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 for each new sighting. This will make it easier for us all to track the migration as it develops, will keep the thread current, and will help in collating results.  Let the show begin!

No redwings today i believe this was the day the showed up last year there were hundreds of common redpolls at the marsh today and there were still 3 pine grosbeaks . I will be out on tuesday and will report on marsh sightings then.

There were 5 brave Herring Gulls on the edge of the ice, well to the Ontario side, at the narrows in the big lake today. Surprisingly, at least to me, fishermen and ice huts are set up right at the north edge of the opening in the ice, just where the water flow gets really fast.  There were fishermen with children there within about 8 feet of the open water behaving completely comfortable and unconcerned. They may have even been fishing in the open water. Sheesh!

I watched a male Harrier harassing a large flock of Snow Buntings this evening in Henwood Twp.  I don't imagine theres too much else easy to catch right now, but I'm not sure that a Harrier would be fast enough to catch a Snow Bunting.  At least he wasn't having too much success with the flock this evening.  There must have been close to 1000 buntings in the flock, but they all managed to stay well clear of him.

 Today I saw my first Kestrel of the season in said Township (Near corner of River Road and Airport Road). I also saw my first Northern Shrike of the calendar year in Robillard Twp (On Hwy 560 West of Hill's Lake Road).

 Hi,

I thought someone had already reported a Bald Eagle...if not...Bald Eagle flew over the house Mon. Mar. 28 at 6:30 pm.

Gert

 You're right, Gert, Mike had reported one on January 24 in Kerns Twp. I'm slipping... Thanks.

 Saw said birds this afternoon. Bonus Bald Eagle, 4 Otters. Picture of Eagle and of Merganzer.

Nice photos, Serge (as usual), and good sightings!  I saw one Merlin raising the crows from the spruce on the east side of River Rd, last night and could hear another.

I heard the distinctive trill of two Juncos singing this morning amidst the flocks of Redpolls, Goldfinches and chickadees calling from around the yard this morning.  I thought I heard Tree Sparrows as well, but will wait for a visual on those before I make a difinitive statement.

Today...Faye and Ed Barnstaple saw  a Great Blue Heron on Hwy 112 at a little creek...and a Turkey Vulture over a field on Hwy 560.

 Serge, I forgive you for slipping...LOL ;-)

Gert

There were several Killdeer at the lakeside to the west of the landing. I saw the Snow Goose while it was flying among a small flock of Canada Geese. They were East of Moose Creek. I located it in a field near the end of Dore Road. Aside from the above, I had many first of the year for me. Canada Geese Bryce Twp, Rough-legged Hawk off River Road Armstrong Twp, Robins near Casey Marsh. I also saw more Rough-legged Hawks and Harriers.

 Although Mark & I did not actually see these birds, we both heard them while doing a nocturnal owl survey route on Hwy 560 between Englehart and Elk Lake. (Saturday 9th April - as I write this, Saturday has just turned into Sunday) We also heard a Northern Saw-whet Owl (Truax Twp), and 2 Great Gray Owls (Truax Twp). We also saw an unidentified large owl in Dack Twp.

Today on a drive through southeast Timiskaming, I discovered several new arrivals. In Hilliard Twp south of the junction between Garden Road and Hilliardton Road, I saw some sparrows flitting about in the brush along the side of the road.  Investigation revealed at least 6 Song Sparrows and at least 3 American Tree Sparrows.  Later, in a flooded field in Casey Twp. I found four Northern Pintails almost invisible against the backdrop of dead grasses at the edge of the wet area.

There were plenty of Canada Geese, Mallards and Blacks around, both in the fields and in the air.  I also observed 4 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Kestrels, 3 Harrier, 5 Killdeer, and oodles (that's the technical term) of Grackles and Robins. Several large flocks of Snow Buntings are still around also.

Today on the Montreal River, standing on the ice on the edge of an open water area in Tudhope Twp.  This Greater Yellowlegs was by itself, though there were also Common Goldeneyes, Mallards and a pair of Hooded Mergansers in the water nearby.

Nice picture of the Yellowlegs, Mike.

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks at the lake, as well as Hooded Merganzers, Common Goldeneyes, Black Ducks. Also, in my backyard, when I came back, a Brown-headed Cowbird among a throng of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings. Earlier, a first for me for this year, was a lone Song Sparrow in the yard.

I think that's three years in a row now that you've been the first to spot a Cowbird, Serge.  By the way, I had the township wrong for the Yellowlegs. It was actually in Tudhope, not Barber.

is it possible you saw common mergansers ???

 This afternoon, 5 or 6 of them flying over the lake. Also the usual Hooded Mergansers, Goldeneyes, some Canada geese.

that is fantastic how does this compare to past years how do we find the list with arrivald dates nice work serge

Bruce, they were there last year on April 4. To find these lists, you can do a search on the site, or go to each of these pages and bookmark them so that you can access them on a whim:
   2009:  http://timbirds.info/communityserver/forums/p/330/1240.aspx#1240
   2010:  http://timbirds.info/communityserver/forums/p/476/1670.aspx#1670  and
   2011:  http://timbirds.info/communityserver/forums/p/722/2444.aspx#2444

Hi,

 A lone fox sparrow under my lilac bush feeding station...this morning at 7:50 a.m...neat eh?

Hi again,

Paul just called me to see a purple finch in the apple tree and then flew to feeder.

Also, haven't seen cedar wax wings on the Post... have had them a week now...Gert

 It was on Moose Creek near Casey Marsh. The creek is breaking up quickly.

First for me this year are Red-tailed Hawk (on a nest) in Evanturel Twp, Sandhill Cranes in Hilliard Twp, Turkey Vulture in Casey Twp, Pintail in Casey Twp, and Common Merganser, also in Casey Twp

 The only reason that I did not list them as First Arrival Loons is that Net Lake is outside of our area. Eric, when you are coming back from Temagami, watch for the sign "Timiskaming District". That's the south boundary.

I too had a Purple Finch at my feeder this morning - a female.

great job on the yellow rump sure good to have your eyes  adding to sightings  Doug