JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUB Protecting Nature Since 1919 Volume 71 Number 2 October 2017 I n T h i s I s s u e : Happiness is a Rare Bird In Memoriam – Tom Ford Spring Season (March to May) Noteworthy Bird Records Hamilton (and Burlington) has a Big Problem Bringing Nature Home This male Hooded Warbler was in a tradional breeding locaon along Marn Road in the Dundas Valley. It is a very uncommon breeding bird in the Hamilton area and certainly one of the most stunning. The bird was photographed by Tom Thomas on 23 May 2017. This record, as well as many other records, are detailed on the Spring season Noteworthy Bird Records inside.
Transcript
JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUBProtecting Nature Since 1919
Volume 71 Number 2 October 2017
I n T h i s I s s u e :Happiness is a Rare Bird
In Memoriam – Tom FordSpring Season (March to May) Noteworthy Bird Records
Hamilton (and Burlington) has a Big ProblemBringing Nature Home
This male Hooded Warbler was in a traditional breeding location along Martin Road in the Dundas Valley. It is a very uncommon breeding bird in the Hamilton area and certainly one of the most stunning. The bird was photographed by Tom Thomas on 23 May 2017.
This record, as well as many other records, are detailed on the Spring season Noteworthy Bird Records inside.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 26
Table of Contents
Noteworthy Bird Records March to May (Spring) 2017 Bill Lamond 28 In Memoriam – Tom Ford (August 2, 1956 - March 7, 2017 Cheryl Edgecombe 31 Bringing Nature Home Gerten Basom 33Dates to Remember – October & November 2017 Rob Porter/Liz Rabishaw 36Book Review: Happiness is a Rare Bird Louise Unitt 38This and That in the Birding World June Hitchcox 41Larks at Windermere Basin and LaSalle Park, August 21/17 Louise Unitt and Beth Jefferson 42HSA Nature Note - Leopard Slug in Hamilton Herman van Barneveld 42We Have a Problem CATCH reprint 4 Sep 2017 46
Front cover Wood Duck photo by Sarah Lamond. Taken at Grenadier Pond, High Park, Toronto, 27 May 2017.
Clockwise from top left: Mating Large Milkweed Bugs, 29 July 2017, 14 Mile Creek Trail, Oakville - photo Shena Chisholm. Long-nosed Bee Fly, 15 July 2017, McMaster Forest - photo Rob Porter. Peck’s Skipper, 20 August 2017, Urquhart Butterfly Garden - photo Ian Smith. Leonardus Skippers
on knapweed, 5 September 2017, Beverly Swamp C.A. - photo Bonnie Kinder.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 27
Publications Committee: Christine Bishop, Rob Dobos, Maggie Sims, Kevin McLaughlin, Don McLean, Herman van Barneveld, Glenda Slessor, Jean Stollard, Jim Stollard and John Struger.
The Wood Duck is the official publication of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and produced by members of the Club. It is published nine times a year from September to May, inclusive. Deadline for receipt of material is the 5th of the month preceding publication date.
As long as credit lines are included, articles may be reprinted without permission, unless otherwise specified. Opinions expressed in the Wood Duck are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.
The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club promotes public interest in the study, conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage. Meetings are held monthly September to May inclusive and field events are scheduled throughout the year. Visitors are welcome.
The HNC is a registered charity and all donations as well as membership fees are tax deductible.
Report rare bird sightings to: Cheryl Edgecombe 905-637-5923Send Noteworthy Bird Records to: Bill Lamond, 238 St. George St, Brantford, N3R 1W7 email: [email protected]
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Observers: Andrew Bailey (ABa), Eric Baldo (EB), Jeff Barbour (JBa), Gerten Basom (GB), Richard Beardon (RBe), Robert Bell (RBel), Luke Berg (LB), Amanda Bichel (AB), Kyle Blaney (KBl), Jenn Boere (JB), Greg Bolzon (GBo), David Brewer (DBr), Stephen Bucciarelli (SB), Rob Buchanan (RB), Wayne Bullock (WB), Peter Burke (PBu), Ken Burrell (KB), Mike Cadman (MC), Bruce Campbell (BCa), Gabe Camozzi (GCa), Ezra Campanelli (EC), Giovanni Campanelli (GC), Adam Capparelli (AC), Virginia Carey (VC), Alain Carriere (ACa), Mary Ann Cervin-Lawry (MCL), Barb Charlton (BCha), Chris Cheatle (CC), Barry Cherriere (BCh), Helen Colvin (HC), Curtis Combdon (CCo), Barry Coombs (BCo), Bill Crins (BCr), Jill Crosthwaite (JCr), Katherine Culbert (KCu), Bob Cummings (BCu), Bob Curry (BC), Joe Daize (JD), Martin Daly (MDa), Ken Dance (KD), Sandy Darling (SD), Bill Davis (BD), Julian Diener (JD), Dennis Dirigal (DDi), Rob Dobos (RD), Andrew Don (AD), Dave Don (DD), Mark Dorriesfield (MD), Randy Doniuk (RDr), Cheryl Edgecombe (CE), Kevin Empey (KE), Chris Escott (CEs), Neil Faulkenham (NFa), Luc Fazio (LF), Mark Field (MF), Neil Finney (NF), Iain Flemming (IF), Lev Frid (LFr), Brett Fried (BF), Mike Furber (MFu), Carlos Furtado (CFu), Ida Furtado (IFu), Dan Galvin (DGal), Denys Gardiner (DG), Kate Gardiner (KG), David Gascoigne (DGa), Ethan Gosnell (EG), Andrew Gray (AG), Athena Gubbe (AGu), Kamal Gunawardana (KG), Todd Hagedorn (TH), Dominik Halas (DH), Mike Hallett (MH), Leo Hammer (LH), Jean Hampson (JHa), Lynn Hanna-Folkes (LHF), Marlene Hart (MHa), James Hartshorn (JHar), Sandra Hawkins (SHa), Erika Hentsch (EHe), Bob Highcock (BHi), Brandon Holden (BH), Nathan Hood (NH), Kyle Horner (KH), Jerry Horak (JH), Ellen Horak (EH), Kyle Horner (KH), Carol Horvat (CH), Melanie Howarth (MHo), Randy Husson (RH), Mourad Jabra (MJa), Marcie Jacklin (MJac), Jarmo Jalava (JJ), Ian Jarvie (IJ), Simon Jeeves (SJ), Beth Jefferson (BJ), Mark Jennings (MJ), Dawn Johnson (DJ); Marc Johnson (MJo), Kevin Kemmish (KK), Bonnie Kinder (BK), Karl Konze (KKo), Doug Korver (DK), Christina Kovacs (CK), Gordo Laidlaw (GLa), Robert Laker (RLa), Bill Lamond (BL), Sarah Lamond (SL), Greg Laverty (GL), James Lees (JL), Mike Lepage (ML), Chris Leys (CL), Ryan Leys (RLe), Joyce Litster (JLi), Rick Ludkin (RL), John Lytwyn (JLy), Kate Mackenzie (KMac), Bruce Mackenzie (BMac), Stuart Mackenzie (SMac), Dan MacNeal (DMac), Len Manning (LM), Reuven Martin (RM), Arlene McCaw (AMcC), Jim McCaw (JMc), Lesley McDonell (LMc), Sheldon McGregor (SMc), Kevin McLaughlin (KM), Nancy McPherson (NMc), Janet Medelko (JMe), Marvin Medelko (MMe), Gary Milks (GMi), Sue Milks (SMi), Jason Miller (JMi), Nathan Miller (NM), Tom Miller (TM), J.W. Mills (JWM), Matt Mills (MM), Joe Minor (JM), David Moffatt (DMo), Anita Morales (AM), Chris Motherwell (CM), Samreen Munim (SM), Buddy Myles (BMy), Alec Napier (AN), Dilia Narduzzi (DN), George Naylor (GN), Derek Neumann (DNe), Josh Nieuwenhuis (JN), Andrew Nguyen (ANg), Mike Norton (MN), Owen Novoselac (ON), Brennan Obermayer (BOb), Kevin O’Connell (KO), Ben Oldfield (BO), William Olenek (WO), Rob Palin (RPa), Mark Patry (MP), Helen Pattison (HPa), Kristine Pilon (KP), Jon Pleizer (JP), Winston Poon (WP), Richard Poort (RPo), Anna Porter (AP), Rob Porter (RP), George Prieksaitis (GPr), David Pryor (DPr), Brian Puttock (BPu), Rayfield Pye (RPy), Joanne Redwood (JR), Brian Rennie (BRe), Sarah Richer (SR), Garth Riley (GR), Judy Robins (JRo), Chris Root (CR), Jon Ruddy (JRu), Yves Scholten (YS), Caleb Scholtens (CSc), Peter Scholtens (PSc), James Scott (JS), Stewart Scott (SS), Dawn Sherman (DSh), Joan Sims (JSi), George Sims (GSi), Glenda Slessor (GS), Nancy Smith (NS), Paul Smith (PS), Bob Stamp (BSt), Larry Staniforth (LSt), Bev Stevenson (BSte), Paul Strong (PSt), Chris Street (CS), Don Sutherland (DAS), Catherine Swan (CSw), Allison Syer (AS), Lisa Teskey (LT), Peter Thoem (PT), Tom Thomas (TT), Marian Thorpe
Noteworthy Bird Records — March to May (Spring) 2017by Bill Lamond
Underlined species or dates require documentation to be submitted to the newly reorganized Hamilton Bird Records Committee [HBRC] (Barb Charlton, Bob Curry, Rob Dobos, Bill Lamond, Ross Wood).
Those records where documentation has been received are marked with a double asterisk “**”. Records where documentation has not been received are marked with a double pound “##”. The HBRC realizes that it is unclear which dates require documentation for a species as the Date Guide to the Birds of the Hamilton Area is not readily available and the dates listed in that publication for many species need revision. For the time being, the HBRC is using the first three migration dates (or last three) given in Birds of Hamilton as documentation criteria. Species observed within those dates require documentation as date rarities. This will be the case until the new Date Guide comes out in 2019. Underlined species are geographic rarities in the Hamilton area. These rarities are listed in Hamilton Area Bird Checklist 2007. All documentation submitted here has not yet been reviewed by the HBRC.Capitalized species require documentation by the Ontario Bird Records Committee. For species marked with “#”, all reported records for the period are listed. For all other species, only highlights are listed. Note that the species order follows the most recent American Ornithologists’ Union checklist and supplements.
Noteworthy Birds author Bill Lamond.
Legend:* -first occurrence for the yearF -first occurrence for the migrationL -last occurrence for the migrationSM –singing maleterr. –territorial birdSWP -storm water pond** - documentaion received## - documentation not received
Greater White-fronted Goose#: Three at Fairchild’s Creek and 5th Concession W [HM] {photo} 27 Mar (BF); 49 at Dry Lake [HD] {photo} 28 Mar (RPo). Dry Lake is certainly well-liked by White-fronts. This is the 3rd record in two years of large numbers at this location following the 50 that were there on 28 Feb 2017 and the 40 that were there 9-11 Mar 2016.Snow Goose#: One at Bronte Harbour [HL] 14 Mar (MJ); two at Fairchild’s Creek and 5th Concession W [HM] 20 Mar (NH); four (three white, one blue) over Beamer C.A. [NG] 24 Mar (BCh); one over U of Guelph Arboretum [WL] 23 Apr (BRe).Ross’s Goose#: One at Desjardin’s Canal, Dundas {photo} 9-10 Mar (MDa,m.obs.); one at RBG Arboretum [HM] {photo} 16-18 Mar (GCa,m.obs) and later at LaSalle Park 19 Mar (DH).
Brant#: One at Port Credit Harbour [PL] 21 May * (DPr) and one there 29 May (PBu,BCha); one on Harbour at Pier 27 [HM] 24 May (SB).Cackling Goose#: Two at Puslinch Lake [WL] 2 Mar (AZ); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 4 Mar (DMac) and two there 8 Mar (CCo); four on Grand River at Brantford Golf and Country Club 5 Mar (BL,SL,DG); one at Brant Park C.A., Brantford 6 Mar (MH); six at 8th Road East [HM] 7 Mar (GN); two at Lakeside Park [PL] 12 Mar (RPa); two at Valens C.A. [HM] 12 Mar (RD); one at Hanlon Rd and Laird Rd, Guelph 13 Mar (RH); two at LaSalle Marina {photo} 15 Mar (HPa); two at Bronte Harbour 15 Mar, and four in area on 17 Mar: at Shell Park (RPo), at Great Lakes Blvd football field (TM), and at “Burlington Grasslands” (BC); three at Rose Garden, RBG [HL] 16-18 Mar (JR,RPo); one at Desjardin’s Canal, Dundas {photo} 23 Mar (CFu,IFu); one at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] {photo} 24 Mar (JN); six at Dofasco Trail at 5th Road East [HM] 26 Mar (NH); one on 10th Road East [HM] 26 Mar (CC/BO); seven at Fairchild’s Creek and 5th Concession W 27 Mar (BF), four there 29 Mar (AZ), and one there 1 Apr L (RD,DD,CE); four at Shades Mill C.A. [WT] {photo} 29 Mar (AZ,KT).Tundra Swan: 80 at LaSalle Park 1 Mar (DD); 75 at West River Rd N of Paris [BR] 4 Mar (EH,JH); 47 at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] 5 Mar (MC,BWy); 105 over Brant Park, Brantford 6 Mar (MH). Birds on 7 Mar: 60 at 8th Line at Hwy 407 [HL] (RM), 90 over Northview Cres, Burlington (MJ), 42 over Walker’s Line and New St, Burlington, (JLy), 40 past CCIW (RD). 48 over Morriston [WL] 8 Mar (CCo); 282 at Valens C.A. [HM] 12 Mar (RD); 400 at Spottiswood Lake [BR] 21 Mar (BF); 75 at 8th Road East [HM] 26 Mar (JR/RD). Birds on 24 Mar: 50 at 5th Road East [HM] (BK,JR), 250 at Canfield [HD] (JJ), 60 over Brantford (MH), 90 over Beamer C.A. [NG] (BCh), 55 over 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] (RWo,KWo), 95 at Milton Mattamy Cycling Centre
[HL] (RWo,KWo), 73 over Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] (MJ) and 68 over Bronte Harbour (MJ). 75 over Dundas 26 Mar (RD); 65 at Fairchild’s Creek at 5th Concession W [HM] 27 Mar (BF); 40 at Mountsberg [WL] 27 Mar (SM); five at Saltfleet Twp [HM] 2 Apr (BC); one at Erindale College [PL] 4 Apr L (MJo).Wood Duck: 14 at 87 Acre Park [HM] 17 Mar (BCo); 68 at 8th Road East at Dofasco Trail [HM] 27 Mar (RD,DD,MJa) and 25 there 31 Mar (LM); 19 at Brant Park, Brantford 3 Apr (MH); 16 at Ruthven Park [HD] 10 Apr (RL); 13 at Hendrie Valley [HL] 29 May (BCo).Gadwall: 16 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 1 Mar (BWy); 44 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 14 Mar (MJ); 28 at LaSalle Marina 16 Mar (RWo); 66 at Tollgate Pond 29 Mar (RD); 12 at Saltfleet Twp [HM] 2 Apr (BC); 15 at 5th Road East [HM] 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 12 at Brant Park, Brantford 10 Apr (MH); 25 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 22 Apr (RPa); 8 at Saltfleet Twp [HM] 3 May (BC).Eurasian Wigeon#: One male at Crieff Bog [WL] {photo} 12 Mar (JD); one male at Puslinch Lake [WL] 27 Mar (MC); one male at 8th Road East [HM] 27 Mar (LM,LT) - “Male. Grey body, red head with creamy forehead. Stunning in binoculars very close to road. Our first self-found of this species. When scope photos were tried for, all of the ducks suddenly burst out of the field, flying east. We assumed a raptor flushed them but lo and behold as we drove a little further down 8th we found a photographer walking in the field, trying to get closer to some Tundra Swans. Of course, he was wearing camouflage so nothing could possibly spot him!” – Len Manning.American Wigeon: 14 at Saltfleet Twp [HM] 1 Mar (BC); 6 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Mar (BD); 7 on Grand River, Brantford 5 Mar (BL,SL,DG); eight at Fairchild’s Creek and 5th Concession W [HM] 5 Mar RD,CE) and 15 there 27 Mar (BF); 20 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 5 Mar (RvT) and 17 there 28 May (CCo); 50 at 8th Road East [HM] 8 Mar (KM) and four there 10 May JR/RB); 10 at Valens C.A. 12 Mar (RD); 15 along Dofasco Trail [HM] 26 Mar (NH); 12 at Puslinch Sideroad N pond [WL] 30 Mar (MHa); 25 at Mt Nemo quarry [HL] 1 Apr (BO); 10 at 5th Road East [HM] 1 Apr (RPo) and 48 there 9 Apr (RD et al.); 18 at Safari Rd Wetland [HM] 15 Apr (RD); six at Windermere Basin 22 Apr (GPr); one at Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); one m. at Tollgate Pond 29 May (RD).Mallard x Northern Pintail#: One male at 8th Road east [HM] 27-28 Mar (RPo/KM).Blue-winged Teal: One at Windermere Basin 12 Mar F (BCu); one at 8th Road East [HM] 26 Mar (KM); two at “Burlington” Grasslands [HL] 27 Mar (MJ); four at 8th Road East [HM] (RPo); four at Burlington North Service Road SWP 13-14 Apr (m.obs.).Northern Shovelor: Ten at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 8 Mar (BD); ten at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 9 Mar (EC,GC); eight at Ofield Rd, Flamborough 5 Apr (BCha); nine at 10th Road East [HM] 11 Apr (LM,LT); 30 at Windermere Basin 29 Apr (CC).Northern Pintail: 14 at 5th Road East [HM] 1 Mar (DT); 36 at Saltfleet Twp [HM] 1 Mar (BC). Birds at 8th Road East [HM]: 2 Mar – 43 (PG), 108 – 8 Mar (LM,LT), 52 – 27 Mar (RD,DD,MJa), 60 – 28 Mar (BCha), 100 – 29 Mar (CSc,EC,GC), and 52 – 9 Apr (RD,DD,MJa). 16 at Valens C.A. [HM] 12 Mar (RD); three at Windermere Basin 20 May (PSc et al.)
Ross’s Goose (L) at Desjardins Canal, 9 Mar - photo Sarah Lamond. Ross’s Goose (R) at LaSalle Park, 19 Mar - photo Bob Curry.
Brant at Pier 27, 24 May - photo
Stephen Bucciarelli.
Eurasian Wigeon at Crieff Bog, 12 Mar - photo Joe Daize.
Northern Pintail x Mallard hybrid, male, at 8th Road
East, 28 Mar - photo George Naylor.
(MT), Kevin Tupman (KT), Fred Urie (FU), Sandra Van Hullenaar (SVH), Rohan van Twest (RvT), Jay VanderGaast (JVG), Josh Vandermeulen (JV), Liz Vanderwoude (LV), Mike Veltri (MV), John Vieira (JVi), Phil Wagget (PW), Mike Waldhuber (MW), Rob Waldhuber (RW), Carl-adam Wegenschimmel (CaW), Doug Welch (DW), Angie Williams (AWi), Ken Williams (KW), Karen Wood (KWo); Ross Wood (RWo); R.C. Woods (RCW), Brian Wyatt (BWy), Mary Wyler (MWy), Brian Wylie (BWyl), Owen Yates (OY), Anthony Zammit (AZ), many observers (m.obs.).
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 30
and one there 26 May (RB).Green-winged Teal: Seven at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 8 Mar (BD); 40 at 8th Road East [HM] 28 Mar (BCha,JV) and 11 there 24 Apr (LM,LT); nine at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 3 Apr (IJ); 18 at 5th Road East [HM] 5 Apr (BCha); 40 at Lake at Frances Woods [HM] 10 Apr (BH); 14 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 10 Apr (MJ); 15 at Windermere Basin 16 Apr (BC) and two there 18 May (MN).Canvasback: 12 at Bayfront Park 11 Mar (ANg); 80 on Harbour at Bayshore Park 16 Mar (RWo); 10 at Bronte Harbour 18 Mar (DGa) and nine there 10 Apr (MJ); 100 at LaSalle Park 20 Mar (JV); three at Puslinch Lake [WL] 1 Apr (RvT); two at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] 2 Apr (MHa).Redhead: One at Binbrook Reservoir [HM] 4 Mar (RP); nine at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 5 Mar (RvT), 60 there 1 Apr (KB) and 83 there 9 Apr (MC et al.); 20 at Princess Point, RBG 8 Mar (JM); 35 at Bayfront Park 8 Mar (RB) and 30 there 21 Mar (BPu); six at 87 Acre Park [HM] 8 Mar (BCu); 18 at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 10 Mar (DMac); 35 on Harbour at Bayshore Park 16 Mar (RWo); 20 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 27 Mar (MC) and 60 there 1 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 20 at Mt. Nemo quarry pond [HL] 1 Apr (BO); 20 at LaSalle Park 12 Apr (AP); six at Mountsberg [WL] 6 May (JKu).Ring-necked Duck: Seven at Puslinch Lake [WL] 1 Mar (BWy) and 30 there 1 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 60 at Binbrook Reservoir [HM] 4 Mar, and 55 there 2 Apr (RP); 30 at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] 18 Mar (RvT); 30 at Mt. Nemo quarry pond [HL] 19 Mar (RD,CE,DD) and 200 there 1 Apr (BO); 50 at Mountsberg 26 Mar (KBl); 24 at Dry Lake [HD] 29 Mar (GR,NMc); 38 at Tikal Pit, Puslinch [WL] 29 Mar (MD); 28 at Little Lake, Puslinch [WL] 30 Mar (BCha); 17 at Brant Park, Brantford 3 Apr (MH); 28 at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 8 Apr (MJ/DH); 33 at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 67 at Sideroad 10 S pond [WL] 19 Apr (BCha); 34 at Niebaur’s Pond 21 Apr (AZ) and six there 9 May (MC).Greater Scaup: 115 on Harbour at Bayshore Park 16 Mar (RWo); 300 at Windermere Basin 17 Mar (MN), 75 there 21 Apr (MN), and 40 there 6 May (BOb); 120 at Leander Boat Club 26 Mar (JL); 86 at Suncor Pier [HL] 4 Apr (MJ); 140 at Bronte Harbour 10 Apr (MJ); 15 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); 16 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 May (GPr); nine at Lakeside Park [PL] 18 May (GPr).Lesser Scaup: 40 at Bayfront Park 16 Mar (WO); 30 at Puslinch lake [WL] 1 Apr (RvT); 86 at Red Hill creek at Woodward St [HM] 8 Apr (CSc); 21 at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 150 at Windermere Basin 9 Apr (TH,RM) and three there 22 May (JJ); 80 at Bronte Harbour 10 Apr (MJ); 70 at Mountsberg [WL] 23 Apr (MC et al.); four at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 1 May (MJ); eight at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); two at Lakeside Park [PL] 13 May (RM); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 26 May (PBu); one at Suncor Pier [HL] 28 May (MJ).King Eider#: Two (1st year m., one f.) 12 May ## (RD,CE,DD) on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] and one m. there 17 May L** (LM).Harlequin Duck# One male at Lakeside Park [PL] 11-12 Mar L {photo} (JW/RPa).Surf Scoter: 60 at Green Rd at Lake [HM] 11 Mar (CSc,PSc); 120 at Dewitt Rd at Lake [HM] 11 Mar (CSc,PSc); 100 at Fifty Point [NG] 9 Apr (BH) and 10 there 22 May (SL,BL); 125 on Lake off Frances Woods [HM] 10 Apr (BH); nine at Bronte Harbour 6 May (MJ); five at Van Wagners Beach 11 May (BH); 15 on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 12 May (RD,CE,DD).
White-winged Scoter: 90 at Suncor Pier [HL] 7 Mar (MJ); 70 at Pier 4 Park 26 Mar (JL); 80 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 1 Apr (RM); 250 on Harbour by CCIW 3 Apr (RD); 175 at Whittaker Park, Grimsby at Lake [NG] 5 Apr (BCha). Birds on Lake 8 Apr: 300 at Lewis Rd (AB), 1,100 at Fifty Rd (AB), 200 at Grimsby Harbour [NG] (BCha) and 300 at Nelles Beach Park, Grimsby [NG] (BCha). 100 at Fruitland Rd at Lake [HM] 15 Apr (LM); 102 at Bronte Harbour 9 May (MJ); 25 at Van Wagners Beach 11 May (BH) and one there 25 May (BH); 25 at Fifty Point [NG] 22 May (SL,BL).Black Scoter: Eight on Lake at Grays Rd [HM] 8 Mar (BCu); 11 on Lake at Dewitt Rd [HM] 11 Mar (PSc,CSc); five on Lake at Millen Rd [HM] 11 Mar (RBe); one on Harbour at Bayshore Park 7 Apr (RD); two at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 21 Apr (PBu); four at Fifty Point [NG] 9 Apr (BH); two on Lake at Frances Woods [HM] 10 Apr (BH); three at Bronte Harbour 9 May L (MJ).Long-tailed Duck: 474 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 12 May (PBu) and one there 26 May (PBu); 37 at Bronte Harbour 19 May (MJ); six at Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); three off CCIW 30-31 May (RD).Bufflehead: 225 at LaSalle Marina 19 Apr (RD); 15 at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 1 May (MJ); 15 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 3 May (GPr); 18 at Windermere Basin 5 May (JJ) and one there 31 May (LM); one at Tollgate Pond 20 May (CSc et al.); one at LaSalle Park 21 May (JS); one off CCIW 30 May (RD).Common Goldeneye: Three at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 May (HS); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 15 May L (JW).Hooded Merganser: 40 at Mountsberg [HM] 1 Mar (BO); 20 at Valens C.A. [HM] 4 Mar (RPa); 45 on Lake at Walker’s Line [HL] 11 Mar (BJ); 80 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 12 Mar (MC), 60 there 29 Mar (AZ), and 85 there 1 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 24 at Cootes Paradise 21 Apr (JD); 20 at Windermere Basin 25 Mar (PF); one at City View Park, Burlington 3-15 May (DFl); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 May (RM); two at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 8-29 May (NH); two at Dundas Valley Golf & Country Club 11 May (SVH); three on Grand River at Kerr’s Lane, Brantford 13 May (CSw); two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 20 May (CSc et al.); one at Bronte Harbour 31 May (MJ).Common Merganser: 270 at Valens C.A. [HM] 10 Mar (DBr); 44 at Hagersville quarry ponds 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); four at Shoreacres Creek [HL] 5 May (HPa); four on Grand River at Kerr’s Lane, Brantford 13 May (CSw); two at Fifty Point [NG] 21 May (RP); two at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 26 May (PBu).Red-breasted Merganser: 100 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 May (RM); 100 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 7 May (RM,TH); 200 at Waters Edge Park [PL] 12 May (MJo); 200 at Richards Memorial Park [PL] 13 May (RM); 300 at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 13 May (RM); 60 at Lakeside Park [PL] 21 May (JMe,MMe); 120 at Arkendo Park [HL] 22 May (JW); 10 at Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); two on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] 30 May (RL).Ruddy Duck: 16 at LaSalle Park 25 Mar F (CL,RLe); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 27 Mar (MC) and 50 there 19 Apr (BCha); two at Mohawk Lake, Brantford 30 Mar (MH); 70 at Spencer Smith Park [HL] 8 Apr (MCL); 250 at Windermere Basin 9 Apr (RM,TH) and six there 31 May (LM); 40 at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 9-17 Apr (BF,BCha/RWo); 40 at Mountsberg [WL] 12 Apr (MC); 70 at Cootes Paradise 14 Apr (JL); 19 of Woodland Cemetery 23 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 11 at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 19 May (DM).Ruffed Grouse: One at Mt. Albion Trail [HM] 27 May (BK); one at North Cayuga Slough Forest [HD] 30 May (KMac,JCr).Ring-necked Pheasant#: Two at Bismark [NG] 17 Mar (KB) and one there 20 Mar (NM); one at north shore Cootes Paradise 24 May (SR).Pied-billed Grebe: One on Grand River in Brantford 5 Mar (BL); eight at Puslinch Lake [WL] 28 Mar (CCo); one at Fifty Point C.A., 2 Apr (KM); eight at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] (continued on page 34)
Ring-necked Duck at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP, 22 Mar - photo Bob Curry.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 31
In Memoriam – Tom Ford (August 2, 1956 – March 7, 2017)by Cheryl Edgecombe
On 7 March 2017, we sadly sad goodbye to another member of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Tom Ford. He was a
member of the Club for many years and attended our Bird Studies Group meetings regularly. Tom participated in many HNC club activities including the hikes, the fall bird count, and he contributed to other efforts such as Christmas Bird Counts and the Lake Ontario Waterfowl Count.
Tom was also a corner post in the camping group that travelled to Pelee each spring. Tom was by far the most efficient camper in the group. All the equipment was there, luxury accommodations and the best was the food. On the first night of camping without fail, Tom would cook a meal fit for a king. While the rest of us looked on with our wieners and beans, the smell of a good steak and Caesar salad came from the direction of Tom’s tent. And let’s not forget the good bottle of wine. I was happy to participate in one of these first night occasions the last time I camped at Pelee.
The characteristic I loved about Tom was his wit and his infectious laugh. His friends called him Sniper from all the one liners of his dry wit. Tom was always a quieter birder, following behind, soaking in the birds. He wasn’t an avid “lister” or “chaser” but took time to enjoy the birds and his surroundings. All things “nature” were of interest to Tom from camping and fishing, to canoeing and sailing, and to sitting outside and just watching.
There’s another side to Tom that many people didn’t know about. For 37 years Tom was a Toronto Services firefighter, putting his life on the line to save people from fires. Captain Ford’s “love of the job” was readily apparent to all who knew him. He was particularly pleased that it made him aware of Camp BUCKO (Burn Camp for Kids in Ontario) where he volunteered as a camp counsellor and on the board of directors. At his memorial service, countless stories were told from the over 250 firefighters that attended, of his leadership, his heroism and his dedication to the job. Because of the hazards of his job, Tom developed lung cancer three years ago which eventually took his life. Despite his illness, you never heard Tom complain. When Tom became sick, he made the effort to go places he had always wanted to bird. A trip to Alaska was on this list as well as another to Trinidad and Tobago. He attended BSG meetings faithfully through treatment and if he could, he would come out on outings with Dave Don and me.
Of course, Tom had a rich life outside of his HNC activities. He also worked part time at the Fire Department Employees Credit Union for several years where he met Judy (Snyder), his long-time partner and best friend. Interests outside of family and fire prevention were many and varied. Although birding was his passion, he loved to travel and would go to great lengths to plan surprise trips for some of Judy’s birthdays, which also included some birding, of course!
Gourmet cooking delighted guests; he would spend hours making everything from scratch – none of that store-bought stuff for him. He joined a men’s cooking group, Les Marmiton, took
cooking classes and watched endless hours of cooking shows, always wanting to learn one more technique. He was excellent at woodworking, cabinetry, stone work and gardening.
Tom loved his family – sisters Barb (Dennis) and Kathy (Doug), and stepsister Jackie (Jack) and nephew and niece Keith and Erin (Jason) – and his “adopted” family, sister-in-law Kathy (Peter), brother-in-law Warren (Sara), and nieces Mieke, Lisa, Amy (Chris), and Jody, as well as his great nephews and niece. Tom was very close to his British cousin, Share (Allan). Tom loved and is much loved by Judy and their furry “daughter” Haby.
He is sadly missed by his birding friends. He was taken too soon but he made the most of what he had despite his illness. Firefighters are never fully appreciated for their heroism and that they put their life on the line in the service to the public. His memorial service was an incredible tribute to a quiet man who drew the respect of so many people. Thanks Tom for making us laugh, for your friendship and to your incredible dedication to your job and your community.
This article was written by Cheryl Edgecombe with material incorporated by the editor from Tom Ford’s obituary.
Tom Ford’s birding compatriots at Point Pelee, 14 May 2008. (L to R) Tom Crooks, Dave Don, Tom, Glenda Slessor - photo Bob Curry.
Tom Ford at Point Pelee on 14 may 2008
- photo Bob Curry.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 32
DougTallamy
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 33
Bringing Nature Home by Gerten Basom
As the HNC’s and Environment Hamilton’s Pollinators Paradise Project continues to bloom and grow, many
community members are participating in planting native pollinator species in both public and private gardens around the area. Others, new to planting native species are beginning to
realize the powerful effect even a few native plants can have. A shift needs to take place from the traditional “curb appeal” style front lawn, says Doug Tallamy, professor of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware and author of “Bringing Nature Home”. The traditional lawn is an open front lawn with a full view of the house. This concept was introduced by real estate agents suggests Tallamy, who envisions lawns which are reduced by 50 percent. Tallamy leans toward planting “groups of diverse native trees”, where “shrubs and flowers line each side of the lawn, and the small grassy areas guide the eyes of passerby through the landscape to a focal
point on the house, such as a door”.
With the massive decline of monarchs and bees over the last several years, it is an opportunity for home owners to take action by bringing more wildlife into their yards. As the trend of cutting and mowing roadside grasses (including native milkweed plants), by both road works and private home dwellers throughout North America continues, planting native species and various milkweed on private properties can add to the abundance of necessary food sources. With the addition of planting Swamp Milkweed, Common Milkweed
and Butterfly Milkweed as well as nectar plants on our own property over the past decade, we have begun to see a small but noticeable transition, particularly this year, in the improvement of numbers of monarch butterflies and caterpillars. Planted on our property’s side of the roadside ditch in a sunny and wet location,
Swamp Milkweed plants thrived and attracted numerous monarchs, producing an abundance of caterpillars, alongside the Common Milkweed. With the Common Milkweed plant having changed from its former “noxious weed” status, this fall is a good time to take part in planting a variety of native plants.
Doug Tallamy will be presenting a talk at the RBG Centre, on November 9, 2017, 7 to 8:30 p.m. on “A Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening” (see facing page).
This is how a yard could look with native plants and reduced lawn.(photo illustration by Doug Tallamy.)
Gerten Basom’s yard, 24 June 2017 - photo by Gerten Basom.
Gerten Basom.
Butterfly Milkweed at Gerten Basom’s property on Sawmill
Making a statement! Gerten’s yard, 25 Aug 2017 - photo Gerten Basom.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 34
15 Apr (MC); one at Safari Rd Wetland [HM] 20 May (RD,CE).Horned Grebe: One at Puslinch Lake [WL] 2 Mar (AZ) and five there 28 Mar (CCo); 15 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 1 Apr (LB); three at Hagersville quarry ponds [HD] 6 Apr (BF); 28 on N shore of Harbour 7 Apr (RD). Birds on 8 Apr: 18 at LaSalle Park (JL), 13 at Confederation Park [HM] (PSc,CSc), eight at Van Wagners Beach (SR), 12 at Ben Machree Park [PL] (BC), eight at Carrington Promenade [HL] (JW). 12 at Fifty Point [HL] 9 Apr (DGal); 32 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 10 Apr (MJ); 12 at Coronation Park [HL] 11 Apr (MJ); 10 at Arkendo Park [HL] 14 Apr (RM); 30 off Rattray Marsh [PL] 15 Apr (RM,SM); 10 on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 15 Apr (LM); 12 at Port Nelson Park [HL] 19 Apr (BCr); 11 at Suncor Pier [HL] 22 Apr (MJ); one at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 8 May (RH); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 May (GPr); one off Shoreacres Park 22 May L (KM).Eared Grebe#: One in transitional plumage at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 6 Apr * (BF); one ba. at Ben Machree Park [PL] 8 Apr (LF).Red-necked Grebe: Ten at LaSalle Park 18 Mar (DGa); 300 J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 21 Mar (RPo) and 68 there 23 Mar (LF). 146 off Bronte Harbour on Lake [HL] 24 Mar (MJ); 150 on Lake from Port Credit to South Shell Park 2 Apr (RD,CE,DD). 2,642 birds on Lake Ontario from Fifty Rd [HM] to J.C. Saddington Park [PL] on 8 Apr. As usual, most birds were on the Oakville-Mississauga shore, with a few birds along the Hamilton shore. Some sample high counts on 8 Apr: 60 at Fifty Rd [HM] (AB), 250 at Ben Machree Park [PL] (BC), 240 at Waters Edge Park [PL] (LF), 395 at Bel Air Promenade [HL] (MF), and 376 at Shelburne Park [HL] (CK). 43 at Bronte Harbour 13 Apr (MJ); 150 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 15 Apr (RM,SM); two building nest in Bronte Marsh 10 May (DH); two at Van Wagners Beach 11 May (BH); 25 at Richards Memorial Park [PL] 13 May (RM); six at Bronte Harbour 21 May (LF); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 26 May (PBu).WESTERN GREBE#: One at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 21 Mar (PBu) to 4 Apr (m.obs). Also observed to the west on 8 Apr at Ben Machree Park [PL] (BC), at Richards Memorial Park [PL] (MF), at Lorne Park [PL] (MF), and at Jack Darling Park [PL] (RM/BO).Yellow-billed Cuckoo: one at Upper Paradise and Stone Church Rd, Hamilton ** 3 May* (MV); one at south shore Cootes Paradise 4 May {photo} (JM).Black-billed Cuckoo: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 17 May* (CSc).Common Nighthawk: One at Margaret Ave, Stoney Creek 17 May* (RW); two over Grimsby [NG] May 17* (BMac); 27 over Wilkes Dam, Brantford (ANg) - record-high spring count for HSA; one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 23 May (ON); eight over Safari Rd Wetland [HM] 24 May (NH); three over Mountsberg [HM] 28 May (RW).Eastern Whip-poor-will#: One at Blythe Cres, Oakville 28 Apr* (JW); one at U of Guelph Arboretum 12 May (MC); one at Dofasco Trail at 11th Rd East [HM] 16 May L (LM).Chimney Swift: Two at Ruthven Park [HD] 28 Apr* (RL); one at south shore Cootes Paradise 28 Apr * (DMo); 28 at Confederation Park 6 May (GLa); 25 at Edgelake Park [HM] 7 May (RM,TH); 30 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 18 May (CS); 30 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 20 May (RM); 400 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 20 May (RD,CE) and 45 there 26 May (PBu); 30 at Confederation Park 22 May (RD,CE).Ruby-throated Hummingbird: One at West River Road [BR] 7 May* {photo} (CR).Virginia Rail#: One at City View Park, Burlington 14 Apr F (DFl); two
at Kerncliff Park, Burlington 15 Apr (JR), three there 30 Apr (RW,MW), and four there 12 May (DNe); two terr. at Safari Rd Marsh [HM] 23 Apr (RD,CE) and three there 20 May (PSc et al.); one at Grass lake [WT] 23 Apr (MCo) and three there 29 Apr (LH); two at Mountsberg [WL] 23 Apr (MC et al.); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 7 May (DDi); two along 11th Road East, 150m S of RR [HM] 6 May (DPr); one along 5th Road East [HM], 400m S of Powerline Rd 6-7 May (RD,CE,DD/CC); one at Confederation Park [HM] 9 May (RPo); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 11 May (RPa,RM); two at Dofasco Trail at 11th Road East [HM] 14 May (LM); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 22 May (SL,BL,KG).Sora#: One at 8th Concession W and Westover Rd [HM] 12 Apr * (PS); four terr. at Safari Road Marsh [HM] 23 Apr (RD,CE); one at Grass Lake [WT] 24 Apr (KB); one at Heritage Green Sports Park [HM] 28 Apr (EC); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 3 May (MCo); one at 11th Road East, 150m S of RR [HM] 6 May (DPr); three at Confederation Park 7 May (DSh); one at Old Onondaga Road E [BR] 15 May (RCW); three at Dofasco Trail at 11th Road East [HM] 15 May (LM); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 22 May (SL,BL,KG). American Coot: One at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Mar (BD) and two there 22 Apr (JRo); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 6 Mar (CCo) and one there 4 May (BH); 110 (wintering birds) at Bayfront Park 8 Mar and 50 there 8 Apr (ANg); four at Mt. Nemo quarry pond [HL] 1 Apr (BO); three at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 11 Apr (BCha); two at Millgrove Loam Pits 14 Apr (NF); one at Boardwalk Marsh, Cootes Paradise 31 May (SR).Common Gallinule#: Two at Safari Road Wetland [HM] 23 Apr * (LM) and one there 20 May (PSc et al.).Sandhill Crane: 30 over Chartwell Rd and Lakeshore Road, Oakville [HL] 1 Mar (MWy); three near Spottiswood Lake [BR] 4 Mar (EH,JH); two on Glen Morris Rd, opposite Camp Onondaga [BR] 5 Mar (RD,CE); three near Deer Run Court, South Dumfries [BR] 5 Mar (GSi,JSi); 10 along W side of Taylor Lake [WT] 17 Mar (KD); four at Cowan’s Lake [WT] 27 Mar (KD); four over Hilton Falls C.A. [HL] 28 Mar (LFr); four at Franklin Pond [WT] 30 Mar (NH); 18 over Sulphur Springs Rd [HM] 8 Apr (RBel); five at Barrie’s Lake [WT] 8 Apr (TH); two along Cooper Rd by SOSA gliding club [HM] 10 Apr (JL); two over J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 16 Apr (MJo); one over Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 16 Apr (RD,CE,DD); three over Beamer C.A. [NG] 23 Apr (CEs); three at Safari Road Marsh [HM] 23 Apr (LM); five over Ruthven Park [HD] 8 May (CSc); nine at Grass Lake [WT] 13 May (MCo).Black-bellied Plover#: Four at 5th Road East [HM] 7 May* (GMi,SMi); one at Bronte Harbour 8 May (MJ) and one there 31 May (MJ); two at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 18 May (DPr); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 21 May (RP); one at 8th Road East [HM] 22 May (LM); 45 at Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 28-29 May (MJ).American Golden-Plover#: One at 5th Road East [HM] {photo} 3 May (RPo/LM).Semipalmated Plover#: Four at 8th Line and Britannia Road [HL] 5 May * (DPr), 21 there 19 May (GPr), and five there 22 May (LF); four at 8th Road East [HM] 12 May (LM), 13 there 20-22 Apr (PSc et al) and 31 there 13 May (LM); one at Fifty Point C.A. [HM] 16 May (RPo); 20 along Dofasco Trail from 5th Road East to 8th Road East [HM] 16 May (BOb); two at Sinclairville Rd N of Haldibrook Rd [HM] 17 May (JJ); 33 at wetland along Hwy 407 and Britannia Rd [HL] 18 May (LF); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 20 May (MHa); 15 at 5th Road East [HM] 22 May (RB) and 10 there 26 May (RPo); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 21 May (MJ); one at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 21 May (MJ).Piping Plover#: One at Bronte Harbour [HL] 21 May (MJ/m.obs.).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 4 May 2017 - Cootes Paradise - photo Joe Minor.
Piping Plover at Bronte Harbour, 21 May - photo Mark Jennings.
(continued from page 34)
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 35
Killdeer: Four at York [HD] 1 Mar (RL); three at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 1 Mar (MH); 74 over Beamer C.A. [NG] 24 Mar (BCh); 15 at 10th Road East [HM] 27 Mar (HPa); 12 at Oak Park Road Trail, Brantford 28 Mar (MH).Upland Sandpiper#: Two at Mud St and 11th Road East [HM] 16 Apr* (LM,LT); two at South Grimsby Road 15, S of Mud St [NG] 16 Apr* to 30 May (RPo/m.obs.); one at 5th Road East, S of Powerline Rd [HM] 3 May (RPo) and N of Powerline Road on 4 May (LM).Whimbrel#: Six over Windermere Basin 21 May* (RP,BMac,LMac); five at Bronte Harbour 21 May* (MJ); 60 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 20 May (fide DPr), 210 there 22 May (PBu) and 58 there 23 May (RPa); 450 past Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH).Ruddy Turnstone#: One at Windermere Basin 10 May* (BMy) and one there 20-23 May (PSc et al./m.obs/LM) – with two there on 22 May (KM); two at Bronte Harbour 16 May (GE); one at Confederation Park 24 May (RPo).Red Knot#: Two at Bronte Harbour 16 May* (GE); two at Van Wagners Beach [HM] 22 May (MHo, GBo) and also on 24 May at Pier 27 [HM] (SB).Sanderling#: 30 at Van Wagners Beach 25 May * (BH).Dunlin: Eight at Burlington Ship Canal 16 Apr* (RD,CE,DD); two at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 26 Apr (GPr); eight at 5th Road East [HM] 28 Apr (LM); five at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 5 May (MHa); nine at 8th Road East [HM] 13 May (LM); 11 at wetland at Hwy 407 & Britannia Road [HL] 18 May (DPr); 11 at Green Mountain Road and 7th Road East [HM] 19 May (LM); 70 at Bronte Harbour 19 May (MJ); 52 at Suncor Pier [HL] 19 May (MJ); four at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 21 May (MJ); 43 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 22 May (PBu); 600 past Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH).Least Sandpiper: Two at 5th Road East [HM] 29 Apr * (RD,CE,DD) and 30 there 21 May (LM); one at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 29 Apr* (DPr), 32 there 11 May (LF), 60 there on 19 May (RM) and 28 there on 27 May L (JMe,MMe); 11 on 8th Line, N of Derry Road [HL] 11 May (DPr); 11 on 8th Road East [HM] 12 May (LM); 12 at Hwy 56, N of Concession Road 2 [HD] 12 May (LM); seven at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 15 May (MJ); 18 at wetland at Hwy 407 and Britannia Rd [HL] 18 May (DPr); 11 at Green Mountain Rd and 7th Road East [HM] 18 May (LM); 11 at Christie Reservoir [HM] 20 May (RD,CE); eight at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 20 May (MJ); 12 at Burnhamthorpe Rd W, E of Trafalgar Rd [HL] 21 May (DJ); 10 past Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); four on Tapleytown Rd [HM] 27 May L (LM).White-rumped Sandpiper#: One at wetland at Hwy 407 and Britannia Rd [HL] 18 May* (LF/DPr); one at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 22-26 May (LF,RPa/RD,CE); one near Milton [HL] 26 May (JW); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 29 May (PBu,BCha).Pectoral Sandpiper: One at Fairchild Creek and Fifth Concession W [HM] 27 Mar {photo} (BF/LM); one at 5th Road East [HM] 28 Mar (NM,RPo), five there 29 Mar (CC/KM), 27 there Apr 13 (KM), 23 there 5 May (LM), and seven there 7 May (JRu); 12 at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 18 Apr (TM); four at 8th Road East [HM] 17 May (LM); four at Green Mountain Road and 7th Road East [HM] 18 May L (LM); two at wetland at Hwy 407 and Britannia Road [HL] 18 May L (DPr).Semipalmated Sandpiper: One at 5th Road East [HM] 7 May* (JRu) and four there 8 May (JJ); seven at Windermere Basin 22 May (AC);
five at 8th Line and Britannia Road [HL] 22 May (LH,RPa); 20 past Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH); five at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 28 May (MJ); five at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 28 May (MJ); 24 at Bronte Harbour 30 May (MJ).Short-billed Dowitcher#: Two at 5th Road East [HM] 14 May * (GPr); two at Van Wagners Beach 25 May (BH).Long-billed Dowitcher#: Three at 5th Road East 4 May* {photo} (RPo, m.obs.), 4 there 5 May (LB) and three there 6 May (RPo/DPr).
Wilson’s Snipe: One at 5th Road east [HM] 26 Mar* (KM), five there 29 Mar (EC,CSc/JR), 17 there 21 Apr (LM), 15 there 5 May (LM) and one there 17 May L (LM/RD,CE,DD); one at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 28 Mar (AZ); four at Grass Lake [WT] 13 Apr (TH) and one there 13 May (MCo); three at Downey Rd and Hanlon Creek Blvd [WL] 3 Apr (MC,BWy).American Woodcock: Four at U of Guelph Arboretum [WL] 28 Mar (SL,KK); 12 at Oak Park Trail, Brantford 8 Apr (MH); 10 at Buckthorn Creek, Glanbrook [HM] 10 Apr (JV); six at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 29 Apr (AGu); four at 10th Road East [HM] 13 May (AWi).Spotted Sandpiper: One at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 11 Apr* (MJ); one at LaSalle Park 15 Apr (AP); eight at Windermere Basin 20 May (PSc et al.).Solitary Sandpiper: One at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 16 Apr* (DH) and six there 19 May (GPr); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 22 May L (PBu). Greater Yellowlegs: One over Cootes Paradise 27 Mar* (BWyl); one at 5th Road East [HM] 28 Mar (JV,RPo), four there 14 Apr (BCo,m.obs.), and 12 there 28 Apr (LM); two at Downey Rd near Teal Dr, Guelph 10 Apr (FU); one at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 11 Apr (DPr,TM), five there 13 Apr (DPr), 23 there 17 Apr (DPr), 24 there 29 Apr (LF), and two there 22 May L (DPr/LF,RPa); two at Sideroad 12 N, Puslinch [WL] 11 Apr (FU); eight at Pioneer Trail, N of Laird Rd [WL] 19 Apr (CCo); eight at 8th Road East [HM] 24 Apr (LM); 10 at 10th Road East [HM] 25 Apr (LM); six at Peru Rd, Milton [HL] 7 May (LB).Willet#: One at Burlington Ship Canal Pier [HM] 29 Apr* {photo} (RD,m.obs.) and likely same bird at Confederation Park later that day (BCh); six past Burlington Ship Canal 29 Apr (JR,BK); nine past Van Wagners Beach 5 May L (BH).Lesser Yellowlegs: One on 5th Road East [HM] 27 Mar* (RD,DD), 75 there 4 May (LM), 18 there 10 May (RB), and one there 20 May (LM); one at 8th Road East [HM] 28 Mar (JV,m.obs.) and 22 there 12 May (LM); two at Sideroad 12 N, Puslinch
Five of six Whimbrel over Windermere Basin, 21 May -
photo Rob Porter.
Red Knot at Van Wagners Beach, 16 May - photo Melanie Howarth.
Long-billed Dowitchers at 5th Road East, Stoney Creek, 4 May - photo Richard Poort.
Spotted Sandpiper in Oakville, 11 Apr - photo Mark Jennings.
Willet at Confederation Park, 29 Apr - photo
Barry Cherriere.
(continued on page 39)
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 36
D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - O c t o b e r 2 0 17
1 October (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m., Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Hendrie Valley, meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking Lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
8 October (Thanksgiving Weekend Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Princess Point, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404
13 October (Friday) 7 to 8:30 p.m. RBG - The Healing Forest: The Ethnobotanical Search for New Medicines, at RBG Centre. FREE PUBLIC LECTURE. Pre-registration required at rbg.ca/speakers. Dr. Wade Davis speaks about his experiences searching for new sources of medicine for the modern world.
15 October (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum location, Old Guelph Road. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
16 October (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. HNC - Annual General Meeting and Bridget Stutchbury Birds. Renowned York University Biologist Dr. Stutchbury, Canada Research Chair in Ecology and Biology Conservation and author of “Silence of the Songbirds” will talk about birds. All welcome. Meet and greet at 7 p.m. Contact Bron [email protected] for more info. Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington.
22 October (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes South Shore, meet at the Aviary parking lot, Oak Knoll Drive, Hamilton. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
23 October (Monday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. HNC - Bird Study Group. Birds of McMaster Forest with Rob Porter. Until 2014, an obscure corner of Dundas Valley called McMaster Forest was relatively unknown to the Hamilton birding community. Since then, Rob Porter and a few club volunteers have been surveying this publicly accessible university biology research site and observed and recorded over 150 species, including over 70 of which that are either potentially or confirmed breeding at the site. Rob will be presenting this data through charts, photos, stories about noteworthy observations, and about how one can easily manage their own bird study area project using tools like eBird and NestWatch. If you’ve ever wondered what might be hiding in under-explored corners of the Hamilton Study Area, you’ll be certain to enjoy this. Rob Porter is Field Events Director and Hamilton Christmas Bird Count coordinator for the HNC. Come out and learn about birds and meet local birders. Meet and greet at 7 p.m. Free all welcome. Contact Bruce [email protected]. Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington.
28 October (Saturday) 9 to 11:30 a.m. RBG - Not Just a Birding Club at Nature Centre. RBG staff Jackson Hudecki and the club of like-minded birders! All skill levels welcome. Pre-registration required. Part of the Adult Education Series. Fee: $20 (HST included).
28 October (Saturday) 10 to 12:30 p.m. Junior Naturalists Club. For the 7 to 12-year-old outdoor enthusiast, it’s not too late to join! Club runs September to May, one Saturday per month at locations specified (often RBG Nature Centre, but not always). Must call Liz to register at 905-527-1158 ext 270. Fee: $120
29 October (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Rock Chapel, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HNC HIKES All of our leaders are volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and time. The HNC assumes no responsibility for injuries of any kind sustained by anyone as a result of participating in any of these activities. Please assess your own ability to participate. Hikes are sometimes cancelled or rescheduled. You are advised to check the HNC website (www.hamiltonnature.org) before setting out, to ensure that the hike has not been rescheduled. Generally, pets on hikes are discouraged as they startle wildlife, damage nests, and interfere with the enjoyment of others. Contact the leader before bringing your pet and for other questions. We also publicize Royal Botanical Gardens hikes and events. Most RBG programs require pre-registration one week prior. There is a charge for these activities except for the Sunday Get Back To Nature Walks. For information on RBG hikes: Liz Rabishaw, Public Program Bookings, RBG, 905-527-1158 (1-800-694-4769) ext. 270. [email protected] www.rbg.ca
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 37
D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - N o v e m b e r 2 0 17
One Saturday of the Month, Sept. to May, 10 a.m. to noon, Jr. Naturalists’ Club at RBG Nature Centre. For 7 to 13 year olds. Gives children learning experiences that generate life-long respect and appreciation for nature. Pre-registration required. Fee: $60/child.
4 November (Saturday) 8:00 p.m. The Hamilton Association Free Public Lecture- The Life and Legacy of Tom Thomson — Roy MacGregor. Tom Thomson’s art is perhaps the most iconic ever produced in Canada and 2017 marks 100 years since his sudden and mysterious death. Roy MacGregor grew up with the Tom Thomson story. His grandfather knew the painter and a relative was Thomson’s fiancée, Winnie Trainor. MacGregor has researched the story for nearly 40 years, including interviewing several persons who were at Canoe Lake in 1917. Using forensic experts and illustrations, his talk shows striking evidence to solve the mystery of where Thomson’s body lies today. . Roy MacGregor, an award-winning Canadian journalist and author of numerous books for adults and children, has been cited as one of the country’s best storytellers. Room 1A1 of McMaster University’s Ewart Angus Centre (EAC) which is in the north-west corner (rear) of the huge, multi-storey McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC) on Main Street West, also known more formally as the McMaster Site of the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation.
4 November (Saturday) 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. HNC - Autumn Wildflowers at the RBG Arboretum. Join Dean Gugler and Fleur-Ange Lamothe for an autumn wildflower walk at the RBG Arboretum. We will be looking for late blooming flowers and identifying seed pods and flower stalks of spent flowers. Meet at the traffic circle at RBG’s Arboretum, 1 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown. All are welcomed. Note that there is a parking fee for the RBG Arboretum unless you are an RBG member.
5 November (Sunday) HNC - Alan Wormington Fall Bird Count. This will be the 44th fall bird count. Most birders have their own territories which they have done for years but new participants are always welcome. Bill Lamond is the compiler of the fall bird count. Call him or email to confirm you are participating this year. [email protected] or 519-756-9546.
5 November (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Hendrie Valley, meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking Lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
9 November (Thursday) 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. HNC - A Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening with Doug Tallamy - Free lecture. In the past we have designed our landscapes strictly for our own pleasure, with no thought to how they might impact the natural world around us. Such landscapes do not contribute much to local ecosystem function and support little life. Using chickadees and other wildlife as guides, Doug Tallamy will explain how plants that evolved with local animals provide for their needs better than plants that evolved elsewhere. He will show us how creating living landscapes and sharing our spaces with other living things will not reduce our pleasurable garden experiences, but enhance them. Tickets must be reserved at www.rbg/ca/speakers. At RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington.
12 November (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Princess Point, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
13 November (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting - Land Trust Manager Jen Baker will give a talk about all the great work being done to restore land for pollinators and urban trees. All welcome Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington. Meet & greet at 7 p.m. Contact Bron [email protected] for more information.
18 November (Saturday) 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. HNC - Lakeshore Birding: Van Wagner’s to 50 Point. Local veteran birder Kevin McLaughlin, has been leading fall birding outings for the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club for more than 35 years, and recently has been focusing on waterbirds. There will be stops at various points along the lake during this popular annual excursion. In the event of bad weather, we will be taking shelter at Hutch’s or at the Lakeland Centre Tower. This is a morning excursion that may stretch into the afternoon if conditions are good. Meet in the parking lot on the north side of Hutch’s Restaurant (Van Wagners Rd.). Contact Kevin at [email protected] if you have questions.
19 November (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum location. If weather inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
20 November (Monday) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. HNC - Bird Study Group – Lake Erie Birds: What do they tell us with Doug Tozer. Come out and learn about birds and meet local birders. Meet and greet at 7 p.m. Free all welcome. Contact Bruce [email protected]. Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington.
25 November (Saturday) 10: 00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. HNC - Fletcher Creek with Bruce Mackenzie. Visit the springs, forests and bog plants. If you don’t like geology lite and Forest Ecology 101 stay home. If you can, let Bruce know ahead of time of your plans to join him on this trek. RSVP at [email protected] or 905-973-4869. Meet on Concession Rd 7, 200 m north of the Railroad tracks, about ½ km north of Gore Rd.
26 November (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike. Cootes South Shore, meet at the Aviary parking lot, Oak Knoll Dr, Hamilton. If weather inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 38
Book Review: Happiness is a Rare Birdby Louise Unitt
Having recently read a thoroughly enjoyable book titled Happiness is a Rare Bird, I would like to share my
impressions with you (thanks for lending me your copy, Beth!). This collection of short essays can be described as a birding memoir, but as you will soon find out, it covers more ground than you might expect.
The author, Gene Walz, a Manitoba-based but widely traveled writer, recounts numerous adventures in exotic locales across the globe. These include Vietnam (not for the faint of heart!), Maui, Tasmania, Costa Rica and Kenya, among others. Readers who, like Walz, are happy to trek far afield in search of birds, will find inspiration in these pages. And for those who’d rather stay in their home territory, Walz profiles ‘everyday’ birds that we tend to take for granted such as Common Grackles, Mallards and corvids. We pick up neat facts about common birds, e.g., that House Sparrows are in reality finches, not sparrows, and that urban Black-capped Chickadees have modified their song to suit their environment.
The author does not limit himself to descriptions of avian life: Walz is wide-ranging in his choice of material. You’ll learn about his dramatic encounter with a jaguar in Brazil’s Pantanal, and a narrow escape from a fer-de-lance (venomous snake) in the Ecuadorian jungle. Some chapters are really not concerned with birds at all. During one hapless expedition to cut down a Christmas tree, there is only a passing reference to a “whiskey jack” and a Blue Jay. In another essay, Walz, no fan of squirrels, lets loose with a diatribe on these “bird feeder freeloaders.”
Not only does he present us with tales of present-day birds far and near, but he also pays tribute to species that are sadly no longer with us. A chapter devoted to extinct birds shines a spotlight on the extraordinary and tragic saga of the Passenger Pigeon’s demise. Here, the author strikes an appropriately somber note.
Walz approaches his birding career from various angles. For example he launches a chapter called “My Birding Bruises” with this sentence: “About fifteen years ago at a Christmas Bird Count, I was bitten by a Doberman pinscher”. A chapter titled “Nerdy? No Way!” takes issue with a reporter’s misguided portrayal of birders.
Much of the book’s entertainment value stems from the author’s habit of lacing his narratives with personal details. Afflicted with acrophobia, he nevertheless steels himself to clamber up a ten- or twelve-storey tower in Ecuador. On the way up, he has a close brush with a deadly Amazonian Palm Viper. Moments later, he is confronted with an inch-and-a-half-long Bullet Ant (named for the sensation caused by its bite). As you might guess, that did nothing to mitigate his terror. And yet, even in the midst of his travails, Walz manages to maintain a light tone and a humorous slant on the situation. Despite occasional bouts of admitted grumpiness, he remains resolutely upbeat. After relating a series of mishaps he endured while birding in Vietnam, the author wonders, “Was it worth the aggravation? Absolutely!”
The book’s final sentence pretty much summarizes Walz’s philosophy: “A life touched by birds is a better life”. Who could argue with that!
Louise Unitt.
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[WL] 15 Apr (FU); two at 8th Line and Britannia Rd [HL] 15 Apr (GR,NMc), nine there 19 Apr (OY) and 26 there 29 Apr (DPr); 98 in “old” Saltfleet Twp area [HM] 3 May (BC); 45 at Hendershot Rd, S of Hwy 20 [HM] 8 May (JR).Jaeger sp.#: Two (likely Parasitic) over Lake off Bronte Harbour 21 May* (RD).Bonaparte’s Gull: 12 over Beamer C.A. [NG] 2 Apr* (MJac); one at Saltfleet Twp. [HM] 2 Apr* (BC); 10 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 2 Apr* (RD,CE,DD) and 36 there 8 Apr (LF); four at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 6 Apr (BF); 110 at Fifty Point C.A. 13 Apr (KM); 165 along Hwy 54, S of York [HD] 14 Apr (PSc,CSc); 158 at Van Wagners Beach 22 Apr (RD,CE,DD); 38 at Suncor Pier [HL] 6 May (MJ); 16 at 8th Line, S of Derry Rd [HL] 17 Apr (DPr); 90 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 7 May (YS) and 60 there 29 May (RPo); 100 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 May (RPo); 92 at Fruitland Road at Lake [HM] 14 May (LM); 200 at Windermere Basin 20 May (PSc et al.) and 50 there 22 May (JJ); 120 at Bronte Harbour 30 May (MJ) and 223 there 31 May (MJ).Little Gull#: Four at Van Wagners Beach 29 Apr* (CE,RD,DD/RPo); one 1st alt. on Lake at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 May (RPo) and again on 19 May (JVG); one ad. on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 14 May (LM); one 1st alt. at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 19-29 May (m.obs.) and two 1st alt. there 23 May (MJ).Iceland “Thayer’s” Gull#: One 1st alt. at Van Wagners Beach ** 5 May (BH).Iceland “Kumlien’s” Gull#: One at Pier 4 Park [HM] 26 Mar (JL); one 3rd summer bird at Bronte Harbour 10 –12 Apr (MJ,CE); one at Windermere Basin (RPa,OY); one ad. at J.C Saddington Park [PL] 2 May L (PBu).Lesser Black-backed Gull#: One 1st alt. bird at Van Wagners Beach 5 May L (BH); one 1st alt. bird in flooded field at Seaton Rd and Safari Rd [HM] 5 May L (BH).Glaucous Gull#: One at Cootes Paradise 11 Mar (WO).Great Black-backed Gull: Three at Windermere Basin 1 Apr (CC); one imm. at Bronte Harbour 3-19 May (GPr); one on Lake at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 May (RPo); four at Van Wagners Beach 11 May (BH); one 3rd yr. 17 May at CCIW (RD) and one 1st yr. there 29-31 May (RD); one 2nd summer at Suncor Pier [HL] 21 May (MJ).Caspian Tern: Two at CCIW 4 Apr* (RD); one at Valley Inn [HL] 7 Apr (RB); 43 birds around Lake Ontario on 8 Apr by 12 observers from 10 locations including 20 at Windermere Basin (RPa et al.) and 200 there 22 Apr (GPr), and 300 there 15 May (KH); six at Mohawk Canal, Brantford 22 Apr (SDe).Common Tern: Two at Cootes Paradise 22 Apr* (SR); 102 individuals at nine locations around Lake Ontario on 29 Apr by eight observers including 20 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] (LF,RPa, et al.), 30 at Windermere Basin (GPr), and 20 at Van Wagners Beach (RPo); 200 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); 75 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 12 May (PBu); 340 at Bronte Harbour 19 May (MJ) and 108 there 21 May (LF); 80 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 23 May (RPo).
Forster’s Tern#: One at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 3 May* (GPr), 11 there 19 May (RPo) and one there 29 May L (RPo); 20 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 May (RPo).Red-throated Loon#: All on Lake Ontario: One at Sayer’s Park [HM] 8 Apr* (PSc,CSc);
one at Confederation Park 8 Apr* (PSc,CSc), two there 14 Apr (BCo),
four there 29 Apr (CC) and one there 7 May (BOb); one at Fruitland Rd [HM] 15 Apr (LM) and one there 12 May (RD,CE,DD); one at Fifty Point C.A. 22 Apr (RD,CE,DD); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 29 Apr (GPr); one at Van Wagners Beach 29 Apr (RPo), four there 5 May (BH), and one there 25 May L (BH); one off Bronte Harbour 21 May (RD).Common Loon: One imm. at LaSalle Park 1-28 Mar (m.obs.); one over Beamer C.A. [NG] 25 Mar F (PW); one at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 30 Mar (NM) and three there 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); two at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 31 Mar (PBu); one at Valens C.A. [HM] 27 Mar (SMc) and two there 1 Apr (KB); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 1 Apr (RD,CE,DD); four over Beamer C.A. [NG] 2 Apr (BC); two at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 8 Apr (AG); 30 on Lake at Frances Woods [HM] 10 Apr (BH); 24 at Lake at Grays Rd [HM] 14 Apr (BCo); 10 over Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Apr (PSc); 13 at Van Wagners Beach 22 Apr (RD,CE,DD) and 45 there 5 May (BH); two at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] 27 May (RvT); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 29 May L (PBu).NEOTROPIC CORMORANT#: One imm. past Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); one flypast one Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 14 May (LM) – reports to OBRC pending.Double-crested Cormorant: 14 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 9 Apr (MC et al.); 5,800 on Lake at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 2 May (PBu) and 450 there 22 May (PBu); 1,500 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); 2,000 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 8 May (MJ); seven on Grand River at Glenhyrst Gardens, Brantford 8 May (NFa); 1,000 on Lake at Lakeside Park [PL] 9 May (MJo); 1,200 at Tollgate Pond 11 May (GLa); 300 off Rattray Marsh [PL] 20 May (RM).American White Pelican#: One over Beamer C.A. [NG] ## 26 Apr* (BSt); one over Princess Pt, RBG ## 11 May (JP); one on Harbour opposite Dofasco ## 17 May (RD); one on Harbour past CCIW ## 31 May (RD) – all May records may pertain to same bird.American Bittern#: One at Cootes Paradise 11 Apr* (PT); one at Grass Lake [WT] 24 Apr (KB) and one there 7 May (TH); one at D’Aubigny Creek wetlands, Brantford 28 Apr (SHa); one at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 9 May (MC); one at Dofasco Trail at 11th Road East 15-26 May (LM).Least Bittern#: One at north shore Cootes Paradise 31 May* (SR).Great Blue Heron: Two at Grand River, Brantford 4 Mar (BL); eight (flock) over Beamer C.A. [NG] 3 Apr (NPH).Great Egret#: One at Windermere Basin 3-16 Apr * (RD/BC); one over Valley Inn [HL] 4 Apr (JBa); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 9 Apr (AN); two over Beamer C.A. [NG] 10 Apr (CH); one over High Level Bridge [HM] 12 Apr (WO); one at Tollgate Pond 29 Apr (RW); one at Confederation Park 1 May (JMi); one at Bronte Creek Marsh [HL] 1 May (GPr); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 2 May (PBu); two at North Service Rd pond, Burlington 3 May (MJ); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 9 May (RL); one at Lennon Rd, Flamborough 10 May (JR); two at Tannery Park at Lake [HL] 19 May (PSt); one at Puslinch Sideroad 10 N [WL] 26 May (MC); five at Cootes Paradise 30 May (SR); three in pond at Trafalgar Rd and Hwy 407 [HL] 29 May (CM).Cattle Egret#: One past CCIW ## 29 May * (RD).Green Heron: One at Burns C.A. [HL] 20 Apr (DK); one in Oakville area 24 Apr (GPr); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 Apr (RL); one in Hanlon Rd-Downey Rd area, Guelph 29 (RH); two at Edgelake Park [HM] 20 May (PSc et al.).Black-crowned Night-Heron: One imm. at Windermere Basin (wintering) 23 Mar (BMy) and five there 22 May (AN); one at Bronte Marsh [HL] 2 Apr F (MJ) and 11 there 12 Apr (TM); four at NE Harbour 26 Apr (RPo) and eight there 1 May (RW); three at Tollgate Pond 19 May (EG); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 22 May (MP); two at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 24 May (PBu,BCha); one at Lake Wabukayne, Mississauga 28 May (WP).Black Vulture#: One over Beamer C.A. [NG] ## 23 Mar (MM) and two there 23 Apr {photo} (CEs,EB); one over Hwy 403 near Copetown Rd
(continued from page 35)
Little Gull, 1st alt. at Bronte Bluffs Park, 23 May - photo Rich Poort.
Forster’s Tern at Bronte Harbour, 9 May - photo Mark Jennings.
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[HM] ** 20 May (7:00 a.m.) (CC), observed about two hours later over Dundas Valley C.A. {photo} (JL).Turkey Vulture: 200+ over Dundas Valley 9 Mar (DD); 751 at Beamer C.A. 2 Apr (NPH) and 840 there 3 Apr (NPH).Osprey: One over Beamer C.A. 29 Mar * (NPH); one at Shades Mill C.A. [WT] 4 Apr (AZ); one over Beamer C.A. 12 May L (NPH).Bald Eagle: 34 over Beamer C.A. [NG] from 2 Mar – 10 May (NPH); nest with three young, S of Wilkes Dam, Brantford 13 Apr (SDe).Sharp-shinned Hawk: 62 over Beamer C.A. [NG] on 14 Apr, 106 on 23 Apr, and one on 15 May L (NPH).Northern Goshawk#: One over Plains Rd and King Rd, Burlington 27 Mar (MJa); one over Beamer C.A. [NG] 17 Apr and one there 11 May (NPH).Red-shouldered Hawk: Five over Beamer C.A. [NG] 19 Mar F (NPH), 54 there 23 Mar, 41 there 26 Mar, 94 there 29 Mar and one there 24 Apr L (NPH).Broad-winged Hawk: At Beamer C.A. [NG] (NPH): 1 – Apr 9 *, 380 – 13 Apr, 646 – 18 Apr, 1,174 – 23 Apr, 28 – 9 May, and 15 – 10 May. One at Six Nations I.R. [BR] 22 May (BCha); one over 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 28 May (RWo,KWo).Rough-legged Hawk: One over Beamer C.A. [NG] 8 Mar F, three there 30 Mar, and one there 9 May L (NPH).Golden Eagle#: Birds at Beamer C.A.: one – 6 Mar, one - 9 Mar, one – 26 Mar, one – 30 Mar, three – 13 Apr, one – 17 Apr, and one - 9 May (NPH). One over Chedoke Golf Course [HM] 5 Mar (WO); one over Orchard Hill, Hamilton 8 Mar (WO); one over Plains Rd and King Rd, Burlington 27 Mar (MJa); one over Barton St, Stoney Creek 15 Apr (LM).Snowy Owl#: Two birds in Bronte area: one at Suncor Pier 18-22 Mar L (MJ) and one at Bronte Harbour 16-22 Mar L, both at Bronte Harbour 17 Mar (m.obs); one “all white” bird at Hampstead Heath Rd, Burlington 17 Mar (JB); one along 401, W of Trafalgar Rd [HL] 24 Mar (JHar); one at Tollgate Pond {photo} 6 Apr L (JBa).
Long-eared Owl#: One at Bronte Creek P.P. 11 Mar (MF); one at Binbrook Tract C.A. [HM] 19 Mar (ON); one at Riverview Park [PL] 21 Mar (BCu); one at Nipegon Trail, Oakville 1 Apr L (TM/DH).Short-eared Owl#: One to two birds at 10th Road East [HM] 5 Mar – 26 Apr L (m.obs/IJ); one at 3rd Line and QEW [HL] 21 Mar (MW).Northern Saw-whet Owl#: Two calling along Patterson Rd [HM] 1 Mar (BWyl); one at north shore Cootes Paradise 4 Mar (RW,MW).Red-headed Woodpecker#: One at Oswego Park [HD] 23 Apr * (BSte); one at Westfield Heritage Village [HM] 28 Apr (LMc); one at Bronte Harbour [HL] 1 May (MJ/RDr); one at Mohawk Park, Brantford 3 May (HPa); two at Hillview Dr woodlot, Grimsby 3 May (BMac); one at
5th Road East, S of Powerline Rd [HM] 4 May (JR) and later at Powerline Rd, W of 5th Road East [HM] 4 May (JR); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 5-26 May (MH); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 8 May (JMe,MMe); one on Hamilton Mountain 14 May (BK); one at Confederation Park 14 May (LM); one on River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 18 May (BO); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 May (RL). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: One along River Road, opposite Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Apr F (EG); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 17 May L (LF,RPa).Northern Flicker: One at Beamer C.A. [NG] 26 Mar F (JHa,BHi) and 30 there 11 Apr (NPH); 25 past Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 9 Apr (BH); 75 past Frances Woods at Lake [HM] 10 Apr (BH).American Kestrel: One at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 2 Mar F (PBu); one at Beamer C.A. [NG] 7 Mar (NPH) and six there 24 Mar (NPH).Merlin: Pair mating at Glenhyrst Gardens, Brantford 7 Apr (BL).Olive-sided Flycatcher#: One at Chedoke Radial Trail [HM] 24 May* (AWi); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 May (RL,CSc); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 29 May (RPa); one at Devil’s Punchbowl C.A. [HM] 30 May (DGa).Eastern Wood-Pewee: One at Edgelake Park [HM] ** 1 May* (RW,CE,RPo,DD,et al.) [earliest HSA record by one day]; one at Fifty Point C.A. [HM] ** 2 May (RPo).Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: One at Confederation Park 14 May * (LM et al.); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 16 May (RL).Alder Flycatcher: One at Franklin Pond, Cambridge [WT] 17 May (KT,AZ); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 18 May (BC).Willow Flycatcher: One at Lake Wabukayne [PL] 13 May * (CaW); one at Desjardins Canal 14 May (RD).Least Flycatcher: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 27 Apr* (RD) and one there 1 May (CC); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 27 Apr* (CE); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 1 May (RM). Eastern Phoebe: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 Mar* (RL); one at Bronte [HL] 27 Mar * (MJ) and 12 there 4 Apr (BC); one at 5th Concession W and Fairchild Creek [HM] 27 Mar* (BF); one at Brantford 27 Mar* (MH); three at Hilton Falls C.A. [HL] 28 Mar (LFr).Great Crested Flycatcher: One at Edgelake Park [HM] ** 26 Apr* (AMc,JMc); one at 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 28 Apr (RWo,KWo); one at River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 28 Apr (BO).Eastern Kingbird: One at Erindale Park [PL] 27 Apr* (SM); one at Ruigrok Tract C.A. [HD] 30 Apr (NS); one at Mountsberg [WL] 30 Apr (MC).Northern Shrike: One on 4th Concession W, w of Middleton Rd [HM] 5 Mar (RD,CE); one at Gates of Heaven Cemetery [HL] 9 Mar (RDr); one at Powerline Rd at 5th Road East 26 Mar (RD); one at 8th Road East, N of Mud St [HM] 26 Mar (m.obs.); one at Safari Rd near Valens Rd [HM] 11 Apr L (BCha).Loggerhead Shrike#: One at McMaster Forest [HM] {photo} 28 May* (RP,DN).White-eyed Vireo#: One at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville ** 9 May* (GPr).Y e l l o w - t h r o a t e d Vireo: Two at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May* (BC,RW et al.); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 1 May* (AD/GPr/RB); one at Shoreacres Park 22 May L (KE); eight at Ruthven Park 24 and 29 May (RL).Blue-headed Vireo: One at Lion’s
Black Vulture over Beamer C.A., 23 Apr - photo Tom Thomas.
Snowy Owl at Hamilton Harbour, 6 Apr - photo Jeff Barbour.
Loggerhead Shrike at McMaster Forest, 28 May - photo Rob Porter.
(continued on page 43)
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 41
From Left, front row: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation Board member Tony Quirk, with Hawkwatch Scholarship award recipients Wynne Reichheld and Karlie Haining (accepting $500 grant from the Foundation towards their scholarship program), followed by Bruce Mackenzie of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. Back Row from left, Matt Mills (NPH), Mike Street (NPH) and Glenn Barnett (NPH) - photo Andrea Crosby. More information on the
scholarships and the two scholarship winners above can be found on the back page of the September 2017 Wood Duck.
This and That in the Birding World by June Hitchcox
Moving to a retirement residence in Palermo (which is now part of Oakville), has made
life really busy. It is a very pleasant new home and at 85 years old, it was time. My suite faces west. I look out onto Ontario-owned land sloping down to a rather swampy area then rises to house on the other side. That land cannot be developed because it drains water to what eventually becomes “Fourteen Mile Creek” which drains into Lake Ontario. My Poodle, Lucy, and I have not explored that land area yet - tall grass and wild flowers, bushes, trees - just the kind of environment for Lyme Disease-carrying ticks. With the climate changing to becoming warmer, ticks are moving north. The Minister of Health states that “they might also be active in mild winters with little snow”. The web map shows ticks as far north as Ottawa. Of interest, one of our residents has out-smarted squirrels at the two bird feeders on poles that he has put up for suet and seeds. Before sticking the pole into the ground, he threaded the pole over a child’s dinky toy
metal coil, brought the coil to the top of the pole and attached it there with wire then let the coil unwind to near the ground. He has had great fun watching the squirrels climb up a few of the coils until they cannot get up any farther and they give up.
I see a pair of Turkey Vultures with two young almost every day, high up in the sky. They are
training their young to find wind currents, spread their 6’ wings in a slight V and get the wind to propel them, not their own energy. Smart evolution.
October is a great month for bird migration - White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows; juncos; Turkey Vultures; late-ish warblers; the “V” formation of Canada Geese. Because these birds are not hurrying to find a mate and a nesting territory, they do not need to move quickly so we have more time to identify them. Enjoy birding in October!
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Larks at Windermere Basin and LaSalle Park, August 21/17by Louise Unitt and Beth Jefferson
The birding location for Monday August 21 was Windermere Basin. Beth picked this spot in response to a Hamiltonbirds
post from Bob Curry stating that lowered water levels there would make for good “late summer” shorebirding”. Present were Beth Jefferson, Joan Kotanen, Joan Wallace, Vicky Mason, Debbie Lindeman and Louise Unitt. Thanks to Beth and Joan W. for the use of their scopes, which are practically indispensable here. Thanks also to Barry Cherriere who pointed out some species for us and provided helpful ID tips.
Although Debbie was a late arrival, no sooner was she on the scene than she spotted a Pied-billed Grebe. Sharp-eyed Joan W. spied a pair of Ruddy Ducks. Some Caspian Terns were closely bunched by the farthest shore. Barry said that many have already migrated, and confirmed that Common Terns are all but gone by now. As for land birds, Tree Swallows were still active, but in nothing like their numbers during nesting season. Debbie also spotted a Black-crowned Night-Heron after most of the group left.
Sightings:Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Semi-palmated Plover, Killdeer, Red Knot (juvenile), Redhead (hen and 6 yg, nearly adult size), Mallard, Canada Goose, Mute Swan,Ruddy Duck, Caspian Tern, Tree Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant
Partial eclipse viewing was on the agenda at LaSalle in the afternoon. Joan Kotanen was lucky to find two photographers who had set up their camera equipment to view the sun and take pictures every five minutes They too had welder’s glass like mine, as well as special glasses. They were very helpful showing us how to use pin-hole camera made of paper, and a colander that produced
as many images as it had holes. They also showed us how to use binoculars to view the sun properly, projecting the image onto the ground.
Many people stopped by and we helped show them all the many ways of looking at the sun without hurting your eyes. Everyone was very excited to be a witness to this 75% event. Seven more years & we will have a great view of a 100% Total Solar eclipse in Hamilton. A good reason to stay healthy!
Several times a young Bald Eagle flew by. At the height of “darkness” a few Mallards went to sleep on the bank near us. When there was more light, they woke up & swam away. Was it related to the partial eclipse and the amount of light or just a mid-day nap? In seven more years, we will be able to test this theory better!
Watching the partial solar eclipse at LaSalle Park. Joan Kotanen in foreground using welder’s
glass. Photographic equipment in background with Sandy Baird- photo Beth Jefferson.
HSA Nature Note - Leopard Slug in HamiltonA friend of mine found this slug on his front porch in the James Street North area. Never seen anything like it. Is it a specimen that sneaked in on a box of bananas or other shipment from another country? - Herman van Barneveld.
Looks like a Leopard Slug. Native to Europe, but widely introduced here. They are fairly common if you look around – Chris Cheatle.
I believe that’s a Leopard Slug (Limax maximus). Not native to Ontario. I’ve seen these locally in Dundas Valley - Tristan Knight.
Ed. note - I’ve never seen one!
Photo of partial solar eclipse from LaSalle Park at 2:05 p.m. - photo Sandy Baird.
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 43
Valley Park, Oakville 18 Apr {photo} (DH); one at Hwy 401 & Wellington Road 32 [WL] ** 19 Apr (BH); one at Edgelake Park [HM] ** 19-20 Apr (RPo/LM) and two there 22 Apr LM,RPo); one at Erindale College [PL] 21 Apr (MJo); one at Arboretum, RBG 21 Apr (PT) and three there 23 Apr (RP); one at Petro Canada Park, Oakville 23 May L (RB).Philadelphia Vireo: One at Shell Park [HL] 14 May* (DD); one at Erindale College [PL] 15 May (MJo); one at Rotary Riverside Trail [HD] 15 May (BMy); four at Mt. Albion Trail [HM] 23 May (BK); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 30 May L (RL).Warbling Vireo: One at Maltby Rd E [WL] ## 27 Apr* (FU); three at Shoreacres Park [HL] 28 Apr {photo} (CE/RPo/PG); one at City View Park, Burlington 29 Apr (DFl); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 Apr (RL,BO,EG); one at Confederation Park 30 Apr (AWi).Red-eyed Vireo: One at U of Guelph Arboretum ** 28 Apr (MT); one at Princess Pt, RBG 1 May (RD); 15 at Tuck Creek, Burlington 26 May (CE).Fish Crow: Two at Burloak Park [HL] 27 Mar (MJ) and later that day at Suncor Pier [HL] (MJ); one at Bronte Harbour [HL] 5 Apr (MJ,CE), three there 11 Apr (MJ), and one there 26 May (GE); one at Aurora Cres, Burlington 5 Apr (CE); five past Fifty Point C.A. [NG] {photo} 9 Apr (BH); one over CCIW 10 Apr (RD); one at Shoreacres Park, Burlington 12 Apr (DPr); one at Centre Mall, Hamilton 25 Apr (AWi,KWi); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 2 May (PBu) and two there 24 May (PBu, BCha); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 12 May (SM); two at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 13 May (RM); one over Margaret Ave, Stoney Creek 19 May (RW) – although sightings of this species currently require documentation in the HSA, all of the above identifications (save one) are based on voice alone. Purple Martin: One over Beamer C.A. [NG] 9 Apr* (RW,MW); three at Arboretum, RBG 13 Apr (BCo,PT); 12 at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 13 Apr (RPo); six over Ruthven Park [HD] 28 Apr (RL) and 10 there 28 May (RL); 15 at Edgelake Park [HM] 30 Apr (RPo); six at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 May (GPr); 12 at Waterworks Park, Oakville 19 May (PSt).Tree Swallow: One over Beamer C.A. [NG] 24 Mar* (BCh); four at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 25 Mar (DPr); four at York [HD] 26 Mar (RL) and 125 there 31 Mar (SMac); 40 at Windermere Basin 28 Mar (PT); 200 at Fifty Point [NG] 9 Apr (BH); 200 on Lake at Frances Woods [HM] 10 Apr (BH); 170 at Bronte Harbour [HL] 12 Apr (MJ); 930 at Mountsberg [HM/WL] 21 Apr (MC); 300 at Windermere Basin 29 Apr (GPr); 250 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 4 May (BH).Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Two at River Road rapids, York [HD] ** 31 Mar* (SMac); one on Grand River near Footbridge [WT] ** 8 Apr (NM); one at Fifty Point C.A. [HM] 9 Apr (DGal); one over Stoney Creek 9 Apr (LM); four at Confederation Park 9 Apr (RPo); three at Lion’s Valley Park, Oakville 10 Apr (DH); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 10 Apr (MJ); 80 at Bronte Harbour 12 Apr (MJ); 30 at CCIW 25 Apr (RD).Bank Swallow: One at Bronte Harbour ** 3 Apr* {photo} (MJ) and one there 12 Apr (MJ); one over Stoney Creek 18 Apr (RPo); 20 at Mountsberg [WL] 30 Apr (MC); 50 off Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 3 May (GPr) and 25 there 9 May (GPr); 15 at Arkendo Park [HL] 20 May (RLa).Cliff Swallow: One at River Road rapids, York [HD]** 31 Mar* (SMac); one at Bronte Harbour [HL] ** 6 Apr (MJ) and two there 12 Apr (MJ); two at Suncor Pier [HL] 13 Apr (MJ); 30 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] (GPr) and 60 there 23 May (RPo); 10 at Mountsberg [WL] 30 Apr (MC) and 20
there 28 May (MW); 25 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 4 May (BH); 25 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH); 20 at Grand River at Glen Morris [BR] 20 May (PSc, et al.); 30 on Grand River near Footbridge [WT] 28 May (NM). Barn Swallow: One at Bronte Harbour ** 3-4 Apr* (MJ/m.obs.), three there 5 Apr (DH), and 95 there 12 Apr (MJ); two at River Road rapids, York [HD] 7 Apr (EG); 150 at CCIW 25 Apr (RD); 80 at Confederation Park 30 Apr (RPo); 100 at Mountsberg [WL] 30 Apr (MC); 100 at Fifty Point C.A. [HM] 2 May (RPo); 75 at Van Wagners Beach 5 May (BH).Tufted Titmouse#: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] 1-28 Mar (m.obs.); two at LaSalle Park 2 Mar (PG); one at Barber’s Beach, Puslinch Lake [WL] 10 Mar (DMac); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 11 Mar - 5 Apr (AZ/NM); four at Beach Ave, Brantford 14 Mar (MH); three at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 24 Mar (MH); five at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Apr and 11 Apr (RL); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford 2 Apr (ANg) and on 24 May (MH); one at Shades Mills C.A. [WT] 3 Apr (AZ); one at South Shell Park [HL] 11 Apr (MJ); two at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 18 Apr (RPo); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 21 Apr (AM); one at Beamer C.A. [NG] 23 Apr (EB) and 28 May (JV); two at Lakeside Park [PL] 27 Apr (RM); two at Arkendo Park [HL] 1 May (JW). Brown Creeper: One at South Shell Park [HL] 4 Apr F (MJ); six at Bronte Harbour 7 Apr (MJ); many reports along entire Lake Ontario shoreline from Fifty Point to Port Credit on 8 May (m.obs.).House Wren: One at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 15 Apr* (MH); one at Sunrise Cres, Dundas 16 Apr (RD); four at Brant Park, Brantford 17 Apr (MH); one at Ruthven Park [HD] (banded) 17 Apr (PSc) and nine there 17 May (RL); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 20 Apr (NH); 11 at Rail Trail, E of Beach Ave, Brantford 26 Apr (MH).Winter Wren: One at Bronte Harbour 4 Apr F (MJ); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 18-22 May L (possibly nesting but doubtful) (MJo/MP).Marsh Wren#: One at Lakeside Park [PL] 27 Apr* (RM); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 May (RPo/RP); two at 11th Road East, S of RR tracks [HM] 6 May (DPr); one at Confederation Park 7 May (RM,TH); two at 11th Road East at Dofasco Trail [HM] 6 May (RPo) and three there 11 May (LM); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 22 May (SL,BL,KG); eight at Marsh Boardwalk, north shore Cootes Paradise 31 May (SR).Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: One at Fifty Point [HM] ## 9 Apr (earliest ever HSA record) (CS) and one there 15 Apr (CS); two at Bromley Park, Burlington 12 Apr {photo} (KO); three at Hendrie Valley [HL] 15 Apr (GLa); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 15 Apr (EC,CSc); one at Desjardins Canal, Dundas 15 Apr (JL).Golden-crowned Kinglet: One at Carolina Park, Brantford 27 Mar F (BL); one at Shell Park [HL] 27 Mar F (MJ); seven at Shoreacres Park [HL] 29 Mar (RPo); two at S.C. Johnson Trail, Brantford 14 May L (SDe,ANg).Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Two at Bayfront Park 8 Apr F (ANg); 30 at Edgelake Park [HM] 19 Apr (RPo) and 25 there 22 Apr (LM); 18 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 29 Apr (GPr) and 50 there 1 May (GPr); 15 at Shell Park [HL] 29 Apr (GPr), 32 there 1 May (MJ), and 40 there 3 May (GPr); 25 at Lakeside Park [PL] 15 May (GPr); one at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 22 May L (GPr); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 22 May L (LM).Eastern Bluebird: Two at Gates of Heaven Cemetery [HL] 17 Mar F (JR); one at “Burlington Grasslands” [HL] 21 Mar (BC); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 17 May L (BC,RW).Veery: One at Sixteen Mile Creek, Oakville 1 May* (VC); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 1 May * (RB,m.obs.); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May* (MW,RW).Gray-cheeked Thrush: One at Shell Park [HL] 14 May* (DD); one
One of five Fish Crows over Fifty Point C.A., 9 Apr - photo
Brandon Holden.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Bromley Park, Burlington, 12 Apr - Photo Kevin O’Connell.
(continued from page 40)
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at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 17 May (LF,RPa); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 28 May L (RL).Swainson’s Thrush: One at Fifty Point C.A. [HM] 2 May* (RPo); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 31 May L (RW).Hermit Thrush: One at Erindale Park [PL] 27 Mar (MJo); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Apr F (RL); four at Bronte Heritage Trail, Oakville 15 Apr (DD); six at Shell Park [HL] 1 May (MJ); 10 at Edgelake Park [HM] 3 May (RW) and one there 18 May L (RW,BC).Wood Thrush: One at Ruthven Park [HD] ** 14 Apr* (earliest HSA record by one week) (PSc,RL); two at River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 28 Apr (BO).Gray Catbird: One at Hwy 8 and Cooper Rd [HM] ** 18 Apr (JL); one at Beach Ave, Brantford 26 Apr (MH); eight records from 28 Apr in the HSA.Brown Thrasher: One at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 8 Apr* (RPo,LM,JN).Northern Mockingbird: One at Hagersville quarry pond [HD] 6 Apr (BF); one south of Clair Rd W and Gordon St, Guelph 20 May (FU); one at Hilton Falls C.A. [HL] 29 May (DAS).Bohemian Waxwing#: Two at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 25 Mar* {photo} (MJ).Cedar Waxwing: 30 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 16 May (RPo); 20 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 19 May (JVG); 56 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 24 May (PBu,BCha); 40 at Edgelake Park [HM] 30 May (RW).American Pipit: Four at 10th Road E [HM] 23 Apr * (LM); three at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 4 May (AV); one at 5th Road E [HM] 17 May L (LM); two at 1500 Haldibrook Rd [HM] 17 May L (JJ).Purple Finch: Eight at feeder on Westover Rd, N of 8th Concession [HM] 13 Mar (PS); six at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Apr (RL); six at Beamer C.A. [NG] 14 Apr (RPy); eight at 8575 1st Line Campbellville [HL] 20 Apr (KWo); seven at Edgelake Park [HM] 2 May (BC) and one there 17 May L (BC).Common Redpoll#: One in south Guelph 11 Mar* (FU); one at Woodlands Meadows Park {photo} [PL] 14 Mar (KP).Pine Siskin#: Two at Guelph Arboretum 6 Mar (RvT); four at Woodlands Meadows Park [PL] 14 Mar (KP); one in Stoney Creek backyard 15 Mar and one there 15-18 May (LM); one at Garth St and Fennel [HM] 15 Mar (PSc); one in south Guelph 11-12 Apr (FU); one at Oriskany woodlands [HD] 17 Apr (MFu); five at 7667 Maltby Rd E [WL] 13 May (LS); one at Dundas feeder 16 May (JLi); one at 1500 Haldibrook Rd [HM] 17 May L (JJ).Lapland Longspur#: One at Common Park Fields, Guelph 29 Mar (FU). Birds at Paris Plains Church Road [BR]: 100 – 7 Apr {photo} (BF), 250 – 14 Apr (BF,EHe,TH), 200 – 26 Apr (BF) (m.obs).Snow Bunting#: 150 along Mines Rd, S of Haldibrook Rd [HD] 15 Mar (GN); two at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] 18 Mar (RvT); 35 at Tremaine Rd, Milton [HL] 19 Mar L (RD,CE,DD).Ovenbird: One at Edgelake Park [HM] {photo} 26 Apr (RPo); one at Sherwood Forest, Burlington 27 Apr (CE); five at Shoreacres Park [HL] 1 May (RPo); eight at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May (RW,MW) and 10 there 3 May (RW); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 24 May L (LF).
Northern Waterthrush: One at Wellington Road 35 and Forestell Rd [WL] 25 Apr * (FU).Louisiana Waterthrush#: One at Lions Club Rd, Dundas Valley [HM] 10 Apr * (BWyl).Golden-winged Warbler#: One along Scenic Drive, Hamilton 2 May* (ON); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 12 May (NH); one at Jack Darling Park [PL] 13 May (RM); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 16 May (JVi); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 21 May L (MP).Blue-winged Warbler: Three at Ruthven Park [HD] 28 Apr (RL), eight there 14 May, and seven there 20 May; one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 3 May (GPr); one at Bronte Harbour 17 May (MJ); one at 2536 Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 22 May L (GPr).Black-and-white Warbler: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 21-22 Apr* (RD/RW,LM,RPo); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 27 Apr (RM); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 27 Apr (TM). Birds on 1 May: Five at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM), six at Shell Park [HL] (GPr), 14 at Shoreacres Park [HL] (RPo), and 12 at Edgelake Park [HM] (RPo). Six at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 May (GPr).Tennessee Warbler: One at Shoreacres Park [HM] 1 May* (AD); one at Arkendo Park [HL] 1 May * (JW); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 2 May (JW); eight at Erindale Park 19 May (MJo) and 15 there 23 May (SM).Orange-crowned Warbler: Overwintering bird at LaSalle Park remained until 17 Mar (m.obs.); overwintering bird at Sedgewick Park [HL] observed 23 Mar (RDr), 28 Mar (IF), and 8 Apr (RDr); two at Bull’s Point, Cootes Paradise 10 May F (JL); one at Six Nations I.R. 22 May L (BCha).Nashville Warbler: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 22 Apr (RPa) and six there 1 May (RPo); one at Concession 11, Puslinch [WL] 27 Apr (FU); one at south Guelph 28 Apr (FU); 20 at Joshua’s Valley Park [HL] (BCa); 12 at Erindale Park [PL] 15 May (MJo).Connecticut Warbler#: One at RBG Arboretum 17 May* (DMo); one at 5th Road East [HM] 21 May (RP,BMac,LMac); one at Six Nations I.R. [BR] 22 May (BCha); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 23 May (ON); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 30 May L (RPo/YS).Mourning Warbler: One at Lakeside Park [PL] 12 May F (GL); six at River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 18 May (BO).Common Yellowthroat: One at Shoreacres Park [HL] 28 Apr* (CE); two at Shell Park [HL] 1 May (MJ); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 1 May (RPo/AD); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May (RW,MW,et. al).Hooded Warbler#: One at Forty Mile creek trail, Grimsby 3 May* (BD) and another one there on 12 May (CE,RD); one m. at Woodland Cemetery 19 May (RD); one near Merrick Orchard, Dundas Valley 19 May (JL); one at Martin Rd, Dundas Valley 20 May (PSc,et al.); one m. at Lake Wabukayne [PL] 22 May (CaW); one at Hilton Falls C.A. [HL] 29 May (DAS).American Redstart: Two at Bronte Harbour ** 1 May* (MJ); one at Nipegon Trail, Oakville ** 1 May * (DH); one at Southdown Rd, S of QEW [PL] 1 May* (AS); one at City View Park, Burlington ** 1 May * (DFl); one along Scenic Dr, Hamilton ** 2 May (ON); eight at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 15 May (MH); eight at Waterworks Park, Brantford 24 May (MH); seven at Edgelake Park 22 May (JJ) and one there 31 May L (RW).Cape May Warbler: One at Confederation Park {photo} 30 Apr* (TT). Birds on 1 May: one at Blythe Cres, Oakville (JW), one at Shell Park [HL] (MJ), one at Shoreacres Park [HL] (AD), one at Edgelake Park [HM] (RW,MW,m.obs.), one in Stoney Creek
Bohemian Waxwing at Bronte Creek P.P., 25 Mar - photo
Mark Jennings.
Lapland Longspur at Paris Plains Church Rd, 7 Apr - photo Brett Fried.
Cape May Warbler at Confederation Park, 30 Apr - photo Tom Thomas.
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The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 45
backyard (LM), one at Lowville Park [HL] (BO). Four at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 May (RL); four at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 15 May (MH); one at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 22 May L (GPr).Northern Parula: 17 birds observed on May 1*, from 11 locations in the HSA by nine observers, including four at Edgelake Park [HM] (RPo) and three at Shoreacres Park [HL] (AD/RPo). Five at Morrison Trail, Oakville 12 May (AGu); four at Eramosa Karst 13 May [HM] (DNe); one at Forty Mile Creek trail [NG] 23 May L (BD).Magnolia Warbler: One at Pinedale Ave, Burlington ** 1 May * (BC,GS); seven at Ruthven Park [HD] 16 May (RL); six at Shoreacres Park [HL] 19 May (GPr); 10 at Dofasco Trail [HM] 22 May (AC); two at Edgelake Park [HM] 31 May L (RW).Bay-breasted Warbler: One at Bronte Harbour 5 May * (MJ); two at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 13 May (LF); 11 at Ruthven Park [HD] 17 May (RL); 10 at Cootes Paradise 21 May (JL); one at Forty Mile Creek trail, Grimsby 27 May L (BCha).Blackburnian Warbler: 11 birds observed from ten locations in the HSA on 1 May * by 16 observers including two at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM). Six at Erindale Park [PL] 15 May (MJo); seven at Ruthven Park [HD] 17 May (RL) and one there 29 May L (RL).Yellow Warbler: One at Mud St & Hwy 20 [HM] ** 18 Apr (RPo); one at Ruthven Park [HD] {photo} 21 Apr (CSc), 11 there on 28 Apr (RL), and 14 there 29 Apr (RL); one at Confederation Park ** 21 Apr (RPo); one at south shore Cootes Paradise 23 Apr (JM); one on Capt Cootes Trail 26 Apr (DD); one in south Burlington 26 Apr (RB); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 27 Apr (RM).Chestnut-sided Warbler: Two at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May* (RW,MW,RPo); one at Arkendo Park [HL] 1 May* (JW); one at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 1 May * (GPr); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 1 May * (CE/RB); five at River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 19 May (BO). Blackpoll Warbler: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] ** 6 May* (DJ); one at Guelph Arboretum 13 May (ABa).Black-throated Blue Warbler: One at Sherwood Forest, Burlington 28 Apr* (CE); 19 birds at 9 locations in the HSA on 1 May by 15 observers including five at Edgelake Park [HM] (RW,MW, et al.), three at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM), and three at Bronte Harbour (MJ). Six at Morrison Valley Trail, Oakville 12 May (AGu).Palm Warbler: One (Yellow/Eastern subspecies) at Lakeside Park [PL] ** 15-16 Apr* (RM,SM/MMe,JMe) record early for HSA by one day; two at City View Park, Burlington 17 Apr [undocumented] (TM); one (Yellow/Eastern subspecies) at Edgelake Park [HM] 19 Apr (RPo); one at Beamer C.A. [NG] 19 Apr (JRo); one (Yellow subspecies) 23 Apr Bronte Harbour (MJ); 15 at Shell Park [HL] 1 May (GPr); 16 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 16 May (RPo); 18 at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May (RPo); 13 at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 May (RL); 25 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HM] 3 May (GPr); 10 at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 8 May (NH); one at a Stoney Creek backyard ** 25-30 May L (LM) - latest HSA record by two days.Pine Warbler: One at Old Mill Rd, Oakville ** 8 Apr* (VC); one at Erindale Park [PL] ** 10 Apr (MJo); one at LaSalle Park [HL] 11 Apr (RD); one at Riverview Conservancy [PL] 11 Apr (RM) and five there 26 Apr (RM); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford 13 Apr (DG); two at Puslinch Tract [WL] 14 Apr (BH); six at Jaycee Sports Park, Brantford 14 Apr (ANg); four at South Shell Park [HL] 3 May (MJ); one at Richards Memorial Park [PL] 13 May L (RM).Yellow-rumped Warbler: One to two birds at Sedgewick Park [HL] (continuing birds) 1-24 Mar (m.obs.). Birds an 8 Apr F: Three at Old Mill Rd, Oakville (VC), one at Ben Machree Park [PL] (LF), one at Rattray Marsh [PL] (LF), one at Hendrie Valley [HL] (SHa). Birds on 29 Apr: 43 at Fifty Point C.A. (RD), 30 at Shoreacres Park [HL] (GPr), 22 at RBG, Arboretum (Bruce Taylor), 12 at Confederation Park (RPo), 20 at Edgelake Park [HL] (RPo), eight at Shell Park [HL] (GPr). Birds on 1 May: 60 at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM), 40 at Bronte Harbour (MJ),
150 at Shell Park area [HL] (GPr), 40 at Shoreacres Park [HL] (RPo), 67 at Ruthven Park [HD] (RL). 100 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 May (RM) and 100 there 7 May (DDi); 80 at Jack Darling Park [PL] 6 May (RM); 80 at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 May (BO); 75 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 May (GPr); 74 at north shore Cootes Paradise 10 May (LHF); 78 at Ruthven Park [HD] 10 May (RL); 37 at Waterworks Park, Brantford 10 May (MH); 50 at Westdale Ravine 12 May (RD); one at Dragonfly Park Hills, Guelph 28 May L (LS).Prairie Warbler#: One at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 3 May {photo} (GPr/m.obs.); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] {photo} 10 May (PT).Black-throated Green Warbler: One at Beamer C.A. [NG] 22 Apr* (NPH); one at south shore Cootes Paradise 28 Apr (DMo); two at Smith Property loop trail, Puslinch [WL] 29 Apr (MC); one at Cooks Mill Rd, Puslinch [WL] 29 Apr (MC); four at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May (RPo); seven at Morrison Valley Trail, Oakville 12 May (AGu); six at Erindale Park [PL] 29 May (MJo).Canada Warbler: One at Lake Wabukayne [PL] 13 May * (CaW); one at Jack Darling Park [PL] 13 May* (RM).Wilson’s Warbler: One at Erindale Park [PL] 15 May* (MJo); four at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 May (CSc,RL).Yellow-breasted Chat#: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 19 May {photo} (RL,PSc) - banded.Eastern Towhee: One at U of Guelph Arboretum (overwintering) 12 Mar (MHa); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 3 Apr F (NH); one at South Shell Park [HL] 5 Apr (MJ/DH); five at Oriskany Woodlands [HD] 14 Apr (MFu); four at Shell Park [HL] 19 Apr (MJ); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 31 May L(?) (RW).American Tree Sparrow: Two at 592 Sawmill Rd [BR] 1 May (GB); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 1 May (RM); one in Saltfleet Twp [HM] 3 May (BC); one at Franklin Pond [WT] 5-9 May L (NH); one at Lowville Park [HL] 6 May (BO); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 6 May (DJ); one at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 9 May L (MJ).Chipping Sparrow: One at U of Guelph Arboretum ** 31 Mar -1 Apr (ABa/BRe); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] ** 1 Apr (RvT); one at 36 Winter Way, Brantford 7 Apr (DG); four at Decewsville [HD] 8 Apr (RD,CE,DD); one at Holyrood park, Oakville 8 Apr (MF); one at Eramosa Karst [HM] 8 Apr (DW); 20 + “Saltfleet” area [HM] 11 Apr (LM,LT); 15 at Brant Park, Brantford 17 Apr (MH); 20 at Woodland Cemetery 23 Apr (JL); 18 at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 Apr (RL) and 28 there 4 May (RL).Clay-colored Sparrow#: One SM at Valens Rd and 6th Concession [HM] 20 May* (RD,CE,DD); two at Dragonfly Park Hills, Guelph 27 May (RH); one at Tapleytown Rd, S of Powerline Rd [HM] 27 May (LM); two at Oak Park Rd trail, Brantford 29 May (MH).Field Sparrow: Six at Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Apr * (RL) and 10 there 26 Apr (RL); one at 8th Line, S of Derry Rd [HL] 2 Apr * (DPr); four at Brant Park, Brantford 3 Apr (MH); one at City View Park, Burlington 5 Apr (DFl) and 10 there 27 Apr (MW); six at Buckthorn Creek, Glanbrook [HM] 10 Apr (JV); 13 at McMaster Forest [HM] 16 Apr (RP,DN); 13 at Oak Park Rd trail, Brantford (MH).Vesper Sparrow: One at 8th Line, S of Derry Rd [HL] 1 Apr* (DPr); one at 8th Line, N of Derry Rd [HL] 2 Apr (DPr/RPa); one on East River Rd at Glen Morris Rd [BR] 2 Apr (BF).
Prairie Warbler at Bronte Bluffs Park, 3 May - photo Dominik Halas.
Yellow-breasted Chat at Ruthven Park, 19 May - photo Caleb Scholtens.
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The Wood Duck - October, 2017Page 46
The Welcome CornerOur Membership Director, Jill Baldwin would like to welcome the new members who joined during August:
the families of Stuart Law, Patricia Shortt, and new member Donna Day.....as well as our newest life member - John Roberts!
C A T C H N e w s – S e p t e m b e r 4 , 2 0 1 7
We Have a ProblemHouston, we have a problem, and so do cities and towns
across the continent including Hamilton. The financial burden of the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather falls mainly on local governments and individuals with limited capacity to pay.
It’s a parallel problem to the catastrophic climatic events currently battering parts of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and sub-Saharan Africa who make the least per person contribution to the fossil fuel pollution and other greenhouse gases driving global climatic change but are bearing the worst consequences. While North American attention has focused on the effects of Hurricane Harvey on Texas and Louisiana, hundreds are dying in South Asia from even wors e downpours and flooding.
This year has seen extreme heat waves in the Middle East and southern Europe, the latter accompanied by more deadly forest fires than British Columbia has endured over the past two months. The Amazon rain forest has been hit with its third 100-year drought in a decade, and there’s even a major wildfire in Greenland.
Last week the Windsor area was hit with another round of extreme rain and flooding with a dump of 250 mm (ten inches) in two days. Thousands of homes were swamped despite the city spending $25 million a year for the last decade to upgrade its storm sewer system.
Windsor officials are hoping for provincial disaster monies, just as Hamilton sought unsuccessfully in 2009 after east end flooding swamped over 7000 homes and the Red Hill Parkway. The $30 million hit to municipal infrastructure ended up being carried by local taxpayers, and many of the individuals whose homes were flooded paid a steep price too. Since then the city has poured tens of millions into sewer upgrades.
The difficulty proving that a specific extreme weather event was caused by climate change also complicates municipal requests for senior government assistance. To this point, at least in Canada, none have attempted to go after the wealthy oil, gas and coal corporations whose products are the main cause.
Hamilton offers a “compassionate grant” of up to $1000 to flooded property owners. Spending from that fund has exceeded $5 million and is being tapped again after the Dundas flooding earlier this summer. Unusual amounts of rain are also forcing repairs this year to escarpment access roads, waterfront trails and other public infrastructure.
Senior levels of government have the legal tools to reduce fossil fuel pollution and other greenhouse gas emissions that could minimize climatic instability. On the other hand the jurisdictional costs of not acting come in the form of disrupted and damaged water and sewer systems, roads and other infrastructure that are mainly the responsibility of municipalities.
Several cities including London, Mississauga and Kitchener-Waterloo have established impervious surface fees to ensure that large parking lots pay a fair share of stormwater costs. This approach has been repeatedly advocated by Hamilton city staff and just as often rejected by city councillors, so those costs continue to primarily be paid out of water rates.
Cities can try to reduce some pollution emissions that are causing climate change. One obvious step is aggressively improving transit services. Another is directing growth toward increasing densities rather than facilitating more suburban sprawl. Both approaches are being strongly pushed by the provincial Wynne government as part of its climate efforts, but are running into lots of resistance in Hamilton – from both city councillors and many of their constituents.
Local government in Hamilton has also been only mildly opposed to new fossil fuel infrastructure such as the Enbridge Line 10 pipeline expansion project currently underway along a 35 kilometre route that lies entirely inside the city boundaries. It has been left to citizen groups to challenge the project including with a rally along its route in Mt Hope on September 15. That starts at 4 pm at the south end of Homestead (at Upper James).
Reprinted from CATCH (Citizens at City Hall)
The Wood Duck - October, 2017 Page 47
Savannah Sparrow: One at Ellis Chapel, Puslinch [WL] 26 Mar* (RvT); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 29 Mar (MJ) and 24 there 17 Apr (MJ); one at City View Park, Burlington 1 Apr (DFl); one at Richards Memorial Park [PL] 13 May L (RM).Grasshopper Sparrow: One at McMaster Forest [HM] {photo} 16 Apr* (RP); four at Oak Park Rd trail, Brantford 21 Apr* (MH) and 15 there 9 May (MH); one at Victoria Rd and Serena Rd, Puslinch [WL] 27 Apr (FU); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 22 May L (PBu).HENSLOW’S SPARROW#: One singing male 400 NE of Tremaine Rd along Louis St Laurent Ave, Milton [HL] 25 May* (KKo) [report submitted to OBRC – pending].Fox Sparrow: One at Stoney Creek backyard 28-30 Mar F (LM); one at Tremaine Rd at Hwy 401 [HL] 29 Mar (JJ); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 3 May L (SJ).Song Sparrow: Two at Caledonia feeder [HD] 15 Mar F (GN); 40 at Confederation Park 28 Mar (RD).Lincoln’s Sparrow: One at Shell Park [HL] {photo} 27 Apr* (SS). Birds on 1 May: one at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM), one at Shell Park [HL] (MJ); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] (RB/AD); one in north Brantford {photo} (ANg). Four at Shell Park [HL] 14 May (DD); five at Sedgewick Park [HL] 16 May (LM); one at River & Ruins Trail, Bruce Trail [HL] 28 May L (BO).Swamp Sparrow: One at Bronte Harbour [HL] 7 Apr F (MJ); one at Confederation Park 9 Apr (RM,TH); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 12 May L (JR).White-throated Sparrow: One at Beamer C.A. [NG] 8 Apr F (RP); 33 at Ruthven Park [HD] 25 Apr (RL). Birds on 1 May: 100 at Lakeside Park [PL] (RM), 26 at Bronte Harbour (MJ), 22 at south Shell Park (MJ); 60 at Shell Park [HL] (MJ), 30 at Shoreacres Park [HL] (GPr), 40 at Edgelake Park [HM] (RW,MW), 19 at Ruthven Park [HD] (RL). Two at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 26 May L (RPa).Harris’s Sparrow#: One at James Snow Parkway Pond, Milton [HL] {photo} 19 Mar-8 Apr (m.obs.); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] ** 17 May (RPa,MN).White-crowned Sparrow: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 Apr F (RL,PSc); one in Streetsville backyard [PL] 28 Apr (WP); one at Fern Hill School, Oakville 28 Apr (RL); one at LaSalle Park 28 Apr (KG); two at Lakeside park [PL] 29 Apr (JMe,MMe); one at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 22 May L (GPr); one at City View Park, Burlington 22 May L (DFl) – this species only requires documentation in the HSA in the summer months. The spring records highlighted above, technically do not require documentation, but are underlined as they are very early spring migrant dates.Dark-eyed Junco: One under feeder near Puslinch Lake [WL] {photo} 9 Jun L (BH).
Scarlet Tanager: Three at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May * (CC/RPo,m.obs.); one at Confederation Park 1 May* (JMi); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 31 May L (RL).Summer Tanager#: One at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville ** 22 May * (GPr).Rose-breasted Grosbeak: One near Iroquois Heights C.A. [HM] 27 Apr* (WB); one in south Guelph 28 Apr (FU); two at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 29 Apr (GPr); three at Ruthven Park [HD] 30 Apr (RL).Indigo Bunting: One at Lakeside Park [PL] 29 Apr* (MMe,JMe); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 29 Apr* (GPr); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 Apr* (RL,EG).Dickcissel#: One at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] ** 13 May * (RM).Bobolink: One at Leslie Rd [WL] 2 May * (FU).Eastern Meadowlark: 12 at Windermere Basin 27 Mar (GLa); 12 at Oak Park Rd trail, Brantford 21 Apr (MH); eight at 10th Road East [HM] 26 Apr (JJ).
Yellow-headed Blackbird#: One male at North Service Rd SWP, Burlington {photo} 13 Apr (TM,m.obs.).Rusty Blackbird: 20 at Valens Rd, S of 6th Concession [HM] 15 Apr (RD); 12 at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 May (RPo); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 12 May L (MJo).Baltimore Oriole: One at Woodland Cemetery ** 23 Apr* (JL); one at a Brantford feeder 27 Apr {photo} (HPa); one male at Witherspoon St, Dundas ## 27 Apr (Lauren); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] {photo} 27-30 Apr (RPo,m.obs.). 10 additional birds observed in the HSA on 28-29 April at seven locations by seven observers.
Orchard Oriole: One at Binbrook [HM] ** 27 Apr* (LV); one at Ruthven Park [HD] ## 28 Apr (RL); one at Beachway Park Trail, Burlington 1 May (RD).
Please send records from 1 June to 30 August to [email protected] ASAP. Thanks.
(continued from page 45)
Grasshopper Sparrow at McMaster Forest, 16 Apr - photo Rob Porter.
Lincoln’s Sparrow at Shell Park, 27 Apr - photo Stewart Scott.
Harris’s Sparrow at James Snow Parkway pond, Milton, 19 Mar -
photo Richard Poort.
Yellow-headed Blackbird at North Service Rd SWP, Burlington, 13 Apr - photo Tom Miller.
Rusty Blackbird at Shell Park, 4 Apr - photo Bob Curry.
Baltimore Oriole in Brantford yard, 27 Apr - photo Helen Pattison.
Affix Label Here
40048074Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Hamilton Naturalists’ ClubWestdale P.O. Box 89052Hamilton, ON L8S 4R5
Transverse Flower-Fly at McMaster Forest, 23 July 2017 - photo Rob Porter.
Our 100th Anniversary Book for 2019Plans are well underway in the production of our 100th anniversary book. 100 years is a real milestone and our Club feels it is most appropriate that we produce a book to celebrate. But we need our members to put pen to paper. We are hoping that several of you would be willing to write something about the HNC. What you write about is totally up to you, but it needs to relate to our Club in some fashion. It can detail how you became a member, a vivid memory of an experience on a walk, or a talk, or you can write about a member who really influenced you, or how the Club really changed your life in some meaningful way. These are just a few examples. We will not be too fussy about what we receive. The stories should generally be no more than 300 words but we will allow up to 500 words in certain circumstances. Of course, what you write can be as short as 50 words and it can be accompanied by a photo as we want to have plenty of photos throughout the book. The writing style is yours, and we encourage humourous anecdotes as well as irreverent stories. We want you to think about this and start now. Although 2019 seems like a long way off, it isn’t.
