October 5 2024 (Saturday) Rondeau area
Leader: Peter Sproule.
October 5 2024 (Saturday) ? Rondeau, Erieau and Blenheim
Leader: Peter Sproule
Rondeau, Erieau and Blenheim
The seven participants on this fall tour of the Rondeau -Erieau area observed a total of 70 species of birds with mild temperatures but windy at times.
The tour commenced at Rondeau?s Visitor Centre, concentrating observations within a 500 metre radius of the parking lot. The group was treated to views of several fall warbler species here ? Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula and American Redstart. Ring-billed and Herring Gulls were observed on the beach, with one Great Black-Blacked Gull seen hovering over the water.
The next stop was Keith McLean Conservation Area, where Nelson?s Sparrows were reported but not seen by the group. Several shorebird species were present on a mudflat, with an impromptu workshop done on ID. Of Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird?s Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper and both Yellowlegs sp. Many Green-winged Teal were present on the far shore.
The Marsh Trail at Erieau was visited next ? many kinglets, with the main highlights being good views of a Rusty Blackbird, and rafts of ~3000 Redhead and ~1000 American Wigeon seen floating on and flying above the water.
The trip ended at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Water levels were high in 4 of the 5 cells; Northern Shovelers were observed from a distance in the low-water cell, and ~20 Ruddy Ducks in the high-water cells.
Thank you to the participants that joined me on this quick tour of this area.
Full trip report summary of species observed at https://ebird.org/tripreport/285796?welcome=true
Peter Sproule
September 14 2024 (Saturday) Killbear Provincial Park
Leader: Mark Calhoun.
Killbear Provincial Park
Our outing at Killbear Provincial Park was a great day. Our weather was perfect, 22 degrees and sunny skies. Thank you to the nine participants who joined me.
We managed to find a total of 34 species. This is a very good number for Parry Sound District at this time of year.
During our hike on the Lookout Trail we managed to find two separate mixed flocks of Warblers and had good views of these Confusingly Fall plumages.
Highlights included a great view of a perched Black Billed Cuckoo. As well, amongst the second grouping of Warblers we had good views of the yellow feet of a Blackpoll Warbler.
Thank you all who attended, it was a great day
Mark Calhoun
September 9 2024 (Monday) Moosonee
Leader: Martin Parker, Kathy Parker.
2024 Moosonee/Moose Factory Trip
The seventeen participants on the 2024 OFO Trip to Moosonee and Moose Factory observed a total of 110 species of birds including the species observed in the Cochrane area on the day prior to the outing and the day after.
The adventure commenced with the ride on the Polar Bear Express from Cochrane to Moosonee. The group visited the shores of the Moose River, Moose Factory Island, Moosonee sewage lagoon, Moosonee airport area, trails in Moosonee, and an all day trip to the salt water of James Bay. Home cooked meals were enjoyed during the trip.
Highlights of the trip include a good variety of waterfowl on the lagoon, Spruce Grouse, 12 species of shorebirds including a Whimbrel, flocks of shorebirds flying up river, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Arctic Tern, Boreal Chickadees, Eastern Bluebirds, 4 Bohemian Waxwings, numerous White-winged Crossbills including fledged young begging to be fed, LaConte?s Sparrow, and Nelson?s Sparrow, Other highlights included the Bearded Seal in the Moose River, Black Bears at the Moose Factory Landfill, Wood Frogs, and Hudson Bay form of the American Toad. Special thanks to Billy and Peggy Issac for the boat trip down the river and two special lunches.
Full summary of species observed at https://ebird.org/tripreport/277511
Martin Parker
September 7 2024 (Saturday) Toronto Islands
Leader: Gavin Platt.
A maximum of 18 participants (dwindling to 6 by the end of the day) enjoyed a mix of weather (rain, wind, sun) on the OFO Toronto Islands trip. The day was quite birdy, especially in the morning and the group was treated to a good variety and quantity of warblers, vireos and other migrants. Highlights were good looks at both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos (although both were only seen in the afternoon, after most people had left for the day) and 18 species of warblers. What started off as a potentially good hawk flight (for the islands anyway) dropped off once some rain hit, but we were still treated to good numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks and some falcons (Merlins and Kestrels). A great day was had by all. Thanks to all the participants, especially those who stayed all day, walking nearly 17 km in total! eBird list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S194310466
Gavin Platt