lac St-Pierre à la recherche d’un mélange d’oiseaux chanteurs, oiseaux aquatiques, oiseaux de marais et oiseaux de rivage. Nous pouvons également envisager quelques routes locales en dehors de la réserve qui mènent au bord de l’eau de Lac St-Pierre.

Si vous avez des questions, n’hésitez pas à me contacter par courriel (ve2shw at yahoo.com), ou par téléphone au 514-637-2141.
Sheldon Harvey

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #2 Report - Saturday, July 2

Saturday felt more like a fall trip than a summer trip with the temperature never reaching higher than 18 C, accompanied by strong winds and practically complete cloud coverage throughout the morning. At least we didn't get rained one! 13 people joined in on the outing that started off in Valleyfield looking for the reported Tundra Swan, which we could not find, then on to the Halte des Herons (St-Timothee), St-Etienne-de-Beauharnois and finally to Ste-Martine. St-Etienne, once a very productive birding spot, is almost completely overgrown, with very limited sight lines on to the ponds.

Here is the list of the 43 species seen for the day. The American Bittern was chosen as the Bird of the Day. We were very pleased to see a very healthy population of Tree Swallows throughout the morning at each of our stops. - Sheldon Harvey

Canada Goose 80, Wood Duck 1, Mallard 60, Northern Shoveler 1, Hooded Merganser 1, Pied-billed Grebe 3, Double-crested Cormorant 10, American Bittern 1, Least Bittern 1, Great Blue Heron 6, Great Egret 6, Turkey Vulture 5, Killdeer 2, Spotted Sandpiper 6, Lesser Yellowlegs 2, Ring-billed Gull 600+, Black Tern 2, Common Tern 6, Rock Pigeon 40, Mourning Dove 6, Chimney Swift 4, Northern Flicker 4, Eastern Kingbird 4, Warbling Vireo 1, Blue Jay 1, American Crow 12, Tree Swallow 1000+, Barn Swallow 12, Black-capped Chickadee 1, Marsh Wren 3, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 1, European Starling 80, Cedar Waxwing 6, Common Yellowthroat 2, Yellow Warbler 6, Savannah Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 20, Swamp Sparrow 1, Northern Cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 100+, Common Grackle 6, American Goldfinch 6

Bernache du Canada 80, Canard branchu 1, Canard colvert 60, Canard souchet 1, Harle couronné 1, Grèbe à bec bigarré 3, Cormoran à aigrettes 10, Butor d'Amérique 1, Petit Blongios 1, Grand héron 6, Grande aigrette 6, Urubu à tête rouge 5, Pluvier kildir 2, Chevalier grivelé 6, Petit Chevalier 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 600+, Guifette noire 2, Sterne pierregarin 6, Pigeon biset 40, Tourterelle triste 6,Martinet ramoneur 4, Pic flaboyant 4, Tyran tritri 4, Viréo mélodieux 1, Geai Bleu 1, Corneille d'Amérique 12, Hirondelle bicolore 1000+, Hirondelle rustique 12, Mésange à tête noire 1, Troglodyte des marais 3, Merle d'Amérique 8, Moqueur chat 1 , Étourneau sansonnet 80, Jaseur d'Amérique 6, Paruline masquée 2, Paruline jaune 6, Bruant des prés 1, Bruant chantuer 20, Bruant des marais1, Cardinal rougwe 1, Carouge à épaulettes 100+, Quiscale bronzée 6, Chardonneret jaune 6

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding Fiel d Trip #2 – Saturday, July 2

For our second trip of the summer we will visit a number of popular birding spots southwest of Montreal. From our meeting spot, we will drive to Leger Street in Valleyfield to look for a Tundra Swan that has been seen on the St-Charles River for the last two weeks. We will then drive to the marshes at St-Timothée, then on to the ponds at St-Etienne-de-Beauharnois. Time permitting we will drive to the dam at Ste-Martine.

DATE: Saturday, July 2, 2016
Start Time: 7:30 a.m. - Half-day driving/walking trip
Meet in the Tim Horton parking lot, 5299 boul. Hebert (Highway 132), corner of boul. Pie-XII

Google Map (Meeting spot): https://goo.gl/maps/uWzLN2EjQ4z

Driving Instructions: From the West Island take Hwy 40 or 20 west then to Autoroute 30 (toll road). Take Autoroute 30 to Autoroute 530 West-Exit 13-(Salaberry-de-Valleyfield). Take Autoroute 530 West to Exit 9 (St-Louis-de-Gonzague/boul. Pie-XII. Turn right on boul. Pie-XII. Take boul. Pie-XII to the Tim Horton parking lot at the corner of boul. Pie-XII and boul. Hebert (Highway 132).

From other areas of Montreal, take the Mercier Bridge to Highway 132. Take Highway 132 to Autoroute 30. Follow Autoroute 30 to Autoroute 530 West-Exit 13 and follow instructions above.

If you have questions, please contact me at 514-637-2141. - Sheldon Harvey

Sortie no 2 de la série d’excursions estivales samedi le 2 juillet 2016

Pour notre deuxième sortie de l’été, nous visiterons quelques endroits populaires du sud-ouest de Montréal. Du point de rendez-vous nous, nous nous dirigerons vers la rue Léger à Valleyfield pour chercher le Cygne siffleur qui a été observé sur la rivière St-Charles depuis deux semaines. Ensuite nous nous rendrons au Marais de ST-Timothée et après les étangs de St-Étienne-de-Beauharnois. Si le temps le permet nous irons au barrage de Ste-Martine.

Date : samedi le 2 juillet 2016
Heure de départ : 0730H pour une demi-journée (voiture et marche)
Rendez-vous au stationnement du Tim Horton au 5229 boul. Hébert (route 132) au coin de Pie XII

Google Map (rendez-vous): https://goo.gl/maps/uWzLN2EjQ4z

Comment s’y rendre : de l’ouest de l’Île l’autoroute 40 ou 20 et empruntez l’autoroute 30 (péage). De la 30 sortie pour la 530 ouest et ensuite empruntez la sortie 13 (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. De la 530 ouest sortie 9 (St-Louis-de-Gonzague/boul. Pie XII, tournez à droite sur boul. Pie XII. De Pie XII jusqu’au stationnement du Tim Horton au coin de boul. Hébert (132).

En provenance de d’autre direction de Montréal, empruntez le pont Mercier et la 132 jusqu’à l’autoroute 30. Suivre la 30 jusqu’à la 530 ouest sortie 13 et suivre les instructions ci-haut.

Si vous avez des questions, veuillez me contacter au : 514-637-2141

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #1 Report - Saturday, June 25

30 birders joined up this morning to kick off the 13th annual Summer Series of Birding field trips. The location was a new spot for BPQ, the Boisé du Parc Marcel-Laurin in St-Laurent. It is a wooded area located behind the St-Laurent Library on Thimens Blvd., just east of Cavendish Blvd. It's not a large park but it has a series of well kept walking trails, a small stream running through it (dry in summer) with foot bridges crossing it at several points. The city also has a number of feeder stations throughout the park that are filled during the winter months. A local birder who joined us on the trip this morning indicated to us that during the spring he was able to see a total of 20 warbler species at the park. Given the high temperature, the shade offered by the wooded trails was appreciated, making for a very pleasant walk. This spot looks like it has good potential for future visits, particularly in winter and spring - Sheldon Harvey

Here is today's species list; a total of 36 species: Great Blue Heron 5 (in flight), Great Egret 1(in flight), Killdeer 1(in flight), Ring-billed Gull 8 (in flight), Mourning Dove 1, Chimney Swift 3, Downy Woodpecker 4, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Least Flycatcher 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 1, American Crow 3, Black-capped Chickadee 15, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Robin 5, Gray Catbird 4, European Starling 8, Cedar Waxwing 10, Common Yellowthroat 1, American Redstart 12, Yellow Warbler 8, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Chipping Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 8, Northern Cardinal 4, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Red-winged Blackbird 1, Common Grackle 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, House Finch 2, American Goldfnich 10, House Sparrow 3

Grand Héron 5 (en vol), Grande Aigrette 1 (en vol), Pluvier kildir 1 (en vol), Goéland à bec cerclé 8 (en vol), Tourterelle triste 1, Martinet ramoneur 3, Pic mineur 4, Pic flaboyant 2, Grand picd 1, Pioui de l'Est 1, Moucherolle tchébec 1, Tyran huppé 1, Viréo mélodieux 3, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 1, Corneille d'Amérique 3, Mésange à tête noire 15, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Merle d'Amérique 5, Moqueur chat 4, Étourneau sansonnet 8, Jaseur d'Amérique10, Paruline masquée 1, Paruline flamboyante 12, Paruline jaune 8, Paruline à flancs marron 1, Bruant familier 1, Bruant chanteur 8, Cardinal rouged 4, Cardinal à poitrine rose 1 , Carouge à épaulettes 1, Quiscale bronzé 1, Vacher à tête brune 1, Roselin familier 2, American Goldfnich 10, Moineau dometique 3

BPQ 2016 Summer Series of Birding – Field Trip #1 – Saturday, June 25

Our first summer field trip of the season will take us to a new location, the Boisé du Parc Marcel-Laurin in St-Laurent. This will offer everyone the opportunity to come to an easy-to-get-to, in-town location. We'll explore the extensive network of walking trails through the park that features a stream, foot-bridges, bird feeders and observation points. Here are the details:

DATE: Saturday, June 25, 2016
Start Time: 7:30 a.m. - Half-day walking trip
Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the BIBLIOTHÈQUE DU BOISÉ (LIBRARY), 2727, boulevard Thimens, St. Laurent  Free Parking
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QD4AwD76rnr
Link to a map of the park: http://tinyurl.com/h3u2mdc

Driving Instructions: From Highway 40 (Trans-Canada Highway), take either Cavendish Blvd (direction North), or boul. Marcel-Laurin (direction North) to boul. Thimens. From Cavendish Blvd., turn right on boul. Thimens. From boul. Marcel-Laurin, turn left on boul. Thimens. The parking lot is on the north side of Thimens, east of the library
Public transportation is available. From the Cote-Vertu Metro station, take bus #171 to the location.

If you have questions, please contact me at 514-637-2141.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday June 18

Today's annual Summer Solstice field trip kicked off at 5:15 am in Ormstown in southwestern Quebec. 13 birders turned out, including two new participants who drove all the way from Windsor in the eastern Townships to join in on the fun! It was a beautiful, sunny day that grew increasingly hotter as the morning went on.

We focused on 4 main areas, beginning on 3ieme rang/Gore Road in Ormstown/Hinchinbrooke; downtown Huntingdon; Montee Biggar/4ieme rang in Godmanchester; and 5 members of the group continued on to Montee Gordon in Dundee. Our total species count for the day was 82 species spread out over approximately 7 hours of birding. The birds of the day were the Golden-winged Warbler on Montee Biggar and the Upland Sandpipers on Gore Road. Thanks to all who braved the early start time. We were rewarded with some great birds.

Here is our breakdown of species, by location

3ieme rang / Gore Road Ormstown / Hinchinbrooke: Wild Turkey 2, Great Blue Heron 2, Green Heron 1, Upland Sandpiper 3, Wilson's Snipe, 1, Ring-billed Gull 12, Mourning Dove 3, Belted Kingfisher 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 3, Least Flycatcher 3, Eastern Phoebe 4, Great-crested Flycatcher 3, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 3, American Crow 4, Common Raven 2, Tree Swallow 6, Barn Swallow 4, Bank Swallow 1, Black-capped Chickadee 6, Tufted Titmouse 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, House Wren 4, Eastern Bluebird 6, Veery 4, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 2, European Starling 5, Cedar Waxwing 25, Ovenbird 6, Black and White Warbler 3, Common Yellowthroat 3, American Redstart 4, Yellow Warbler 6, Chipping Sparrow 4, Field Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow 2, Savannah Sparrow 4, Song Sparrow 4, Scarlet Tanager 4, Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Indigo Bunting 1, Bobolink 6, Red-winged Blackbird 12, Eastern Meadowlark 2, Common Grackle 8, Brown-headed Cowbird 2, Baltimore Oriole 4, Purple Finch 1, American Goldfinch 8

Dindon sauvage 2, Grand héron 2, Héron vert 1, Bécasseau maubèche 3, Bécassine de Wilson, 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 12, Tourterelle triste 3, Martin Pêcheur d'Amerique 1, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu 2, Pic flaboyant 2, Grand pic 1, Pioui de l'Est 3, Moucherolle tchébec 3, Moucherolle phébi 4, Tyran huppé 3, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux 3, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 3, Corneille d'Amérique 4, Grand corbeau 2, Swallow bicolore 6, Hirondelle rustique 4, Hirondelle de rivage 1, Mésange à tête noire 6, Mésange bicolore 2, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1, Troglodyte familier 4, Merlebleu de l'Est 6, Grive fauve 4, Merle d'Amérique 8, Moqueur chat 2, Moqueur roux 2, étourneau sansonnet 5, Jaseur d'Amérique 25, Paruline couronnée 6, Paruline noir et blanc 3, Paruline masquée 3, Paruline flamboyante 4, Paruline jaune 6, Bruant familier 4, Bruant  des champ 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Bruant des prés 4, Tangara écarlate 4, Cardinal rouge 1, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Passerin indigo 1, Goglu des prés 6, Carouge à épaulettes 12, Sturnelle des prés 2, Quiscale bronzé 8, Vacher à tête brune 2, Oriole de Baltimore 4, Roselin pourpré 1, Chardonneret jaune 8

Huntingdon Downtown: Wood Duck 2, Rock Pigeon 20, Chimney Swift 5, House Sparrow 8

Canard branchu 2, Pigeon biset 20, Martinet ramoneur 5, Moineau domistique 8

Montee Biggar / 4ieme Rang, Godmanchester: Wood Duck 3, Mallard 5, Turkey Vulture 2, Northern Harrier 2, Cooper's Hawk 1, Broad-winged Hawk 2, Virginia Rail 1, Killdeer 6, Mourning Dove 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, American Kestrel 1, Eastern Wood-pewee 3, Alder Flycatcher 1, Least Flycatcher 3, Great-crested Flycatcher 2, Red-eyed Vireo 6, Blue Jay 5, American Crow 2, Tree Swallow 6, Barn Swallow 6, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Eastern Bluebird 2, Veery 4, Wood Thrush 1, American Robin 6, Gray Catbird 2, Brown Thrasher 2, Cedar Waxwing 15, Ovenbird 4, Northern Waterthrush 3, Golden-winged Warbler 1, Brewster's Warbler 1, Black and White Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 5, Yellow Warbler 6, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Chipping Sparrow 2, Song Sparrow 6, Swamp Sparrow 1, Eastern Towhee 3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Bobolink 4, Red-winged Blackbird 8, Common Grackle 4, Brown-headed Cowbird 4, Baltimore Oriole 3, American Goldfinch 7

Canard branchu 3, Canard colvert 5, Urubu à tête rouge 2, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Épervier de Cooper 1, Petite Buse 2, Râle de Virginie 1, Pluvier kildir 6, Tourterelle triste 3, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Pic maculé 3, Pic mineur 2, Pic chevelu2, Pic flaboyant 2, Crécerelle d'Amérique 1, Pioui de l'Est 3, Moucherolle des aulnes 1, Moucherolle tchébec 3, Tyran huppé 2, Viréo aux yeux rouges 6, Geai bleu 5, Corneille d'Amérique 2, Hirondelle bicolore 6, Hirondelle rustique 6, Mésange à tête noire 3, Merlebleu de l'Est 2, Grive fauve 4, Grive des bois 1, Merle d'Amérique 6, Moqueur chat 2, Moqueur roux 2, Jaseur d'Amérique15, Paruline couronnée 4, Paruline des ruisseaux 3, Paruline à ailes dorées 1, Paruline de Brewster 1, Paruline noir et blanc 1, Paruline masquée 5, Paruline jaune 6, Paruline à flancs marron 1, Btuant familier 2, Bruant chanteur 6, Bruant des marais 1, Tohi à flancs roux 3, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Goglu des prés 4, Carouge à épaulettes 8, Quiscale bronzé 4, Vacher à tête brun 4, Oriole de Baltimore 3, Chardonneret jaune 7

Montee Gordon, Dundee: Osprey 1, Northern Harrier 1, Sedge Wren 1, Song Sparrow 4, Red-winged Blackbird 6

Balbuzard pêcheur 1, Busard Saint-Martin 1, Troglodyte à bec court 1, Bruant chanteur 4, carouge à épaulettes 6