In This Issue: Member Profile - Maggie Sims Fall Season...

JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUB“Protecting Nature Since 1919”

Volume 70 Number 7 March 2017

I n T h i s I s s u e :Member Profile - Maggie Sims

Fall Season Noteworthy Bird RecordsResults of the Hamilton CBC

Asian Carp Threaten the Great Lakes The State of North America’s Birds

Cattle Egret at Valley Inn, Grindstone Creek mouth, 14 October 2016. This individual was found by Ken Newcombe. Many local birders were able to view and photograph this bird as Ken did, as his exquisite photo shows.

This record and many others are detailed in the Fall 2016 Noteworthy Bird Records on page 152.

The Wood Duck - March, 2017Page 146

Table of Contents

HSA Nature Note Jerry Bloom 146 Hamilton Christmas Bird Count Results 2016 Robert Porter 148 The Threat of “Asian Carps” to the Great Lakes by Becky Cudmore Bronwen Tregunno 150 Noteworthy Bird Records — September to November (Fall) 2016

Dates to Remember – March - AprilBill Lamond

Rob Porter/Liz Taylor Rabishaw152156

HNC 100th Anniversary Design Challenge Bronwen Tregunno 158 HSA Nature Note

Member Profile — Maggie Sims

Bob CurryGerten Basom

158161

Barry’s Birds — Red-bellied Woodpecker Barry Coombs 162

The State of North America’s Birds with Andrew Couturier and ..Birding at Long Point with Ben Oldfield

Michael Rowlands 166

HSA Nature NoteOn the morning of 31 January, as I was standing in our attached garage while my Sweetie backed her car out, I noticed a movement behind the compressor. I assumed mouse or Red Squirrel, but what appeared was a gorgeous, snow white weasel. He made his way in a leisurely fashion to the back of the garage, picking out all the cover, but stopping quite nonchalantly to look at me where no cover was available. He eventually disappeared behind the now dormant beer fridge. I assume he comes and goes through the gap around the door at the back of the garage. I think he’s the culprit in a couple of henhouse murders in December, but as I’ve finally weasel-proofed the coop, I can live and let live and enjoy thinking about the little critter keeping the garage rodent free.

In the evening of the same day I was peacefully reading on the couch when I was disturbed by a loud but familiar noise coming from a corner of the living room where my Sweetie had reported mysterious sounds over the past few days. It took a moment to recognize the very out of context call of a Gray Treefrog. Ten minutes careful search of the potted Dracaena Palms and giant Jade Tree in the corner eventually revealed the perpetrator crouching among the roots. I assume the little guy had buried himself in the soil of one of the pots late this the fall while the plant was still out on the deck.

I picked up some crickets and mealworms the next day and I’ll see if I can get him through the winter.

Quite the day for indoor wildlife! – Jerry Bloom.

the two species of weasel in southern Ontario (Short-tailed and Long-tailed Weasel) are difficult to distinguish by sight, with tail measurements being the most reliable feature to distinguish the two look-alike species - ed.

Long-tailed weasel photo from www.animalspot.net

“The Board of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club is delighted to announce that Joyce Litster has been appointed to the role of Secretary, effective March 2017. We are very pleased to welcome Joyce back onto the Board for another term of service and thank her for stepping forward once again.”

Gray Treefrog, 2 Oct 2008 - photo Bob Curry.

The Wood Duck - March, 2017 Page 147

Publications Committee: Christine Bishop, Rob Dobos, Maggie Sims, Kevin McLaughlin, Don McLean, Herman van Barneveld, Glenda Slessor, Jean Stollard, Jim Stollard and John Struger.

The Wood Duck is the official publication of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and produced by members of the Club. It is published nine times a year from September to May, inclusive. Deadline for receipt of material is the 5th of the month preceding publication date.

As long as credit lines are included, articles may be reprinted without permission, unless otherwise specified. Opinions expressed in the Wood Duck are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club promotes public interest in the study, conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage.

Meetings are held monthly September to May inclusive and field events are scheduled throughout the year. Visitors are welcome. The HNC is a registered charity and all donations as well as membership fees are tax deductible.

HNC BOARD 2016 - 2017 Executive

President:Vice-President:

Secretary: Treasurer:

Maggie SimsBronwen Tregunno

Joyce LitsterJim Stollard

905 331 1496905 637 7136905 627 1203905 634 3538

[email protected]@cogeco.ca [email protected]

[email protected]

Directors

Bird Study Group:Conservation & Education:

Field Events:Director-at-Large:

Membership: Programs:Publicity:

Sanctuary:Volunteer:

Wood Duck Editor:

Bruce MackenziePaul D. Smith

Rob PorterGord McNulty

Jill Baldwin William Oates

vacantBrian Wylie

Cleo CoppolinoBill Lamond

905 973 4869905 659 1482905 920 3148905 525 9927905 679 6447 905 628 0328

905 627 4601

519 756 9546

[email protected]@sympatico.ca

[email protected]@gmail.com

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]@hotmail.com

Coordinators

Website Coordinator:Social Coordinator:Junior Naturalists:

Mailing:Land Trust Program:

vacantCatharine Flatt

Brian WylieJean Stollard

Jen Baker

905 628 2030905 627 4601905 634 3538905 524 3339

[email protected]@[email protected]

[email protected]

Report rare bird sightings to: Cheryl Edgecombe 905-637-5923Send Noteworthy Bird Records to: Bill Lamond, 238 St. George St, Brantford, N3R 1W7 email: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP FEES – Please remit to The Membership Director, Hamilton Naturalists’ Club P.O.Box 89052, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4R5

HNC PUBLICATIONS - To order, contact Elaine Serena905-639-2702 or [email protected]

Life Membership $750.00 Hamilton Nature Counts 2003 $75.00

Single Membership $45.00 Hamilton Area Bird Checklist 2007 $2.00

Senior Single Membership $40.00 Head of the Lake Nature Guide $8.00

Student Single Membership (on-line-only access to Wood Duck; for those 25 or under) free What’s Alive in Hamilton - from HCA website. free

Checklist of Ontario Butterflies $1.50

Senior Joint Membership $45.00 Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas(order from Glenn Barrett at [email protected]) $45.00

Family Membership $50.00

Junior Naturalists - 1st child $80.00 Hamilton Mammal Atlas $15.00

Junior Naturalists - additional children $70.00 A Monthly Guide to Nature and Conservation. $5.00

Honorary Life Member n/a Reptiles and Amphibians of Ham. Area (check local library)

Volume 70 Number 7 CN ISSN 0049-7886 http://www.hamiltonnature.org

March, 2017 - Publications Mail Contract No. 40048074 [email protected]


Editor’s Notes........If the Noteworthy Bird Records are not your cup of tea, then you will probably not be that keen on this issue of the Wood Duck. The NBR take up nine pages in this issue! That has to be a record. Truth be told, I think it is a bit too much — and I wrote it! But bird records are a very important part of the HNC and the NBR have always been a major component of the Wood Duck. This version of the NBR is so long because it is the fall season when there are more species passing through our area than at any other time of the year. Additionally, birders are more active in the HSA than at any other season, thus so many more bird records are noteworthy. I have included many photographs throughout the NBR from several of the Club’s fine photographers. This at least breaks up the text, and it makes the NBR more appealing visually if nothing else. There was a time several years ago when the Club executive encouraged the NBR for the Wood Duck as it allowed us to make the claim to Canada Post that the Wood Duck was a scientific journal, thus allowing us to get a cheaper mailing rate. I’m not sure if this rate still holds today but there can be no denying the scientific value of the NBR, the basis for almost all of the data in the Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas. Making matters worse (or better), the results of the Hamilton CBC are included in this issue. I guess I could say that it is a good thing that most of our members are keen on birds. For those that don’t think this way, don’t despair as the next issue will have very few bird articles (I think). For those who are keen on these birds records, you will notice that the order of the species is seriously “incorrect”. Well no, it isn’t really, it has just been changed by the American Ornithologist’s Union. It is a fairly radical change, and a change I don’t like. Of course I am a “man of science” and I accept new findings, but I liked the traditional order of birds with loons at the beginning and House Sparrow at the end, the order that was in all the field guides in the 1980s. That is what I learned that I now have to “unlearn”. I especially do not like the change of genus names for birds, especially warblers. I learned all of the warbler scientific names way back in an ornithology course in 1983 at Western University. Check out how different they are now – only about a quarter of them have retained their 1980s nomenclature. And I used to admire the placement of goatsuckers after owls as it showed, at least to me by appearances, that they were closely related. Well they are not closely related, based on the new order, as is also the case for loons and grebes with loons moving further down the list away from grebes, now appearing after gulls and terns. I would not get comfortable with the new order. It will change too. The female Wood Duck photo on the front cover was taken by Helen Colvin at her property on 11th Concession E, Flam-borough on 16 Oct 2016, a fine looking hen that was almost taken by a Northern Goshawk a few days later!

Hamilton Christmas Bird Count 2016 Resultsby Rob Porter

The 96th Hamilton Christmas Bird Count (HCBC) was held on December 26, 2016. The count circle is centred upon

Dundurn Castle, and is bounded by Christie Lake in the west, Lake Ontario in the east, lower East Flamborough in the north, and Hamilton International Airport in the south.The Count day was poor weather for counters, but decent weather for birds. The forecast threatened rain-out conditions but held off with mostly light spitting rain until the mid-afternoon downpours. As a result, a number of counters had to remain home or spend less hours counting, but the vast majority made it out and made an amazing effort to garner a higher count of birds and species than the year previous.In all, 95 participants spent just over 234 hours-effort to net 97 species on Count-day (plus another seven within the Count-Week to a total of 104 species). A total of 44,353 birds were counted, which is 12,731 below the 10-year average and 22,321 below the 25-year average. A number of new records were set in this year’s count. One record that many other CBCs in southern and eastern Ontario may relate to was the shattering of the American Robin record, with a final tally of 2,572 counted — 985 more than the previous

record set in 2008.

For waterfowl, a new record was set for White-winged Scoters, with 1,147 counted, beating a record from 2004 by about 100. Also, two Red-throated Loons were counted on the day, marking the first year we’ve had more than one of these on Count day. For non-waterfowl fowl, the Wild Turkey has also seen a banner year, with 113 counted, our first three-digit turnout for this re-introduced species.

Two surprise records made this year: the Tufted Titmouse, with 11 individuals counted, beating a record of eight way back in 1963; and the Fox Sparrow which has been seen in only ones or twos throughout the Count history, broke the trends with a total of six counted this year.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is continuing its upward trends — with a record count of 93 individuals. This species first saw double-digits in 2003 (and every year since) and shows no signs of relenting its upward trend. Of no surprise at all, the Carolina

Rob Porter, January 2015 - photo Lyle Jeakins.


Wren has set a new record for a third year in a row, with 91 counted total this year, beating last year’s record of 64. Also of note, this species is not just increasing the populations within count zones where they were traditionally present, but also being reported in zones that they had never appeared in before.

This years’ count also saw a couple rarities. A Gray Catbird was found in Dundas Valley Conservation Area, which we have not seen on Count-day since 2006. Also of note was an American Pipit, found along the shores of Hamilton Harbour — this species pops up every few years on the Count, never more than one.

A lone Orange-crowned Warbler was seen on Count-day at LaSalle Park, however two others that had been seen previously in Bayfront Park did not make an appearance on Count-day (have been seen since). Another exciting bird was a Northern Goshawk that was found just off Highway 5 west of Clappison’s Corners.

What did we miss this year? Not much, but a few things...

Purple Finches were unrecorded on Count-day or within the Count-week. Of the traditional “winter finches” the best we could do was a lone Count-day Pine Siskin at a feeder near Twenty Rd & Upper James (plus a few Count-week siskins reported near Gage Park) — there were no redpolls or grosbeaks this year.

Turkey Vultures were also missed — though were noted within the circle a day before or a day after Count-week, and were seen skirting close to but not within sight of the circle during Count-week.

Some counters noted that in recent years some well-known large European Starling flocks have vanished, with counts now in the low thousands rather than in the tens of thousands.Many duck species moved out of our circle before Count-day, and were in place to be counted in the Peach Tree Christmas Bird Count circle to the east on January 2, 2017.Thanks to all the counters who year after year put up with the bad weather that this count tends to get!Participants: Alfred Adamo, Ted Armstrong, Jill Baldwin, Terry Basom, Gerten Basom, Joe Bau, Luke Bau, Christine Bishop, Barrie Boatman, Laurel Boatman, Jody Bootsma, Mike Boyd, Alexander Breitkopf, Hazel Broker, Wayne Bullock, Ron Campeau, Barbara Canney, Sue Carson, Chris Cheatle, Michael Clark, Bill Crins, Bill Cuddy, Bob Curry, Martin Daly, Jeni Darling, Sandy Darling, Edward Dinniwell, Robert Dinniwell, Graham Dinniwell, Rob Dobos, Bryan Drown, Cheryl Edgecombe, Christian Friis, Woody Galloway, Denys Gardiner, Monica Grantham, Kyna Intini, Simon Jeeves, Beth Jefferson, Mark Jennings, Bruce Jones, Bill Lamond, Sarah Lamond, Debbie Lindeman, Joan Lindey, Joyce Litster, Stu Mackenzie, Len Manning, Lou Marsh, Dave McCorquodale, Owen McGregor, Sheldon McGregor, Gord McNulty, Lou Mitton, Dave Moffatt, Claire Molloy, Frank Morley, Chris Motherwell, Dilia Narduzzi, George Naylor, Derek Neumann, Ben Oldfield, William Olenek, John Olmsted, Daphne Payne, Gretchen Perry, Richard Poort, Rob Porter, Dennis Price, Ruthie Pytka-Jones, Sara Pytka-Jones, Bill Read, David Restivo, Matt Roung, Michael Schmidt, Peter Scholtens, Caleb Scholtens, Joan Sims, George Sims, Katherine Smith, William Smith, Bob Stamp, Chris Street, Mike Street, Neil Taylor, Ron Valentine, Lynda Valentine, Herman van Barneveld, Philip Waggett, Rob

Waldhuber, Mike Waldhuber, Angie Williams, Ken Williams, Ross Wood, Brian Wylie.The NumbersParticipants: 95Hours-effort: 234.85 hoursSpecies: 97Count-week species: 7

*** = Highest record in Count history (last 95 years)

** = Highest count in last 25 years* = Highest count in last 10 yearsCW = Count-Week species

Canada Goose 3,494, Mute Swan 90, Trumpeter Swan 177, Tundra Swan 78*, Gadwall 81, American Black Duck 468*, Mallard 3,466, Northern Shoveler 177, Northern Pintail 5, Green-winged Teal 18, Canvasback 73, Redhead 143*, Ring-necked Duck 172*, Greater Scaup 2,875, Lesser Scaup 892, Surf Scoter 62, White-winged Scoter 1,147***, Black Scoter 6, Long-tailed Duck 4,510, Bufflehead 510, Common Goldeneye 2,094, Hooded Merganser 163, Common Merganser 567, Red-breasted Merganser 126, Ruddy Duck 25, Wild Turkey 113***, Pied-billed Grebe 3, Horned Grebe 2**, Red-necked Grebe 6, Rock Pigeon 2,189, Mourning Dove 922, American Coot 118, Ring-billed Gull 1,158, Herring Gull 824, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Glaucous Gull 3, Great Black-backed Gull 85, Red-throated Loon 2***, Common Loon 2, Double-crested Cormorant 86, Great Blue Heron 8, Black-crowned Night-Heron 5, Bald Eagle 3, Sharp-shinned Hawk 3, Cooper’s Hawk 19, Northern Goshawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 100, Rough-legged Hawk 2, Eastern Screech-Owl 4, Great Horned Owl 4, Belted Kingfisher 5, Red-bellied Woodpecker 93***, Downy Woodpecker 245, Hairy Woodpecker 86, Northern Flicker 6, Pileated Woodpecker 11, American Kestrel 7, Merlin 5, Peregrine Falcon 3, Northern Shrike 1, Blue Jay 336, American Crow 656, Common Raven 1, Black-capped Chickadee 1,517, Tufted Titmouse 11***, Red-breasted Nuthatch 28, White-breasted Nuthatch 273, Brown Creeper 7, Winter Wren 19, Carolina Wren 91***, Golden-crowned Kinglet 23, Eastern Bluebird 36, Hermit Thrush 7*, American Robin 2,572***, Gray Catbird 1, Northern Mockingbird 15, European Starling 4,209, Cedar Waxwing 438, House Sparrow 2,565, American Pipit 1, House Finch 284, Pine Siskin 1, American Goldfinch 706, Snow Bunting 290*, Orange-crowned Warbler 1, American Tree Sparrow 563, Fox Sparrow 6***, Dark-eyed Junco 1,270, White-crowned Sparrow 7, White-throated Sparrow 54, Song Sparrow 37, Swamp Sparrow 4, Northern Cardinal 602, Red-winged Blackbird 34*, Rusty Blackbird 2, Common Grackle 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 29.

Count-week species: Wood Duck, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Northern Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Horned Lark, Yellow-rumped Warbler.Total individual birds: 44,353.

Orange-crowned Warbler at LaSalle Park on Christmas Day

- photo Bonnie Kinder.


The Threat of “Asian Carps” to the Great Lakes by Becky Cudmore by Bron Tregunno

Dr. Becky Cudmore’s message for our first HNC meeting on Jan 9th, 2017 was “All hands on deck and on all eyes on our

waters!” In other words, if you are on a boat, walking on the shore or along creeks that feed into our Great Lakes, keep a weather eye out for invasive “Asian carps” (a composite name for four separate species) that are heading our way. Becky is the Manager for Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Asian Carp Program, with over twenty years’ experience working on aquatic invasive species. She told us about the four species of freshwater carp and how they are making their way into our Great Lakes from the southern US. Becky divided her talk into four sections: Asian carps as invaders; their threats to the Great Lakes; their native range; and the DFO Asian Carp Program. Asian Carp Invaders: When I went to this talk I was expecting more information on the carp we’re all familiar with that infests Cootes Paradise, Hamilton Harbour and other parts of our fresh water system. However, that is the Common Carp which was introduced to North America in the mid 1800s as a prized food source. These newer species were also introduced and like the Common Carp, they are prolific invaders that threaten native species. Native Ranges: The four freshwater species Becky identified are the Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, Silver Carp and Black Carp. They all hail from East Asian coastal rivers, mostly from China and Russia. Grass Carp’s range is similar to but slightly larger than the other three species. They were introduced into North America in the 1970s for biological control of algae, plants and snails in aquaculture ponds. They escaped into the Missouri and Mississippi basins during the flooding that happened in 1970s and 1990s. They also get into lakes and rivers through purposeful stocking and through retail fish markets where live fish, that have been transported, are released. Asian carps are good invaders for five reasons: they produce many offspring; they grow quickly; they have few predators, with large adults having virtually none, except for man, as they commonly weigh 20-40 pounds; they can adapt their reproduction, habitat and food needs to outcompete native species; and they can survive up to two years with little or no food. They become mature at 3 to 4.5 years. In their first year they can grow more than 25 cm (almost 25 cm) and eat up to 40% of their body weight each day! Bighead and Silver Carp eat plankton which is the foundation of the aquatic food web. Mussels and native larval fish are particularly vulnerable to competition for animal plankton. The fact that Bighead and Silver Carp they can cross breed, producing fertile hybrids that can backcross, makes these two species of great concern. The spawning habits of carp in China is once a year, in late June/early July, but in the US they spawn throughout the warm months with two main spawns in June and September.

Asian carps lay eggs in flowing water where eggs and larvae drift until they begin to swim. In China they typically need a river 100 km long to provide enough flow time to grow to the swimming stage. In the US, they can spawn in rivers as short as 30 km in length.So, how fast have Asian carps turned from aquaculture darlings to hated invaders? Becky told us that most were introduced in the early 1970s. After the waters receded along the shore of the Illinois River after major flood event in 1990s, dead fish were counted. Asian carps outnumbered native species nine to one. After only 20 years, authorities realized there was a major problem. Now all through the Mississippi basin, Asian carps are making life difficult not just for ecological systems but for commercial fisherman and tourism as well. Vibrations in water excite Silver Carp causing them to jump up to three meters into the air. Imagine trying to canoe, kayak or take a small boat in waters full of jumping fish. Becky told us of how she had one carp hit her on her shin as she was conducting a survey for her research along the Mississippi. If you want to see this behaviour, go on YouTube and type in “Asian Carp jumping” and you’ll see clips of bizarre footage that look like they were created for a science fiction movie. Threats to Great Lakes: At two Asian Carp Summits held in Chicago – the gateway to Lake Michigan – in 2003 and 2004, it didn’t take long to figure out that the Great Lakes were at high risk of invasion. The magnitude of the ecological consequences was equally high. In 2011, Becky and her research colleagues did a Canada/US Bighead and Silver Capr risk assessment (RA) and determined that a vulnerable point would be through an existing physical connection, specifically the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. Currently they have two electric barriers that keep the carp from moving past. While there are other physical connections, and trade also has risks, the canal would be the most likely point of entry. The 57 Canadian rivers that flow into the Great Lakes and the extensive wetlands for nursery habitat, increase the likelihood to 100% for establishment if they get here. Bighead Carp consume bottom debris and even Zebra Mussel pseudofeces (waste product). It is estimated that it would take only take 20 years to establish in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie. This will cause reduction of top predator fish like Yellow Perch and Walleye. Prevention is the key. DFO’s Asian Carp Program: The goal of the program which ran from May 2012 to March of this year was to “Protect the integrity

Speaker Becky Cudmore on the lower Grand River - photo

DFO files.

Bighead Carp.

Black Carp.


of the Great Lakes basin by preventing the introduction (arrival, establishment & spread) of Asian carps.” The four pillars of the multi-disciplinary program framework include: 1. Prevention including outreach (to clubs like ours, sports organizations, tourism and the public) research, and risk assessment; 2. Early Warning i.e. surveillance which includes everyone in research, recreation, industry, and the public; 3. Response to provide advice, analysis and action and; 4. Regulations and Pathway Management.

From a baseline survey of public understanding Becky found 58% of people know that Asian carps are invasive, 12% know they are not established in the Great Lakes yet, and only 3% know there are four species. 77% don’t know how to report invasive species correctly and the same percentage of people think Canada should spend more money to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. As part of their outreach plan, DFO has partnered with NGO’s including the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), Invasive Species Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). They hosted information sessions, produced print ads and provided reporting tools including social media and webinars. There was a display at the ROM in December 2015 and there will be a live display at the Toronto Zoo in the spring of 2017. Research continues and includes a mesocosm containment study where different types of barriers are tested including variable acoustic, CO2, electric and pressures. A mesocosm is an outdoor experiment run under controlled conditions where scientists can record and analyze responses. In addition, in the Welland Canal and St Mary’s River, tagged fish movements through canals are monitored. Spawning in tributaries is also examined. The Grass Carp RA is now complete and the Black Carp RA will be completed in 2017. So why are prevention and early warning so important? It’s because at these points, the most can be done with the least funds. More options are available, and more are feasible. Once these fish are established a lot of damage is done and the managing costs are enormous. The Early Warning Program began in April 2013 and had 24-36 locations on all the lakes with most on Lake Erie, the most vulnerable lake. Training with our American partners started in Illinois to develop sampling methods. Sampling crews grew from three in 2013 to six crews in 2016 where 1147 sites were sampled gathering 68,388 fish. Because we don’t have Asian carp populations yet, Common Carp and Buffalo spp. were used as surrogate species. This was a test run of how effective early warning can be. The third pillar, response, included analysis such as testing the captured fish for fertility. In 2013-14 three Grass Carp were found in the Grand River. Fortunately, they were sterile. Fish

fertility testing is now done in Canada by testing the eye gel of the fish. What used to take nine days, takes just hours now. In 2015, nine fish (six fertile, the first recorded) and in 2016, 11 (two possibly fertile) were found totalling 23 so far in the Great Lakes. Greater numbers and increased fertility needed quick action. Action started last year and as Becky says “It is not democratic”. Operations started in June 16, 2016 with an Incident Command System (ICS) which is united and flexible, and involves DFO, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF), other agencies and industry. Each confirmed report of an Asian carp through capture triggered operations. Data has showed so far that there is no establishment of Asian carps in Canadian waters but some have been found.

The last and fourth pillar of the program, management, includes border watch and regulation. In June 2015 the Federal Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) regulations came into effect. It prevents import, transport, and spread of AIS such as Asian carps. However, it still happens as in 2014 when a trucking company was fined twice for transporting live Grass and Bighead Carp into Ontario. The DFO Asian Carp Lab is at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW). This is where Becky and her team coordinate sampling and testing research among other activities related to Asian carps. In 2012, Becky received the Queens Diamond Jubilee award for her dedicated work on aquatic invasive species. We’re grateful she’s keeping up her great work.

Now that we’ve learned a little about these fish, it is time for us to spread the word to help prevent them from establishing in our waters. If you suspect you’ve seen one, take a picture and report it even if you aren’t sure. A false report is better than no report of a possible invader. If you want more information, go to the DFO factsheet site http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/environmental-environnement/ais-eae/species/asian-carp-fact-sheet-eng.html or http://www.asiancarp.ca. If you would like ask questions or report a sighting phone 1-800-563-7711 or email [email protected].

Silver Carp from the Wabash River.

Grass Carp caught in Toronto Harbour, late August 2015 - photo from Toronto Star.

The DFO Asian Carp lab at the CCIW.

Jumping Silver Carp.


Noteworthy Bird Records – September to November (Fall) 2016by Bill Lamond

Greater White-fronted Goose#: 86 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 17 Oct (AZ,m.obs.), 85 there 18 Oct (BWi), and one there 19 Oct (RBe); 32 over Middletown Marsh, Flamborough 18 Oct (BCha).Snow Goose#: One observed at LaSalle Marina, Bayfront Park and Harvester Road 5-16 Nov (HPa/RBe/BC) and possibly same bird at Millcroft Pond, Burlington 21 Nov (MJ).

Brant#: One at Van Wagners Beach 15 Sep F [record-early fall arrival] (LM), four there 30 Sep (BCha,BF,EHe), and six there 6 Nov (BCha,NR/RWo); one at Bayfront Park 22 Sep – 8 Nov (RBar/JR).Cackling Goose#: One at Hwy 6 and Plains Rd [HL] 9 Oct F (RD,DD); one along Grand River in Brantford 13 Oct – 8 Nov (MH); seven (with Canada Geese) over Cooper Rd and Hwy 8 [HM] 26 Oct (JL); one on Lake at Carrington Promenade [HL] 6 Nov (LF); one on Grand River, Caledonia [HD] 10 Nov (GN).Mute Swan: One on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Oct (RL).Tundra Swan: Five at Princess Point, RBG 13 Oct F (MF) and six there 29 Nov (RP); 35 over Cootes Paradise 23 Oct (GB,JLi); six at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 23 Oct (RWo); 11 at Bayfront Park 4 Nov

Underlined species or dates require documentation by the Hamilton Bird Records Committee. Capitalized species require documentation by the Ontario Bird Records Committee. For species marked with “#”, all reported records for the period are listed. For all other species, only highlights are listed. Note that the species order follows the most recent American Ornithologists’ Union checklist and supplements.

Observers: Sandra Ancic (SA), Mason Arbuckle (MA), Andrew Bailey (ABa), Rex Bartlett (RBar), Gerten Basom (GB), Richard Beardon (RBe), Ross Beatson (RoB), Luke Berg (LB), Amanda Bichel (AB), David Brewer (DBr), George Bryant (GBr), Rob Buchanan (RB), Peter Burke (PBu), Ken Burrell (KB), Mike Cadman (MC), Kyle Cameron (KC), Bruce Campbell (BCa), Adam Capparelli (AC), Alain Carriere (ACa), Barb Charlton (BCha), Chris Cheatle (CC), Barry Cherriere (BCh), Jeff Coker (JC), Helen Colvin (HC), Curtis Combdon (CCo), Barry Coombs (BCo), Mark Cranford (MCr), Bill Crins (BCr), Bill Cuddy (BCu), Katherine Culbert (KCu), Bob Curry (BC), Martin Daly (MDa), Ken Dance (KD), Sandy Darling (SD), Alexandre Da Silva (ADS), Ross Dickson (RDi), Rob Dobos (RD), Andrew Don (AD), Dave Don (DD), Mark Dorriesfield (MD), Chris Earley (CEa), Cheryl Edgecombe (CE), Luc Fazio (LF), Mark Field (MF), Brett Forsyth (BFo), Brett Fried (BF), Denys Gardiner (DG), Kate Gardiner (KG), David Gascoigne (DGa), Fraser Gibson (FG), Scott Gibson (SG), Ethan Gosnell (EG), Athena Gubbe (AGu), Jerry Guenther (JG), Todd Hagedorn (TH), Dominik Halas (DH), Mike Hallett (MH), Jean Hampson (JHa), Marlene Hart (MHa), Erika Hentsch (EHe), Bob Highcock (BHi), Eric Holden (EHo), Brandon Holden (BH), Nathan Hood (NH), Kyle Horner (KH), Jerry Horak (JH), Ellen Horak (EH), Frank Horvath (FH), Sandra Horvath (SH), Randy Husson (RH), Jean Iron (JI), Mourad Jabra (MJa), Marcie Jacklin (MJac), Ian Jarvie (IJ), Beth Jefferson (BJ), Mark Jennings (MJ), Dawn Johnson (DJ); Marc Johnson (MJo), Margaret Kelch (MK), Andrew Keaveney (AK), Bonnie Kinder (BK), Tristan Knight (TK), William Konze (WK), Jean Kotanen (JK), Gordo Laidlaw (GLa), Bill Lamond (BL), Sarah Lamond (SL), Emma Lansdowne (EL), Greg Laverty (GL), James Lees (JL), Mike Lepage (ML), Joyce Litster (JLi), Rick Ludkin (RL), Bruce Mackenzie (BMac), Stuart Mackenzie (SMac), Hannah Maciver (HM), Robert Maciver (RMa), Dan MacNeal (DMac), Matt Mair (MMa), Len Manning (LM), Barbara Mansell (BM), Reuven Martin (RM), Arlene McCaw (AMcC), Jim McCaw (JMc), David McCorquodale (DM), April McCrum (AMc), Irene McIlveen (IM), William McIlveen (WM), Kevin McLaughlin (KM), Janet Medelko (JMe), Marvin Medelko (MMe), Nathan Miller (NM), Tom Miller (TM), J.W. Mills (JWM), Matt Mills (MM), Joe Minor (JM), David Moffatt (DMo), Frank Morley (FM), Chris Motherwell (CM), Samreen Munim (SM), Alec Napier (AN), Dilia Narduzzi (DN), George Naylor (GN), Ken Newcombe (KN), Andrew Nguyen (ANg), Mike Norton (MN), Owen Novoselac (ON), Randy Oakville (RO), Ben Oldfield (BO), William Olenek (WO), Karl Overman (KO), Henrique Pacheco (HP), Lisa Pachereva (LP), Rob Palin (RPa), Mark Patry (MP), Helen Pattison (HPa), Theresa Pero (TPe), Renee Peters (ReP), Richard Peters (RiP), Ryan Peters (RyP), Teresa Piraino (TP), Erik Pohanka (EP), Richard Poort (RPo), Anna Porter (AP), Rob Porter (RP), George Prieksaitis (GPr), David Pryor (DPr), Iain Rayner (IR), Joanne Redwood (JR), Wayne Renaud (WR), Bill Read (BR), Nicole Richardson (NR), Sarah Richer (SR), Owen Ridgen (OR), Dan Riley (DR), Garth Riley (GR), Dorlisa Robinson (DRo), David Rooke (DRoo), Darryl Ryan (DRy), Dan Salisbury (DS), Caleb Scholtens (CSc), Peter Scholtens (PSc), Max Segler (MSe), Gis Segler (GSe), Elaine Serena (ES), Kevin Seymour (KSe), Isaac Shelley (IS), John Schmelefske (JS); Joan Sims (JSi), George Sims (GSi), Nancy Smith (NS), Paul Smith (PS), Bob Stamp (BSt), Larry Staniforth (LSt), Bev Stevenson (BSte), Greg Stuart (GSt), Sam Stoddard (SS), Paul Tavares (PTa), Peter Thoem (PT), Tom Thomas (TT), Marian Thorpe (MT), Adam Timpf (AT), David Trumbell (DT), Fred Urie (FU), Ron Valentine (RV), Rohan van Twest (RvT), Josh Vandermeulen (JV), Judy Van Ryn (JVR), Mike Waldhuber (MW), Rob Waldhuber (RW), Riley Walsh (RWa), Angie Williams (AWi), Ken Williams (KW), Bill Wilson (BWi), Karen Wood (KWo); Ross Wood (RWo); Brian Wylie (BW), Anthony Zammit (AZ), many observers (m.obs.).

Legend:* -first occurrence for the yearF -first occurrence for the migrationL -last occurrence for the migrationHSA -Hamilton Study AreaSM -singing maleterr. -territorial birdSWP - Storm Water Pond

Plumages, etc.:m. -malef. -femalead. -adultba. -basicalt. -alternateimm. -immaturejuv. -juvenile1st yr. -first year

County/Region/City:Brant [BR]Haldimand [HD]Halton [HL]Hamilton [HM]Niagara [NG]Peel [PL]Waterloo [WT]Wellington [WL]

Greater White-fronted Geese at Hespeler Mill Pond, 19 Oct - photo Barb Charlton.

Snow Goose, 16 Nov, at Harvester Rd, Burlington - photo Joanne Redwood.


(BCha); 10 over Danforth Ave, Aldershot 6 Nov (RPo); two at LaSalle Marina 26 Nov (RM); four at Puslinch Lake [WL] 29 Nov (MC).Wood Duck: 50 at Brant Park, Brantford 8 Nov (MH).Gadwall: four at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL); 185 at Cootes Paradise 6 Nov (RD,CE).American Wigeon: 13 at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 18 Sep (RWo) and 150 there 8 Nov (DGa); 20 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18 Oct (JV); five at Valens C.A. [HM] 6 Nov (DG); 21 at Lakeside Park [PL] 23 Nov (RM).Blue-winged Teal: Eight at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 30 Sep (DRoo); 12 at Cootes Paradise 12 Oct (RPo); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 29 Oct L (RP;BK).Northern Shoveler: 40 at Windermere Basin 19 Sep (JL) and 50 there 26 Nov (TH); 35 at Tollgate Pond 26 Nov (JL).Northern Pintail: One at Tollgate Pond 9 Sep F (RD); three at Van Wagners Beach 15 Sep (RPo) and 12 there 25 Sep (LB); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 17 Sep (RL,CSc); one at Valens C.A. [HM] 6 Nov (DG).Green-winged Teal: 80 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18 Oct (JV); 60 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 28 Oct (AZ), 95 there 8 Nov (AZ) and 33 there 19 Nov (MC); 44 at Princess Point, RBG 5 Nov (JL).Canvasback: One at Windermere Basin 12 Sep (LM); two m. at Tollgate Pond 16 Oct F (RD), 24 there 3 Nov (LSt,MHa), 95 there 17 Nov (RD), and 75 there 28 Nov (IJ); three at Valens C.A. [HM] 19 Oct (BL); 150 off LaSalle Marina 26 Nov (RM).Redhead: Seven at Bayshore Park 15 Sep (JR); 15 at NE Harbour 7 Oct (RD) and 280 there 6 Nov (RWo); 80 at Spencer Smith Park [HL] 19 Nov (ANg); 90 on Lake from Creanona Blvd to Fifty Rd [HM] 29 Nov (DGa).Ring-necked Duck: 24 at Mountsberg Reservoir 8 Oct F (MC,ML) and 45 there 26 Oct (RWo); 23 at Puslinch Sideroad10 N pond [WL] 23 Oct (MC); 150 off LaSalle Park 26 Nov (RM).Greater Scaup: Three at Sayers Park [HM] 15 Sep (anon.); five at Tollgate Pond 18 Sep (RD,CE,DD); one at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 23 Sep (AZ); 40 at Van Wagners Beach 23 Sep (DPr,GR) and 75 there 28 Sep (HP); 1,172 at NE Harbour 6 Nov (RWo); 600 off LaSalle Park 26 Nov (RM).Lesser Scaup: 20 at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep (BCha,KB); seven at Tollgate Pond 20 Sep (AZ), 122 there 6 Nov (BC) and 115 there 30 Nov (JL); 62 off LaSalle Marina 17 Nov (BCr); 250 at Windermere Basin 26 Nov (JL); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 29 Nov (MC).King Eider#: One at Spencer Smith Park [HL] 11-28 Nov F (MMa,m.obs.); one at Fifty Point [NG] 13-28 Nov (WK/BCha,NR); two (imm m. and f.) at Lake at Winona Rd [HM] 26 Nov (FH,SH) and two there (2f.) 27 Nov (LM); one at Green Rd at Lake [HM] 23 Nov (AT) and again on 28 Nov (SG); three (2imm. m. and one f.) on Lake off Sayers Park [HM] 27 Nov (RPo); one on Lake at Lewis Rd [HM] 27 Nov (RM,SL). Surf Scoter: Two at Van Wagners Beach 3 Sep (BF) and 25 there 30 Sep (PBu); 85 on Lake at Green Rd [HM] 8 Oct and 300 there 22 Oct (CSc,PSc); 500 at Grays Rd on Lake 14 Oct (DH); 200 on Lake at Sayers Park 14 Oct (JR) and 300 there 12 Nov (JL); 320 on Lake at Dewitt Rd [HM] 23 Oct (LM); six at off LaSalle Marina 6 Nov (JL); 500 on Stoney Creek lakeshore 7 Nov (RM).White-winged Scoter: Eight at Van Wagners Beach 23 Sep (IR,SG), 65 there 30 Sep (EHe,BF,BCha), and 290 there 6 Nov (NR,BCha); 110 at Spencer Smith Park [HL] 22 Oct (AB) and 150 there 13 Nov (RM); 135 on Lake at Dewitt Rd [HM] 23 Oct (LM); 220 on Lake at Creanona Blvd [HM] 29 Oct (LM); 900 on Lake off Sayers Park 12 Nov (JL) and 500 there 19 Nov (LM); 1000 along Stoney Creek shoreline 7 Nov (RM); 500

on Lake off Green Rd 26 Nov (TH,EG,NM); 650 on Lake off Fruitland Rd [HM] 26 Nov (TH,NM,EG); 100 off of LaSalle Marina 26 Nov (RM); 800 on Lake at Lewis Rd [HM] 27 Nov (MD,RM,SL); 500 on Lake off Creanona Blvd [HM] 27 Nov (LM); 800 off Fifty Point [NG] 27 Nov (JL).Black Scoter: Two at Van Wagners Beach 25 Sep F (BCa), six there 30 Sep (BF,EHe,BCha) and 57 there 6 Nov (BCha,NR); 84 on Lake off Creanona Blvd [HM] 29 Oct (LM) and 62 there 5 Nov (LM); eight (ad. m.) at Sayers Park [HM] 28 Oct (RD) and 350 there 12 Nov (JL); eight on Lake off South Shell Park [HL] 29 Oct (MJ); five on Lake off Water’s Edge Park [PL] 29 Oct (RM); two at Cootes Paradise 6 Nov (RD,CE); 170 on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 15 Nov (LM); 102 on Lake at Grays Rd [HM] 26 Nov (FH,SH); two off LaSalle Park 27 Nov (ABa).Long-tailed Duck: 1500 off of Van Wagners Beach 20 Oct (BF) and 11,500 there 6 Nov (BCha,NR); 20,000 estimated on Lake off Sayers Park [HM] 12 Nov (JL) and again on 17 Nov (LF); 17,000 estimated on Lake off Fruitland Rd [HM] 27 Nov (JL).Bufflehead: Two at Valley Inn [HL] 11 Oct F (BL,SL).Common Goldeneye: One on Lake at Grays Rd [HM] 15 Oct F (LM).Common x Barrow’s Goldeneye#: One m. on Lake off Sayers Park [HM] 18 Nov (MJa).Hooded Merganser: 136 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 16 Nov (FU); 150 at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 23 Nov (AZ); 153 at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 28 Nov (MDa).Common Merganser: One at Tollgate Pond 4 Sep F (RD); 95 at Valens C.A. [HM] 3 Nov (BL); 52 at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 24 Nov (AZ).Red-breasted Merganser: Four at Edgelake Park [HM] 3 Sep (KB,NM).Ruddy Duck: One at Windermere Basin 4 Sep F (LB) and 25 there 10 Oct (RD); five at Tollgate Pond 21 Sep (LM); 475 NE Harbour 6 Nov (RWo), 235 there 17 Nov (RD), and 119 there 26 Nov (JL); 11 at Smithville ponds [NG] 6 Nov (NS).Ruffed Grouse: Two at Ruigrok Tract C.A., 3.5km NNW of Canborough [HD] 8 Oct (RP); four at Valens C.A. [HM] 3 Nov (BL).Pied-billed Grebe: Four at Franklin Pond [WT] 20 Sep (AZ); one at Kerncliff Park [HL] 20 Sep (MMa); 14 at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 24 Sep (RH); one at Osprey Marsh, Ninth Line and Britannia Rd [PL] 27 Sep (DRo); two at Ancaster Pond, Meadowlands [HM] 28 Sep (RPo); three at Alton Pond, Burlington 5 Oct (TM); 15 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 8 Oct (MC,ML); 16 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 14 Oct (MC); seven at Puslinch Sideroad 10 N Pond [WL] 23 Oct (MC); two at Brant Park, Brantford 6 Nov (BL); one at Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave 19 Nov (KH); one at Windermere Basin 28 Nov (IJ).Horned Grebe: One at Van Wagners Beach 14 Sep (RD,CE); two at Stoney Creek lakeshore 20 Sep (LM); four at Bayshore Park 20 Oct (JR); four at Sioux Lookout [HL] 22 Oct (AB); two at Puslinch Lake [WL] 23 Oct (MC) and two there 19 Nov (MC); three at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 26 Oct (RWo); four at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 30 Oct (RM); six at Jack Darling Park [PL] 6 Nov (RM); two at LaSalle Marina 26 Nov (RM).Red-necked Grebe: 80 off Watersedge Park [PL] 15 Sep (RM) and six there 4 Nov (RM); 350 off Rattray Marsh [PL] 18 Sep (WR) and 100 there 2 Oct (RM); one juv. on Lake at Fifty Rd [HM] 11 Oct (KM); two at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 30 Oct (RWo); four at Bronte Harbour [HL] 15 Nov (MJ) and two there 29 Nov (RPo).Yellow-billed Cuckoo: One at Sheridan College, Oakville 7 Sep (AGu); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 9 Sep (DH); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 5

American Wigeon at LaSalle Park, 14 Sep - photo Joanne Redwood.

Red-necked Grebe, Leander Boat Club, 26 Oct 2016 - photo Kevin McLaughlin.


Oct (RL); one at Governors Rd & Creighton St, Dundas 8 Oct (DMo); one at Bull’s Point, Cootes Paradise 10 Oct L (DH,AD).Black-billed Cuckoo: One at Guelph Arboretum 19 Sep L (RBar).Common Nighthawk: 13 over Guelph Arboretum 3 Sep (CCo); three over King’s Forest [HM] 7 Sep (RP); three near Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 8 Sep (HM,RMa); three over 888 Centre Rd, Flamborough 8 Sep (CSc); three over Gage Park [HM] 8 Sep (BCu); 50 over Puslinch Tract [WL] 9 Sep (BH); 20 over Ruthven Park [HD] 16 Sep and 12 there 18 Sep (RL); one over Dale Ave, Hamilton 6 Oct (RPo); two over Wilkes Dam, Brantford 7 Oct L (SL,KG).Eastern Whip-poor-will#: One at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 11 Sep (BF).Chimney Swift: 28 at Woodland Cemetery 11 Sep (RD,CE,DD,MM); 15 over Valley Inn 15 Sep (WO); 30 over Streetsville United Church [PL] 7 Sep (KCu); 76 at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 11 Sep (BF); one over Confederation Park [HM] 2 Oct L (JL).Ruby-throated Hummingbird: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 4 Oct (RL); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 10 Oct L (AD).Virginia Rail#: One at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 7 Sep (MC); one at Bronte Marsh [HL] 9 Sep (MJ); one at Valens C.A. boardwalk [HM] 11 Sep (ADS); two at Grass Lake [WT] 18 Sep (KD); one at Kerncliff Park [HL] 12 Oct L (BJ,JK).Sora#: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 11 Sep (JWM/DR); one at north shore Cootes Paradise 28 Sep (GR); one at Van Wagners Ponds 5 Oct (RD); one at Kerncliff Park [HL] 12 Oct L (BJ,JK).Common Gallinule#: Four at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 4 Sep (ACa) and one there 5 Sep L (MC).American Coot: Five at Bayfront Park 16 Sep F (ReP,RiP,RyP), 40 there 28 Sep (RB), 160 there 8 Nov (JR) and 120 there 26 Nov (RM); 20 at LaSalle Marina 23 Oct (RB); 95 at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 23 Oct and 150 there 8 Nov (DGa); 28 at Windermere Basin 28 Nov (DG).Sandhill Crane: Four at Ruthven Park [HD] 6 Oct (RL); one over Pinedale Ave, E of Appleby Line, Burlington 25 Oct F (BC); 27 over south Brantford 6 Nov (BL); two in field at Hwy 6 and Haldibrook Rd [HD] 8 Nov (GN); 40 over Little Tract, Puslinch Twp [WL] 9 Nov (DBr); 15 over 8th Concession at Westover Rd, Flamborough (PS).Black-bellied Plover: One juv. at Windermere Basin 2 Sep (KM) and one there 10 Nov L (BC); nine at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep (LB), and three there 1 Oct (RPo); two at Tollgate Pond 26 Sep (DMac); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 4-7 Oct (DH/TM;AD); four at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 5 Oct (JV); one at Cootes Paradise 10 Oct (RPo); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 12 Oct (JR).American Golden-Plover#: One juv. at Red Hill Parkway SWP 11 Sep (KM); four at Windermere Basin 13-26 Sep (MC,m.obs) and one there 11 Nov L (LM); nine over Van Wagners Beach 15 Sep (KB,NM).Semipalmated Plover: Four at Tollgate Pond 3 Sep (LM); 25 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM) and five there 2 Oct (MJac); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 11-14 Sep (RM/DH); 11 at Red Hill Parkway SWP 13-18 Sep (LM/RD,CE,DD) and one there 21 Oct L (JR); two at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 19 Sep (MJ); six at Windermere Basin 19 Sep (CC) and six there 21 Sep (LM).Killdeer: 60 at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 14 Oct (KD) and 30 there 25 Oct (DD); 40 at Fern Hill School, Oakville 1 Nov (RL); one at Lakeside Park, Mississauga 22 Nov (DPr); four at Valley Inn 29 Nov (JR); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 30 Nov (JR).Whimbrel#: Bird at Tollgate Pond from 27-31 Aug remained

there until 3 Oct (LM, m.obs). Marbled Godwit#: Bird at Windermere Basin from 20-30 Aug remained until 20 Sep (AC/GR, m.obs).Hudsonian Godwit#: One at Windermere Basin 18 Sep – 1 Oct L (MJa,MD,m.obs/CC); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 20 Sep (JR); one at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep (LB,et al.).Ruddy Turnstone#: One bird at Tollgate Pond 2-6 Sep (RPo;LM) and two there 20 Sep L (AZ); one at Windermere Basin 7 Sep (RvT).Red Knot#: One bird at Tollgate Pond 3-13 Sep L (BF/JR) with two birds reported on 4 Sep (LM) and 12 Sep (LM); one at Cootes Paradise 11 Oct L (SD).Stilt Sandpiper#: Birds at Red Hill Parkway SWP: 25 – 2 Sep (JR); 15 – 3 Sep (TM); 10 – 10 Sep (JR); six – 20 Sep (JR); three – 30 Sep L (JR). One at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 4 Sep (AZ); one at Cootes Paradise 11 Sep (BW); three juv. at Windermere Basin 12-20 Sep (LM/AZ) and one there 30 Sep L (JS); two at Valley Inn 15 Sep (JR/DH).Sanderling: Birds at Van Wagners Beach: 23 - 2 Sep (RD,CE); ten - 3 Sep (AC/BF); seven - 10 Sep (LM); five - 15 Sep (RPo); 15 – 23 Sep (IR,SG); four - 28 Sep (HP); six - 1 Oct (MP); two - 4 Oct (LM). 22 at Tollgate Pond 4 Sep (LM) and 40 there 11 Sep (RWa) and one there 19 Oct L (LM); four at Red Hill Parkway SWP 9 Sep (CC); five at Rattray Marsh [PL] 16 Sep (anon.); five at Windermere Basin 19 Sep (JMe,MMe); 11 at Lake at Dewitt Rd [HM] 23 Sep (LM); two at Van Wagners Pond 2 Oct (LM).Dunlin: 12 at Windermere Basin 14 Sep F (LM), 14 there 19 Oct (KM), and one there 11 Nov (LM); 16 at Valley Inn 14 Oct (AD) and 25 there 23 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 28 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18 Oct (JV); three at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 24 Oct (BL); four at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 9 Nov (FU).Purple Sandpiper#: One at Van Wagners Beach 23 Nov* (RD); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 26-27 Nov (EHo,m.obs.).Baird’s Sandpiper#: Three at Tollgate Pond 6 Sep (LM); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 6 Sep (LM); one at Van Wagners Beach 10 Sep (CC); three at Windermere Basin 18 Sep (MD) and one there 24 Sep L (CSc,m.obs).Least Sandpiper: 11 at Tollgate Pond 3 Sep (BM) and six there 11 Sep (RWa); 35 juv. at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM/KM), 17 there 1 Oct (JV) and one there 5 Oct L (JV); 12 at Red Hill Parkway SWP 6 Sep (LM) and eight there 13 Sep (JR); three at Rattray Marsh [PL] 14 Sep (DH); one at Binbrook C.A. 2 Oct (RP); two at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 3 Oct (DH).White-rumped Sandpiper#: Three at Tollgate Pond 3 Sep (KB,NM); two at Windermere Basin 7 Sep (RvT); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18-25 Oct L (JV/MJac); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 20 Oct (ABa).Buff-breasted Sandpiper#: Bird at Tollgate Pond from late August continued until 4 Sep (LM); two juv. at 1587 Haldibrook Rd [HD] 14 Sep L (DD/BK).Pectoral Sandpiper: One juv. at Grimsby Wetland [NG] 3 Sep (KM) and 15 there 16 Oct (BHi,JHa); three at Red Hill Parkway SWP 13 Sep (LM); eight juv. at Windermere Basin 19 Sep (RD,CE,DD); five at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4 Oct (BK,JR); three at Cootes Paradise 4 Oct (JL). Birds at Valley Inn: 11 – 10 Oct (RPo,et al.); 17 – 13 Oct (CC,et al.); 10 – 31 Oct (RB); and one 3 Nov L (JR); four at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 16-26 Oct (BL,SL); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 18 Oct (BCha,BWi); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 28 Oct (MC).Semipalmated Sandpiper: 20 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KM) and one there 5 Oct L (JV); 15 at Red Hill Parkway SWP 11 Sep (RWa); one at Windermere Basin 23 Sep (DMac).

Hudsonian Godwit (left), Marbled Godwit (right), 19 Sep, Windermere

Basin - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Purple Sandpiper, 27 Nov, Fifty Point C.A. - photo Joanne Redwood.


Short-billed Dowitcher: Five at Red Hill Parkway SWP 2 Sep (JR); two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (LM); two juv. at Windermere Basin 3 Sep (KM), five there 5 Sep (LM), and one there 19 Sep L (JL/RD,CE,DD).Long-billed Dowitcher#: One at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 3-4 Oct * (AD,DH); one, likely, at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 18 – 20 Oct (BWi,BCha/MHa,ABa) – distant views but described as “overall grayish, very long bill, pale distinct supercillium with dark crown with white “V” of back seen briefly”. Wilson’s Snipe: Two at Glen Morris Pond [BR] 25 Sep (GSi,JSi); 11 at Barrie’s Lake [WT] 1 Oct (BF) and one there 6 Nov L (FG); one at Downey Rd and Teal Dr., Guelph 11 Oct (RH); nine at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 15 Oct (DMac); two at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 12 Oct (BL,SL); one at Windermere Basin 26 Oct (CC).American Woodcock: One at Cartwright Nature Sanctuary [HM] 30 Oct (GBr,BSt); one in quarry pit along Hardy Rd, Brantford 4 Nov (MH); one window-kill at Hughson & Rebecca Sts, Hamilton 6 Nov L (PSc,CSc); one in downtown Burlington 6 Nov L (PT); two along Hardy Rd at S.C. Johnson Trail, Brantford 6 Nov L (BL).Spotted Sandpiper: Three at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 2 Oct (RP); one at Princess Point 4 Oct L; one at Windermere Basin 4 Oct L (LM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 4 Oct L (RL).Solitary Sandpiper: Five at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM); one juv. at Red Hill Parkway SWP 6 Sep (KM); five at Glen Morris Pond [BR] 8 Sep (BCha); one at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4 Oct L (JR).Greater Yellowlegs: 11 at Red Hill Parkway SWP 13 Sep (LM); seven at Glen Morris Pond [BR] 25 Sep (GSi,JSi); 21 at Green Lane Wetland 16 Oct (BL,SL) and 12 there 25 Oct (DD); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 20 Nov L (JR). Lesser Yellowlegs: 85 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM); 41 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 4 Sep (AZ); 20 at Windermere Basin 7 Sep (LM); 12 at Glen Morris Pond [BR] 8 Sep (BCha); eight at Valley Inn 14 Sep (DT); 15 at Red Hill Parkway SWP 18 Sep (DH), six there 22 Oct (JR) and one there 8-30 Nov (JR); 12 at Tollgate Pond 26 Sep (LM) and 15 there 2 Oct (LM); 17 at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 16 Oct (BL,SL) and two there 25 Oct (BK/DD).Red-necked Phalarope#: Birds at Van Wagners Beach: one 4 Sep (LB et al.); one – 15 Sep (RBar,KM,et al.); one – 29 Sep L (DPr,et al.). One at Windermere Basin 25 Sep (BHi,JHa).Red Phalarope#: One ad. prebasic 2 Sep F * at Van Wagners Beach (BCh,RD,CE); one on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] 22 Oct (LM).

Pomarine Jaeger#: Birds at Van Wagners Beach: One 15 Sep (BH); one juv.- 29 Sep (BH,BCha,m.obs); one juv. - 30 Sep (BR,DD/JR); two - 20 Oct (BF); one - 27 Oct (LM).Parasitic Jaeger#: Birds off Van Wagners Beach: Three (2ad.,1sub-ad.) - 4 Sep F (LB,BCha,DD); one - 4 Sep (AC,RPo); one juv. -10 Sep (RD,CE,DD,MM); four juv. - 15 Sep (BH,GR,DR); two - 16 Sep (CC/RD,et al.); one - 19 Sep (DPr); two - 21 Sep (RPo); three - 23 Sep (GR); one - 24 Sep (CSc,RP,m.obs.); one - 25 Sep (LB); seven (1ad.,6juv and/or sub-ad) - 28 Sep (JI,BH.,m.obs); 10-15 birds (2ad.) -29 Sep (BH,DPr,m.obs.); eight - 30 Sep (BCha,EHe,BF); two - 1 Oct (GPr,MP); three - 4 Oct (DR); one - 20 Oct L (BF). One juv. off Sayers Park [HM] 15 Sep

(BH) and one there 20 Sep (LM); two birds off Appleby Line [HL] 21 Sep (RPo); one off Rossmore Blvd [HL] 24 Sep (AD); one dark juv. off Dewitt Rd [HM] 23 Sep (LM).Long-tailed Jaeger#: Birds at Van Wagners Beach; one juv. - 3 Sep F (BF,AC); one juv. - 16 Sep (JI,HP,m.obs.); one ad. - 23 Sep (GR,DPr); two juv. - 28 Sep (BH,HP,et al.); three - (1ad.,2juv.) 29 Sep (BH); four - (one ad.,3juv.) 30 Sep (BCha); two (one juv.,one ad.) - 30 Sep (BCha,BF,EHe); one ad. - 4 Oct L (DR). One juv. off Sayers Park [HM] 15 Sep (BH).Black-legged Kittiwake#: At Van Wagners Beach: One ad. 28-29 Sep (BH,JI,RD,et al.); two juv. - 29 Sep (BH,KB,et al.); one juv.- 30 Sep (KB,NM); one juv. - 20 Oct L (BF). Sabine’s Gull#: Birds at Van Wagners Beach: Five juv. - 10 Sep* (RD,DD,CE,MM); one - 15 Sep (KB,NM); five - 16 Sep (RD,JI,HP, m.obs.); one - 21 Sep (DPr); one - 29 Sep (BSt,AK); four - 30 Sep L (KB,NM, m.obs). One on Lake off Sayers Park [HM] 15 Sep * (BH); three at Dewitt Rd at Lake [HM] 23 Sep (LM). Bonaparte’s Gull: 35 at Van Wagners Beach 30 Sep (BCha,BF,EHe) and 45 there 20 Oct (BF); two at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 18 Oct (AZ); 25 at Fifty Point 23 Oct (KM); three at Suncor Pier [HL] 12 Nov (MJ); 65 at New Credit I.R. sewage lagoons [BR] 25 Nov (KB).Franklin’s Gull#: One at Valley Inn 10-11 Oct * (DH,m.obs.).Thayer’s Gull#: One ad. Van Wagners Beach 23 Nov F (RD).Iceland Gull: Two at Bronte Harbour [HL] 13 Nov F (MJ).

Lesser Black-backed Gull#: One 2nd cycle bird at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 5 Sep (RM). Birds at Van Wagners Beach: one juv. 23 Sep (IR,SG); two juv. 25 Sep (LB); three (juv,2nd bas.,ad.) - 28 Sep (BH); five juv. 29 Sep (BH); two juv. 2 Oct (BF); one juv. 23 Oct (KM); one ad. 26 Nov (RPo). One juv. at Valley Inn 13 Oct (DH); one juv. at Lakeside Park, Mississauga 19 Oct (RM); one ad. at Bayfront Park 2 Nov (CC,MJa); five juv. at Mohawk Lake, Brantford 6 Nov (BL); one juv. at Princess Point, Cootes Paradise 6 Nov (RD,CE); one ad. at Greenwich St, Brantford 12 Nov (BL,SL); one juv. at Bronte Beach [HL] 13 Nov (MJ); one ad. at Burlington Ship Canal 26 Nov (RD,CE); one juv. at Sayers Park [HM] 27 Nov (RPo).Glaucous Gull: One ad. at Bayfront Park 13 Nov F (GLa); one at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 23 Nov (AZ).Great Black-backed Gull: 38 at Neare Island (harbour) 27 Nov (MDa); 53 at CCIW 29 Nov (RD).

Probably a juvenile Red Phalarope based on overall grey colouration, pale underparts, and date. Observed initially in bins struggling to fly east low to water. Being harassed by gulls. I thought it was a swallow initially,but when I put my scope on it, I was shocked to see a phalarope. There were maybe eight gulls pecking at it, eventually one picked it up, dropped it, and this continued long enough for me to call Cheryl Edgecombe and give her the gruesome play-by-play. The bird was played with and fought over for some time until the dominant gull left with its prize hanging from its beak - 22 Oct 2016, Fruitland Road - Len Manning.

Franklin’s Gull juvenile at Valley Inn, 11 Oct - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Juvenile Iceland Gull, front-and-centre in a group of gulls at Bronte Harbour. Also a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull in the rear with a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls - 13 Nov - photo Mark Jennings.

(continued on page 159)


D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - M a r c h 2 0 17

1 March - 15 May: The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch’s 43rd season of monitoring the migration of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Quarry Rd. off Ridge Rd. W., Grimsby. Except in very bad weather, counters are present every day from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT. Visitors always welcome. Information: Bruce Mackenzie 905-973-4869, [email protected] or Mike Street - 905-648-3737, [email protected].

5 March (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Hendrie Valley, meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking Lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

8 March (Wednesday) 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 HNC Urban Walk. Meet at Tim Hortons 4033 New St., plaza on corner of New & Walkers. We’ll walk down to Paletta Mansion Park on 2450 Lakeshore Road, where we’ll look for bird migrants. Easy pace on flat surface, 4 km there and back to Tim’s for a coffee. Please contact Bron brontreg@cogeco .ca or 905-637-7136 to confirm attendance/cond itions & if you need binoculars.

11 March (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. – 11:00. HNC - McMaster Forest Bird Survey Orientation. The bird breeding season for 2017 is coming soon, and the McMaster Forest Bird Survey is looking for volunteers to help find & document breeding species. Join HNC Field Events Director Rob Porter on a tour of where over 50 species of breeding birds are nesting. We’ll be exploring the diverse habitats, and taking a look at the remains of last years nests, and we may even begin to see cavity nesters such as woodpeckers and chickadees beginning their excavation work for the spring already. In joining this outing you are not obliged to help with the surveys, but if you want to help out then coming to one of the orientation outings is encouraged. Contact Rob at [email protected].

11 March (Saturday) 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. RBG - Not Just a Birding Club at RBG Nature Centre. A once-a-month birding Club for beginners, intermediates, and seasoned birders with Jackson Hudecki. Pre-registration required. Part of the Adult Education Series. Fee: $15 per class (March – May).

12 March (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Princess Point, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

13 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting – Always Looking Up. Like you, anthropologist and children’s book author, and evening’s speaker Jackie Prime is ready to implement change to make our world a more compassionate place. Feeling the impacts and experiencing the dramatic social change driven by globalization, environmental change, economic crises, and growing inequalities in basic human rights, we all see that people, animals, and the planet are suffering, but how can we implement lasting change? Is there a way to regain balance and reconnect? (see detailed synopsis on page 167). At RBG HQ, Plains Rd W., Burlington.

19 March (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum, Old Guelph Road. In inclement weather, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

19 March (Sunday) 2 to 4 p.m. RBG - Spring Equinox Celebration at RBG Nature Centre. Look for signs of Spring, learn about other celebrations. A Family Fun event. Pre-registration required. Fee: Adults, $15, Child (4-12) $10, Child (3 and under) free.

20 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC - Bird Study Group – Migration with Bradley Woodworth. Animals face challenges throughout the annual cycle to acquire the necessary resources for survival and reproduction. For migratory species, many of the greatest challenges surround the twice annual journey between breeding and wintering grounds that can span 100s to 1000s of kilometres. Migration also presents a great challenge for researchers attempting to understand the ecology of these species. Bradley will present research from his graduate studies that studies how individuals and populations of migratory songbirds of the Atlantic flyway respond to challenges throughout the annual cycle using individual tracking technologies, long-term demographic data, and novel statistical techniques. Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington.

26 March (Saturday) 10:00 a.m – 12:00. HNC - Rock Chapel Spring Walk. Meet at Rock Chapel RBG parking lot where we’ll look for Buds and Birds. 4 km flat easy pace. Please contact Bron Tregunno at brontreg@cogeco .ca or 905-637-7136 to confirm attendance/cond itions & if you need binoculars.

26 March (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes South Shore, meet at the Aviary parking lot, Oak Knoll Drive, Hamilton. In inclement weather, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.


D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - A p r i l 2 0 17

One Saturday of the Month, September to May, 10 a.m. to noon, Jr. Naturalists’ Club at RBG Nature Centre. For 7 to 13 year olds. Since the club formed in 1986, it has given children learning experiences that generate life-long respect and appreciation for nature. Pre-registration required. Fee: $60/child.

1 April (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. HNC - Learn to ID Raptors. Join the NPH Counter Coordinator Matt Mills at the ongoing Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch where he will be demonstrating how to identify raptors in flight. We will learn field marks, flight styles and identification tips as raptors pass overhead. Early April is an excellent migration period where a diversity of migrating species can be seen in good numbers at the hawkwatch. This is a great opportunity to get started if you’ve always wanted to help out with the watch but first wanted experience identifying raptors in the field. At Beamer Memorial C. A., 28 Quarry Rd, Grimsby.

1 April (Saturday) 8:00 p.m. Hamilton Association - Puzzles in the Patterns of Plagues. The last century has seen tremendous progress in understanding the transmission of infectious diseases in human populations. However, most historical outbreaks have not been studied in detail because the necessary data are buried in thousands of handwritten records. Speaker Dr. David Earn’s research group has begun to dissect and visualize epidemic patterns, by digitizing such historical material. He describes how mathematical methods help unravel the biological mechanisms that give rise to outbreaks such as the Bubonic plague, from the Black Death in the 14th century to the Great Plague of London in the 17th century. A professor in McMaster’s Dept of Mathematics and Statistics, Dr. Earn specializes in mathematical biology, extinctions and eradication, adaptive behaviour, and game theory. Room 1A1 of McMaster’s Ewart Angus Centre (EAC).

2 April (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Hendrie Valley, meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking Lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

9 April (Sunday) 1:00 p.m. – 3:00. HNC - McMaster Forest Bird Survey Orientation. The bird breeding season for 2017 is coming soon, and the McMaster Forest Bird Survey is looking for volunteers. See earlier hike on 11 March for details.

9 April (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Princess Point, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

9 April (Sunday) 2 to 4 p.m. RBG - Bark! at RBG Nature Centre. How do you identify a dogwood? By its bark! Enhance your tree ID skills (participants should be familiar with basic tree ID). Pre-registration required. Part of the Adult Education Series. Fee: $20.

14 April (Good Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch Open House. Highlights: Displays and information by area nature clubs; live bird demonstration by Canadian Raptor Conservancy; children’s programme with Carla Carlson of Niagara Nature Tours; food truck on site with hot beverages and food; free copies of Field Guides to North American Birds for students and families. Check website at www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org for schedule of events. At the Beamer Memorial C. A., Grimsby.

16 April (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum, Old Guelph Rd. In inclement weather, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

17 April (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting – Archaeobotany in Ontario. What is archaeobotany? What can it tell us about the plant resources available to indigenous peoples, the origins of agriculture, and plants used by early Euro-Canadians for food, tools and construction? Speaker Rudy Fecteau his many occupations, among them a background in archaeology. But, for the past forty-two years he has specialized in the less well known field of archaeobotany or palaeoethnobotany. This involves the study of carbonized plant material from archaeological sites. Samples are sent to him by archaeologists for examination. Rudy then identifies seeds, nut shell fragments, charred wood and other wood remains, and wooden artifacts. He then prepares reports according to ministerial guidelines. He also has published articles in various Ontario archaeology journals and monographs. Since retiring from teaching, he has been able to focus on this study as well as travelling in Ontario and New York State to make presentations about his work. He has spoken to or given workshops to elementary and university classes, museums, community groups. Rudy will be illustrating the types of material he finds with an emphasis on the Hamilton area.

23 April (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. to 3:30. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes South Shore, meet at the Aviary parking, Oak Knoll Dr, Hamilton. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

23 April (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. to 4:00. RBG - The Woods are Alive at RBG Nature Centre. A guided hike to see the birds, buds, and animal signs of Spring. A Family Fun event. Pre-registration required. Fee: Adults, $15, Child (4-12) $10, Child (3 and under) free.

24 April (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC - BSG Meeting - Fall Birding in Kazakhstan – Central Asia. Not your average birding destination, but the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia act to concentrate the spring and fall migrations along a fairly narrow pathway; it is some of the world’s best birding. Our travellers: David Brewer, Rick Ludkin and Peter Thoem, were part of a small team of Canadians who spent two weeks last September at a bird observatory in Kazakhstan. This is their story complete with insights into the interesting and delicious food, vodka as a staple diet item, language challenges and the sometimes rudimentary living conditions at the field station. Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington.

30 April (Sunday) 2 to 3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Rock Chapel, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.


HNC 100th Anniversary Design ChallengeThis is a call to all those artistic and creative spirits in all our members! We’re looking for your help to come up with a design, logo, and ‘slogan’ to put on our HNC paraphernalia. We’re thinking of working around our wonderful Wood Duck design from our magazine and web page. We’ve had some great ideas from our Centenary Planning group but we’d like your ideas as well. “A Century of Loving Nature” or simply “A Century for Nature” was one idea. Or “ Preserving our Living Landscape – A Heritage of Hope” was another great one. Here’s an article (left) from May 1, 1919 that talks about when the Club was created from a Hamilton newspaper, we think it was The Hamilton Spectator. The other image (right) is possibly the back of an agenda to a general meeting. Hopefully these will give you some inspiration! Please send thoughts or ideas on a design or phrase to me at [email protected] or call me at 905-637-7136. Thanks! - Bron Tregunno, Centenary Committee.

HSA Nature NoteA Territorial ClashMid-morning in the sunshine I heard then saw a singing Great Horned Owl in a Burlington woodlot.

As I watched it a Red-tailed Hawk flew in with talons extended and struck the owl in the chest . Both birds moved off.

At the other end of the woods the mate of the Great Horned Owl was also perched and looking about.

Here was a battle if not for the woodlot at the very least for occupancy of a nest (I didn’t see the nest but it surely was somewhere close) – Bob Curry.

The Wood Duck - March, 2017 9

Caspian Tern: One at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 4 Sep (AZ); 91 at Windermere Basin 8 Sep (LM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 16 Sep (RL); three at Cootes Paradise 1 Oct (RD); one at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 2 Oct (RP); one at CCIW 4 Oct L (MC).Black Tern#: One at Van Wagners Beach 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD) and one there 16 Sep L (JI,HP,RD,m.obs.).Common Tern: 85 at Van Wagners Beach 10 Sep (RD,CE,DD,MM), 29 there 15 Sep (BCha), and one there 29 Sep (BH,m.obs.); 25 at Windermere Basin 17 Sep (IS); 13 at Princess Point, RBG 20 Sep (RP); one at Fifty Point C.A. 23 Oct L (KM).Forster’s Tern#: One at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep L (BCha,BH).Red-throated Loon: One over Woodland Cemetery 23 Oct F (RD, CE,DD); three over Lake at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 25 Oct (LM); one at Fifty Point [HM] 29 Oct (LM); one on Lake at Port Credit [PL] 1 Nov (LF); one in Hamilton Harbour 6 Nov (RWo); one on Lake off Fruitland Rd [HM] 7 Nov (LM) and one there 27 Nov (JL); 13 on Lake off Grays Rd [HM] 15 Nov (KM); eight on Lake off Green Rd [HM] 17 Nov (GBr,DS,LF); four at Van Wagners Beach 26 Nov (RPo); 14 on Lake off of Sayers Park [HM] 27 Nov (RPo); two at LaSalle Marina 28 Nov (SG); three on Lake off Confederation Park [HM] 30 Nov (JR).Common Loon: One at Van Wagners Beach 2 Sep (KM) and six there 10 Sep (RD,et al.); nine over Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct (RD,CE,DD); two over Ruthven Park [HD] 7 Nov (RL).SHEARWATER species#: One bird (some observers reporting as a Manx Shearwater) at Van Wagners Beach 28-29 Sep (BCh,BH,m.obs.).

Double-crested Cormorant: 63 at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] 6 Oct (AZ); one at Valens C.A. [HM] 15 Nov (JM).American Bittern#: One at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (LM).Least Bittern#: One at Britton Tract, Halton County Forest 1 Sep (DH); one at Boardwalk Marsh, Cootes Paradise 24 Sep L (DMo).Great Egret#: One at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 4 Sep – 21 Oct (AZ/LP); one at Windermere Basin 8 Sep (LM); one at Red Hill Parkway SWP 9 Sep (CC); one on Credit River N of CNR [PL] (RD,CE); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 12 Sep (GL); three at Grand River Trail near Cambridge Mill [WT] 14 Sep (MN); seven at Princess Point, Cootes Paradise 20 Sep (RP) and 11 there 1 Oct (RD); one at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 21 Sep – 5 Oct (KD); two at Confederation Park [HM] 2 Oct (JL); 14 at Valley Inn 4-22 Oct L (AP); two at African Lion Safari [HM] 8 Oct (KD); 20 at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 9 Oct (AW,KW).Cattle Egret#: One at Valley Inn 14 Oct (KN,m.obs.); one Red Hill Parkway SWP 10 Nov (LM).Green Heron: Four at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 1 Sep (DH); two at Lake Wabukayne, Mississauga 5 Sep (SA); two on south shore Cootes Paradise 5 Sep (RP); two at Valley Inn 7 Sep (SR); one on Grand River

at Ruthven Park [HD] 4 Nov L (RL).Black-crowned Night-Heron: Two at Lake Wabukayne, Mississauga 5 Sep (SA); four at Bronte Marsh [HL] 9 Sep (MJ); one at Hanlon Creek Park, Guelph 9 Sep (MH); three at Rattray Marsh [PL] 10 Sep (RM); eight at Princess Point, Cootes Paradise 13 Sep (RP) and two there 6 Nov (RD,CE); 12 at Windermere Basin 13 Sep (LM); four at Bayfront Park 30 Sep (AZ); two at Alton Ponds, Burlington 5 Oct (TM); eight at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 9 Oct (RM); seven at Valley Inn 7 Oct (SL,BL); four at Red Hill Creek and Woodward Ave 19 Nov (KH).Turkey Vulture: 157 over Woodland Cemetery 22 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 100 over Mohawk Lake, Brantford 18 Nov (MH).Osprey: One on Grand River near Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Nov (RL); one near Puslinch Lake [WL] 6 Nov L (LSt,et al.); one at Barrie’s Lake [WT] 6 Nov L (FG); one in south Oakville 6 Nov L (MCr,et al.).Bald Eagle: Five at Ruthven Park area [HD] 3 Nov (RL).Northern Goshawk#: One at southwest Brantford 14 Sep F (DG); one at 8575 First Line, Campbellville [HL] 24 Sep (RWo); two (1ad.,1juv.) at Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct (RD,CE,DD); one juv. at 11th Concession E, Flamborough 21 Oct (HC); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 23 Oct (PT,TT); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 23 Oct (MC); one at Pinedale Ave, E of Appleby Line [HL] 25 Oct (BC); one ad. at Old Guelph Rd [HM] 26 Oct (BW); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 12 Nov (LF,DS).Red-shouldered Hawk: One over Valley Inn 10 Oct F (AD) and one over Dundas 10 Oct F (JL); nine over Pinedale Ave, E of Appleby Line [HL] 24 Oct (BC); one over Tollgate Pond 26 Nov L (JL).Broad-winged Hawk: 50 over Kelso C.A. [HL] 11 Sep (DRy); 230 over Deer Run Ct [BR] 12 Sep (GSi,JSi); 100 over Westfield Heritage Village [HM] 12 Sep (anon.); one over south Guelph 6 Oct L (RH).Red-tailed Hawk: One dark-morph bird at Hwy 6 and 4th Line [HD] 3-14 Nov (GN,m.obs).Rough-legged Hawk: One over Pinedale Ave, E of Appleby Line [HL] 25 Oct F (BC).Golden Eagle#: One over Cootes Paradise 10 Oct F (BCo); one juv. over Pinedale Ave, E of Appleby Line [HL] 22 Oct and another juv. there 25 Oct (BC); two over Fern Hill School, Oakville 9 Nov L (RL).

Snowy Owl#: One adjacent to Fifty Point C.A. [HM] 18 Nov F (AMc); one at Tollgate Pond 26-27 Nov (CC,DH,RD,m.obs); one at Van Wagners Beach 27 Nov (RPo).Barred Owl#: Two at Pinehurst-Spottiswood Lake area [BR] 7 Oct (BF); one at Guelph Arboretum 12 Oct (MT); one at 86 Carter Rd, Puslinch [WL] 22 Oct (BFo); one near Hespeler [WT] 22 Nov (LM).Short-eared Owl: One over High Level Bridge 24 Oct F (BW).Northern Saw-whet Owl#: Birds banded at Ruthven Park [HD]: 12 – 9

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At 2:23 Barry Cherriere spotted a small shearwater on right side of wave tower heading towards Burlington. I saw it too when we were looking at 4 jaegers because it flew past them. It looked smaller, flew vertical to the water, wing pointed down, flying into the troughs and up again farther along, not flapping and moving very quickly. As it banked I detected pale on the underside. We lost sight of it. Then about 25 minutes later I spotted what is presumably the same bird on right side of wave tower heading east. It was flying in typical shearwater fashion, down and up in arching curves. We lost sight of it. Several hours later, Cheryl Edgecombe spotted the shearwater heading east. It was even farther out this time. Distinctive flight pattern. ~ eBird post – 28 Sep — Jean Iron. saw it today. too far!!! gave me the impression of not being dark (ala Sooty), but also looked big... maybe someone else will nail it... a lesson in just how differently we can perceive a distant shearing dot! ~ eBird post – 29 Sep — Brandon Holden.however, at least two observers have submitted this record to the OBRC as a Manx Shearwater - ed.

Least Bittern at Britton Tract, [HL] 1 Sep - photo

Dominik Halas.

Broad-winged Hawk at 12 Deer Run Ct [BR], 12 Sep - photo George Sims.

Rough-legged Hawk (left) over Burlington 7 Nov - photo Bob Curry. Immature Golden Eagle over Cootes Paradise, 10 Oct - photo Barry Coombs.

The Wood Duck - March, 20170

Oct (BO); five – 12 Oct (RL); nine – 13 Oct (EG); eight – 14 Oct (RL); six – 22 Oct (CSc); three – 26 Oct (RL); nine – 1 Nov (RL); six – 5 Nov (RL); seven – 6 Nov (RL). One banded at Fern Hill School, Oakville 5 Nov and recaptured on 7 Nov (RL).Red-headed Woodpecker#: One at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep (LM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 30 Sep (RL); two at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 2 Oct L (RPa).Red-bellied Woodpecker: 187 recorded on 6 Nov on the Alan Wormington Fall Bird Count (m.obs.).Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: One at Princess Point, RBG 19 Sep F (RPo); one at Ruthven Park 2 Nov (RL); two at Sydenham Rd, Dundas 6 Nov (GN); one at Oswego Park [NG] 10 Nov (BSte); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 16 Nov (CE); one at Cainsville Trail, Brantford 18 Nov (MH).Northern Flicker: 45 at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (DD).Pileated Woodpecker: 19 recorded in HSA on 6 Nov on Alan Wormington Fall Bird Count (m.obs.).Peregrine Falcon: One migrant at Suncor Pier [HL] 10 Sep F (MJ); two well offshore at J.C Saddington Park [PL] 10 Sep F (RM); one over Hwy 8 and Cooper Rd [HM] 28 Sep (JL); four (migrating) at Van Wagners Beach 29 Sep (BH); one east of Hagersville [HD] 2 Oct (SMac); one over Green Lane Wetland, Paris 5 Oct (KD); one over 403 at Jerseyville Rd [BR] 18 Oct (TP).Olive-sided Flycatcher#: One at Shoreacres Park [HL] 11 Sep (DH,AD); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 16 Sep L (MN).Eastern Wood-Pewee: One at Guelph Arboretum 5 Oct L (RH).Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Two at Confederation Park [HM] 2 Sep (RP) and seven there 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); two at Edgelake Park [HM] 16 Sep (RW); one at Nipegon Trail, Oakville 22 Sep L (DH).Least Flycatcher: Eight at Edgelake Park, Stoney Creek 1 Sep (RW) and eight there 3 Sep (KB,NM); four at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 2 Sep (RW); eight at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM); 12 at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); one at Village Wood Park, Bronte [HL] 30 Sep L (MJ); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 30 Sep L (TPe).Eastern Phoebe: One at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep F (RD,CE,DD) and 10 there 1 Oct (JV,DR); two at Van Wagners Marsh 22 Sep (DM); six at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 Oct (JMe,MMe); one at Princess Point, RBG 1 Nov (RP); one at NE Harbour [HL] 6 Nov L (RWo).Great Crested Flycatcher: Four at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 16 Sep (TPe); one at 4 Viking Court, Grimsby [NG] 18-23 Oct (JVR) [latest HSA record ever].Eastern Kingbird: Four at Teal Dr to Laird Blvd Trail, Guelph 3 Sep (MHa); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 4 Sep (JHa,BHi) and one there

7 Oct L (MJac).Northern Shrike#: One at 59 Dundas St, Dundas 23 Oct (JL); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 25 Oct (anon.); one at Spencer Creek near King St, Dundas 27 Oct (JL); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM/WL] 31 Oct – 16 Nov (RWo/FU); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 31 Oct (RO); one near Puslinch Lake [WL] 6 Nov (LSt,CCo); one at Van Wagners Beach 6 Nov (BCha,NR); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 6 Nov (AD).White-eyed Vireo#: One window-kill at St. George St, Brantford 12 Oct (BL,SL,KG).Yellow-throated Vireo#: Birds at Ruthven Park [HD] : one - 1 Sep; five – 3 Sep; four – 5 Sep; two – 15 Sep; one - 22 Sep L (all RL); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 12 Sep (MH); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 18 Sep (DPr); one at north shore Cootes Paradise 20 Sep (BW).Blue-headed Vireo: One at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (KB,NM); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 29 Oct (AD/BK); one at Erindale College [PL] 31 Oct (SM); one at Cootes Paradise 6 Nov (RD,CE); one at Arkendo Park, Oakville 7 Nov L (LF).Philadelphia Vireo: Eight at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); five at Ruthven Park [HD] 19 Sep (RL); one at Erindale College [PL] 8 Oct L (RM).Warbling Vireo: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 18 Sep (RL); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct L (JV,DR).Red-eyed Vireo: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] 30 Oct L (OR).Blue Jay: 50 over Gilkison Flats, Brantford 20 Sep (MH); 135 over Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 24 Sep (MC); 244 over Pinedale Ave, Burlington 30 Sep and 350 there 9 Oct (BC); 893 past Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct (RD,CE,DD). Common Raven: Three over Edgelake Park [HM] 25 Sep (RW); seven at Brantford Dump 6 Nov (BL).Purple Martin#: One at McNeilly Rd & Ridge Rd, Stoney Creek 27 Sep L (LM).Tree Swallow#: 20 at Windermere Basin 4 Sep (BCa) and one there 13 Oct (MF); 24 at Ruthven Park [HD] 6 Sep (RL) and one there 30 Sep (RL); 10 at Cootes Paradise 6 Sep (RP); five at Dewitt Rd at Lake [HM] 22 Oct L (PSc,CSc).Bank Swallow#: One at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); one at Windermere Basin 5 Sep L (LM); two at Valley Inn 5 Sep L (WO).Barn Swallow#: 16 at Valley Inn 3 Sep (AP); 12 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 3 Sep (FU); 30 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD). Birds at Windermere Basin: 30 – 3 Sep (KB,NM); 30 – 4 Sep (RD); 15 – 6 Sep (CC); 12 - 8 Sep (KO); six – 17 Sep (IS); two – 16 Oct (BCo); one - 18 Oct L (LM). 16 at Van Wagners Beach 10 Sep (LM); three at Van Wagners Marsh 1 Oct (RPo).Tufted Titmouse#: Six at Ruthven Park [HD] 10 Sep and five there 6 Nov (RL); one at Sunrise Cres., Dundas 19 Sep (RD); two at property S of Ridge Rd, W of Alway Rd [NG] 25 Sep (JVR); one at Rymal Rd SWP, E of Glover Rd [HM] 1 Oct (RP); one at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 9 Oct (AZ); two at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 6-25 Oct (MH); one at 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 11-13 Oct (RWo,KW); two at Beach Ave, Brantford 12 Oct (MH); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford 14 Oct (DG); one at 8 Eagle Ridge Court, Glen Morris [BR] 13 Oct (EH,JH); one at LaSalle Park 16 Oct (DD) and two there 23 Oct (AP) – 26 Nov (RM); two at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 24-25 Oct (MJ); two at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 10-25 Nov (TPe,DPr); two at River Rd and Grand River, Brantford 6 Nov (BL); one at Oswego Park [HD] 10-18 Nov (BSte); one at San Francisco Ave, Hamilton

Barred Owl (L) near Hespeler, 22 Nov - photo Len Manning. Northern Saw-whet Owl (R) at Ruthven Park, 22 Oct - photo Caleb Scholtens.

Olive-sided Flycatcher, 16 Sep, Riverwood [PL] -

photo Mike Norton.

White-eyed Vireo (window-kill), 12 Oct, Brantford - photo Sarah Lamond.

Purple Martin, Stoney Creek, 27 Sep - photo

Len Manning.

(continued on page 163)


Member Profile - Maggie Sims by Gerten Basom

Born and raised in Yorkshire, England, Maggie Sims recalls the village she was raised in as being a community of farms

called “market gardens”. Situated more in the Vale of York (northeast England), it was then and remains, a fertile growing area of England comprised of flat lands with cool summers and relatively mild winters. The market gardens are small holdings, owned by independent farmers who grow a variety of produce. Maggie’s father owned 50 acres where he grew such vegetables as tomatoes, celery, cucumbers and lettuces. Pigs and chickens were also kept as part of the small farm. While her father ran the farm, her mother managed the business side, “very proficiently” Maggie says. It was in fact Maggie’s mother who became a significant role model for her daughter, influencing her in later becoming a businesswoman. Prior to marriage, Maggie’s mother was private secretary to the manager of the Hull City professional soccer team which provided great training for the fledgling businesswoman. Together, she says, her parents made a great partnership. With four children, two boys and two girls, Maggie, the oldest girl was often charged with the care of the younger ones. In this sense she feels that they were brought up to be very independent and responsible, something Maggie still feels is a very important characteristic which has served her well. With few children in the community, every child was very involved in farm work and they were expected to pitch in with running the farm. She made friends with the farm animals as well as caring for them and in this sense it seemed like a rather idyllic childhood.

History is a passion for Maggie and she comes by it honestly. The village she grew up in is deeply rooted in English history dating back to the year 1215 and is documented in the Domesday Book. This is a manuscript record which was created by order of King William the Conqueror in 1086. It is a great land survey, and the book assesses the extent of land and resources owned at that time in much of England and parts of Wales such that taxes that could be raised from them. Maggie’s family home was approximately 400 years old. She was the first and only child of her family to leave this home. This uncommon act she attributes to her maternal grandfather, who at the age of 15, joined the Merchant Navy. Later, his wife raised their family in Mumbai, India (while he was at sea). However, the family returned to England at the time of World War II. Maggie has always been keen to travel and this in part she attributes to leaving England without ever needing to look back. After marrying her husband Dave, Maggie moved away to a town just 15 miles down the road from her parents. Both worked, but north England had very little to offer in the way of consistent

jobs, unlike the more vibrant area of south England. Both felt that there had to be something better than what they were experiencing, and with Dave being in the banking business, he applied for work in other countries. Both the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank courted him with opportunities to live and work in Canada, Australia and South Africa, and soon with Maggie’s background in office management, they had both received acceptance, choosing Canada as their destination.

With a “we will go anywhere” approach to the bank’s request as to the city in Canada they preferred, they soon landed in Edmonton in February of 1977. Despite a similar language, initial culture shock set in along with the stark difference in weather. But arriving in a new country and being well supported by their employer, the couple soon found themselves with a lovely, large apartment and new furniture to celebrate their arrival there. Eighteen months later, they moved to Calgary. Maggie went to work in the oil patch industry while Dave carried on in banking. It was a boom-time in Calgary and the people working in the oil fields made her administrative side exciting to be in, providing camaraderie as well as a stimulating place to work. A move to Lethbridge followed which, while beneficial for Dave, became a lot more isolated for Maggie so that in 1989, they packed up once more and landed in Toronto for work and life in Mississauga. Maggie spent the rest of her career in the IT field for a major media company. In 2005 they purchased their home in Burlington, which Maggie describes as a community friendly town where shop-keepers know you and people stop to chat. Situated on a stunning, treed ravine, her backyard is busy with all sorts of birds and small animals that visit at her feeders and can be spotted in the woods behind her place.

After retirement, Maggie began to look for something local, outdoor and nature related, something which could help her return to her childhood roots. With daily commutes to Toronto beginning as early as 5:00 a.m. and returning late each day, there had been little time for anything but work and holiday travels. With the help of the internet, she found the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. Maggie joined the HNC Board in 2011 with Jean Stollard teaching her the Membership role. For four years, Maggie was Membership Director until Michael Fischer asked her to become

Maggie Sims and Mountain Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, 8 August 2014 - photo David Sims.

Pink-toed Tarantula , Amazonia, 21 October, 2010 - photo Maggie Sims.


VP, which she did for one year. From there, Maggie accepted the position of President of the HNC. Maggie very quickly points out that working with volunteers is a very different from paid employees. One relies on invitation to others to participate (and persuasion), she says, relying on their good services and time, to

donate. “It is very important to treat this as the gift that it is”. She notes that by active participation, a member gets a lot more out of the club, as with any other activity. She likens the Club to a small community, where people know one another and interact in community spirit. Recognizing that the HNC is now at a point where we need younger blood, she also points out that people need to understand that they are needed and that there are roles for them to fill. “Having members, does not make a club”, she muses. “But participation does”.

As an avid traveller, Maggie recognizes that now, if ever, is a time to be concerned and involved in the environment, in preserving the “natural world”. In their early years, she and Dave travelled a lot in Europe, tenting and camping in France, Austria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the British Isles. They have since covered all seven continents, travelling to such places as Antarctica, the Baltics, Russia, China, Uganda, East Africa, Egypt, India and the Galapagos. It has always been a passion to “go see the world”. These experiences have shaped her vision of how different cultures can work together to conserve nature. Influenced by the writings of British naturalist Gerald Durrell (My Family and Other Animals (1956) and recently republished in 2016), Maggie suggests that bad news always sells but good news is always going on behind the scenes. One major highlight – a talk Maggie gave to our Club [see Wood Duck Vol 69 pg. 56] and to other groups too – was a trip to Uganda to observe Mountain Gorillas.

With great work being done to stabilize this population, she feels there is hope for monumental conservation achievements using this location as an example. A big picture is made up of many small pixels and everyone can do something to help. these are her words of advice on conservation.

Despite the many trips under their belts, their “wish list” is still quite active. Most of their trip ideas come out of the blue, Maggie says, but then she is very active in planning and making them happen. Madagascar is planned for the end of

this year. For now, the HNC centenary plans play a huge role both as a celebration as well as making plans for the future of the HNC. One hundred years is a very substantial accomplishment for any club, she notes. With this history under our belts, it is important to set a precedent and to ask how we go forward. The education portion is very important she notes, recognizing that it is our youth who when influenced at a young age, return to commit to nature.

Growing up on the farm, Maggie realized that everyone is a cog in the wheel and that with everyone participating, much can be accomplished. People are living longer, so there is a longer period of time for the older generation to contribute as well as enticing the young to come on board. While retirement used to be the end of a life, people are now sliding into new roles, an active and productive phase of their lives. She looks forward to jointly building a thoughtful and productive next 100 years of the HNC.

Gentoo Penguin at Antarctic breeding colony, 15 Feb 2009 - photo Maggie Sims.


15 Nov (RV); one at Lakeside Park, Mississauga 23-26 Nov (RM/RPa).Red-breasted Nuthatch: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 Sep F (LM).Brown Creeper: Two at Shell Park [HL] 15 Sep F (MJ); 12 at Confederation Park, Hamilton 12 Oct (JL).House Wren: One on Mount Albion Rd Trail, Red Hill Valley 10 Oct (BK); one at Confederation Park [HM] 12 Oct L (RD,CE).

Winter Wren: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 10 Sep F (RM).Sedge Wren#: One at Van Wagners Marsh 1-2 Oct * (DD,m.obs.).Marsh Wren: One at Bronte Marsh [HL] 2 Sep (MJ); one at Valens C.A. [HM] 11 Sep (ADS); one at Van Wagners Beach 24 Sep F (MSe,GSe); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 25 Sep (MJ) and one there 29 Oct (MJ); one at Mount Albion C.A. [HM] 26 Sep – 5 Oct (RP); one at Oak Park, Oakville 27 Sep (DH); one at Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave [HM] 1 Oct (KC); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1-2 Oct (JV,DR/BMac); six at Van Wagners Marsh 2 Oct (LM); one at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 2 Oct (RP); two at Windermere Basin 2 Oct (RD,CE); one at Erindale Park [PL] 31 Oct L (MJo).Carolina Wren: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Sep – 3 Nov (RL); one at Esker Trail [WL] 6 Oct (FU); two at Middletown Marsh, Flamborough 1-5 Nov (BCha); 118 recorded in HSA on Alan Wormington Fall Bird Count 6 Nov (m.obs.).Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Three at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 24 Sep (MN); one at Shell Park and South Shell Park [HL] 25 Oct -25 Nov (MK/MJ).Golden-crowned Kinglet: One at Shell Park [HL] 22 Sep F (MJ); 30 at Edgelake Park [HM] 26 Sep (RW); 30 at Confederation Park [HM] 9 Oct (RM); 25 at North Waterdown Wetlands [HM] 23 Oct (CD).Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One at Guelph Arboretum 3 Sep F (MT); 100 at south shore Cootes Paradise 24 Sep (JM); 16 at Edgelake Park [HM] 24 Sep (RW) and 40 there 26 Sep (RW); 15 at Village Wood Park, Bronte [HL] 30 Sep (MJ); 50 at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR) and 40 there 9 Oct (RM); 20 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct (JV) and 30 there 11 Oct (JV); 20 at Joshua Valley Park [HL] 8 Oct (BCa); 60 at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 10 Oct (RB); 36 at Fifty Point C.A. [NG/HM] 11 Oct (PTa); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 25 Nov (DPr); one at Waterfront Trail, NW of Bayfront Park 26-28 Nov (RM/MDa); one at LaSalle Park [HL] 26 Nov (RM).Eastern Bluebird: Seven at Fern Hill School, Burlington 21 Sep (RL); eight at north shore Cootes Paradise 26 Sep (LM) and 21 there Oct 5 (BW); 25 at Ruthven Park [HD] 13 Oct and 19 there 5 Nov (RL); 13 at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 13 Oct (RP); 15 near Brant Park, Brantford 19 Oct (MH); 13 at Mountsberg C.A. [HM] 1 Nov (RWo); 27 along Hardy Road Grand River trails [BR] 23 Nov (MH); 12 at McMaster Forest [HM] 27 Nov (RP).Veery: One at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 28 Aug F (GLa) (omission from last summary); six (nocturnal flight calls) near Preservation Woods, Guelph 15 Sep (FU) and one there (nocturnal flight call) 25 Sep L (FU); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 19 Sep (DPr). Gray-cheeked Thrush: One at Forty Mile Creek, Grimsby [NG] 4 Sep F (BCha); one at Guelph Arboretum 14 Oct L (RvT).Swainson’s Thrush: 28 (overhead flight calls) near Preservation Woods, Guelph 3 Oct (FU); one at Shell Park [HL] 18 Oct L (ES,BJ,et.al); one at Erindale College [PL] 18 Oct L (MJo). Hermit Thrush: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 12 Sep F (RW); eight at Ruthven Park [HD] 9 Oct (BO); 14 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 11 Oct (BJ,JK).

Wood Thrush: One at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 2 Oct L (RM).American Robin: 440 past Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct and 925 there 23 Oct (both RD,CE,DD).Gray Catbird: Ten at Shoreacres Park, Burlington 5 Sep (MW) and ten there 21 Sep (RPo); 11 at Sheldon Creek Trail, Oakville 10 Sep (MJ); one at Nipegon Trail, Oakville 3 Nov (DH); one at Little Tract [WL] 6-12 Nov L (CCo,et al.); two in north Halton 6 Nov (WM,IM); one at Harvester Rd & Walker’s Line [HL] 6 Nov (BJ,ES,JK,et al.).Brown Thrasher: Two at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR); one at Jaycee Park, Brantford 2 Oct (ANg); one at Valley Inn 10 Oct (LM); one at Lake Wabukayne [PL] 23 Oct L (SA).Northern Mockingbird: One at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 22 Sep (BWi,RDi,JG); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 17 Oct (RL).Cedar Waxwing: 185 at Woodland Cemetery 11 Sep (RD,CE,DD,MJ); 120 at Spencer Creek at Cootes Paradise 22 Oct (JL); 110 at north shore Cootes Paradise 3 Nov (JL); 88 at Valley Inn 13 Nov (ABa).American Pipit: One at Windermere Basin 21 Sep F (LM); 35 on Haldibrook Rd [HD] 21 Oct (BCha); 25 at Kirkwall Rd, N of Kirkwall [HM] 25 Oct (BCha).House Finch: 250 at Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct and 345 there 23 Oct (all RD,CE,DD).Purple Finch: Seven at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 3 Sep (AN); six at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 18 Sep (MN); 21 at Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct and 64 there 23 Oct (both RD,CE,DD); 15 at Ruthven Park [HD] 25 Oct (RL); 24 at Cootes Paradise “willows” 29 Oct (BSt); seven at Mountsberg C.A. [HM] 1 Nov (RWo).White-winged Crossbill#: 17 at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 29 Nov F (MH).Common Redpoll#: one at Rogers Road, Guelph 19 Nov F (FU).Pine Siskin#: One at Preservation Woods, Guelph 27 Sep F (FU); one at 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 3 Oct (RWo); one at Sunrise Cres, Dundas 8 Oct (RD); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 15 Oct (RL,CSc); two at Mountsberg C.A. [HM] 1 Nov (RWo); four at Springbank Park [PL] 6 Nov (RM); two near Barrie’s Lake [WT] 6 Nov (FG); one at Fruitland Rd at Lake [HM] 13 Nov (MD,RM); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 15 Nov (BCha,NR); one over Stoney Creek 16 Nov (LM).Evening Grosbeak#: One at Mountsberg C.A. [HM] 31 Oct (RWo); one at Mountain Brow Rd, Waterdown [HM] 15 Nov (RPo); one over Gilkison Flats, Brantford 17 Nov (MH); one at Gage Park [HM] 18 Nov (CC).Lapland Longspur#: One near Spencer Creek, Dundas 12 Nov F (JL).Snow Bunting: One at Spencer Smith Park [HL] 23 Oct F (AP); 25 at Aberfoyle Pit [WL] 23 Oct F (MC); 25 over Fifty Point [NG] 5 Nov (BMac); 20 at Sayers Park [HM] 10 Nov (RD); 78 at Tollgate Pond 26 Nov (JL).Ovenbird: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 31 Aug F (omission from last reporting period) (RPo/LM); five at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford 8 Oct L (BL). Northern Waterthrush: One at South Shell Park [HL] 3 Oct L (MJ); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Oct L (RL).Golden-winged Warbler#: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 10 Sep L (RM).Blue-winged Warbler#: Birds at Ruthven Park [HD]: Three - 1 Sep; one - 3 Sep; and one - 8 Sep L (all RL).Black-and-white Warbler: one at Erindale Park [PL] 3 Oct (MJo); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 10 Oct (JWM); one on Waterfront Trail NW of Bayfront Park 26 Nov (RM).

(continued from page 160)

House Wren, Red Hill Valley, 10 Oct. - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Purple Finch at Sawmill Rd [BR] 25 Nov - Gerten Basom.

Snow Bunting at Spencer Smith Park, 23 Oct - photo

Bonnie Kinder.


Tennessee Warbler: One at Shadybrook Cres, Guelph 16 Aug F (omission from last reporting period) (RH); four at the Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Oct (RL); one at Guelph Arboretum 14 Oct (RvT); one at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP, Oakville 26 Oct L (MJ). Orange-crowned Warbler: One banded at Ruthven Park [HD] 6 Sep F (RL); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 11 Sep (RW); one at Van Wagners Beach 24 Sep (AD,et al.); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 2 Nov (MH); one near Lake JoJo area, Dundas 6 Nov (BW,MA); one at Waterfront Trail NW of Bayfront Park 26-30 Nov (RM); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 5 Nov – 30 Nov (NH,m.obs.).Nashville Warbler: 45 at Woodland Cemetery 10 Sep (JL); eight at Edgelake Park [HM] 13 Sep (LM); six at Windermere Basin 26 Sep (JV); seven at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR); seven at Bronte Bluffs Park, Oakville 1 Oct (BC); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 11 Oct (JV); two at Clairfield’s Dr W, Guelph 15 Oct (FU); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 22 Oct (anon.); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 Oct (CSc); one at Burloak Waterfront Park [HL] 6 Nov L (MJ).Connecticut Warbler#: One banded at Ruthven Park [HD] 18 Sep (RL).Mourning Warbler: One at Erindale Park [PL] 8 Oct L (RM).Common Yellowthroat: Six at Edgelake Park [HM] 3 Sep (KB,NM) and eight there 5 Sep (RD,CE,DD); seven at Sheldon Creek Trail, Oakville 10 Sep (MJ); seven at Ruthven Park [HD] 12 Sep and eight there 25 Sep (RL); seven at Mount Albion C.A. [HM] 28 Sep (RP); 12 at Preservation Woods, Guelph 1 Oct (FU); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 22 Oct (anon); one at Millgrove Loam Pits [HM] 6 Nov L (TK).Hooded Warbler#: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 10 Sep L (CC,MJa,BCh).American Redstart: 19 at Edgelake Park [HM] 2 Sep (RD) and 16 there 3 Sep (KB,NM); 22 at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); nine at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM); ten at River & Ruins Trail (Bruce Trail) [HL] 11 Sep (BO); one at south shore Cootes Paradise 6 Oct L (JM); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 Oct L (LM). Cape May Warbler: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 28 Aug F (omission from last reporting period); three at Woodland Cemetery 10 Sep (JL); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 10 Oct (DJ); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 11 Oct L (JV).Cerulean Warbler#: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 Sep L (continuing bird) (LM).Northern Parula: Six at Edgelake Park [HM] 10 Sep (RP); five at south shore Cootes Paradise 20 Sep (JM); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 8 Oct – 10 Nov L (AD/GBr,DS).Magnolia Warbler: 55 at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); 16 at Edgelake Park [HM] 2 Sep (RD,CE,DD), 27 there 3 Sep (KB,NM), and 37 there 5 Sep (RD,CE,DD); 10 at Joshua Valley Park [HL] 3 Sep (BCa); 14 at Forty Creek Park, Grimsby [NG] 4 Sep (RW,BCha); 12 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 5 Sep (AD); 125 at Woodland Cemetery 10 Sep (JL); 10 at River & Ruins Trail (Bruce Trail) [HL] 11 Sep (BO); one at Erindale Park [PL] 10 Oct L (MMe,JMe).Bay-breasted Warbler: 15 at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep (RD,CE,DD); nine at Edgelake Park [HM] 5 Sep (RD,CE,DD); 25 at Woodland Cemetery 10 Sep (JL); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 6 Oct L (MH).Blackburnian Warbler: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] 30 Sep L (TPe).Yellow Warbler: one at Princess Point, Cootes Paradise 19 Sep (RP); one at Van Wagners Beach 23 Sep (IR,SG); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 30 Sep (MH); one at Confederation Park [HM] 10 Oct L (JL).Chestnut-sided Warbler: Ten at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Sep

(RD,CE,DD); 15 at Woodland Cemetery 10 Sep (JL) and one there 3 Oct L (DT); 12 at Guelph Arboretum 11 Sep (NM).Blackpoll Warbler: Ten at Ruthven Park [HD] 18 Sep (RL), seven there 30 Sep (RL) and one there 13 Oct (CSc); eight at Bayfront Park 8 Oct (GLa) and five there 10 Oct (RW,MW); four at Sedgewick Park [HL] 15 Oct (GSt,KSe) and one the 29 Oct L (AF); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 18 Oct (MMe,JMe).Black-throated Blue Warbler: Five at Woodland Cemetery 11 Sep (RP); four at Preservation Woods, Guelph 15 Sep (FU) and three there 3 Oct (FU); five at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 Oct (MMe,JMe); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 11 Oct L (RW).Palm Warbler: One at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 2 Sep F (MJ); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 3 Sep (KB,NM); 30 at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR); 15 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct (JV,DR); two at Valley Inn 22 Oct L (AP).Pine Warbler: One at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 2 Oct (MN); one at Windermere Basin (RD,CE,DD); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 Oct (MMe, JMe); one at Woodland Cemetery 3 Oct (DT); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 4 Oct (RoB); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 8 Oct (CSc); one at Sedgewick Park, Oakville 8-9 Oct (AD) and one there (same bird?) 23-28 Nov (RM/MN).Yellow-rumped Warbler: 35 at north shore Cootes Paradise 27 Sep (JL) and 105 there 4 Oct (JL); 55 at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 Sep (RL), 60 there 9 Oct (BO) and 44 there 19 Oct (RL); 100+ at Sedgewick Park [HL] 8 Oct (AD), 200 there 10 Oct (RB) and 40 there 26 Oct (RB); 100 at Confederation Park [HM] 9 Oct (RM); 45 at Spencer Creek and King St, Dundas 22 Oct (RL); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 13 Nov (BL,SL); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 27 Nov (MMe, JMe); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 28 Nov (MJ).Prairie Warbler#: One banded at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 13 Sep (RDi,BWi).Black-throated Green Warbler: Five at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 Sep (LM); five at south shore Cootes Paradise 12 Sep (JM); six at Preservation Woods, Guelph 15 Sep (FU) and ten there 1 Oct (FU); five at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 28 Sep (MH); five at Morrison Valley Trail, Oakville 3 Oct (AGu); four at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 Oct (JMcC,JMc); one at Woodland Cemetery 13 Oct L (MF).Canada Warbler: Five at Edgelake Park [HM] 10 Sep (RP); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 29-30 Oct L (RM) (latest Hamilton record ever).Wilson’s Warbler: Five at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 12 Sep (RM); five at Edgelake Park [HM] 12 Sep (RW); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 4 Oct (EP); one at Valley Inn 14 Oct L (SD).Eastern Towhee: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 9 Sep F (CC); three at Confederation Park [HM] 2 Oct (JL); one at Shell Park [HL] 18 Oct ES,BJ,et.al); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 28 Oct (EL); one at West 5th and Marlowe Dr, Hamilton 17 Nov (ON); one at Guelph Arboretum 29-30 Nov (CEa).American Tree Sparrow: One at Hendrie Valley [HL] 18 Oct F (CC).Chipping Sparrow: 100 at Confederation Park [HM] 9 Oct (RM); one at Champlain Blvd, Cambridge 20 Nov L (NH).Clay-colored Sparrow#: One at Springbank Park, Mississauga 1 Oct (RM); one at Van Wagners Marsh 4 Oct (GR); two at Preservation Park, Guelph 5 Oct (RH) and one there 6 Oct L (RH).

Canada Warbler at J.C. Saddington Park, 30 Oct - photo Reuven Martin.

Yellow Warbler at Confederation Park, 10 Oct - photo James Lees.


Field Sparrow: Six at Oak Park Rd, Brantford 14 Sep (MH) and one there 4 Nov L (MH).Vesper Sparrow: One at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 25 Sep (NH); two at Robinson Rd at Brantford Airport 3 Oct (DG); one at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 24 Oct L (BL).Savannah Sparrow: 25 at Springbank Park, Mississauga 18 Sep (RM); 24 at Home Depot field, Oakville 24 Sep (MJ); eight at Burlington “Grasslands” 25 Sep (MJ); two at Mount Albion C.A. [HM] 5 Oct (RP); one at 10th Sideroad N, Puslinch [WL] 8 Oct (CCo); one at 10th Road E, Stoney Creek 26 Nov (RP).Nelson’s Sparrow#: Two at Cootes Paradise 24 Sep * (AC), four there 27 Sep (DPr) and one there 28 Sep (GR); one at Van Wagners Marsh 2 Oct (LM); one at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 9 Oct (RM); two at Slote Road Bog [HM] 12 Oct (BW); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 29 Oct L (MJ).Fox Sparrow: One at Van Wagners Marsh 9 Oct F (JC); four at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 23 Oct (RP); 13 along Grand River, Brantford 6 Nov (BL); one at City View Park, Burlington 17 Nov (BCr); three at Hendrie Valley [HL] 21 Nov (BW) and two there 23 Nov (BCr).Song Sparrow: 40 at Windermere Basin 2 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 35 at Burlington “Grasslands” 5 Oct (BC).Lincoln’s Sparrow: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 2 Sep F (RD); four at Springbank Park, Mississauga 1 Oct (RM); 10 at Windermere Basin 2 Oct (RD,CE,DD); three at Mount Albion C.A. [HM] 19 Oct L (RP).Swamp Sparrow: 13 at Windermere Basin 2 Oct (RD,CE,DD).White-throated Sparrow: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 2 Sep (RD), 120 there 24 Sep (RW), and 45 there 7 Oct (RW); 150 at Van Wagners Ponds 24 Sep (GL,et al.) and 100 there 1 Oct (RWa); 37 at Ruthven Park [HD] 25 Sep (RL), 50 there 9 Oct (BO) and 50 there 12 Oct (RL); 50 at north shore Cootes Paradise 27 Sep (JL); 48 at Preservation Woods, Guelph 29 Sep (FU); 60 at Burloak Woods [HL] 30 Sep (MJ); 71 at Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave 1 Oct (KC); 130 at Windermere Basin 2 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 150 at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (RV,DR) and 250 there 2 Oct (JL); 50 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct (JV,DR); 40 at Shell Park [HL] 11 Oct (AMcC,JMc).White-crowned Sparrow: Several birds from seven different locations in HSA 24 Sep F (m.obs.); 35 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct (JV,DR); 50 at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Oct (JV,DR) and 30 there 16 Oct (RPo); 15 at Burlington “Grasslands” 1 Oct (BC); 14 at Binbrook C.A. [HM] 2 Oct (RP); 33 at Mount Albion C.A. [HM] 10 Oct (RP); 60 at Windermere Basin 16 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 40 at Hwy 8 – Cooper Rd area [HM] 20 Oct (JL); 20 at Brantford landfill 6 Nov (BL); one at Oswego Park [HD] 20 Nov (BSte).Dark-eyed Junco: 27 birds seen at seven HSA locations on 24 Sep F (m.obs.); 150 at Hwy 8 – Cooper Rd area [HM] 20 Oct (JL).Summer Tanager#: One at Fallkirk Park West [HM] 12 Nov (RP,DN).Scarlet Tanager: One at 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 1 Oct (RWo); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 3 Oct (RPa); three at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Oct

(RL); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 Oct L (LM).Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Four at Sheridan College, Oakville 7 Sep (AGu); four at Rattray Marsh [PL] 10 Sep (RM) and two there 2 Oct (RM); six at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Sep (RL); three at Teal Dr – Downey Rd, Guelph 2 Oct (RH); one at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 Oct L (LM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 6 Oct L (RL).Indigo Bunting: Three at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 24 Sep (LF) and one there 26 Sep (MN); one at Windermere Basin 26 Sep (JV); one at 56 Westminster Ave, Hamilton 2 Oct L (CSc).Dickcissel#: One at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT] 4 Sep F (BF).Bobolink: Birds at rare Charitable Research Reserve [WT]: 15 – 3 Sep (BF); 85- 4 Sep; (BF); 25 – 5 Sep (EHe,BF); three – 11 Sep L (BF).Red-winged Blackbird: 1255 at Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 208 at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Nov (RL); 14 at Desjardins Canal [HM] 17 Nov (MHa,LSt,ABa); four at Red Hill Parkway SWP 26 Nov (JR); one at 592 Sawmill Rd [BR] 28 Nov (GB).Eastern Meadowlark: Three at Grass Lake [WT] 18 Sep (KD); five at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Oct (AK) and one there 31 Oct (LM); one at Dofasco trail at 11th Road E [HM] 9 Oct (SMac); one at Woodland Cemetery 23 Oct (RD,CE,DD); one at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 29 Oct (BK,JR); one in Jerseyville area [BR] 6 Nov L (CM,FM).Rusty Blackbird: one at Puslinch Tract [WL] 23 Sep F (SS); 12 at Hendrie Valley [HL] 24 Sep (BCo); 47 at Ruthven Park [HD] 27 Sep (RL) and 120 there 25 Oct (RL); 47 at Woodland Cemetery 9 Oct (BRD,CE,DD); 54 at Erindale Park [PL] 10 Oct (MMe,JMe); 50 at Valens C.A. [HM] 19 Oct (BL); 45 at Mountsberg C.A. [HM] 23 Oct (RWo); 45 at Green Lane Wetland, Paris 24 Oct (BL) and 110 there 26 Oct (BL); 52 at Puslinch Lake area [WL] 6 Nov (CCo,et al.); 30 on Valens Rd [HM] 6 Nov (DG); one at Fallkirk Park West [HM] 13 Nov L (DD).Common Grackle: 46 at Preservation Woods, Guelph 11 Nov (FU); one at Victoria Rd [WL] 29 Nov (FU).Baltimore Oriole: Birds at Ruthven Park [HD]: Eight - 1 Sep; three - 7 Sep; one – 9 Sep L (all RL).

Savannah Sparrow at 10th Road East [HM], 26 Nov - photo Rob Porter.

Summer Tanager, Fallkirk Park West, 12 Nov - photo Rob Porter.

At the March Bird Study GroupMigration with Bradley Woodworth

20 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m.Animals face challenges throughout the annual cycle to acquire the necessary resources for survival and reproduction. For migratory species, many of the greatest challenges surround the twice annual journey between breeding and wintering grounds that can span 100s to 1000s of kilometres. Migration also presents a great challenge for researchers attempting to understand the ecology of these species. Bradley will present research from his graduate studies that studies how individuals and populations of migratory songbirds of the Atlantic flyway respond to challenges throughout the annual cycle using individual tracking technologies, long-term demographic data, and novel statistical techniques. Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington.


B i r d S t u d y G r o u p M e e t i n g S u m m a r y – J a n u a r y 1 6 , 2 0 1 7

The State of North America’s Birds with Andrew Couturier and Birding at Long Point Tip with Ben Oldfield by Michael Rowlands

Thanks to great publicity in local media by HNC Vice-President Bronwen Tregunno, we had a healthy crowd of

80 people for January’s meeting of the BSG, which featured two guest speakers. Emcee Bruce Mackenzie welcomed all the newcomers and began the meeting with some general announcements. He first cautioned birders who discover roosting winter owls, such as Northern Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls, not to advertise their locations on social media because there have been several instances reported of people disturbing these birds as they try to rest during the day. Approaching too closely to get close-ups or flash pictures disturbs their chosen habitat and frightens these sedentary owls; they are at risk if they fly during the day from predation by larger raptors.

Next, he read a note to our group from Dr. Cali Crampton at the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project who thanked everyone who gave a cash donation when Jody Allair spoke to the BSG in November about the endangered birds of Hawaii. The funds will be put to good use she assured us.

Our first speaker of the evening was Andrew Couturier, a Senior Analyst at Bird Studies Canada. In his nearly 20 years with BSC, Andrew has developed Canada’s national Important Bird Areas Program as a global model; set up and expanded BSC’s national Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory, and was the innovator of spatial analysis and mapping for various projects, such as Partners in Flight, The State of Canada’s Birds 2012, and – the topic of his presentation to us this January evening – The State of North America’s Birds.

The purpose of Andrew’s talk was to give us an “under the hood” look at all the work that went into generating the colourful, ledger-sized, eight-page report and website (http://www.stateofthebirds.org) that summarize the state of 1154 species of birds found in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The report is the work of about half a dozen of the government, non-government, and industry organizations – including Bird Studies Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada – that are members of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) and was produced by three committees (steering, science, and communications) comprised of representatives from each country. As a member of the steering committee, Andrew explained they had about 18 months to complete the work, about 12 of which were at a feverish pace, in order to meet the release date of May 18, 2016 by Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. The report, notably published during the 100th anniversary of the Canada-USA Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and the 80th anniversary of a similar USA-Mexico agreement, draws on the data collected by tens of thousands of Citizen Scientists across North America.

One of the first challenges faced by the committees was that a common template for assessing the vulnerability of each species of bird was not being used in each country. They decided to use guidelines developed for landbirds by the group called Partners in Flight, which assigns scores in each of the following categories and sums them to give an overall vulnerability score: Population Size, Breeding Distribution, Non-breeding Distribution, Threats to Breeding, Threats to Non-breeding, and Population Trend. Considerable effort was needed to adapt all the available data in different formats to the PIF template at this stage of the project but it was done! The scores were ranked from least to most vulnerable and a Watch List of birds of the highest concern was generated: 432 species, or 37% of the North American birds, need urgent conservation action! Scores for every bird are listed on the State of the Birds website. Andrew cautioned that the scores represent the continental status of each species and may differ from federal or provincial Canadian lists that assess more local concerns.

The “report card page” first gives us the high-level findings of the study by grouping species of concern across their habitats. The top two groups “in crisis” are ocean birds and tropical and subtropical forest birds. Birds “in steep declines” are coastal, aridlands, and grasslands species. Of “mixed status” are birds of the temperate forests, tundra, wetlands, and boreal forest. Those “faring well” are a generalist group of birds that are adaptable and can live in multiple habitats.

The next pages of the report give further details on the birds in each habitat under the headings: status, building on success, and take action. This is the important story within the story! For instance, most birds of the Boreal Forest are faring well but long-distance migrants face threats mainly from disappearing habitat in their non-breeding habitats; Ontario and Quebec have committed to protect 50% of their boreal forests from development but it is hoped that similar efforts will follow in the other jurisdictions; and sustainable forestry practices that mimic natural disturbance are starting to be followed. The fate of our boreal birds is closely linked to what’s happening in the Tropical Forests, where 20% of our migrants spend their winters and must compete with endemic species in ever-shrinking habitat.

A highlight of Andrew’s talk was a discussion and demonstration of the new maps that have been prepared for eight migrating species. Peter Blancher, from Environment and Climate Change Canada and a member of the Science Committee, converted data from eBird to relative abundance by season and Andrew

Speaker Andrew Couturier from LinkedIn.


developed a system to display and interpret the information.

As an example of these maps, the one printed in the Boreal Forest section of the report shows the average predicted relative abundance during the breeding season (in red), winter (in blue), and fall and spring migrations (in green) for the Magnolia Warbler. An animated map (available on the website mentioned above), which Andrew demonstrated to us, shows the Magnolia Warbler’s predicted distribution and relative abundance in each week of the year. You can literally watch the migratory movement of the species as they travel across North America. It’s amazing to see that the entire population, which is spread across the vast Boreal Forest in breeding season, is crowded into an area of tropical forest one-tenth the size during the winter.

Near the end of the report is a section entitled “Everybody wins with bird conservation” that explains how combined actions by public policy, people, and private industry can conserve our shared birds. Andrew showed us Bird Studies Canada’s six recommendations to help birds: get to know your birds; support bird conservation; be a bird-friendly consumer; make your yard bird friendly; keep cats indoors; and prevent bird-window collisions.

He concluded by saying that Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) need our help and that we can stay in touch through the website (www.ibacanada.com), Facebook page (IBACanada), or newsletter. We have three of these areas in the greater Hamilton region: West End of Lake Ontario, Hamilton Harbour Waterbird Colonies, and Dundas Valley and Dundas Marsh IBAs. After answering a few questions from the floor, Andrew was thanked by BSG Director Bruce Mackenzie and given an enthusiastic round of applause.

The second speaker of the evening was our own Ben Oldfield, two-time winner of the Robert Curry Trophy for the Most Bird Species, whose interest in birds has rivalled his interest in schoolwork, football, and hockey and led him to spend many hours banding birds at Ruthven and seeking other opportunities to learn more about birds. In August 2015, with four other teenagers from across Canada, he attended the Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshop at the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) for a week of skill-building and training. It turned out that this was a perfect precursor for being accepted into the month-long internship from August 10-30, 2016 at LPBO, along with Josh Brown, another young birder from Vancouver. They spent about half their time at the Old Cut Research Station and Visitor Centre and half at “The Tip” of Long Point finding out what it would be like to be a field biologist running a successful banding station. Banding was better at Old Cut, Ben explained, as there was more habitat and there were more birds there than at The Tip.

Ben had lots to say and show us about his adventures at Long Point, a world-renowned banding operation that has banded over 990,000 birds to this date, more than any other station in North America! In total, 400 species of birds have been sighted at LPBO. (Your scribe and projectionist apologizes that Ben’s slides, created in Keynote on a Macintosh computer and not convertible to PowerPoint, had to be saved as PDFs so we could view and project them on a Microsoft laptop, so the resolution of both photos and text was not ideal. We will look for a better

solution to this incompatibility problem for future showings.)

Ben’s personal research objective during his internship was to determine how much weight a migrant bird could gain during a single day. Because they banded from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and sometimes caught the same bird twice, he was able to compare the weight of a bird caught and tagged early in the morning with its weight when recaptured later the same day. For example, he found that a Canada Warbler gained 1.2 g in a 12-hour period (10% of its overall body weight); a “Traill’s” Flycatcher gained 0.9 g in 8 hrs (11.1% b.w.); and a Black-and-white Warbler gained 1.3 g in 10 hrs (9% b.w.).

Migratory birds need different amounts of body fat to sustain them during migratory flights of varying distances: Blackpoll Warblers and Gray-cheeked Thrushes are known to double their body mass to prepare for their long migrations. One researcher, Dr. Rebecca Holberton at the University of Maine, has studied Blackpoll Warblers that travel for 80 to 90 hours non-stop from Maine to South America and says “A colleague analyzed the bird’s energy efficiency and concluded that what they’re able to achieve is equivalent to an automobile averaging 750 miles per gallon.”

At the March HNC Monthly Meeting Always Looking Up

13 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m.At the RBG HQ, Plains Road W., Burlington

Like you, anthropologist and children’s book author, and evening’s speaker Jackie Prime, is ready to implement change to make our world a more compassionate place. Is there a way to regain balance and reconnect? Are humans really separate from each other and from nature? Or is there a different story waiting to be told? With over a decade of teaching and research experience, Jackie’s view on humanity’s connection with nature is radically different from most. Recognizing that humans are not superior to the rest of life on earth, Jackie shares with us in “Always Looking Up” that the foundation for compassionate living exists in humanity’s deep connection with nature. Jackie fuses her experiences growing up in Burlington with her real life adventures trekking through the rainforests of Thailand studying gibbons and macaques. One of the few dedicated gibbon specialists in the world, Jackie is the Founder and Executive Director of Prime Earth Education, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to become environmental stewards and humanitarians who understand that we are all connected.

Speaker Ben Oldfield at the meeting - photo Sandy Stark.

Affix Label Here

40048074Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Hamilton Naturalists’ ClubWestdale P.O. Box 89052Hamilton, ON L8S 4R5

Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch Begins March 1st The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH) begins its 43rd consecutive year of monitoring the spring migration of hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures over Beamer Memorial C.A. on the

Niagara Peninsula above the Town of Grimsby. This is a great way to say good-bye to winter with the annual passage of these wonderful birds. The count was originally started by Dave Copeland

in 1975 after he discovered the best spring hawk migration location in the Hamilton area. Records have been kept ever since and the data is shared with the Hawk Migration Association

of North America. Under the leadership of Bruce Duncan the NPH began in 1990 to formally put a structure around the counters to assist them with their task and bring a greater public

awareness to the spring hawk migration. This year the NPH Open House occurs on Good Friday April 14. You can see from the photo

below, that it is a well attended event. The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch is once again offering a $500.00 scholarship to an area

secondary school student. To read more about this offer and how to apply, please visit http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/.

James Cowan of the Canadian Raptor Society has a very interested audience at the 2016 NPH Open House at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, 25 March - photo Sandy Darling.

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