Timiskaming Birds Forum

Since we'll start seeing signs of "spring-to-come" fairly soon, I wanted to get this thread started to give us a place to track the ongoing saga of our returning visitors. As in previous years, I would ask that you post your new arrivals as a reply to this thread in preference of starting a new thread so that it is easier to collate results. 

Saw four Canada Geese today flying low over Casey Township. Also, Ring-billed Gulls have reached the New Liskeard waterfront.

Worthy of note is that there has been a very major movement of Snow Geese into southeastern Ontario in the last two days, in the order of 60,000 to 100,000 birds, judging from recent reports.  Don't know how long they'll linger in staging areas down there, but it would be worth keeping an eye and ear open for movements of Snow Geese into our area.

 I saw a few in a tree behind my place. Not likely the one lingering over part of the winter, but new arrivals.

One lonely grackle in Swastika this morning. Also two black ducks yesterday in the pond in Swastika.

Serge, I wonder if these should replace the January bird as "First Arrivals."  Given the winter we (have/haven't) had, and the fact that your bird was there before Christmas, I'm thinking he was more likely a straggler for some reason.

Oops, sorry!  I see you've already done it.

Just saw my first Robin at the corner of 3rd St and 8th Ave in Englehart!  Finally, a new face,,,I love March Break!

I have 4 American Tree Sparrows in my backyard in Kenabeek as I write this.

nice mark was wondering when they would start coming back maybe Serge being the retired and organized kind of list guy he is could perhaps put together a list of  dates of  average and earliest returns as it would be really interesting to see how the returns we are seeing this year compare to past years. Maybe Mike has something to this effect somewhere. Even if they are listed separately on the species accounts to have such a list could prove to be very valuable. The banding data at the marsh could prove to be useful for this but there are many species that are seen well in advance of being banded and there are hundreds of birds we do not band that are observed. This list may prove to be extremely useful as the effects of global warming become more evident and pronounced. I think i should produce one for the marsh as well. Any thoughts on this idea would be welcome.  Back to birds

I agree....I keep flipping back to the 2009 list to make comparisons, see what to expect next, etc.  Because of global warming and the mild winter, I keep feeling that our list should be well ahead of last year's, but it's interesting to find it's fairly close...I believe the birds really are smarter than we are!

Saw our first red winged blackbird in Swastika early this morning. Must be traveling with the grackles.

great to be hearing about all the arrivals in your neck of the woods keep them coming and good luck. bet the woodcocks juncos and white thoats will be jere within the week. Maybe gert will beat us all to them. Still looking for my first robin !!!!! All the best Murph

peter gilboe phoned me this morning and reported seeing a flock of over 20 canada geese near belle vallee this morning at 9:00 felt it was an early record for him. Sounds like the movement is begiinning . I have not seen the american tree sparrow since reporting it and I found the grizzly remains of what I think may have been a long eared owl there were only a few flight feathers left. Wonder what could have killed it perhaps a great horned or  goshawk. Not really sure. sad to see but that is nature at work.

Today in Casey Twp on Penna Shaft Road at the south end of Casey Marsh, one Rough-legged Hawk - my first of the season.

 I saw a Kestrel in Evanturel Twp near Antler's Road this afternoon.

merlin spotted today at TDSS perhaps the same one that has been hanging around for the past few yeers very exciting to hear about all of the birds of prey that arrived today. Saw the merlin at 3:30 

Not a new arrival, but I thought folks might want to know that numbers of American Tree Sparrows are building. I counted 18 in my yard this morning.  I'm hoping I'll find a White-throated or Junco mixed in with them any day now.

My wife Jaymie saw a Junco in our yard in Henwood Twp. this morning, feeding with the American Tree Sparrows.

Took a road trip today, ostensibly to see if the Boreal Chickadee was still hanging around on the Kirkland Lake cross-country ski trails.  So no sign of the Boreal, but there were lots of Black-cappeds, several Downy Woodpeckers, a half dozen Red-breasted Nutchatches and a Junco seen along the trails.

On the Blanche River west of Round Lake in Marquis Twp., three male Hooded Mergansers and several Common Goldeneyes. Also observed in the vicinity was a Bald Eagle carrying nesting materials, and  a male Pileated Woodpecker. Red-winged blackbirds and grackles now seem well established in many locations.

A single Purple Finch made a brief appearance today amongst our regular flock of about 120 or so Goldfinches in Henwood Twp., (The vanguard of hordes to come, or just an individual passing through who remembered the location of a good meal from previous years?) I finally got a reasonably decent count on the Goldfinch flock this morning. Also, we're now up to two regular Juncos.

Also worthy of note is that I saw 5 male Common Mergansers on the Blanche River at Tomstown yesterday.

Hi all,

Finally , something to report. On my way into Elk Lake this evening  a red tailed hawk flew up out of the ditch beside  a clear cut, with a mouse in his beak. As he flew up he turned and the sun shone right on his back and spread tail. The girls with me were amazed at how colourful the tail was.

 

very nice wish i could have been there off to the marsh tomorrw fro redwingas with terra

 My first Cowbird of the year in my back yard.

Hi ,

Friends Bill Fox and his daughter Kate saw a Turkey vulture at Tyrell Twp on 560 W. this afternoon.

..taa daa

 

 went out to Kaswell lake in north cobalt for some rainbow fishing, stopped at Bowers farm and asked wether the trail was navigable, and while dad n bower were talking i saw what appeared to be a Olive sided flycatcher. Bobbing its tail, dark, largish head, and the vest with the white center strip was visible through my binoculars. Flitted from birch to dead birch, back and forth pumping its tail, uttering a chip like call note. I think it was a Olive sided Flycatcher, and from what my peterson's Field guide says, i do believe i'm correct. Shortly thereafter, at least 2 Turkey vultures soared over the farm, and during the course of the day, heard a Ruby Crowned Kinglet, right at Kaswell lake, and back at the farm was a Yellow Shafted Flicker, and some Killdeer.

If it was bobbing its tail, it was more likely a Phoebe.  Olive sided doesn't pump the tail.  It's good you noticed that behavior.

This morning in Kenabeek, a Fox Sparrow feeding with the Juncos and Tree Sparrows.

Today, both species as mentioned in the title observed in Lake Temiskaming at the New Liskeard waterfront, offshore from the mouth of the Wabi River, mixed with Mallards, Canada Geese, and Gulls.

This evening on the Montreal River in Barber Twp., several pairs of Lesser Scaup mingling in the general vicinity as some Ring Necked Ducks and Common Goldeneyes.

Saw a pair of Green-winged Teal on the Blanche River at Hilliardton this afternoon. Also, Coots were calling at Hilliardton Marsh. Mallards, Canada Geese, Ring-necked Ducks, Pintails and Common Goldeneyes rounded out the waterfowl contingent at The Marsh. Lots of sparrows around, including many singing Song Sparrows.  At the feeders near the banding shed, Tree Sparrows dominated. Harriers and Sandhill Cranes were also seen.