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Re(1): Dunlin
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 04:50:47 PM by Barbara
Taylor
The Dunlin was still there this morning, but we
couldn't find it later as we were leaving. Lots of Turkey Vultures were heading
south today...counted 22 in just 20 minutes. A few Ring-necked Ducks were newly
arrived in cell 1. photo
Dunlin
Posted on September 30, 2017 at 12:22:49 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds we found
a Dunlin in cell 2 on the south beach. Three Rusty Blackbirds were along the
roadway north of cell 4. Two Orange-crowned Warblers, a Palm Warbler, a few
Yellow-rumped Warblers, and several White-crowned, White-throated, Swamp, and
Song Sparrows were in the weeds and shrubbery where it was sheltered from the
wind north of cell 4. No new Ducks...still a few American Wigeon, Northern
Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded
Mergansers, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, as well as
many Mallards and Wood Ducks. A Belted Kingfisher flew by, headed for Kerr
Park. There were three Eastern Phoebes, an Indigo Bunting, and some American
Goldfinches by the Lagoon Lane gate.
Ichneumon Wasp
Posted on September 28, 2017 at 11:58:37 PM by Barbara Taylor
This large Ichneumon Wasp visited our garden
today and stayed put long enough for me to get a photo. It appears similar to
one in the genus Therion.
Family Ichneumonidae: http://bugguide.net/node/view/150
(Bracebridge) photo
Winter Finch
Forecast
Posted on September 26, 2017 at 05:05:07 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Ron Pittaway has posted his annual Winter Finch
Forecast. You can find it at: http://www.jeaniron.ca/2017/wff17.htm
Snapping Turtle
hatch
Posted on September 26, 2017 at 02:19:28 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were four tiny Snapping Turtles walking along the roadway west of cell 4. Their
shells weren't much bigger than a toonie. There were two Solitary Sandpipers
and twenty-four American Pipits at the dumping ponds. A single Rusty Blackbird
was at the west side of cell 4. The only Warblers seen were two Yellow-rumped,
three Black-throated Green, two Common Yellowthroats, and a Palm. photo
photo2
American Wigeons
Posted on September 24, 2017 at 12:45:12 PM by Barbara Taylor
The number of American Wigeon at the
Bracebridge Ponds has grown to six as of this morning. All were in cell 2 along
with several Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, a Northern Shoveler, American
Black Duck, and many Mallards and Wood Ducks. A Northern Pintail and a
Pied-billed Grebe were in cell 1. A Bufflehead, a Common Goldeneye and five
Hooded Mergansers were in cell 4. Also in cell 4 there was a Greater Scaup in
close proximity to a Lesser Scaup, allowing for a good comparison of the two
male birds. The only shorebird seen was a Semipalmated Sandpiper at the south
end of cell 2. About a dozen American Pipits were along the middle roadway. A
Green Heron was in the ditch north of cell 4. There were very few Warblers...only
a couple Yellow-rumped, four Common Yellowthroats, and a Palm.
Flower Flies
Posted on September 23, 2017 at 08:14:24 PM by Barbara Taylor
These hot sunny days have brought out the
Flower Flies (Syrphidae). I managed to get photos of eight different species
that were in our garden recently. (Bracebridge)
You can see them all in my Flower
Flies photo album
Here's a preview: photo
There
is a great online resource including an interactive photographic key covering
all genera of Syrphidae in the Nearctic Region at http://cjai.biologicalsurvey.ca/mylmst_23/mylmst_23.html
A subset Field Guide to the Syrphidae of
Northeastern North America is at http://www.canacoll.org/Diptera/Staff/Skevington/Syrphidae/Syrphidae.htm
Black-bellied
Plover
Posted on September 21, 2017 at 11:55:57 AM by Barbara Taylor
Late this morning as we were leaving the
Bracebridge Ponds, a Black-bellied Plover came in from the east, calling as it
circled around. Unfortunately it seemed to be frightened off by a helicopter
that flew right overhead and the bird disappeared from view, heading away high
to the north-east. We waited a short time to see if it would circle back, but
it didn't return. There is a lot of freshly exposed mud along the south
shoreline of cell 2 now, but most shorebirds have probably already migrated
south of us.
Re(1): Bracebridge
Ponds waterfowl
Posted on September 22, 2017 at 03:00:25 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds the
Pied-billed Grebe was still in cell 1. A single Northern Pintail was hiding in
plain sight on the cell 2 south beach amidst all the other "brown
ducks" (Mallards, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Wood Ducks). There
were four American Wigeon and two American Black Ducks in cell 2. A Bufflehead,
a Lesser Scaup, and a few Hooded Mergansers were in cell 4. A Semipalmated
Sandpiper was the only shorebird seen.
Bracebridge Ponds
waterfowl
Posted on September 20, 2017 at 02:04:55 PM by Barbara Taylor
There are still many Wood Ducks at the
Bracebridge Ponds, but only a few males are in their colourful breeding
plumage. Several male Mallards are part way through their molt. There was a
pair of Ring-necked Ducks in cell 4 this morning, the first I've seen since
spring.
Other waterfowl species seen today:
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Roaming Deer
Posted on September 20, 2017 at 01:46:47 PM by Barbara taylor
Early this morning two does and this fawn
strolled through our yard. They were on their way to an apple tree across the
street. (Bracebridge) photo
Bumper crop of
cherries
Posted on September 18, 2017 at 02:50:42 PM by Barbara Taylor
We've been seeing a lot of Robins recently as
they feast on a bumper crop of cherries in a large Black Cherry tree at the
edge of our yard. This afternoon they've been joined by Scarlet Tanagers, a
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a Pileated Woodpecker, and two Swainson's Thrush, all
eating the cherries. A couple days ago there was a Raccoon and a Chipmunk
foraging in the tree. (Bracebridge)
addendum: at 6:50 p.m. a Raccoon walked through
our yard, headed straight for the cherry tree, and after a quick climb it is
now feeding on the cherries.
Grey Tree Frog
Posted on September 15, 2017 at 10:42:09 PM by George
Bryant
Your description matches pix of the above as
posted by B. Taylor Jul. 27--our only pure green (at times) frog.
--and frogs
Posted on September 15, 2017 at 12:34:38 PM by John Challis
There have been a few very small (1.5 to 2 cm)
young frogs out on the road lately; bright green with black along the eye. They
don't have the roughish skin of grey treefrogs, so I'm wondering if other
species are such a bright green in their early stages. Peepers?
Kingfisher
Posted on September 15, 2017 at 12:33:51 PM by John Challis
There's a dead tree standing in the marshy pond
at the end of our property, where a pair of great crested flycatchers had
nested this summer. It's also been a popular perch for the Northern flickers.
But today, the topmost branch was home to a belted kingfisher. Unless he/she
(it was in silhouette so couldn't tell) was hunting for frogs he was in a bad
spot for breakfast.
Cecropia
caterpillar update
Posted on September 14, 2017 at 02:48:35 PM by Barbara Taylor
The Cecropia Moth caterpillar we found on
September 4th is still actively seeking out leaves to eat! The tree doesn't
have many left and they can't be very nutritious at this point. Here is a photo
from this morning and below it is one from earlier this week. photo
photo2
Re(1): American
Pipits
Posted on September 16, 2017 at 01:47:12 PM by Barbara Taylor
There were a couple Pipits at the Bracebridge
Ponds this morning. The water level has come down a bit in cell 2, but the only
shorebirds seen were a Solitary Sandpiper and a Lesser Yellowlegs. A
Pied-billed Grebe was in cell 1.
American Pipits
Posted on September 13, 2017 at 08:57:01 AM by janice
house
On my bird walk this morning a small flock of
pipits flew over calling. Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Bear Visit
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 07:27:40 AM by janice
house
This morning we found the bird feeders on the
ground and the metal pole bent over touching the ground. Several of the seed
feeders were pulled apart. The bear never touched the peanut feeders.
Re(2): Marsh Wrens
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 01:55:21 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there was a Marsh Wren singing in
the cattails at the southwest corner of cell 1. Blue-headed Vireos were also
singing, at the edge of the woods west of cell 2. Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets
were spotted there too.
Re(1): Marsh Wrens
Posted on September 12, 2017 at 01:44:05 PM by Barbara
Taylor
No sign of the wrens this morning. When I
arrived, the edges of all the roadways had just been mowed, so the birds may
have moved elsewhere. The Trumpeter Swan came flying in from the west again and
landed in cell 2. There was a Northern Pintail and three American Wigeon in
cell 1, as well as several Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, American Black
Ducks, Wood Ducks, Mallards, and Hooded Mergansers. A Lesser Scaup and a Common
Goldeneye were in cell 2. A Bufflehead was in cell 4. A Lesser Yellowlegs was
on the beach at the south end of cell 2, while two Solitary Sandpipers and a
Spotted Sandpiper were at the dumping ponds. Two Philadelphia Vireos were seen
north of cell 4.
Marsh Wrens
Posted on September 11, 2017 at 03:50:44 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there were two Marsh Wrens at the
Bracebridge Ponds in the cattails at the south end of cell 1. One of the birds
was singing for a while. The Trumpeter Swan came flying in from the west again
and landed in cell 2.
Compton's
Tortoiseshell
Posted on September 10, 2017 at 06:30:26 PM by janice
house
I was visiting Moira on Houston Rd north of
Bracebridge today and the butterfly landed on the siding above her deck. Her
deck is loaded with plants and flowers.
Re(1): Creature
Feature
Posted on September 10, 2017 at 10:52:20 AM by J. Gardner
Super collection and photos of a good array of
critters. Must bend over my milkweeds and have a look. Thanks Barbara. J.
Gardner
Creature Feature
Posted on September 10, 2017 at 09:49:13 AM by Barbara Taylor
It's amazing what you can find on milkweed
plants if you look a little closer. Here are some photos from the past few
days, including a nice green coloured Gray Tree Frog. (Bracebridge)
Spotted Lady Beetle, Coleomegilla maculata (a
native ladybug, also known as Pink Spotted or Twelve-spotted Lady Beetle)
photo
Reference - life cycle photos: http://bugguide.net/node/view/8376
Red Milkweed Beetle photo
Milkweed Leaf Beetle photo
Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillar photo
Small Milkweed Bug photo
Short-winged Meadow Katydid? photo
Gray Treefrog photo
Monarch Caterpillar (don't think this one will become a butterfly...too late) photo
Re(1): Skipper Id
Posted on September 9, 2017 at 09:49:38 PM by George
Bryant
Yes. This is a Leonard's Skipper. The chestnut
background colour and highly contrasting cream spots are diagnostic (cf. Sid
Daniels, my house guest). Laurentian is most similar but not in Muskoka and too
late.
Skipper Id
Posted on September 9, 2017 at 06:52:19 PM by missyinmuskoka
Hi all. This skipper was hoping around my
flower bed this am. It looks like a Leonard's skipper but need your expertise
to confirm. With thanks photo
Re(1): Pied-billed
Grebe
Posted on September 6, 2017 at 10:56:12 AM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning a Pied-billed Grebe was at the
west end of cell 3. The Wigeon and Pintails were still in cell 1. A Lincoln's
Sparrow was at the fenceline east of cell 1. A Merlin was being pestered by
Barn Swallows as it tried to preen while perched in a dead tree north of cell
4.
Pied-billed Grebe
Posted on September 5, 2017 at 12:31:26 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Pied-billed Grebe, American Wigeon, and Northern Pintails in cell 1. Solitary
and Spotted Sandpipers were in the dumping ponds. Philadelphia and Blue-headed
Vireos were at the south side of cell 4. A Bonaparte's Gull was in cell 4.
Cecropia Moth
Caterpillar
Posted on September 4, 2017 at 04:30:45 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning we found a huge 5th instar
Cecropia Moth caterpillar. It must be very close to spinning its cocoon.
(Bracebridge)
Whoa! What's that in the cherry tree? photo
Wow, a Cecropia Moth caterpillar! photo1 photo2
References:
http://www.wormspit.com/cecropia.htm
https://www.prairiehaven.com/?page_id=9857
https://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/moth2/cecropia_moth.htm
Re(1): Cecropia
Moth Caterpillar
Posted on September 8, 2017 at 07:06:07 PM by
michaelhatton
Great photos. If I was a bird I'd stay well
clear of this fellow.
Remaining
Hummingbirds
Posted on September 4, 2017 at 01:19:51 PM by michaelhatton
Am seeing female and sub-adult hummingbirds at
this time. Maybe most of the adult males in my neighbourhood have left for
warmer climes. Perhaps the slight, dark dotting or streaking on the throat and
neck of this continuing, regular visitor to our feeder is suggestive of a
sub-adult male? photo1
photo2
photo3
Fall Warblers
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 09:04:46 PM by Alex Mills
I enjoyed spending some time with a large mixed
group of songbirds on Saturday morning (September 2) at Magnetawan. There were
11 species of warblers, including Tennessee, Palm, and Canada. I also found a
couple of Empidonax flycatchers, and a mix of sparrows, with them.
Shorebirds and
Pintails - photos
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 02:37:36 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Around 2 p.m. there were three Northern
Pintails in cell 2 at the Bracebridge Ponds. Also a Greater and a Lesser
Yellowlegs and a Semipalmated Sandpiper were on "the beach" at the
south end of cell 2. Earlier this morning while it was still raining, there
were about thirty Lesser Yellowlegs, four Stilt Sandpipers, two Solitary
Sandpipers, a Dunlin, a Least Sandpiper, and two Semipalmated Sandpipers on the
beach. Unfortunately when a Mallard flew out from the shore, the whole bunch of
shorebirds flew up too and after some circling, they decided to head south, as
the rain had eased off. The birds are definitely on the move today...worth a
check later. There were several Swallows hawking insects at the west side of
cell 4, mostly Barn, but also Tree, Bank, and at least one Cliff Swallow.
The best my little camera could do...just for
the record shots: photo1
photo2
Stilt Sandpipers photo
Algonquin Provincial
Park Odonata Count -- Results
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 11:12:32 AM by Peter Mills
Algonquin Provincial Park's 21st Annual
Dragonfly and Damselfly Count was held on July 6th 2017.
The day finished at a tally of 71 species. Our
average is 51 species over the 21 years. However, much has changed over that
time. Far more people participate now than in the past, and we are also more
informed about productive places to visit within the study area. Using only the
last ten years of data our species diversity ranges from 63 to 71, with 67
being average. So, by either measurement, it was a good day. Our best day ever
was our 2015 count when we recorded 72 species.
A few highlights, or noteworthy points:
EASTERN RED DAMSEL (6)
This species has declined in our sampling area
over the last ten years—probably because the ditch near Lookout Trail becomes
less favourable as it slowly transitions from a grassy seepage to a dense
thicket of alders. This ditch is the only reliable place for this species
within the circle.
SUBARCTIC BLUET (4)
We have detected this species on only 52% of
our counts. It is common in certain places (Eos Lake and parts of the Sunday
Creek Complex, and to a lesser extent Beaverpond Trail), but is often finished
by the time our count takes place.
AZURE BLUET (5)
This species is effectively absent from
Algonquin's ode fauna aside from a series of small pools in the ditch along the
Martin Lake Forestry Road. Azure Bluets appear to be excluded from Algonquin
for some reason, but they find favourable conditions (or a lack of competition)
in these pools that has allowed long-term persistence at this site.
FRAGILE FORKTAIL (1)
This species is new for the count. It was first
found in the Park in 2011 by Bruce Ripley. It has since showed up a handful of
other places in the Highway 60 corridor and the Park's "east side",
but remains unreliable. Maybe these sightings are from very small or
short-lived populations that establish from migrants. Congrats to Chris Evans,
Ruth Noland-Flores, Brent Turcotte, and Stephanie Keeler for this find.
COMMON GREEN DARNER (2)
Along the Highway 60 corridor Green Darners are
common in the spring [migratory arrivals], are almost totally absent throughout
the summer. They appear again in mid-late August as tenerals that head south.
Bat Lake is the most reliable place for this species in our area and it may be
present in the adult form throughout the summer at this unique lake.
HARLEQUIN DARNER (0)
We had none this year. Simply as a point of
interest, we have detected this species on only 20% of our counts. It is
usually finished in our area before our count takes place.
CYRANO DARNER (4)
Like the Harlequin Darner, this species is at
the tail-end of its flight-period during our count. We have detected them only
on a third of our counts.
HARPOON CLUBTAIL (1)
UHLER'S SUNDRAGON (2)
This species is fairly common at sizeable
creeks and rivers in June in Algonquin. We have found them on 71% of our
counts.
STYGIAN SHADOWDRAGON (0)
Despite a concerted effort at the Opeongo Docks
at the witching hour, we did not find any shadowdragons this year. Our count is
slightly early for this species; we only get them about a third of the time.
WIDOW SKIMMER (5)
This species is rare in Algonquin and perhaps
only a vagrant. However, the fact that we have detected low numbers on four out
of the five most recent counts may suggest it is becoming more common.
SKI-TIPPED EMERALD (3)
KENNEDY'S EMERALD (2)
OCELLATED EMERALD (3)
CLAMP-TIPPED EMERALD (10)
BRUSH-TIPPED EMERALD (8)
The Cameron Lake Forestry Road (off of the
Opeongo Road) remains the best bet to see this Genus, many of which breed in
the bog at km 3. Please note that while this is a public-access road, only
foot-traffic is permitted. No motorized vehicles or bicycles are allowed.
Thanks to everyone for a great day, and
especially to Colin Jones who organized this event and collected data before I
was around.
Our most common species for the count remain:
1. CHALK FRONTED CORPORAL
2. FROSTED WHITEFACE
3. MARSH BLUET
Our three rarest are:
1. ELFIN SKIMMER (once; one in 2008)
2. EBONY BOGHAUNTER (once; one in 2015)
3. FORCIPATE EMERALD (twice; one in 1996 and
one in 2014)
I always hope to find forcipata on count day.
Permitting a few statistical assumptions about how we sample our area, it looks
like it requires about 1500km of wandering/a mere 380 hours to passively
intercept one of these beasts. No wonder no one likes to miss a swing.
See you next year,
-PBM
Ladybugs
Posted on September 3, 2017 at 08:33:33 AM by Barbara Taylor
While checking some milkweed plants for late
Monarch caterpillars, I found some Asian Ladybugs (Harmonia axyridis) and their
larvae. They were on plants infested with aphids. Two days later most of the
aphids had already been eaten and one of the ladybug larvae had become a pupa.
I believe the yellow aphids are Oleander Aphids, another non-native insect. Here
are some photos from the past few days. (Bracebridge) photo1
adult ladybug photo2
larva photo3
pupa photo4
aphids photo5
Oleander
Aphid references:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/shrubs/oleander_aphid.htm
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/hemipt/OleanderAphid.htm
Asian Ladybug references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia_axyridis
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/multicolored-asian-lady-beetles/
http://bugguide.net/node/view/397
juvenile rose
breasted grosbeaks
Posted on September 1, 2017 at 03:30:15 PM by
dinnymccraney
For the past few weeks, 3 young rose breasted
grosbeaks have been frequenting the feeder. It's interesting watching the
colour changes..one is definitely a male and possibly a second as well.Lately
they are battling over the seed with the male cardinal who has been resident
here since the spring. He mated with the female who was here alone all winter.
Re(1): Giant
Swallowtail
Posted on August 30, 2017 at 09:22:35 AM by Al Sinclair
There were 2 records in Muskoka in 2016 both in
Huntsville. One was Aug 25, the other around that time by Lev Frid and Ken
Morrison. No photos captured.
Giant Swallowtail
Posted on August 29, 2017 at 12:47:18 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds we found
a gorgeous Giant Swallowtail butterfly by the south-east end of cell 4. We had
excellent looks as it flew around, sometimes alighting on white asters for a
milli-second, but it kept moving west with a strong wind blowing it along. It
was very hyperactive, in constant motion, and disappeared into the shadows of
the woods (possibly to avoid the many waxwings hawking insects nearby or to get
out of the wind). Eventually the butterfly came back into sight by the
south-west corner of cell 4. I tried to grab a photo, but no luck as it kept on
flying way out over the pipeline and after a brief chase I lost it.
Is this a new species for the Muskoka Butterfly
Checklist?
references:
http://www.cbif.gc.ca/eng/species-bank/butterflies-of-canada/giant-swallowtail/?id=1370403265624
http://www.ontariobutterflies.ca/families/Papilionidae/giant-swallowtail
Black-crowned
Night-Herons
Posted on August 29, 2017 at 10:34:05 AM by diannawolfe
Rob and I had a first summer Black-crowned
Night-Heron hanging out with an American Bittern in a large wetland on our
property in Carling (just north of Parry Sound) last night. After about an
hour, a second BCNH flew over, kworked a couple of times, and the youngster
flew off with it. We were surprised to see them this far north.
Re(1): sphinx moth
caterpillar - photo
Posted on August 29, 2017 at 06:43:46 PM by Barbara Taylor
Looks like a match to the brown form of the
Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth larva (see http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/Sphinx/DarapsamyronSeptember2009lh.htm).
It does appear to have the "continuous subdorsal-lateral line, separating
myron from other Darapsa species" referenced at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/Sphinx/dmyron.htm.
You could try getting the caterpillar to the pupa stage and keep it over the
winter...then you would get to see the moth.
sphinx moth
caterpillar - photo
Posted on August 28, 2017 at 09:16:23 PM by John Challis
Well, it took a battle with technology, but we
have prevailed and an odd creature appears below. Gayle discovered a lovely
little caterpillar about 2 or 3 cm in length on our grape vine that appears to
be a Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth caterpillar. Can anyone confirm? photo
Re(1): Katydid -
ID?
Posted on August 30, 2017 at 01:46:06 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Bob Bowles has told me it is a Bush Katydid in
the genus Scudderia. Unfortunately there are several species that can only be
told apart by looking at their supra-anal plates and I don't have any photos
that show that detail. Bob guessed it might be Scudderia septentrionalis, the
Northern Bush Katydid.
I found this online guide to separating the
Bush Katydids, but I think the insect would have to be captured in order to get
a photo at those angles!
http://bugguide.net/node/view/7130
Katydid - ID?
Posted on August 28, 2017 at 08:07:56 PM by Barbara Taylor
I found this large Katydid on a milkweed leaf
today at the Bracebridge Ponds. It was out in the open next to cell 4, but not
very far from the edge of the woods there. Does anyone know which species it
might be? photo1
photo2
photo3
photo4
Re(1): Cape May
Posted on September 4, 2017 at 12:44:58 PM by
michaelhatton
Great image.
Cape May
Posted on August 27, 2017 at 10:56:56 PM by
tedthevideoman
last 2 days in my Mum's Spruce, Killdeer
Crescent BB photo
Raptors
Posted on August 27, 2017 at 12:30:52 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning a Bald Eagle came soaring in over
the Bracebridge Ponds and flushed all the gulls out of cell 4. Yesterday the
same thing happened...both days right around 11:30 a.m. Several Turkey Vultures
were on the move today, and two launched from atop the cell tower visible to
the NW. A Broad-winged Hawk was circling by cell 4. The HawkCount.org website has
daily reports from various Hawkwatch sites that operate during this southward
migration season, including Hawk Cliff at Port Stanley.
Re(1): Warblers on
the move
Posted on August 27, 2017 at 03:26:02 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Another large mixed flock just passed through
our yard. This time there was a Cape May, Black-throated Green, Wilson's,
Black-and-white, Nashville, Yellow, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped, and many
Red-eyed Vireos. Several Robins and a Scarlet Tanager were in the Cherry Tree
again. (Bracebridge)
Re(2): Warblers on
the move
Posted on August 25, 2017 at 09:15:30 PM by Alex Mills
This morning at Magnetawan I had a Northern
Parula and a male Mourning Warbler in a mixed flock.
Re(1): Warblers on
the move
Posted on August 24, 2017 at 05:24:25 PM by DBurton
Yesterday I had a Black-Throated Blue right
outside the window with 2 Redstarts. There is also a Carolina Wren around here
somewhere; I have heard him only twice this summer, and they normally sing all
the time. We have an abundance of House Wrens, so he might be getting chased
off.
Warblers on the
move
Posted on August 24, 2017 at 04:01:28 PM by Barbara Taylor
A nice mixed flock just passed through our
yard, including several Nashville, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, and American
Redstarts. There were also two Scarlet Tanagers eating ripe cherries high in a
Black Cherry tree. (Bracebridge)
Re(1): Northern
Mockingbird Gravenhurst YMCA
Posted on August 23, 2017 at 04:41:10 PM by janice
house
George, shouldn't you be swimming in Pine Lake?
Northern
Mockingbird Gravenhurst YMCA
Posted on August 22, 2017 at 04:09:15 PM by George
Bryant
I have seen and heard the Bracebridge
Mockingbird(s) but never one in Gravenhurst. Today one sat in a dead Carolina
Polar for 15 minutes before dropping down to the railway corridor, the habitat
of choice at least for Toronto Mockingbirds. This brings to eight species I’ve
recorded from inside the Gravenhurst Y pool.
Barn Swallows
Posted on August 21, 2017 at 12:08:04 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday at the Bracebridge Ponds there were
several Swallows feeding over the cells, including some recently fledged young
Barn Swallows. Not as many this morning, but some were resting in the same dead
tree at the west side of cell 4. There were three Northern Shovelers, seven
Blue-winged Teal, and a Lesser Scaup in cell 1, two Green-winged Teal in cell
2, a Bufflehead and a Hooded Merganser in cell 4, as well as Mallards and Wood
Ducks scattered about. Some Bonaparte's Gulls are still hanging around. photo
photo2
Re(2): Common
Nighthawks
Posted on August 24, 2017 at 04:14:50 PM by Barbara
Taylor
At this time of year the Cedar Waxwings are
coming together in large flocks. We've been seeing anywhere from 20-50 of them
hawking insects and feeding on cherries at the Bracebridge Ponds recently. It
would be unexpected to have Bohemians here now so could be a good record...any
chance there is a photo?
Re(1): Common
Nighthawks
Posted on August 20, 2017 at 08:04:05 PM by J. Gardner
Sitting watching nighthawks hunting overhead,
just a few minutes ago. Forecast... snow. Ted Gardner told me that he has had a
sizeable flock of Bohemian Waxwings in the last couple of days... Meadow
Heights. J. Gardner
Common Nighthawks
Posted on August 20, 2017 at 07:51:40 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Nighthawks are on the move south. Two just flew
over our house a few minutes ago and this morning we saw three fly by at the
Bracebridge Ponds.
11 Bonaparte's
Gulls Bracebridge lagoons
Posted on August 18, 2017 at 08:13:14 PM by George
Bryant
There were 10 at the far corner of Cell four,
plus one brown-backed juvenile very close at the north-west corner at 4:30 pm.
Juvenile Bonies are seldom seen as they moult out of this plumage in
August,this bird may never have seen a human before. My first Muskoka BOGU. The
Trumpeter Swan was in Henry Marsh for the Bert Cross Family Nature Reserve
celebration.
Re(1): Monarch
emergence
Posted on August 22, 2017 at 09:46:47 AM by Carol Wagg
Wonderful to see. I have seen more monarchs
this year than I have over the past several. Thanks for rescuing the
caterpillars and sharing the photos.
Re(2): Monarch
emergence
Posted on August 18, 2017 at 08:35:46 PM by missyinmuskoka
Thank you Al. The butterfly emerging covered
roughly ˝ an hour of time. I took almost 500 images that I put together in the
time-lapse. Here is the link to the caterpillar to chrysalis time-lapse.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/missymandel/35824189024/in/dateposted/
Re(1): Monarch
emergence
Posted on August 18, 2017 at 09:24:04 AM by Al Sinclair
Like it. Would be interested in seeing the
other one to. Do you know how much actual time this video covers?
Monarch emergence
Posted on August 18, 2017 at 07:30:41 AM by missyinmuskoka
When the weeds were cut down on my cottage
roads, I went looking for caterpillars. I found 8 and kept them well fed at my
home. When they went into chrysalis's I built an outdoor screened in housing
and have released 3 so far. I didn't know how to post this time lapse on this
site, so if you are interested in seeing the process, I have posted in on my
Flickr page. Not too sure if this link will work on this string or not. I also
have a time lapse of the caterpillar changing to the chrysalis if anyone is
interested in seeing that process too.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/missymandel/36468915362/in/dateposted/
Chimney Swifts
Posted on August 17, 2017 at 01:02:54 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were at least 30 Chimney Swifts heading south, feeding as they went. The
Trumpeter Swan came flying in from the west around 10:40 a.m. and landed in
cell 2...it must be moving back and forth from Henry Marsh where one has also
been seen recently. Eight Bonaparte's Gulls were in cell 4 today. swan
photo
Bonaparte's Gulls (briefly flew over to preen at the south end of cell 2 where there is a small beach, then back to cell 4): photo
Coyote/wolf Doe
Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Posted on August 16, 2017 at 08:06:08 PM by janice
house
Monday morning about 7:30 Oreo our springer
spaniel alerted Geoff that something was different. I was on a walk with our
cocker spaniel and just about home. The coyote/wolf was walking the fence line
of the farm pasture across from our house. I grabbed my bins and managed to
spot the beautiful creature hiding behind the grass/golden rod in the pasture
that had not been cut. It was in beautiful shape and not ragged what so ever,
and really tall. By that time a neighbour who walks her dog every morning was
standing with Geoff at the end of our driveway. We all watched as it walked
across open ground to the north west corner of the pasture and disappeared in the
bush. Wow!
Re(2): Trumpeter
Swan
Posted on August 16, 2017 at 12:36:44 PM by Barbara Taylor
No Swan this morning. Six Bonaparte's Gulls
came flying in from the east and all landed in cell 4. Two Belted Kingfishers
and a Green Heron flew low overhead. Several Cedar Waxwings were moving south
in small flocks. A Mourning Warbler was near the old treatment plant. An
Eastern Wood-Pewee was singing west of cell 2. Three Green-winged Teal were in
cell 2, a Lesser Scaup and Hooded Mergansers were in cell 1, a Bufflehead was
in cell 4, and several Mallards and Wood Ducks were scattered around.
Re(1): Trumpeter
Swan
Posted on August 15, 2017 at 11:40:30 AM by Barbara
Taylor
The Swan was absent this morning until about 11
a.m. when it came flying in from the west and landed in cell 2. Only three
Bonaparte's Gulls were in cell 4. A Great Blue Heron was on the roadway west of
cell 2...lots of small Leopard Frogs hopping around. As we were leaving, some
noisy gulls caught our attention high above the industrial area east of the
Ponds. They were harassing a very ragged looking immature Bald Eagle. Is the
Bracebridge Landfill attracting Eagles?!
Trumpeter Swan
Posted on August 14, 2017 at 02:00:04 PM by Barbara Taylor
The Trumpeter Swan was still at the Bracebridge
Ponds this morning. Five Bonaparte's Gulls were in cell 4. Yesterday a Bald
Eagle had come in low over cell 4 and one of the gulls left the area...but back
to five of them today. Warblers are on the move - a Wilson's Warbler was at the
edge of the woods west of cell 2. There doesn't seem to be as many fall
webworms this year, but maybe still too early. Yesterday we saw three Northern
Waterthrush (two were singing) by the NW corner of cell 4, but no sign of them
today. A Green Heron flew up from the little cattail pond just inside the
treatment plant gate.
Re(1): Birds
Posted on August 18, 2017 at 04:24:52 PM by janice
house
My bluebirds have fledged. This morning while
walking the dog the bluebirds were eating elderberries from the bush which
leans against my neighbour's deck. Bruce and Shannon were sitting quietly
having their coffee watching the show, lovely!
Birds
Posted on August 13, 2017 at 11:40:16 AM by janice
house
On Friday I arrived at the cottage (Skeleton
Lake) around noon, a little brown bird was hopping along the road so I stopped.
It flew up to a nearby tree branch then down again to the road; a hermit thrush
with something in its beak. I watched if for at least a minute and saw it fly
down to the base of a tree where it seemed to disappear. Apparently they nest
on or close to the ground. Yesterday the female pileated woodpecker was on the
peanut feeder in the basswood tree (Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst), she was feeding
peanuts to a juvenile. Our bluebird babies are very vocal now, they are the
first birds calling when I step outside in the morning.
Hummingbirds,
hummingbirds
Posted on August 12, 2017 at 12:07:40 PM by dinnynimmo
For the past week we have had SIX!!
hummingbirds at our 2 feeders. We have never had so many. Dinny Hurlings Point
Bala
Photo of Merlin
Posted on August 11, 2017 at 03:32:49 PM by LindaActonRiddle
I finally got a good look at one of the Merlins
in my neighbourhood. The pair often fly from high tree top to high tree top
calling to each other. This one sat long enough for a photo! photo
Red-Necked Grebe
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 07:35:39 PM by DaleWenger
Sorry for the late posting. Forgot my phone at
home and worked all day. I saw a Red-Necked Grebe in Cell 1 this morning at
6:45am. He flew in from the south, stayed for about 15 minutes then flew back
off to the south. May still be in the area.
Dragonhunter
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 01:42:01 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds this Dragonhunter
kept moving along just ahead of us at the west side of cell 2. This is only the
second time I've seen one at the Ponds. photo
photo2
Re(1): Bonaparte's
Gulls continue
Posted on August 11, 2017 at 01:44:33 PM by Barbara Taylor
Five Bonaparte's Gulls in cell 4 this morning.
They were spooked by a Bald Eagle flying in from the north-east and flew over
to cell 2, but soon returned to cell 4. A Trumpeter Swan was in cell 3. There
were several Viceroy butterflies flying today as well as a few Monarchs, White
Admirals, and an American Lady. Bracebridge Ponds map (north approx. at
top, west at left): map
Bonaparte's Gulls
continue
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 12:40:41 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there were four immature
Bonaparte's Gulls feeding in cell 4 at the Bracebridge Ponds. Two Solitary
Sandpipers were calling while they flew around the main cells, and appeared to
go down east of cell 1.
Eastern Bluebirds
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 07:15:21 PM by janice house
I have been watching my bluebird box in the
front yard this last few days very carefully to see what the parents are
feeding the young. The nest building started July 7th or 8th and I believe they
will fledge very soon. I have had my scope focused on the nest box hole but
unless the parents stop and turn their heads I can't see what they are taking
into the nest box. So far, caterpillars big and small, grasshoppers, crickets,
stink bugs (greenwings and body, that is what I call them). A juvenile is also
hanging around but not helping to feed the nestlings. Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Red-spotted Purple?
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 12:20:02 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday I thought I'd found a Red-spotted
Purple, but there is a thin bit of white at the leading edge of the forewing
where a White Admiral's white band would start. So perhaps an intergrade?
(Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
Re(2): Highly
Aggressive Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Posted on August 11, 2017 at 12:06:12 PM by michaelhatton
Different birds. There are at least 6 regulars,
maybe as many as 10. Hard to tell as the colouration and perspective on size
vary according to lighting, perch, wind, precipitation and avian attitude. When
aggressive, they morph visually and dramatically into MMA fighting machines.
They are also flying way too fast between the house and the trees, around
corners, and in and out of the branches. You can often hear them coming, very
briefly, before you see them going. Other birds scatter. Undoubtably some will
make an error and not be around for migration. But it is hard to convince kids
of any genre to take it easy. They think they are invincible.
Chipping Sparrows are now more abundant than I
can recall, ever. AMGO juveniles have very recently showed up en masse at
various times. Blue Jays have returned, but in small numbers. Chickadees have
reappeared and it sometimes requires two hands to count the number present. My
deck has become a flyway.
Re(1): Highly
Aggressive Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 07:01:28 AM by janice
house
Michael, wonderful photos! Same bird or
several?
Highly Aggressive
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 10:33:55 AM by
michaelhatton
Almost surprising are the number of RTHUs we
have in our yard each year, seemingly without fail. They come, then they
disappear (while nesting?), then they return en masse with young birds.
Quickly, they become highly aggressive when defending a feeder, flower or weed
in bloom. They seem fearless and determined.
While sitting or standing on the deck, we
sometimes worry about the potential to be stabbed by an out of control
juvenile. Parents need to control their offspring. Really. photo1
photo2
Re(1): Northern
Mockingbird - photos
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 09:13:59 AM by Al Sinclair
Good sighting for our area. Too bad it's in
Haliburton not Muskoka. Thanks for posting it.
Northern
Mockingbird - photos
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 08:11:44 PM by WilburBlackman
On Saturday, July 22, we (Jim Mitchell, Neal
(my wife), and I) spotted a Northern Mockingbird at our cottage on Oxtongue
Lake which is halfway between Dwight, Ontario and the West Gate to Algonquin
Park on Highway 60. We observed it in the tree, on the yard lights, and on the
ground several times with a black and later a green worm, caterpiller, or
whatever. It stuck around for about 15-20 minutes or more. We took lots of
pictures (about 50) in all sorts of poses and positions. photo1
photo2
another colourful
Caterpillar
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 04:27:58 PM by Barbara Taylor
I've been trying to get some closeup photos of
the bumble bees in our garden, but as I reviewed the pictures I noticed something
else on the flower...a caterpillar. I went back out to the oregano patch and
managed to find it again. It appears to be the 5th instar of a Purple-lined
Sallow moth larva. (Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
Hodges
#11064 - Purple-Lined Sallow - Pyrrhia exprimens
Reference: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=11064
Re(5): Killdeers at
the Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 9, 2017 at 09:11:36 AM by Al Sinclair
Sorry. I missed the photo date in the original
post. Early July would be normal for this sighting.
Re(4): Killdeers at
the Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 11:08:10 PM by bshier
So, to be clear, these photos were taken in
early July, so it sounds like the juvenile Sandpipers were around at that
time...and it explains why the Killdeer around the corner was relatively calm
at that time.... I will change my post - many thanks for your help on this !!
Re(3): Killdeers at
the Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 08:21:28 AM by Al Sinclair
Downy young are harder to id in all species
(they don't show them in field guides). I think this has to be a Spotted
Sandpiper. Must have been a second nesting as August is late in the breeding
season to see downy young of this species. There were several pairs nesting at
the ponds this year.
Re(2): Killdeers at
the Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 10:25:17 PM by bshier
I assume it is... this was the other
sibling.... photo
Re(1): Killdeers at
the Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 06:44:42 PM by J. Gardner
Is this a killdeer chick? Unlike any I have
seen. J. Gardner
Killdeers at the
Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 05:52:56 PM by bshier
I was in Muskoka in early July and we came
across two Juvenile Kildeers at the ponds, mom was not far away, and she
remained quite calm while we were around.... my first post on the site... let's
see if i can get this figured out... photo
Re(1): Barred Owl
Fishing - Video
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 08:12:52 PM by Doug Smith
That's a great video! It really looks like the
owl knows what it is doing! Practice, I guess!
Re(1): Barred Owl
Fishing - Video
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 04:08:36 PM by coreyhkh
wow thats crazy
Barred Owl Fishing
- Video
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 04:04:42 PM by Al Sinclair
Approx 35 fish have disappeared from our
backyard goldfish pond since May. I posted an infrared night photo of the owl
previously beside the pond but it wasn't clear what it was doing.
So I set the camera to also record a 10 second
video to get more evidence. The video capture at the kink below shows without a
doubt that the owl is responsible for some if not all the missing fish.
http://users.muskoka.com/sinclair/birds/barred_owl_20170805.mp4
OR on YouTube
https://youtu.be/JsXjOCStPFY
gaspe, tropical
kingbird
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 11:03:05 AM by John Challis
We were driving from the north side of the
Gaspe Peninsula yesterday and received word through a friend of a friend that
he had seen a tropical kingbird just outside Barachois, south of Perce. Exact
coordinates even provided through his e-Bird checklist. As luck would have it,
the rain was sweeping through Perce and Barachois in sheets so heavily that we
couldn't see the Rocher Perce, could barely make out the road in front of us --
so we were disinclined to go traipsing through underbrush to hunt for rarities.
American Redstart
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 10:39:26 AM by
michaelhatton
I recently saw one of these juveniles who was
very curious about my presence. Then a week or so later I started to see more,
in different locations, with varying hues of wing patch colour. photo photo2
Blue-spotted /
Jefferson Salamander
Posted on August 6, 2017 at 09:13:58 PM by George
Bryant
Yellow-spotted is abundant in s. Muskoka and
always shows yellow spots; Blue-spotted is common and may or may not have large
or small blue spots. The Blue-spotted/Jefferson complex is a moving target.
Recently it was four species in Ontario, may now be two but will doubtless
change again with more DNA analysis so I don't worry about being precise.
Salamander - ID?
Posted on August 6, 2017 at 01:59:32 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds this
Salamander was on the roadway south of cell 4. It was very plain looking with
no apparent spots, although in my photos there appears to be a couple milky
blue areas on the tail. Not sure if that is a trick of the camera, an injury,
or actual spots just starting to form.
(many tiny specks of gravel on the body) photo
Re(1): Ads on the
board
Posted on August 11, 2017 at 04:34:17 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Apparently some ad blockers have begun serving
up their own set of "acceptable" ads, which might explain why turning
off the adblock stopped the ads from appearing on the board.
Please let me know if you are seeing ads on the
Bird Board even after disabling any ad blockers in your browser. The board
should be ad-free.
Ads on the board
Posted on August 6, 2017 at 09:56:54 AM by Barbara Taylor
You should not be seeing any ads when you visit
the Bird Board. The ad-free status was renewed. However, I have recently
learned that a Trending Articles ad will load on the board if you are using
adblock with your browser. Apparently if you disable the adblocker, you stop
getting the ad. I have contacted the hosting service about this but haven't
heard back yet.
If you do see any ads on the Muskoka Bird Board
please let me know. Also, as a general precaution while surfing the internet,
it is probably best not to click on any ad since there have been instances
where malware can be hidden in ads, even on reputable news sites.
My email: muskoka_birder@hotmail.com
Re(3): Bonaparte's
Gulls
Posted on August 7, 2017 at 05:41:56 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning there were three juvenile
Bonaparte's Gulls feeding in cell 4. Five Least Sandpipers were at the south
end of cell 2, and these two were on the roadway nearby. photo
Re(2): Bonaparte's
Gulls
Posted on August 6, 2017 at 02:08:58 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Two juveniles were flying together at the north
end of cell 2 this morning and later were feeding in cell 4.
Re(1): Bonaparte's
Gulls
Posted on August 5, 2017 at 01:00:06 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there were two immature
Bonaparte's Gulls at the Bracebridge Ponds, but no sign of the adult seen
yesterday. One bird put on a great show feeding over cell 4 and then perched
atop a pole for a rest. The other bird was swimming around cell 1 picking
insects off the surface. Both were still there when we left at 11:50 a.m. as
rain moved in.
An American Bittern flew up from the ditch
north of cell 4 and a Green Heron was in the ditch by the dumping ponds.
Several Swallows were feeding low over cell 4, including at least two Cliff
Swallows. Six Chimney Swifts were feeding high above the ponds. Two Merlins
went zipping past, but didn't seem to catch anything.
American Bittern: photo
Bonaparte's Gull: photo
Bonaparte's Gulls
Posted on August 4, 2017 at 01:19:52 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there were two Bonaparte's Gulls
flying over cell 4 at the Bracebridge Ponds - an adult with a juvenile. They
were picking insects off the surface and then went to rest atop a hydro pole.
They spent some time preening, but suddenly flattened themselves and froze as a
Merlin went flying past. After a while they flew off to feed over cell 4 some
more before heading towards the south.
(just "for the record" photos as my little camera struggled aiming up into overcast skies - adult gull has the black head) photo photo2 photo3 photo4
Green Herons
Posted on August 3, 2017 at 01:00:08 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were three young Green Herons in the ditch by the dumping ponds. A Greater
Yellowlegs was at the south end of cell 2.
queries/observations:
Breeding Bird Survey PORT CARLING, Ontario (68-052)
Posted on August 3, 2017 at 01:20:11 PM by Al Sinclair
Queries/observations from George Bryant
answered below.
Thanks for posting your results. I found them
quite interesting. I have a couple of queries/observations:
There were no cormorants, Canada Goose or
Cowbirds. Hooray. But no Black-throated Blue Warbler!
Answer: Right, no Black-throated Blue Warblers.
I usually get at least one on this route but none this year. I am speculating
that this was due to the cool wet weather in early June causing some species to
nest late, maybe after a failure of a the first nesting. Here at home the
resident male was quiet during that same time period but began singing again in
late July.
Golden-crowned Kinglet and Northern Parula are
the only species unlikely to be seen in southern Muskoka.
Answer: Agree. Both were north of Rosseau
June 28 seems awfully late. What were your date
ranges?
Answer: The date range specified for this count
is 05/28 to 07/07. I always run it at the same time for comparison purposes. I
started doing it in late June initially because earlier I was trying to get our
garden planted. But I think it was not a bad thing because from my recent
experience of doing daily eBird checklists, birds sing more after their young
hatch. So in mid June you get fewer birds singing than before or after.
(It would be interesting to conduct the same
survey on Apr 28 and May 28 plus June 28 with good weather conditions to see
how things change.)
Answer: It would be interesting but you realize
that to do this count I have to leave the house at 4am to get to the first stop
by the specified start time, 4:58am i.e. 1/2 hour before dawn. And you can't
waste time as it has to be finished by 10am. And it would have to be done by
the same person to get an accurate comparison.
Five hours to go 40 kms. allowing for 2 ˝ hour
of stopping? Did you go via Raymond and Rosseau?
Answer: I see that I got my Ports mixed up in
the original post. It should have said Port Sandfield not Port Sydney. 39.2km
to be exact, stop one is at km zero. The count is misnamed I would say, maybe
by the original counter Cliff McFadden who started the count in the late 1960s.
The first stop is in Port Sandfield (not Port Carling) and goes north on
Peninsula Rd to Rosseau and then north-west to Skeleton Lk on Aspdin Rd. It
takes significant time to find the exact location of each stop as specified on
the count data sheets. GPS data and local 911 signs and other landmarks are
used. Also on these rds traffic is getting heavier every year so you have to
find a safe place to park. The shoulder is too narrow in many spots now thanks
to recent so called upgrades. I found you really have to hustle to get it done
in 5 hrs.
Breeding Bird
Survey PORT CARLING, Ontario (68-052)
Posted on August 3, 2017 at 08:16:49 AM by Al Sinclair
Results from 2017 and at the end results from
previous 5 years.
Data collection method: Number of birds heard
or seen by one observer in 3 minutes at 50 stops 0.8 km apart along the road
from Port Sandfield to North side of Skeleton Lake.
Route Summary
Observer: S0839 - ALLAN SINCLAIR
Route: PORT CARLING, Ontario (68-052)
Run Method: 101-Standard BBS
Route Summary Information
Date Route Run: 06/28/2017
Start Time: 4:58
End Time: 9:57
Start Temp: 9 °C
End Temp: 18 °C
Start Wind: 1-Wind direction shown by smoke
drift [1-3 mph
End Wind: 3-Leaves, small twigs in constant
motion [8-12
Start Sky: 0-Clear or few clouds
End Sky: 0-Clear or few clouds
Species Total ind.
Wood Duck 3
Herring Gull 11
Common Loon 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
(Yellow-shafted Flicker) Northern Flic 8
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 7
Eastern Phoebe 5
Great Crested Flycatcher 5
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 83
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 5
Common Raven 5
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 17
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
House Wren 2
Winter Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Veery 25
Hermit Thrush 13
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 10
Purple Finch 5
American Goldfinch 3
Ovenbird 19
Black-and-white Warbler 8
Nashville Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 16
American Redstart 10
Northern Parula 1
Magnolia Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 10
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 23
Pine Warbler 3
(Myrtle Warbler) Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
Chipping Sparrow 9
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 6
Scarlet Tanager 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 8
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Hooded Merganser 2
Wild Turkey 1
Mourning Dove 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Brown Creeper 1
Total Species : 62 Total ind. : 446
Vehicles 123
Results from previous 5 yrs
date, species, individuals
2016 Jun 29, 58, 425
2015 Jun 26, 57, 453
2014 Jun 26, 57, 396
2013 Jul 04, 64, 465
2012 Jun 27, 58, 533
Eastern Kingbirds
Posted on August 2, 2017 at 03:34:16 PM by Barbara Taylor
Today I walked the trail along Beaver Creek
between Moreland Crt. and the entrance to the Covered Bridge subdivision. I
managed to find 27 bird species, including an Eastern Kingbird hawking insects
for its constantly begging fledgling. A Chestnut-sided Warbler and a House Wren
were also busy feeding their young. (Bracebridge)
Eastern Kingbirds (young bird hidden behind
leaves at upper left): photo
27
species:
Turkey Vulture 1
Ring-billed Gull 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 2
Winter Wren 1
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 1
American Goldfinch 4
Cooper's Hawks
Posted on August 2, 2017 at 11:25:44 AM by Barbara Taylor
The neighbourhood Cooper's Hawk family was in
the vicinity of Kevin Cres. and Glendale Rd. this morning. There were at least
two juvenile birds whistling their begging calls as they flew after one of the
adults. (Bracebridge)
This website has a couple good audio samples of
the begging calls: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/sounds
Fresh Monarchs
Posted on August 1, 2017 at 08:27:12 PM by Barbara Taylor
There were several very fresh Monarch
butterflies flying around the Bracebridge Ponds this morning. Unfortunately
there were also some that could not fly since their wings had not fully
inflated after emerging from their chrysalis. It is important that butterflies
can hang freely upon emergence or else their wings will be malformed. Perhaps
these butterflies had to crawl up out of the thick mat of mowed grass at the
roadsides as the plant their chrysalis was hanging from had been chopped down...not
so great for delicate wings. photo
photo2
Cliff Swallow
Posted on July 31, 2017 at 12:48:57 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning there was a single Cliff Swallow
amidst a few Tree Swallows feeding over the Bracebridge Ponds as they headed
south. This is the first one we've seen in Muskoka since spring migration.
Re(1): Barred Owls
- Night Shot
Posted on August 3, 2017 at 07:21:21 PM by Doug Smith
Al -- great shot! Interesting to think they
might be fishing! Does your trail cam have a video mode? If so it might give
you an idea of what the owl(s) are doing.
Barred Owls - Night
Shot
Posted on July 30, 2017 at 08:42:48 PM by Al Sinclair
We have been seeing a Barred Owl in the early
morning roosting in the hemlocks or on the pump house roof beside our goldfish
pond. Recently the robins have been alerting us to its presence by constant
scolding. And the fish have been disappearing all summer so we set up a trail
camera to monitor it hoping to catch the thief.
Yesterday we captured a photo of a Barred Owl
or maybe 2 side by side at the back edge of the water. Adult and a young one?
Were they there for a drink or were they hunting the fish? You can see some
fish swimming in the opposite direction. A day shot from the same camera is
posted below for comparison. photo
photo2
Bald Eagle
Posted on July 30, 2017 at 12:15:35 PM by Barbara Taylor
Around 11:30 a.m. today there was a Bald Eagle
circling above the Food Basics parking lot...after gaining altitude it headed
off to the southeast. (Bracebridge)
Re(2): sick finches
Posted on August 10, 2017 at 09:09:19 AM by LindaActonRiddle
I posted about a sick finch back on July 25th.
I followed Al's advice: took down the feeder, cleaned it with a solution of
chlorine and water, and allowed the birds to disperse for 4 days. When I put
the feeder back the sick finch did not return and all others look healthy. I
also found that sightings of sick birds and animals should be sent to Canadian
Wildlife Health Cooperative, which I've done. From the description of
trichomoniasis, it seems that's what the sick finch at my feeder was suffering
from.
Re(1): sick finches
Posted on July 29, 2017 at 05:00:38 PM by Barbara Taylor
First thing would be to take down any bird
feeders for a while. Sick birds may visit the feeders looking for an easy meal,
but can spread their illness to healthy birds. Also empty any bird baths. In
case the disease is the result of salmonella, make sure you wash up well
afterwards, since humans can be infected too.
There is currently an outbreak of
trichomoniasis in the Maritimes that is mainly affecting finches, but can also
be an issue for other birds. It may be showing up here too. Hope not.
Here are some links about the problem:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/bird-infection-atlantic-canada-1.4199049
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/bird-infection-finch-trichomoniasis-1.4204821
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/dead-birds-sick-trichomoniasis-pei-disease-canadian-wildlife-health-cooperative-1.4191228
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2839828
sick finches
Posted on July 28, 2017 at 05:48:36 PM by edieov
Over the last month or so we have seen 3 sick
finches, two goldfinches and one purple finch. Any ideas of what we might do?
Re(1): more
Butterflies
Posted on July 29, 2017 at 08:00:38 PM by Barbara Taylor
More butterflies were enjoying the sunshine
today...Clouded Sulphur, Great Spangled Fritillary, and American Copper. These
two decided to check out our flower garden. (Bracebridge)
American Copper photo
Great Spangled Fritillary photo
Butterflies
Posted on July 28, 2017 at 02:39:40 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at Henry Marsh this Compton
Tortoiseshell posed briefly for a photo. Other butterflies seen included
Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Monarch, Summer Azure, and Cabbage
White. (Bracebridge) photo
Eastern Pondhawk
Posted on July 26, 2017 at 03:06:32 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday we found a male Eastern Pondhawk at
the Bracebridge Ponds. There was also a Spreadwing with a green metallic sheen
on its abdomen, but it was too shy to get a close-up photo.
Eastern Pondhawk photo
Spreadwing sp. photo
Re(1): Thousands of
Grey Tree Frogs
Posted on July 26, 2017 at 01:54:31 PM by Barbara Taylor
Here are some photos of the frogs from this morning.
There were also a few Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed plants that didn't
get mowed down last Friday. photo1
photo2
photo3
photo4
Thousands of Grey
Tree Frogs
Posted on July 26, 2017 at 01:29:18 PM by George Bryant
At Bracebridge lagoons this morning Dominic
Stones and I counted 50, Sid Daniels independently 70, just emerged tree frogs
at spots around several lagoons, perched on Milkweed leaves or adjoining
vegetation. Extrapolating to the whole lagoons, there must have been 1000's.
This was a first for us inveterate herpers,
more tree frogs than we had seen in a lifetime. One would think the nighttime
sound here of chorusing adults in May-June would be a din. We met Bob and
Barbara Taylor who may post pictures of these, our most endearing anurans. We
also saw an adult Green Heron, my first for the year.
Merlins calling
Posted on July 25, 2017 at 03:52:59 PM by LindaActonRiddle
For the last week I've heard Merlins calling to
each other, high in the hemlocks and pine trees in my neighbourhood. I saw them
today but did not get a photo although I did get an audio recording of their
calls and compared it to those on iBird. Seems to be a pair, perhaps with
young.
Re(1): Shabby or
sick bird??
Posted on July 25, 2017 at 11:17:25 AM by Al Sinclair
Purple Finch. I agree, looks sick. Probably
salmonellosis so shutting down the feeders would be a good idea.
https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/salmonellosis.jsp
Shabby or sick
bird??
Posted on July 25, 2017 at 10:17:40 AM by LindaActonRiddle
Recently I saw a report on CBC about the
problems that song birds in Nova Scotia are having with a bacteria. People are
taking down their feeders and after using bleach to clean them, are putting
them away for now. Have any of you seen sick birds? I think I may have one here
in town. It's lethargic, hogs the feeder (easy way to get food), often closes
its eyes when sitting in the sunshine, bobs its head up and down when eating,
and looks unusually shabby. It's much larger that a Chipping Sparrow, but I
cannot see any definite markings. photo
Whirligigs
Posted on July 24, 2017 at 11:59:21 AM by Barbara Taylor
We've often seen masses of Whirligig Beetles
swimming around on the surface of ponds, but recently a few have been gathering
in rain puddles. Yesterday their puddle had dried up and I was able to get this
photo of one. I tried to see their two sets of eyes, but couldn't get a good
picture without picking one up...and didn't want to do that since some species
emit a rather awful smell. Here is a website with excellent photos and
information about Whirligigs: http://www.hiltonpond.org/thisweek031001.html
photo
Hairy Willow Herb
Posted on July 22, 2017 at 11:29:09 PM by Barbara Taylor
There is a small patch of this non-native plant
(Epilobium hirsutum) growing in the ditch east of cell 3 at the Bracebridge
Ponds. I only noticed it recently as it came into bloom. Unfortunately it can
spread quite readily and likes moist habitat...it can even co-exist with Purple
Loosestrife. photo1
photo2
photo3
Colourful
Caterpillar
Posted on July 20, 2017 at 02:31:20 PM by Barbara Taylor
A few days ago we found this caterpillar on the
ground at the Bracebridge Ponds. The closest match I've been able to find is
the Speyer's Hooded Owlet Moth. Apparently they feed on asters, and there are
many of those plants near the spot we found it. photo1
photo2
reference:
Speyer's Hooded Owlet Moth (Hodges #10190 -
Cucullia speyeri)
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=10190
Re(1):Skipper ID
Posted on July 20, 2017 at 01:20:42 PM by Al Sinclair
The skipper is a Little Glassywing. Note the
whitish spot just below the antenna club. Southern species relatively new to Muskoka.
Still uncommon.
Butterflies and
carrion (warning...close-up photos)
Posted on July 19, 2017 at 04:01:39 PM by Barbara Taylor
Over the past few days I've been seeing Eastern
Tailed Blue butterflies at the Bracebridge Ponds, but a first for me was seeing
one feeding on carrion. There was also a Skipper interested in the same dead
mole a short time later (2nd photo). The large beetle in the first photo is a
Hairy Rove Beetle which feeds on fly larvae and other insects. photo1
photo2
Widow Skimmers
Posted on July 18, 2017 at 11:32:35 PM by Barbara Taylor
Today there were some Widow Skimmers flying
around cell 4 at the Bracebridge Ponds...first ones I've seen this summer.
Yesterday there was a nice Calico Pennant, but it wouldn't pose for a photo.
Widow Skimmer (male): photo
Ads at top of
board...
Posted on July 18, 2017 at 04:23:53 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Please ignore them until I can get the hosting
company to renew our "ad-free" service. Or use an adblock app.
Re(2): What is it?
(see photos)
Posted on July 18, 2017 at 07:40:54 AM by Doug Smith
Thank you Al -- large is the word -- wow! I
found a link to some info on its life cycle -- quite amazing.
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Megarhyssa_atrata/
Re(1): What is it?
(see photos)
Posted on July 17, 2017 at 10:11:12 PM by Al Sinclair
Megarhyssa atrata - One of the giant ichneumon
wasps. This one is parasitic on pigeon horntail wasp larvae.
What is it? (see
photos)
Posted on July 17, 2017 at 08:42:50 PM by Doug Smith
My wife and I saw this wasp on a beech log in
our woodpile -- does anyone know what species it is? photo photo2 photo3
Muskoka Conservancy
- Special Guest Lecturer
Posted on July 17, 2017 at 06:14:13 PM by janice house
John Confer will present " The Curious
Case of the Intermingling Warblers, dealings between Blue-winged and
Golden-winged Warblers.
Wednesday July 19, 7pm to 9pm at the United
Church on Dominion Street in Bracebridge. Admission by donation.
Re(2): Sandhill
Cranes
Posted on July 17, 2017 at 08:26:28 AM by George Bryant
My guess is there are 20+ pairs of SACR in
Muskoka District. Last year I saw a pair with a tiny orange "colt" on
Torrance Barrrens. This June a presumed failed-nesting pair hung around a field
on Hwy 169 west of Gravenhurst. Manitoulin, Algoma District just north of us
has 1000's of nesting cranes. All in the space of a few years!
Re(1): Sandhill
Cranes
Posted on July 16, 2017 at 09:13:22 PM by John Challis
Wow. Is this the first record we have of a
nestling Sandhill crane locally (at least in recent decades)?
Sandhill Cranes
Posted on July 16, 2017 at 04:48:17 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon we took a trip out to Brooklands
Farm on Butter & Egg Rd., but found they were closed today. So no farm
fresh vegies, but we came up with something better instead...a family of
Sandhill Cranes in the field next to the driveway. There appeared to be only
one young bird with the two adults. photo
photo2
photo3
photo4
Re(1): Blue Birds
Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Posted on July 16, 2017 at 08:30:21 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon we saw a female Bluebird carry
food to a nestbox along Ziska Rd. and then quickly fly off to gather more...so
there must be some nestlings.
Blue Birds Doe Lake
Rd Gravenhurst
Posted on July 15, 2017 at 05:19:14 PM by janice house
I have a pair of bluebirds nesting in our front
yard, last weekend I watched as they both brought in nesting material. The male
had pine needles and a stiff twig in his beak and could not figure out why he
could not get in the box, the twig finally broke. I did not see him/her for a
few days and wondered with the rain if they had moved on. He has been all
around the yard today. Friday night a downy woodpecker was roosting in another
box that had been occupied by tree swallows. This morning another male bluebird
was on the hydro wires down by the old sheep farm closer to hwy 11
Re(1): flying
squirrels
Posted on July 25, 2017 at 09:49:52 AM by LindaActonRiddle
Lovely to read that others have discovered
these nocturnal creatures! I have only seen a dead one on my lawn, sadly. It
was probably trying to reach the feeders attached high up on my windows. I can
only surmise that it glided to the window but hit it too hard, bounced off the
surface, and ended up on the lawn below.
Re(1): flying
squirrels
Posted on July 15, 2017 at 12:34:19 PM by
missyinmuskoka
I can get up to 5 on my tree right outside my
front door. They help themselves to my feeders in the winter :)
flying squirrels
Posted on July 14, 2017 at 08:04:55 PM by John Challis
While I'm posting, I should relate the
discovery last weekend while I was walking the dog at night. My flashlight beam
managed to land quite by accident on a pair of flying squirrels that were
cavorting in a young maple on the shoulder of the road. I kept the dim edge of
the beam on them so they wouldn't be too glare-struck, and they darted up and
down the tree after each other for a moment, then leapt off towards another
tree farther into the woods. The dog and I strained our ears to listen to their
rustling in the foliage for a few minutes more, but they were out of visual
range at that point.
Re(1): winter wren
Posted on July 15, 2017 at 05:12:09 PM by janice house
I have been trying to spot the winter wren at
Dad's cottage for weeks, finally today I saw him/her. I stood for several
minutes scanning the area where the call came from then the bird went silent. A
few minutes later it called from 40 feet behind me, sneaky bird. (Skeleton
Lake)
winter wren
Posted on July 14, 2017 at 08:01:10 PM by John Challis
There is a winter wren singing in the woods by
our house right now. The robin has built a third nest in our garage, having
already raised two broods there. So perhaps the wren has decided to create
another generation as well.
Kestrel nestbox
update
Posted on July 13, 2017 at 03:34:32 PM by Al Sinclair
Wilf Yusek reports that there were 2 birds
carrying food to the box on July 10. His photo of the male at the box is
below. photo
Caspian Terns
Posted on July 13, 2017 at 02:22:34 PM by Barbara Taylor
At noon today there were two Caspian Terns
standing at the end of a pier at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst, along with a
few Ring-billed Gulls. photo1
photo2
photo3
Hawk or???
Posted on July 11, 2017 at 03:54:43 PM by J. Gardner
Watched what I thought was a small hawk chasing
two Mourning doves off my feeder. The bird made several passes at the doves
which eventually flew up to the shed roof. The "hawk" turned out to
be the female Rose-breasted Grosbeak which has been around for several days.
The doves stayed put until the grosbeak left. Did not know that grosbeaks were
so bold. J. Gardner Killdeer Crescent, Bracebridge.
Re(2): another big
Swallow day
Posted on July 14, 2017 at 01:15:52 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning there were about 300 Swallows at
the Bracebridge Ponds, mostly Bank, but a few Tree, at least 20 Barn, and a
couple Northern Rough-winged. There were four adult Green Herons flying in
pairs towards two different locations...probable nest sites.
Re(1): another big
Swallow day
Posted on July 10, 2017 at 12:29:50 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were about 120 Swallows feeding over cell 4...they all appeared to be Bank
Swallows, including many fledglings being fed in mid-air. A Merlin came in at
top speed and sliced through the swirling mass of birds, but didn't seem to
catch one. They all flew up very high and disappeared from view. Two Common
Loons flew by, calling as they continued on to the northwest. No sign of the Green-winged
Teal today. A pair of Chickadees were feeding four fledglings by the Lagoon
Lane gate.
Green-winged Teal
Posted on July 9, 2017 at 04:06:49 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a pair of Green-winged Teal at the south end of cell 2. Yesterday there had
been a Gadwall there, but no sign of him today. There were two large groups of
Bank Swallows feeding over the cells - a rough count of 76 birds. Eventually
they all flew off to the south. An adult Brown Thrasher was busy feeding two
fledglings west of cell 3. One of the young Spotted Sandpipers was up the
middle roadway without an adult nearby...it has grown a lot in a short time,
but still has fluffy downy feathers.
Green-winged Teal: photo
young Spotted Sandpiper: photo
Gadwall (from yesterday): photo
Cardinal fledglings
Posted on July 8, 2017 at 01:58:36 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning our resident male Northern
Cardinal was feeding three fledglings some yummy looking green caterpillars
plucked from the lilac bush. Here is one of the well-fed youngsters.
(Bracebridge) photo
Carrion/Burying
Beetles
Posted on July 7, 2017 at 02:40:29 PM by Goodyear
Last weekend at the Bracebridge Lagoons we
found a dead mole slowly being eaten by several carrion beetles. Most of them
appeared to be American Carrion Beetles: photo
When we moved the mole a burying/sexton beetle (maybe Nicrophorus tomentosus?) came out from underneath: photo
It was carrying several mites on its body. The mites apparently hitch a ride with the beetles from food source to food source. The adult beetle will lay eggs near/on the dead animal and the larva will hatch out to a food source. The mites eat the maggots and fly eggs that are also on the dead animal, thus reducing potential competitors of the burying beetle's larva. A symbiotic relationship known as phoresy, in which one species is carried about by another.
Re(1): Common
Buckeye
Posted on July 10, 2017 at 06:59:26 AM by John Challis
We watched a Monarch laying eggs on the
milkweeds at the side of our house a few days ago.
Common Buckeye
Posted on July 6, 2017 at 03:23:00 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Common Buckeye butterfly west of cell 3...first one I've seen since several
showed up in the area in 2012.
This seems to be a great year for Monarchs,
with many sightings of the butterflies, but I haven't found any caterpillars so
far.
mating Monarchs: photo
photo2
Tree Swallows,
front yard Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Posted on July 5, 2017 at 07:15:53 PM by janice house
I had 2 of my 3 bluebird boxes occupied by tree
swallows, the first box fledged last week and I emptied the box on Monday. The
nest was sopping wet. Today at noon there were 3 swallows flying around the
front yard, one was flying stiff winged like a spotted sandpiper, I assume a
juvenile and it landed on the box I emptied. There is still some chittering
from the second box....
South monck drive
Posted on July 5, 2017 at 08:01:42 AM by stuartpaul
Around 730 this morning I saw a bobolink and a
barn swallow in the south monck highlands close to the golf course. I also saw
a grey catbird and a yellow warbler in the shrub alder lowlands further north
on the road.
Upjohn nature
reserve
Posted on July 4, 2017 at 09:19:32 PM by stuartpaul
At around 730 this mornong I saw a pair of
Great Crested Flycatchers around the western end of the main wetland. One flew
into the wood duck box and out again. A kingbird was hunting close to the heron
nest. There was a deer across the wetland and then the most shocking sound cut
through the peaceful morning and the deer ran off. I realized it was the
warning call from another deer. Ive never heard that in my life! Other birds of
note were a brown creeper, and I heard a wren (type unknown) and a peewee. Nice
morning but watch out for the mosquitos!
Yellow-billed
Cuckoo
Posted on July 4, 2017 at 12:38:43 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the edge of the woods south of cell 4. It flew
towards the pipeline out of sight. As we walked along, another Cuckoo flew up
from the shrubbery and headed west as well. It showed contrasting rufous colour
on its wings, but we didn't get a very good look at the bird and couldn't see
the undertail or any obvious yellow on its bill. Neither bird made any
detectable sounds on our approach or as they flew off.
White Pelican, July
3, Haystack Bay, Lake of Bays
Posted on July 3, 2017 at 09:52:42 PM by DanShire
White pelican seen in Haystack Bay, Lake of
Bays. Near sunset.
This evening about 815 my wife and I saw a
white pelican land near the east shore of Haystack Bay, south of Lumina Resort.
The bird had the yellow bill with breeding crest, pink feet. Karen got a good
look with binoculars(we've seen them before in FLA and Manitoba). No photo
available. The bird was flushed by a boat, circled the bay and landed near
Gardner Island/ Haystack Bay Marina. Seen in the dusk swimming westerly along
the north shore of the bay toward Vimy Ridge Island.
Northern Harriers
Posted on July 2, 2017 at 11:55:50 AM by Barbara Taylor
Around 11 a.m. today there were two adult
Northern Harriers (male and female) hunting low over a recently mowed field at
the west side of South Monck Dr. An adult Eastern Kingbird was carrying food in
its beak by the golf driving range, so there must be young ones nearby.
(Bracebridge)
