journal of the hamilton naturalists’...

JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUBProtecting Nature Since 1919

Volume 72 Number 7 Celebrating 100 Years!

March 2019

I n T h i s I s s u e :Nest Boxes for American Kestrels

The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch Needs Your HelpRock Pigeons

2018 Fall Noteworthy Bird RecordsReflections From the 1980s

Golden Eagle juvenile at Woodland Cemetery on 19 October 2018. This record and hundreds of other records are detailed inside in the Fall Noteworthy Bird Records summary. This fine raptor will soon be seen over Beamer Conservation Area at the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. This hawkwatch needs your help to keep it going as it has for over 40 years. Please see how you can help on page 148 inside - photo Ryk Naves.

The Wood Duck - March, 2019Page 146

Table of Contents HSA Nature Note - Winter Springtails at a Coyote Kill Dave Moffatt 146 The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch is at a Crossroads Mike Street 148 Introducing Michael Runtz Glenda Slessor 149 American Kestrel Nest Box Programme Bruce Mackenzie 150 Noteworthy Bird Records – September to November (Fall) 2018 Bill Lamond 151 Wood Duck Articles from the Early 1980s Various 155 Dates to Remember - January/February 2019 Rob Porter/Liz Rabishaw 156 Rock Pigeons June Hitchcox 158 Annual Bird Quiz with David Brewer Mike Rowlands 114

HSA Nature Note - Winter Springtails at a Coyote Killby Dave Moffatt

Yesterday (3 February 2019) I found the aftermath of a rabbit kill on the Hamilton- Brantford Rail Trail, most likely by Coyotes. The prey had been caught, shaken, killed and ripped apart before being carried away, leaving fur,

skin, blood and body fluids over about 1.5 meters of trail. Of interest were the thousands of springtails [colloquially known as "Snow Fleas"] that had gathered at the site, apparently to feed on the spilled fluids (photos above).Springtails are thought to feed primarily on algae, fungal spores and detritus. Their mass assemblies on the top of melting snow packs are one of the first signs of spring. However, they are normally found near trees or rotting stumps where it is fairly easy to surmise their place of origin. I had been watching carefully for my entire 8 km walk and had seen no such assembly. These insects were isolated in the middle of the trail and obviously only there because of the kill. Are they known to be carnivorous, and if so how does a flightless, short-legged, poor sighted insect locate, orient to and reach an isolated food source? Do they follow a scent gradient or is some sort of social signalling involved? Their spring-loaded jumping mechanism (the source of their common name) seems to be fairly random in terms of direction.All the visible insects were within a few cm of the kill. There was no density gradient moving away from the area of concentration, as one would expect if they were arriving by a "random walk" strategy.

The Wood Duck - March, 2019 Page 147

Publications Committee: Christine Bishop, Martin Daly, Rob Dobos, 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 2019 - 2020 ExecutivePast President

President:Vice-President:

Secretary: Treasurer:

Maggie SimsBronwen TregunnoChris Motherwell

Joyce LitsterJim Stollard

905 331 1496905 637 7136*** *** ****905 627 1203905 634 3538

[email protected]@cogeco.ca

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] Directors

Bird Study Group:Conservation & Education:

Field Events:Director-at-Large:

Membership: Programs:Publicity:

Sanctuary:Volunteer:

Wood Duck Editor:

Bruce MackenzieGord McNulty

Rob PorterJackson Hudecki

Jill Baldwin Lou Mitton

vacantBrian Wylie

Cleo CoppolinoBill Lamond

905 973 4869905 525 9927905 920 3148905 516 4253905 679 6447 *** *** ****

905 627 4601*** *** ****519 756 9546

[email protected]@gmail.com

[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]@cogeco.ca

[email protected]@hamiltonnature.org

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 Bill Lamond519 756 9546 or [email protected]

Life Membership $900.00 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 ac-cess 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]) $25.00Family 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 Hamilton Area (check local library)

Volume 72 Number 7

CN ISSN 0049-7886 http://www.hamiltonnature.org

March 2019 - Publications Mail Contract No. 40048074

[email protected]


Editor's Notes.....First off I want to say that tickets for our 100th Anniversary Celebration dinner at Liuna Station are now available and information for this is found on the back page. We have booked Michael Runtz as our guest speaker on the night which is great news as he is such an exciting speaker. I have heard him speak before on beavers and it was so enjoyable. You may remember Mike from the nature TV series he hosted back in the 1990s called "Wild by Nature" which was top-notch You can see by his biography on the opposite page that he is a special person. In short, you will not want to miss this night.

On the back page is information on the new Hamilton Area checklist that will soon be available – another one of our centennial projects. Another endeavor in the same vein, is a T-shirt that is in the works to promote Hamilton birders – something for you to show that you are a proud Hamilton-area birder. Have a look at the design by Paul Riss on page 158. Information will be available very soon on sizing, colours, price and how to obtain. It is a very enjoyable and interesting design.

Please take note of the dire message below from the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. It is a stark reminder that volunteer organizations need new volunteers to stay vital. It has had an affect on me as I plan on volunteering some time at Beamer this year. And why not? It is such a wonderful place to be in the Spring. This hawkwatch was started by HNC members over 40 years ago and I hope many current HNC members will step-up to help the Beamer Hawkwatch in its time of need. I can't imagine spring birding in Hamilton without the hawkwatch. Hopefully 2019 will not be its last year!

I hope you enjoy the plethora of bird photos in this issue of the Fall Noteworthy Bird Records. I find it amazing how many good bird photographs are available for me to use. I know these records take up a lot of space here, but bird records are such an important part of the history of the HNC and the data here is valuable for monitoring our changing avifauna – and it is changing in both positive and unfortunately, quite negative ways.

The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch is at a CrossroadsIn 1974 a group of area birders belonging to the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, led by the late Dave Copeland, worked with the fledgling Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) and set up a spring hawkwatch at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, located off Quarry Road on the Niagara Escarpment above Grimsby. Dave coordinated the watch until 1987, when Mary Ellen Hebb took over. In 1989 the late Bruce Duncan spearheaded the formation of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). In addition to maintaining the annual raptor count, the NPH expanded its activities to include educating the public about the annual phenomenon going on literally right over their heads.

On Good Friday 1991 the NPH held its first ever Open House, inviting the public to come out to Beamer to see what the hawkwatch was all about. The more than 400 visitors who came to Beamer that day were treated to a flight of close to 700 raptors of nine species. A week later the NPH held its first ever Annual General Meeting and Banquet at Stoney Ridge Winery. These two events, and a bi-annual newsletter, have continued every year until last year.

Unfortunately, thirty years on, the 2019 picture for the NPH is not rosy. Two of the five-member NPH Committee have served from the beginning, another for 25 years, and the remaining two for close to ten years each. All would like a change, and one of them is leaving the area later this year, so the current executive cannot sustain the NPH. No new people have responded to many requests for help on the Committee. Counter numbers are down to the point where in 2018 there were just enough volunteers to maintain the March 1- May 15 count.

At a NPH Executive Committee meeting on 11 January it was decided to suspend the 2019 Annual General Meeting and Banquet and not operate the 2019 Open House. Committee members will explain the situation to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and discuss any options the NPCA may suggest for a 2019 Open House.

At the same time the NPH Executive agreed to carry out the actual 2019 raptor count while opening discussion of alternatives to maintain the organization and the count in future years, such as rejuvenating the executive with new members or exploring whether another nature group might be in a position to, at the very least, take over and maintain the actual count of migrating raptors so the 45 year data record at Beamer CA will not be broken. The options will be discussed at a public meeting in April which NPH members and other interested people can attend.

Now is the time for all good birders and others interested in birds to come to the aid of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. If you can help, would like to attend the meeting in April and/or would like to know more about the NPH, please contact Sandy Darling by email at [[email protected] ] or by phone at 905-689-7481.


Introducing Michael Runtz

November 2 2019, the celebratory banquet to mark the HNC’s 100th anniversary, will bring us many treats. Liuna Station will be a bright and welcoming venue.

Michael Runtz is our Guest Speaker for the evening and he will bring us the best of his years of teaching, exploring Ontario’s natural worlds, and all his skills as a nature photographer. You may remember him from his CBC phone in program, where he would entertain and teach us all, adding to the sightings we would report his very own joy at our pleasures, and always able to teach his listeners more about our natural world.

Michael Runtz is the complete naturalist. Michael worked as an interpretive naturalist in Algonquin Provincial Park for a total of 11 seasons spanning four decades. He has explored much of Algonquin by canoe and by foot. He has produced 12 books of stunning photographs, many from his favourite patch, Algonquin Park. He is a long time Ontario birder, and has connections with many of us from the Hamilton area, from Pelee, Toronto, in fact all over Ontario.

As well, Mike has been an instructor at Carleton University for many years now, teaching an always oversubscribed course on natural history. His students are in awe of his energy, his knowledge, and his humour. And they are also rather astounded when they discover how much he has to teach them, and how much there is to learn.

We are excited to have Michael sharing his passions with us, HNC members passionate about what we do here, in our very special patch of the world.

Hamilton Naturalists' Club 100th Anniversary Banquet Speaker Mike Runtz.

Mike Runtz

Mike Runtz


American Kestrel Nest Box Programme by Bruce Mackenzie

In the spring of 2018 the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch contributed funds to a new nest box programme being

operated and sponsored by Grimsby and District Lions Club in association with the Friends of the Grimsby Wetlands in the Grimsby/Winona area. In the previous year, the group had placed four kestrel boxes in the west Grimsby area above and below the escarpment. The plan was to expand this programme to 14 boxes.

The American Kestrel is a diurnal raptor that nests in cavities. Normally these cavities will be abandoned Northern Flicker nests in trees or other suitable cavities in trees or buildings. Kestrels usually take well to properly placed nesting boxes.

Kestrel populations have shown a general decrease in eastern

North America. The jury is still out on the reasons why, but the usual suspects are environmental pollutants, habitat loss and also a loss of nesting sites. The idea behind nesting box programmes is to fill a gap of low nesting site opportunities if this is a factor in a particular area.

Cornell University notes “The American Kestrel is the continent’s most common and widespread falcon but populations declined by about 50% between 1966 and 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. 'Partners in Flight' estimates the global breeding population at 4 million, with 39% spending some part of the year in the U.S., 10% in Mexico, and 13% breeding in Canada”.

During the local Christmas Bird Counts for 2018, two kestrels were found on the Hamilton CBC, 37 on the Peach Tree CBC and 35 on the St Catharines CBC. The Peach Tree CBC, a new CBC four years old, covers east Stoney Creek, and all of Grimsby and down to Smithville and Caistor Centre. The winter numbers show promise for kestrels in the nest box programme area we are using for box sites. According to the Birds of Niagara by John Black and Kayo Roy, we see more kestrels in the Niagara area wintering than we do in the breeding season.

John Stevens, a Director and the statistician for the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch notes that the “highest count for kestrels on the spring migration was in 1990 at 204 with the lowest in 2014 at 30. In the first 5-year period of complete coverage (1981-85) we averaged 99 kestrels a year. In the most recent five year period we averaged 45 so the decline is more than 50%”. Even though Beamer is not a heavy route for kestrels in the spring migration, the area around Beamer is noted for open fields both fallow and in active agricultural providing suitable year-round habitat for kestrels. The kestrel decrease is in contrast to the increase in Merlins and

Peregrine Falcons in the HNC Study Area. Merlins nest in abandoned nests of other animals in trees and Peregrines nest on cliff faces or on building ledges.

The nesting boxes were home made and placed on poles or buildings generally 10 to 12 feet above the ground. Selected private landowners with suitable conditions were canvased for permission to place boxes on their properties. Most of the boxes were placed with the entrance hole facing in an easterly direction. We have received information that we should consider changing the direction from entrances facing a north east to east direction because late winter/early spring snow storms come from the north east usually. The nests were all provided with about three inches of fresh wood shavings.

To date only one nest box has been located on top of the escarpment. This one is located about 300 m east of the 10th line in Stoney Creek on the south side of the CPR track near the Dofasco Trail. In 2017 this was the only productive nest site of the four boxes. At the end of the nesting season the inside walls of the nest box were covered in white wash and one unhatched egg was found with the shavings. In 2018 this box was not used. When this box was being checked in the spring and fall there was always a pair of Kestrels nearby. This box faces south east.

A pair of Peregrines and Ravens nest in the Vinemount quarry within a kilometer of this site and have done so for several years. All other nest boxes in 2017 and 2018 were located below the escarpment. In 2018 we had two successful boxes. They both were located on the Puddicombe Farm in Winona. One was on a pole east of Fifty Rd on the south side of the CNR line. Upon inspection in the fall the inside walls again were lined with white wash. A significant amount of rodent hair was found on the top of the wood shavings suggesting food was primarily Meadow Voles. The hair would have been from broken down regurgitated pellets. No extra nesting materials had been introduced. The entrance to this nest box faced south east.

The other successful nest box was located on the main farm property south of Hwy 8. It was fairly close to structures and not far from a residence and a stand of trees. Upon inspection we found the walls white washed again and one unhatched egg with the shavings. The entrance hole on this box faced north east.

Two other boxes were located on Puddicombe Farm property one on the north

Author Bruce Mackenzie.

Doug Ritchie member of the Grimsby Lions Club installing

a Kestrel Box in Grimsby.

American Kestrel in vinyard - photo Barry Cherriere.

(continued on page 162)


Observers: Gil Aburto-Avila (GA), Isabel Apkarian (IA), Mason Arbuckle (MA), Andrew Bailey (ABa), Aileen Barclay (AB), Gerten Basom (GB), Cody Bassindale (CB), Robert Bell (RBe), Carolyn Bennett (CBe), Luke Berg (LB), Christine Bishop (CAB), Benjamin Brash, (BB), Sydney Brooks (SB), Mike Boyd (MBo), Rob Buchanan (RB), Cindy Burley (CBu), Ken Burrell (KB), Mike Cadman (MC), Bruce Campbell (BCa), Adam Capparelli (AC), Virginia Carey (VC), Simon Carter (SCa), Janice Chard (JC), Barb Charlton (BCha), Chris Cheatle (CC), Barry Cherriere (BCh), Ted Cheskey (TC), Curtis Combdon (CCo), Peter Coo (PC), Barry Coombs (BCo), Jeff Costa (JCo), Meghan Copeland (MCo), David Cottan (DC), Cindy Crease (CCr), Bill Crins (BCr), Carol Croke (CaC), Bob Curry (BC), Ken Dance (KD), Jeni Darling (JD), Sandy Darling (SD), Bill Davis (BD), Dennis Dirigal (DDi), Karl Dix (KDi), Rob Dobos (RD), Andrew Don (AD), Dave Don (DD), Vitalia D'Souza (VD), Christopher Dunn (CD), Barney Dutka (BDu), Helene Dutka (HD), Rick Eckley (RE), Cheryl Edgecombe (CE), Brandon P.M. Edwards (BPME), Kevin Empey (KE), Deena Errampelli (DE), Neil Faulkenham (NF), Luc Fazio (LF), Luca Ferrara (LFe), Brett Fried (BF), Denys Gardiner (DG), Bev Golden (BG), Elaine Gosnell (EGo), Ethan Gosnell (EG), Andrea Gress (AGr), Brete Griffin (BGr), Ryan Griffiths (RG), Amanda Guercio (AG), Todd Hagedorn (TH), Dominik Halas (DH), Mike Hallett (MH), Jean Hampson (JHa), Lyn Hanna-Folkes (LHF), Kevin Hannah (KHa), Pat Hare (PH), Marlene Hart (MHa), Eric Heisey (EHe), Bob Highcock (BHi), Eric Holden (EHo), Kevin Hollingsworth (KH), Nathan Hood (NH), Jerry Horak (JH), Ellen Horak (EH), Kyle Horner (KHo), Carol Horvat (CH), Bridgit Hribljan (BHr), Jackson Hudecki (JHu), Randy Husson (RH), Matt Iles (MI), Jean Iron (JI), Mourad Jabra (MJa), Marcie Jacklin (MJac), Jerry Jackman (JJ), Tom Jackman (TJ), Beth Jefferson (BJ), Mark Jennings (MJ), Marc Johnson (MJo), Barry Jones (BJo), Morgan Kain (MK), Andrew Keaveney (AKe), Bruce Kennedy (BKe), Frank King (FK), Daryl Knarr (DK), William Konze (WK), Billi Krochuk (BKr), Bill Lamond (BL), Sarah Lamond (SL), Richard Lee (RLee), James Lees (JL), Ryan Leys (RLe), Mike Lepage (MLe), Debbie Lindeman (DL), Ross Little (RLi), Rick Ludkin (RL), Bruce Mackenzie (BMac), Lori Mackenzie (LMac), Stuart Mackenzie (SMac), Andrea MacLeod (AMac), John McFarlane (JMc), Mike MacLeod (MMac), Neil MacLeod (NMac), Dan MacNeal (DMac), Len Manning (LM), Reuven Martin (RM), David McCorquodale (DM), Sheldon McGregor (SMc), Kevin McLaughlin (KM), Nancy McPherson (NMc), Michael Mechan (MMec), Janet Medelko (JMe), Marvin Medelko (MMe), Dawn Miles (DMi), Jason Miller (JM), Nathan Miller (NM), Tom Miller (TM), Matt Mills (MM), Kai Millyard (KMi), David Milson (DMil), Brian Mishell (BMi), David Moffatt (DMo), Phil Mozel (PM), Samreen Munim (SM), Baxter Naday (BN), Bart Namath (BNa), Dilia Narduzzi (DN),Ryk Naves (RN), George Naylor (GN), Linda Nong (LN), Andrew Nguyen (ANg), Derek Neumann (DNe), Mike Norton (MN), Owen Novoselac (ON), Ben Oldfield (BO), William Olenek (WO), Thomas Ouchterlony (TO), Rob Palin (RPa), Walter Parker (WP), Mark Patry (MP), Mallory Peirce (MP), Teresa Pero (TP), Frank Pinilla (FP), Jason Pizzey (JPi), Jon Pleizier (JP), Erik Pohanka (EP), Brian Pomfret (BP), Richard Poort (RPo), Anna Porter (APo), Rob Porter (RP), George Prieksaitis (GPr), David Pryor (DPr), Liz Purves (LPu), Joanne Redwood (JR), Nicole Richardson (NR), Sarah Richer (SR), Garth Riley (GRi), Craig Ritchie (CR), Paul Riss (PR), Judy Robins (JRo), David Rooke (DRo), Christine Roarke (CRo), Jon Ruddy (JRu), Greg Salter (GSa), Yves Scholten (YS), Caleb Scholtens (CSc), John Schmelefske (JSc), Gis Segler (GS), Jennie Selva (JSe), Elaine Serena (ES), Kevin Seymour (KSe), Joan Sims (JSi), George Sims (GSi), Janet Sippel (JSip), Darren Smillie (DS), Bill Smith (BSm), Nancy Smith (NS), Paul Smith (PS), Rick Snider (RS), Faye Socholotiuk (FS), Roy Sorgenfrei (RSo), Robert Spaul (RSp), Bob Stamp (BS), Larry Staniforth (LS), Alex Stone (AS), Paul Strong (PSt), Greg Stuart (GSt), Paul Tavares (PTa), Peter Thoem (PT), Adam Timpf (AT), Matt Timpf (MT), Andrew Tongue (AT), Gail Howe Trenholm (GHT), David Trumbell (DT), Rohan van Twest (RvT), Tristan Uchida (TU), Fred Urie (FU), Anthony Vanderheyden (AnV); Josh Vandermeulen (JV), Will Van Hemessen (WVH), Mike Veltri (MV), Maggie Vlietstra (MVl), Mike Waldhuber (MW), Rob Waldhuber (RW), Nicholas Wasilik (NW), Jim Watt (JWa), Dave Watters (DWat), Pam Watters (PWat), Gord Watts (GW), Doug Welch (DW), Joe Werba (JW), Quinten Wiegersma (QW), Angie Williams (AWi), Karen Wood (KWo); Ross Wood (RWo), Debbie Wright (DWr), Brian Wyatt (BWy), Brian Wylie (BWyl), Anthony Zammit (AZ), Aaron Zhang (AZh), many observers (m.obs.).

Noteworthy Bird Records — September - November (Fall) 2018by Bill Lamond

Underlined species or dates require documentation to be submitted to the Hamilton Bird Records Committee [HBRC] (Barb Charlton, Bob Curry, Rob Dobos, Bill Lamond, Ross Wood). Those records where documentation has been received are marked

with a double asterisk “**”. Records where documentation has not been received are marked with a double pound “##”. The HBRC realizes that it is unclear which dates require documentation for a species as the Date Guide to the Birds of the Hamilton Area is not readily available and the dates listed in that publication for many species need revision. For the time being, the HBRC is using the first three migration dates (or last three) given in Birds of Hamilton as documentation criteria. Species observed within those dates require documentation as date rarities. The new Date Guide will be available in May 2019. Underlined species are geographic rarities in the Hamilton area. These rarities are listed in Hamilton Area Bird Checklist 2007. All documentation submitted here has not yet been reviewed by the HBRC.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 Ornithological Society's (AOS) checklist and supplements.

Legend:* - first occurrence for the yearF - first migration occurrenceL - last migration occurrence{photo} - photographedSM - singing maleterr. - territorial birdSWP - storm water pondConc - Concession** - documentation received## - documentation not received

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

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


Snow Goose#: One blue morph on Kirkwall Rd, N of 5th Concession, Flamborough 24 Sep F (BL); one at Grand River S of Caledonia [HD] 11 Oct (EGo); two at Fallsview Rd, Dundas [HD] 11 Oct (JL); one blue morph at Mattamy Cycling Centre, Milton [HL] 11 Oct F (RM); two at Ruthven Park [HD] 23 Oct – 7 Nov (RL); one at Shades Mills C.A. [WT] 2 Nov (AZ); seven (6 white & 1 blue) at Bell School Line [HL] 12 Nov {photo} (RB); 15 over Dundas Valley 24 Nov (BMi).

Brant#: One at Van Wagners Beach 24 Sep F ** (RWo) and later at Spencer Smith Park [HL] {photo} (AB), five there 22 Oct (ON) and one there 28 Oct – 3 Nov L (AB,m.obs.); one at Confederation Park [HM] 19-20 Oct {photo} (TO/RPo); two at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 22 Oct (TH); one at 4520 Lakeside Dr, Grimsby [NG] 29 Oct {photo} (JRo/JHa,BHi).Cackling Goose: Five at 9th Line N of Steeles Ave [HL] 2 Oct ## (MF); one at St. George [BR] ## 10 Oct (JL); five over River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 20 Oct (BO); four over Dundas Valley 21 Oct (JL); 11 at Osprey Marsh [PL] 26 Oct {photo} (DDi); three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 6 Nov {photo} (TH); three at Mattamy Cycling Centre, Milton [HL] 10 Nov (LF,GW); three at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby [HL] 18 Nov {photo} (RG); six on Grand River at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH).Tundra Swan: Three over High Level Bridge 13 Oct F (MM); four at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 17 Oct (TH); 11 at LaSalle Park 10 Nov {photo} (QW,EG); 55 over Dundas Valley 14 Nov (TU); 19 on Harbour at CCIW 19 Nov (RD) and 14 there 27 Nov {photo} (JR).Wood Duck: Two at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH); one at Desjardins Canal 24 Nov (RD).Gadwall: Thirty-five at Windermere Basin 24 Sep (SL,EHe) and 16 there 5 Oct (MPa); 31 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 13 Oct (ML,MC,BWy); 19 at Red Hill SWP 18 Oct (RD); 63 at Cootes Paradise 20 Oct (PT); 50 at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 3 Nov (RM); four at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 17 Nov (BD); 356 along Lake Ontario shoreline from Bel Air Promenade to Ben Machree Park 17 Nov (RM/LF,RPa); 80 off Arkendo Park [HL] 25 Nov (RM).American Wigeon: Ten at Tollgate Pond 3 Sep (AS); 15 at Windermere Basin 3 Sep (AS); three at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 4 Sep (BD), eight there 11 Oct (MMac) and one there 25 Nov (RP); four at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 5 Sep (MC), 280 there 3 Oct [HM] (RWo,KWo), 310 there 13 Oct [WL] (ML), 105 there [WL] 24 Oct (MC) and 52 there 11 Nov [HM] (MC); 18 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 9 Sep (JSip); 13 over Grimsby [NG] 1 Oct (RG); six at LaSalle Park 17 Nov (DM).Blue-winged Teal: Thirty at Windermere Basin 3 Sep (AS); 15 at Atlantis Niagara Wines [NG] 3 Sep (JHa,BHi); 40 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Sep (RD,CE,DD), 52 there 4 Sep (BD), 40 there 13 Sep (JV) and seven there 28 Sep (BD); 16 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 8 Sep (DMi,PC) and six there 24 Sep (AZ); eight at Van Wagners Beach 9 Sep (LF); four at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4 Oct (YS); eight at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 4 Oct (MH); eight at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 20 Oct (RvT); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 25 Oct L (LFe).Northern Shovelor: Fifteen at Tollgate Pond 5 Sep (FP), 22 there 23 Sep (BC), 28 there 8 Oct (JI), and 10 there 24 Nov (SL,BPME); 15 at Windermere Basin 8 Sep (MT) and 15 there 30 Nov (JSc); eight at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18 Oct (MMac), 17 there 22 Oct (BD) and 13 there 30 Nov (BD);

seven in Hendrie Valley 22 Sep (ABa); four at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 25 Sep (RWo); 22 at Cootes Paradise 22 Sep (JHu) and 14 there 24 Nov (DMo); 10 at Flamboro Downs [HM] 15 Oct (RD); 17 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 21 Oct (AZ); six at Guelph Line/QEW SWP 4 Nov (RB); 13 at Mountsberg Reservoir 5 Nov (DMac); 30 at Redhill Creek at Woodward Ave, Hamilton 17 Nov (MN,AD,GW).Northern Pintail: Five at Van Wagners Beach 8 Sep (RD et al.), 18 there 1 Oct (KB), 35 there 5 Oct (KB), and 26 there 8 Oct (RD et al.); 35 at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 29 Sep (YS); five at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Oct (BD); four at Murray St Park, Grimsby [NG] 12 Oct (JRo); 20 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 13 Oct (MC,ML,BWy); two at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 7 Nov (TH); one at Redhill Creek at Woodward Ave, Hamilton 15-30 Nov (JR,m.obs.); one on Grand River at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH); one at Pinery Pond, Oakville 20 Nov (PM); one at LaSalle Park 25 Nov (LN).Green-winged Teal: Twenty at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Sep (RD,CE,DD), 30 there 13 Sep (JV), 17 there 20 Oct (BD) and 4 there 26 Oct (NM,EG); 18 on Harbour at Neare Island 3 Sep (AS); 14 at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 9 Sep (KWo,RWo), 95 there 25 Sep (RWo), 110 there 29 Sep (YS), 95 there 9 Oct (YS), 130 there 18 Oct (RWo), and six there 9 Nov (YS); 100 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 13 Sep (TH), 140 there 21 Oct (MC et al.), 150 there 26 Oct (TH), 200 there 7 Nov (TH), and 70 there 9 Nov (TH); three at Red Hill SWP 15 Sep (AWi) and 18 there 18 Oct (RD); 18 at Windermere Basin 23 Sep (BC), 42 there 13 Oct (BC), 32 there 4 Nov (BC), and nine there 30 Nov (JSc); 18 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 13 Oct (ML,MC,BWy), 55 there 3 Oct (KWo,RWo) and 19 there 5 Nov (DMac); 80 at Cootes Paradise 20 Oct (PT); eight at Brant Park, Brantford 22 Oct (MH); five at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 25 Oct (MH); 11 at Shades Mill C.A. [WT] 4 Nov (AZ); 18 at Globe Park, Hamilton 4 Nov (SCa).Canvasback: Three at Tollgate Pond 7 Sep (RE), 17 there 27 Sep (EG,IA), 28 there 27 Oct (RD) and 53 there 4 Nov (BC); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 16 Oct (MMac) and two there 13 Nov (BD); 14 at Valley Inn 21 Oct (RD,MM); three at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 26 Oct (FU); 50 past CCIW on 7 Nov (RD); 16 at LaSalle Park 7 Nov (FK), 32 there 8 Nov (NR), 55 there 10 Nov (EG,QW), 120 there 15 Nov (MHa,LS), and 50 there 30 Nov (JL); 10 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 19 Nov (RPo).Redhead: Five on Harbour off Bayshore Park 18 Oct (LF), 50 there 17 Nov (KHo), and 100 there 20 Nov (JP); four at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.); 40 off LaSalle Park 3 Nov (AnV) and 100 there 25 Nov (BKr); 10 at Fifty Point [NG] 4 Nov (BD); 18 at Cootes Paradise 7 Nov (FK); 12 on Lake off 40 Mile Creek, Grimsby [NG] 12 Nov (BD); 40 at Van Wagners Beach 15 Nov (JM).Ring-necked Duck: One at Tollgate Pond 17 Sep F (RD); one at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 22 Sep (MH); two at Windermere Basin 23 Sep (BC) and 13 there 4 Nov (BC); 20 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 13 Oct (MC,BWy,ML); 55 at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 18 Oct (RWo) and 11 there 9 Nov (YS); 95 at Aberfoyle Pit, Puslinch [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.) and 160 there 4 Nov (MC,CCo,MHa); 10 at LaSalle Park 25 Oct (MHa,LS); 12 at Puslinch Sideroad 10 N [WL] 4 Nov (MC et al.); 14 at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 11 Nov (MC); 24 on Harbour at CCIW 17 Nov (JRu et al.).Greater Scaup: Six at Windermere Basin 9 Sep (EG) and 40 there 3 Nov (SL,BPME); 18 at Van Wagners Beach 24 Sep (RWo) and 45 there 8 Oct (BCha et al.); 75 off LaSalle Park 28 Oct (GPr), 350 there 22 Nov (JL) and 750 there 30 Nov (JL); 300 off Woodland Cemetery 4 Nov (JL); 300 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 17 Nov (KHo); 600 off Bayfront Park 18 Nov (JL); 40 off Arkendo Park [HL] 25 Nov (RM) and 1000 there 28 Nov (RM).Lesser Scaup: Four at Windermere Basin 17 Sep (RPo), 60 there 13 Oct (BC), 70 there 18 Oct (LF) and 46 there 12 Nov (KHo); one at Valley Inn 22 Sep (RP); five at Tollgate Pond 23 Sep (AD et al.), eight there 24 Sep

Snow Geese at Bell School Line, Halton - 2 Nov 2018 - photo - Rob Buchanan.

Tundra Swan at CCIW - 24 Nov 2018 - photo Joanne Redwood.

Ring-necked Ducks at Erindale College - 18 November 2018 - photo Pat Hare.


(SL,EHe), and 31 there 4 Nov (BC); 20 at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 18 Oct (RWo); 25 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 18 Oct (LF); four at Puslinch Lake [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.); 30 at Milton quarry [HL] 25 Oct (LPu).King Eider#: One at Suncor Pier [HL] 17 Nov F {photo} (m.obs.); one at Fifty Point [NG/HM] 17-25 Nov {photo} (AD et al./JM,m.obs.); one at LaSalle Park 30 Nov {photo} JL/JR).Harlequin Duck#: One at Bronte Harbour 6 and 15 Nov {photo} (MJ/GPr,RPo) and likely same bird at Suncor Pier [HL] 17 Nov {photo} (MJac,m.obs.).Surf Scoter: Two at Van Wagners Beach 9 Sep F ## (RD et al.), seven there 8 Oct (RD et al.), 15 there 26 Oct (NM,EG) and 12 there 8 Oct (BCha); 80 off Confederation Park [HM] 14 Oct (TU); 90 on Lake off Fruitland Rd [HM] 17 Nov (WELO); 40 on Lake off Green Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu et al.); 500 on Lake off Lewis Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu et al.); 350 on Lake off Fifty Point [NG] 18 Nov (JRu et al.) and 10 there 25 Nov (JM).White-winged Scoter: Five at Tollgate Pond 7 Sep F (BCo); 21 at Van Wagners Beach 7 Sep F (RD et al.), 75 there 8 Oct (RD et al.), 250 there 26 Oct (NM,EG) and 86 there 4 Nov (BCr,BCha); 16 off Arkendo Park [HL] 8 Oct (JWa); 400 on Lake off Casablanca Dr, Grimsby 25 Oct (BD); 55 on Lake off 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby [NG] 27 Oct (MMac) and 90 there 19 Nov (BD); 20 at Holcim Mansion [PL] 28 Oct (RM); 85 on Lake off Cheval Dr, Grimsby 29 Oct (BD); 20 at LaSalle Park 30 Oct (DT) and 300 there 3 Nov (AnV); five at Puslinch Lake [WL] 2 Nov (TH/RH); 70 on Lake off Hunter Rd, Grimsby 7 Nov (JRo); 231 on Lake from White Pines Dr to Coronation Park [HL] 17 Nov (BJ,m.obs); 620 on Lake from Green Rd to Fifty Point 18 Nov (JRu et al.); 300 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 20 Nov (JP).Black Scoter: Ten at Grays Rd [HM] 19 Oct F (RPo) and 30 there 20 Oct (BD); 35 at Green Rd [HM] 24 Oct (RD) and 20 there 18 Nov (JRu); 11 on Lake off Cheval Dr, Grimsby 29 Oct (MMac); 12 off Grimsby Beach 30 Oct (MMac); 29 at Van Wagners Beach 4 Nov (BCha,BCr); 10 at Fifty Point [HM] 10 Nov (RPo); 10 off Confederation Park [HM] 18 Nov (RPo); 25 off Lewis Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu).Long-tailed Duck: One at Burlington Ship Canal {photo} 9 Sep (APo) and 2000 there 17-25 Nov (JRu/BKr); one at Van Wagners Beach 12 Oct F (DPr), 500 there 29 Oct (FP) and 1600 there 4 Nov (BCha,BCr); 800 off Bronte Harbour 19 Oct (MJ); three at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.); 350 off Sioux Lookout [HL] 28 Oct (GPr); 300 off Lakeside Park [PL] 3 Nov (RM); 1500 off Fifty Point 4 Nov (BD) and 2000 there 18 Nov (JRu); 3398 on Lake from Shoreacres Park to Burloak Dr [HL] 17 Nov (BJ); 800 off Suncor Pier [HL] 17 Nov (JRu); 1500 off Beachway Park [HL] 18 Nov (RM); 1500 off Lewis Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu); 1500 off Green Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu); 600 on Lake off 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby (BD); 350 off of Grimsby Beach 22 Nov (MMac).Bufflehead: Three at LaSalle Park 13 Oct F (TU); one at Mountsberg Reservoir 13 Oct F (MC); six at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 13 Oct F (MC,ML,BWy); 16 at Bronte Harbour 18 Oct (MJ); 20 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 29 Oct (BD); 50 at Woodland Cemetery 4 Nov (RM); 40 at Mill Creek Pit, Puslinch [WL] 4 Nov (CCo,MC,MHa); 250 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 8 Nov (TH); 40 at Fifty Point [NG] 18 Nov (JRu); 50 on Waterfront Trail, Harbour 18 Nov (RM); 25 at Grand River, Brantford 19 Nov (MH).Common Goldeneye: One off Confederation Park [HM] 14 Oct F (TU); 40 off Grays Rd [HM] 19 Oct (BD) and 160 there 20 Oct (BD); 26 off Van Wagners Beach 29 Oct (FP); 300 off Woodland Cemetery 4 Nov (RM); 400 at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); 110 off Fifty Point [NG] 18 Nov (JRu); 43 on Grand River, Brantford 19 Nov (MH); 500 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 20 Nov (JP); 500 at LaSalle Park 25 Nov (BKr).Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye#: Returning male on Lake at

Grays Rd [HM] 4 Nov (BSm) and on 18 Nov ** {photo} (JRu et al.).Hooded Merganser: Ten at Shades Mill C.A. [WT] 19 Oct, 87 there 1 Nov, 170 there 14 Nov, and one there 26 Nov (all AZ); 66 at Mountsberg Reservoir 11 Nov (MC); 23 at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 17 Nov (MJ); 50 at Redhill Creek at Woodward Ave, Hamilton 17 Nov (JM); 145 at Desjardins Canal, Dundas 18 Nov (JL) and 60 there 24 Nov (RD); 60 at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); 30 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 19 Nov (TH).Red-breasted Merganser: Three at Van Wagners Beach 7 Sep F (BCo,BCa/RD) and 33 there 8 Oct (RD et al.); 61 off Arkendo Park [HL] 8 Oct (JWa); 200 off Waters Edge Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.); 450 off 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 30 Oct (MMac) and 1500 there 12 Nov (BD); 500 on Lake of Grimsby Beach 30 Oct (MMac); three at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 31 Oct (YS); 1300 on Lake from Lakeside Park to Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 3 Nov (RM). On 17 Nov: 310 off Coronation Park [HL] (MF,BCa); 450 at Suncor Pier [HL] (JRu); 200 off Burloak Park [HL] (JRu); 500 on Lake off Port Nelson [HL] (JRu); 400 at Burlington Ship Canal (JRu); 2834 at Grays Rd [HM] (AD,MN,GW); 240 at Green Rd [HM] (AD,MN,GW); 1460 at Fifty Point (WELO); 2000 off Hunter Rd, Grimsby (JRo).Common Merganser: Four at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Sep (BHi,JHa); three at Mountsberg Reservoir 1 Sep (WK); three at LaSalle Park 20 Sep (MN); 24 at Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep (RM); 63 at Cootes Paradise 20 Oct (PT), 27 there 27 Oct (JHu) and 40 there 24 Nov (LHF,PT); 40 at Ruthven Park [HD] 20 Oct (RL); 25 at Valley Inn 27 Oct (WK); 50 at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); 60 at Desjardins Canal, Dundas 18 Nov (JL); 67 on Grand River at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH).Ruddy Duck: Two at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 9 Sep (JSip); 22 at Mountsberg Reservoir [HM] 3 Oct (RWo,KWo) and 50 there [WL] 4 Nov (BPME); 21 at Tollgate Pond 30 Sep (RD), 250 there 18 Oct (LF) and 225 there 4 Nov (BC); 15 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 22 Oct (BD) and one there 20 Nov (BD); 80 at LaSalle Park 3 Nov (GSt,KSe); 165 at Windermere Basin 3 Nov (BC) and 60 there 28 Nov (SCa).Ring-necked Pheasant#: One at Chippewa Rd, E of Hwy 6 [HM] 19-22 Oct (GN).Pied-billed Grebe: Two at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 8 Sep (YS); four at Barrie’s Lake [WT] 10 Oct (AZ); 12 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 20 Oct (RvT); nine at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 20 Oct (AZ); six at Puslinch Lake [WL] 20 Oct (AZ); one at Grand River S of Glen Morris [BR] 25 Nov (GSi,JSi).Horned Grebe: One at Windermere Basin 8 Sep F (BCo/MT); one at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 16 Sep (JSip); six at Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep (RM); four off Shoreacres Park [HL] 3 Oct (BCa); one at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 13 Oct (MC,BWy,ML); one at Shades Mills C.A. [WT] 22 Oct (AZ); 15 on Lake of Casablanca Blvd, Grimsby 25 Oct (BD); 11 off 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 31 Oct (MMac) and six there 15 Nov (BD); 16 on Lake of Hunter Rd, Grimsby 7 Nov (JRo); seven on Lake off Kenwood St [HL] 17 Nov (BJ); 13 off Burloak Park [HL] 17 Nov (JRu); seven at Lakeside Park [PL] 17 Nov (MF,BCa); eight off Coronation Park [HL] 17 Nov (MF,BCa); 20 on Harbour off Bayshore Park 20 Nov (JP); six at LaSalle

Park 30 Nov (JL).Red-necked Grebe: One off Van Wagners Beach 7 Sep (BCa/RD); 150 off Rattray Marsh [PL] 8 Sep (DDi) and 40 there 13 Oct (RM); 40 off Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep (RM); two at Puslinch Lake [WL] 20 Oct (AZ); two at LaSalle Park 24 Oct (SCa); two at Fifty Point [NG] 4 Nov (BD); two at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); eight on Harbour off Bayshore Park 20 Nov (JP).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo: One at Van Wagners Marsh 22-23 Sep (RPo/TJ,JJ).Black-billed Cuckoo: One at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 11 Sep {photo} (anon); one at Ruthven Park [HD] ## 19 Oct (RL); one at 2536 Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 26 Oct ** (GPr).Chimney Swift: 20 at McMaster Forest 3 Sep (RP) and seven there 13 Sep

Harlequin Duck at Bronte Harbour - 6 November 2018 - photo Mark

Jennings.

Black Scoters at Ship Canal - 17 November 2018 - photo Joe Minor.

Red-necked Grebe at Bronte Harbour - 26 September 2018 -

photo Luc Fazio.


(RP); 18 at William St near Green Lane, Paris [BR] 4 Sep (JSi,GSi); seven at Fern Hill School, Burlington 11 Sep (JC); one over Dundas Valley 14 Sep (JL); one over south Guelph 14 Sep (FU); one over Sunrise Cres, Dundas 16 Sep (RD); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Oct L (RL).Common Nighthawk: Eighteen over Wilkes Dam, Brantford 4 Sep (SL); three over Dundas Valley 14 Sep (JL); two over Christie C.A. [HM] 15 Sep (LB); two over Ray St., Hamilton 18 Sep (BCo); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 18-19 Oct L (RL).Ruby-throated Hummingbird: One at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 1 Oct (GW); two at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Oct (RL) and one there 4 Oct (RL); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 2 Oct (TM); one at Westdale residence, Hamilton 2 Oct (JM); two at Henrietta Way, Erin Mills [PL] 2 Oct (VD); one in Burlington backyard 3 Oct (RB); one in Brantford backyard 5 Oct (MH); one at 20 Hillview Dr., Grimsby 6 Oct L (BMac,LMac).Virginia Rail#: One at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 1 Sep (WK); one at 6th Line, Nassagaweya, 2km NW of Campbellville Rd [HL] 28 Sep (AGr); one at Grass Lake [WT] 3 Oct (KD); two at Kerncliff Park [HL] 20 Oct (MJa) and two there 4 Nov L (BJ et al.).Sora#: One juv. 2 Sep at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] (RD,CE,DD) and one there 6 Sep (MMac); one at Kerncliff Park [HL] 6 Oct (NW) and one there 25 Oct L (BC).Common Gallinule#: One at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 7 Sep (SD,JD); one at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 16 Sep L (SL).American Coot: One at Cootes Paradise 2 Sep (RD); one at Beachway Park [HL] 23 Sep F (BC); one at Clappison’s Corners Wetland [HM] 18-29 Sep (SD/BC); two at LaSalle Park 10 Oct (RD); six at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 6 Oct (BPME,IA); one at Franklin Pond [WT] 22-28 Oct (AZ/DMi,PC); one at Memorial Park, Oakville 23 Oct (DH); two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 24 Oct (DE); 35 at Bayfront Park 4 Nov (AKe) and 20 there 14 Nov (PTa).Sandhill Crane: Two along Hanlon Expressway, Guelph 9 Sep (SL); two at African Lion Safari [HM] 15 Sep (KD); two over Jaycee Sports Park, Brantford 29 Sep (ANg); two at Franklin Pond [WT] 21 Oct (AZ); two at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 23 Oct (MH); 23 over Spring Creek, Dundas 14 Nov (DMo); 150 over Dundas 14 Nov (CD); nine over Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 18 Nov (RSp); 32 at Puslinch Lake [WL] 19 Nov (TH); 90 over River Oaks, Oakville 20 Nov {photo} (DH); 73 over Cootes Paradise 20 Nov (SR); 43 (two flocks) over McClung Rd at Hwy 54 [BR] 20 Nov (GB); 27 near Taylor Lake [WT] 23 Nov (KD); 50 over 4031 Glancaster Rd [HM] 25 Nov (FS); 40 over Puslinch Village [WL] 25 Nov (SB); 25 over Westover Rd and 8th Concession [HM] 25 Nov (PS).Black-bellied Plover#: Two at Haldibrook Rd, W of Hwy 6 [HD] 1 Sep (RPa) and three there 5 Sep (FP); three at Tollgate Pond 6 Sep (RPo/AC) and two there 5 Oct (DPr); two at Atlantis Niagara Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 22 Sep (RN); one at CCIW 23 Sep (AD et al.); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 24-30 Sep (AZ); two at Windermere Basin 29 Sep (JW,MK) and two there 5 Oct (DPr); two at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 10-20 Oct (MC/RvT); one juv. at Van Wagners Beach 8 Oct (RD et al.), two there 12 Oct (RPo) and two there 26 Oct L (GRi,NMc,RD); one at LaSalle Park 13 Oct (TU); one at Harbour at Pier 8 14 Oct (TU); one at Cootes Paradise 17 Oct (RD).American Golden Plover#: One ad. at Windermere Basin 2 Sep F (BCh,m.obs.), three there 23 Sep (BC) and one there 29 Sep (JW,MK); one at Tollgate

Pond 6 Sep (RPo,m.obs.), one juv. there 18 Sep (RD) and one there 5 Oct (DPr); three at Atlantis Niagara Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 12 Sep (RG), four there 18 Sep (MMac) and two there 22 Sep (RN); one juv. on NE Harbour shore 14 Oct L (RD).Semipalmated Plover: 18 at Mines Rd sod farm [HD] 3 Sep (AS); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 5 Sep (RPa); eight at Windermere Basin 24 Sep (SL,EHe); three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 21 Sep (DRo); one at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4 Oct (YS); three at Van Wagners Beach 13 Oct (RPo/JR); one at Red Hill SWP 18 Oct (MMac); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 20 Oct (RvT); five past Grays Rd at Lake [HM] 24 Oct L (RD).Killdeer: Eighty at Mines Rd sod farm [HD] 3 Sep (AS); 53 at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 18 Sep (MH); nine at Valley Inn 20 Oct (RD,DD,CE).Hudsonian Godwit#: One at Red Hill SWP 18-26 Oct (RPo,m.obs.); five at Valley Inn 20-30 Oct (MV,m.obs.) and one there {photo} 7-22 Nov ** (JR); five (same birds as previous) at Cootes Paradise 3-4 Nov (JW,MK/BP). Marbled Godwit#: Continuing bird at Tollgate Pond until 7 Sep {photo} (JR,m.obs.).Ruddy Turnstone#: Three at Tollgate Pond 5 Sep (FP), four juv. there 6 Sep (JWa), three there 24 Sep (MPa), four there 5 Oct (DPr) and one there 12 Oct L (DPr); two at Van Wagners Beach 9 Sep (NH,EG,IA) and one there {photo} 8 Oct (ABa).Red Knot#: One juv. at NE Harbour shore 2 Sep (RD) and two there 3 Sep (AS); one at Bronte Harbour [HL] {photo} 6-7 Sep (RB,m.obs.).Stilt Sandpiper#: One at Tollgate Pond 2-3 Sep (AZ/MMac), one there 8 Oct (JI); and one there 12 Oct (DPr); one at Windermere Basin 2 Sep (RPa), two there 3 Sep (AS) and one there 29 Sep (NR); three at Red Hill SWP [HM] 7 Sep (RB) and four there {photo} 13 Oct (JR); one at Grimsby Wetlands 13 Sep (JV), two there 30 Sep – 10 Oct (SMac/BD) and one there 15 Oct (MMac); one at Cootes Paradise 18 Sep (SR); one at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 22 Sep (RN); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 20 Oct (AZ); one at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 18-25 Oct L (MH).Sanderling: Eight at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (KSe,GSt) and 13 there 24 Sep (DPr); 10 at Bronte Harbour 8 Sep (MJ) and four there 22 Sep (AD); 10 at Windermere Basin 8 Sep (AT,JC); 22 at Van Wagners Beach 8 Sep (RD et al.), 15 there 9 Sep (AC), 14 there 12 Sep (RD,CE,RPo); 11 there 8 Oct (RD et al.) and two there 27 Oct (EG,IA); three at Murray St Park, Grimsby 9 Sep (JRo); three at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 19 Oct (MMac); five at Burlington Ship Canal 15 Sep (TU); one at South Shell Park [HL] 28 Oct L (DD).Dunlin: One at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 30 Sep (MH), 12 there 18 Oct (MH), 47 there 20 Oct (MH), and 18 there 31 Oct (KD); 15 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 13 Oct (MC,BWy,ML), 60 there 20 Oct (RvT), 90 there 24 Oct (MC) and four there 5 Nov (DMac); 10 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 15 Oct (TO), 42 there 20 Oct (BD) and 59 there 22 Oct (BD); 25 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 19 Oct (TH), 52 there 21 Oct (MC et al.), 23 there 28 Oct (DMi,PC) and two there 20 Nov L (TH); 58 at Red Hill SWP [HM] 18 Oct (RD); 125 at Valley Inn 20 Oct (RPo et al.) and two there 18 Nov (DT); 25 at Princess Pt, RBG 17 Oct (RD) and 115 there 21 Oct (BC); 120 at Cootes Paradise 21 Oct (RD); 65 at wetland at 407 and Britannia Rd [PL] 29 Oct (FP); 12 at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] 4 Nov (CCo,MC).Purple Sandpiper#: One at Bronte Beach 6 Nov* ## (GPr).Baird’s Sandpiper#: Two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1 Sep (BHi,JHa); one at Windermere Basin 2 Sep (RLe); five juv. at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (KMi/EH,JH/m.obs.), two there 23 Sep (BC) and one there 3 Oct (DPr); one at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 3-6 Sep with two there 4 Sep (DWr); three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 20 Sep (DMi); one at wetland at 407 & Britannia Rd

Black-billed Cuckoo at Hespeler Mill Pond - 11 September 2018 - photo

anon.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Hendrie Park - 15 September

2018 - photo Anna Porter.

Stilt Sandpiper at Red Hill Creek SWP - 7 September 2018 - photo Rob

Buchanan.



R E F L E C T I O N S F R O M T H E P A S T

Wood Duck Articles From the Early 1980sMarch Bird-of-the-Month: Sandhill Crane – Bob CurryWood Duck Vol: 34 No. 9 page 156 (1981)

Hawkwatchers at Beamer Point watch the east in order to view raptors as they migrate westwards. Jim Dowall, George Meyers and Rick Snider were doing just that on March 24 when Dave Copeland inexplicably "goofed off " and was rewarded with the sight of a Sandhill Crane flying in from the north-west. The bird circled over the field to gain altitude affording excellent studies before heading off eastwards.

Certainly the best place in our area and probably all of southern Ontario to see this bird in the spring is Beamer. However, they usually pass close to April 17 and this would appear to be our earliest record.

Those of us who have birded here for a quarter century or more without seeing this fine bird in the Hamilton reporting area have no compunction about calling this the bird-of-the-month.

Ceremony of Dedication of Tribute to Dr. Robert MacLarenWood Duck Vol: 35 No. 1 page 4 (1981)The poet said: "What is so rare as a day in June?" We were very skeptical of the weather during the day of Wednesday, June 10, 1981, but when the 7:00 p.m. time approached for the planned ceremony, the evening emerged sparkling and refreshing with our sentiments honouring the memory of our beloved late member.

One hundred friends attended at the Puslinch upland-lowland complex and walked on wildflower-lined paths to the site of the memorial.

The magnificent bronze plaque, donated (and text composed) by John J. Carey had been mounted on a huge boulder found on the property and moved to a spot deep in the upland woods, with two charming woodsy benches erected opposite, courtesy of the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority officials, who now own the property.

Proceedings were opened by Ben Vanderbrug, General Manager of the Authority, who introduced the Chairman of the Authority – Mr. A. H. McCoy. Mr. McCoy welcomed those in attendance, followed by Mrs. Marion Shivas, Sanctuary Director of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club , who outlined the acquisition of the property, telling of the costs involved, the features of the landscape, and Dr. MacLaren's deep interest in its preservation as a natural heritage.

The plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Robert MacLaren, the three lovely MacLaren children, Mr. J.J. Carey and Mrs. Shivas. John Carey read the inscription on the plaque, and the Reverend Boorman (Chaplain at Henderson General Hospital) offered a meaningful prayer of dedication. It was a touching ceremony in memory of our friend and naturalist colleague.

The MacLaren family, friends and donors from the Cancer Clinic at Henderson Hospital, President Miss Hazel Broker, Directors,

members and donors from the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, officials of the Hamilton Conservation Authority and members of the their Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board (on which Bert served), and the Reverend Boorman, expressed their thanks and admiration for the manner in which we had honoured Bert.

Mr. James Anderson ( a long-time member of our Club and now of the Valens Conservation Area), served cider and cookies at the conclusion of the ceremony.

We especially wish to thank Mr. Vanderbrug and Mr. John Coates of the Authority, for the planning and placement of the dedicatory memorial.The moving text on the plaque -

He walked afield, savouring all the goodnessOf our great country, and with patient careTaught those with less experience how to knowA woodland flower - fern - night-flying moth,Or fungus nestled in the tangled twigsOf forest floor. His knowledge was profound -Diversified, exact, a wondrous giftBefitting such a man - a man of scienceWhose life was dedicated to his fellows.

best expressed the measure of the man we honoured.

Barred Owl at Spooky Hollow – Art RunnellsWood Duck Vol: 35 No. 2 page 17 (1981)

On May 10th of this year, a few Club members were at Spooky Hollow and identified a Barred Owl about a hundred yards in on the main trail. It sat in open view for some time, apparently reluctant to leave the area while we were there, possibly indicating the presence of young. Ron Hepworth had time to return to his car for his camera and take a photo of it and it was still there when we moved on.

These birds nest across southern Ontario and are known to return regularly to the same nesting area. Perhaps we have a new resident in our sanctuary.

Wednesday Night Hikes 1982 – Ed Ellis, Field Events DirectorWood Duck Vol: 36 No. 1 page 7 (1982)

As Field Events Director, I would like to thank all members of the Club who graciously volunteered their time and knowledge to lead the Wednesday Night Hikes during the Spring and Summer of 1982. These members include Dave Bradley, Art Runnells, Jim Pringle, Bill Gilmour, Norm & Mary Pomfret, Peter Thoem, Ian & Barbara Reid, Shirley Klement, Ron Hepworth, Sarah Wood, Dean Gugler, Hazel Broker, Bill Crins, Bruce Mackenzie and Barry Cherriere.


D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - M a r c h 2 0 1 9

1 March - 15 May: Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. The 45th 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. Counters are needed. Visitors are always welcome. Information: Mike Street - 905-648-3737, [email protected]

1 March (Friday) 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. BARC: A Winter Evening by the Bay. Join Bay Area Restoration Council for their annual fundraiser and celebration! Starting at 6:30 pm. The night consists of a diverse silent auction, live music, light fare, a brief update on all the we have accomplished in the past year, and stunning views of the harbour. Join us for this celebration, tickets are just $30! Contact Shelia Whaley at BARC (905.527.7111) or [email protected] for tickets. At The Waterfront Banquet & Conference Centre, 2, 555 Bay St N, Hamilton.

3 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.

4 March (Mondays) 9:00 a.m. – 11: 00 a.m. HNC - Larks Birding. Monday morning ladies birding group meets at various locations around the Hamilton area. Locations vary from week to week depending on sightings. New birders are welcome. Please bring your binoculars and appropriate walking shoes. Contact Elaine Serena for locations and meet-up points. [email protected]

9 March (Saturday) HNC - West End Lake Ontario IBA Bird Count. The IBA’s WELO started in mid November and goes to April. For one Saturday for each month, intrepid birders venture out along the lake front to record birds they encounter. The scope of the surveys is the line stretching from Port Credit on the north shore to the mouth of the Niagara River on the south shore and bounded on the west by Burlington Bay. It is divided into 17 sections, so you have a choice of where you would like to go, or I can assign you an area that needs coverage. Although the focus is water birds, any bird encountered is counted. If you are interested, please email Chris Motherwell at [email protected] and he will send you further details.

10 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.

11 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting - Environmental Changes. Speaker W.D. (Bill) McIlveen will discuss the changes in our environment that includes new (alien) animals (fish, mammals, reptiles, birds, insects), many new plants, new pests and diseases, new species used in agriculture and even organisms (e.g. diseases) that directly affect humans as well. Much more information is provided on page 158. At Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington.

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

17 March (Sunday) 1-3:00 p.m. HNC - Lichen Walk. Join Carolyn Zanchetta, HNC Stewardship & Education Coordinator on a gentle walk around Hamilton Cemetery. Discover the unique world of lichen and what it can tell us about air quality. Often undetected and unassuming, lichen can be found growing anywhere that will stay still long enough. In Hamilton and throughout our Nature Sanctuaries, we can see crustose lichen coating park benches, colourful foliose lichen peeling up off tree trunks, squamulose lichen at the base of an old tree, or even fruticose lichen stretching off the branches. As they are sensitive to pollutants, they can also tell us a lot about the air quality where they grow, or simply by their presence or absence. Join us for a walk as we look for these often overlooked organisms. We'll meet at Dundurn Castle parking lot 610 York Blvd Hamilton Contact Caroyln at [email protected] to register and for more information. Cancelled in inclement weather.

18 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. BSG - India: Temples, Tigers & Peacocks. Peter Middleton is the evening's speaker. His cosmopolitan view of the world began with his upbringing in Scotland and the wild environs of the North Sea Coast. His passion for birds and interest in migrations began there along the rugged cliffs and shores. Peter has shared his life long interest with nature through 40 years as an outdoor educator and travelling throughout the world. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious environmental awards. His talk on “India, Temples, Tigers and Peacocks” will bring an unknown world of India to many of us closer for our understanding of the world and the birds in it. Meet & greet at 7 p.m. Please bring your mug for coffee or juice. For more information please contact Bruce - [email protected]. At Burlington Seniors' Centre, 2285 New St, Burlington.

24 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.

30 March (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Ontario Master Naturalist Program – Nature in a New Light: Learning to Sketch and Paint as a Naturalist. Instructors: Marlene Bulas, Wildlife artist, and Bob Bowles, Coordinator of the Ontario Master Naturalist ProgramThis workshop will encourage you to see nature in a new light, as you learn how to capture the beauty of the natural world on canvas with wildlife artist Marlene Bulas and wildlife illustrator Bob Bowles. In class, we will discuss how one begins to capture key elements through sketching, and the importance of this to a detail-oriented engagement with nature. Learn the secrets and techniques that wildlife artists use to capture beautiful nature drawings. Participants should bring a sketchbook, pencil, and eraser. Painting supplies will be provided. Beginners are welcome, and more experienced artists will also be encouraged to develop specific skills throughout the class. You must preregister online at mysuccess.lakeheadu.ca/cell. In Room 2015, Simcoe Hall, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus.


D AT E S T O R E M E M B E R - A p r i l 2 0 1 9

1 April (Mondays) 9:00 a.m. – 11: 00 a.m. HNC - Larks Birding. Monday morning ladies birding group meets at various locations around the Hamilton area. Locations vary from week to week depending on sightings. New birders are welcome. Please bring your binoculars and appropriate walking shoes. Contact Elaine Serena for locations and meet-up points. [email protected]

7 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.

8 April (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting - Reptile Rendezvous. Despite having the greatest diversity of reptiles in Canada, it can be a challenge finding them in Ontario. Our elusive and sometimes stigmatized snakes and turtles face many challenges themselves. What's being done to help them? Alison will share her knowledge and experiences from the field with a little help from her reptile education ambassador, Noodle. Alison Forde is an Ecologist with SNC-Lavalin and Vice President of South Peel Naturalists' Club. She holds a BSc (Wildlife Biology) and MSc (Environmental Biology) from the University of Guelph. Over the past decade, Alison has worked with and studied Ontario's reptiles on a personal and professional level, most recently surveying for Massasauga Rattlesnakes in the Georgian Bay area. She loves to bust myths and misconceptions about snakes and has helped countless individuals overcome their fears through education.Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington.

14 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

15 April (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. BSG Meeting - Wildfowl at Slimbridge Wetlands, England. Join HNC Bird Study Group as they present speaker James Lees who will be speaking on the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust property in Southwestern England. James Lees began his conservation work in England. He is professional wildlife guide and presently works at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. James will be taking the audience through his 11 years working at Slimbridge which is an important migratory bird stop-over point in Great Britain, experiences managing the area, and leading the public in this special area. The audience will get a excellent introduction to European birds and challenges in managing natural areas in England. All Welcome. Contact Bruce [email protected] for more information. Burlington Seniors' Centre, 2285 New St, Burlington.

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

22 April (Monday) 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. HNC - Saltfleet Spring Birding. Join leader Rob Dobos on a driving tour of upper Stoney Creek (aka Saltfleet) for spring migrants. Wet fields are good for waterfowl and shorebirds; returning breeders will be looked for (e.g. Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Meadowlark); we will also walk part of the Dofasco Trail. Meet at the Tim Hortons parking lot at SE corner of Mud St. & Centennial Pkwy for car pooling. For more info email: [email protected]

24 April (Wednesday) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. HNC - Tour of HNC's Anita Dutka-Buchin Nature Sanctuary. We will look for early spring wildflowers at the HNC’s Burlington nature sanctuary located in Sassafras Woods at the end of Old Waterdown Road. After you can visit RBG’s Plant Faire to see what native woodland wildflowers might work in your yard. Parking is very limited, please RSVP with Jen at [email protected] or 905-524-3339 to arrange carpooling.

27 April (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. A Trail Called Home: Tree Walk Series (free). Eramosa Karst Conservation Area. Paul O'Hara is offering this free series at various Hamilton locations. This one is at Eramosa Karst C.A. Paul is a local field botanist, landscape designer and native plant gardening expert. Paul is promoting his new book, A Trail Called Home: Tree Stories From The Golden Horseshoe, published by Dundurn Press (https://www.dundurn.com/books/Trail-Called-Home). The book will be available in book stores on May 4, 2019. Paul will have copies for sale at each of the hikes. Each hike will last about 1.5 to 2 hours. Parking fees or free with Hamilton Conservation Authority pass. Meet at parking area off Upper Mount Albion Road. Please register with Bron [email protected]

27 April (Saturday) 7:00 p.m. HNC - Trivia for Nature. Join us for this fun evening of general trivia as we raise funds to get kids out into nature. $15 each or $80 for a team of 8. To register contact Jen at [email protected]. See page 162 for details.

28 April (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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HNC HIKES All of our leaders are volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and time. The HNC assumes no responsibility for injuries of any kind sustained by anyone as a result of participating in any of these activities. Please assess your own ability to participate. Hikes are sometimes cancelled or rescheduled. You are advised to check the HNC website (www.hamiltonnature.org) before setting out, to ensure that the hike has not been rescheduled. Generally, pets on hikes are discouraged as they startle wildlife, damage nests, and interfere with the enjoyment of others. Contact the leader before bringing your pet and for other questions. We also publicize Royal Botanical Gardens hikes and events. Most RBG programs require pre-registration one week prior. There is a charge for these activities except for the Sunday Get Back To Nature Walks. For information on RBG hikes: Liz Rabishaw, Public Program Bookings, RBG, 905-527-1158 (1-800-694-4769) ext. 270. [email protected] www.rbg.ca


Rock Pigeons by June Hitchcox

There is so much to learn about our beautiful, smart Rock Pigeons. In North American and elsewhere,

pigeons are now city birds. They stay all year. The wild-type has two black wing bars; small rounded head; dark, straight bill; rather plump, with long wings. These wings are interesting: when the pigeon takes off, the wing tips collide above the back making a clapping sound. These wing-clapping sounds are used for communication as well. The wings are held at an angle when gliding. Their eyes are located on the side so each eye sees a different view, allowing them to see 300 degrees of viewing area. It is very important to keep an eye out for predators. They eat mainly grain and weed seeds which they store in their huge crops in their throats. Their young stick their beaks into the parent's mouth and suck up this nourishing "pigeon milk" which the parent pumps from their crops for them. Pigeons drink by putting their whole bill into water and sucking it up, almost unique in the bird world. In World War One, 5,000 pigeons delivered messages, and in World War Two, 36,ooo pigeons delivered messages to where travelling was very dangerous or impossible. How could they do this? It is because Rock Pigeons have a homing instinct.

They would be taken from their home to a headquarters where messages were attached to them. Using the sun when it was out and magnetic fields when it was not, they were able to make their way home to where they came from. They are swift and strong flyers - up to 153 kilometers an hour. Rock Pigeons were introduced to Canada in 1606 and are now found

almost world-wide, usually in large city parks They are easily tamed as seen by the accompanying photo. The photo shows myself as a teenager with a pigeon on my head. They became so tame because I was always feeding them at my home in North Bay. Greek and Romans used them as far back as 4,500 B.C. They love a rain storm, using it as we do as a shower. They seek a bath every day if there is open water. Their feathers are covered with a fine water-proof powder to keep them dry but accumulated dirt is washed off. Next time that you see pigeons, take some time to observe how smart they are. You may be as surprised as I was.

June Hitchcox and friend, North Bay - 1948.

At the Next HNC Monthly Meeting11 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m.

Environmental Changes with William McIlveenRoyal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington

We are aware that we surrounded by various habitats both natural and man-made. We may accept that some components represent desirable items (e.g. crop plants, livestock, garden plants). But we may also be dismayed when a new pest such as the Emerald Ash Borer appears on the scene. This effect is particularly evident when its appearance is sudden, it affects our own properties, or if it is highlighted in the news media. Over time, the importance of the new feature becomes lost to memory or the loss of some component goes unnoticed by the general public. The presentation will consider a list of changes that includes new (alien) animals (fish, mammals, reptiles, birds, insects), many new plants, new pests and diseases, new species used in agriculture and even organisms (e.g. diseases) that directly affect humans as well. Some native species have disappeared from the landscape, some species have emerged as invasive problems following their introduction, and some have been re-introduced. Speaker W.D. (Bill) McIlveen received his B.Sc. (Agr.) and M.Sc. from the University of Guelph and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the Pennsylvania State University. He has authored or co-authored over 400 articles or reports relating to environmental matters ranging from naturalist club newsletters to government reports to refereed journals. In 2017, his activities were recognized by Ontario Nature and he was given the W.W.H. Gunn Conservation Award.

This T-shirt design will soon be available for Hamilton-area birders. You can show your pride in being a birder from "the Hammer"

especially in this 100th year of the HNC. Information soon!

The Wood Duck - March, 2019 9

[PL] 23 Sep (DDi); one at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 25 Sep (YS); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 16 Oct L (MMac).Least Sandpiper: Eight at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 1 Sep (JRo) and two there 3 Oct (JRo); 12 at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (RvT) and one there 9 Oct (RD); 15 at Windermere Basin 3 Sep (AS); eight at Mines Rd sod farm [HD] 3 Sep (AS); six at Grimsby Wetland [NG] 4 Sep (BD) and two there 20 Oct (BD); six at Red Hill Creek SWP 16 Sep (RB); four at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 21 Sep (DRo) and one there 6 Oct (PC); nine at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 30 Sep (MH) and two there 19 Oct (MH); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 24 Oct L (MC).White-rumped Sandpiper#: One ad. at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (RD,DD,CE); five at Red Hill Creek SWP 15 Sep (AWi); one at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 18 Sep (MMac) and two there 2 Oct (DWr); two at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 21 Sep (DRo); three at wetland at 407 & Britannia Rd [PL] 22 Sep (DDi) and three there 29 Oct (FP); one at Windermere Basin 24 Sep (SL,EHe); one at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4-9 Oct (YS/LF); three at Valley Inn 17 Oct (RPo), four there 23 Oct (EH,JH/RPo) and one there 28 Oct (GPr); one at Bronte Harbour 19 Oct (MJ); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 22 Oct (MMac); two at Mountsberg Reservoir 24 Oct (MC); one at Shades Mills C.A. [WT] 4 Nov L (AZ).Buff-breasted Sandpiper#: Four at Mines Rd sod farm [HD] 1 Sep* (CE,RD,DD) and four there 3 Sep L (RB); one at Tollgate Pond 6 Sep L (RD).Pectoral Sandpiper: Eight at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 6 Sep (DNe); nine at Windermere Basin 23 Sep (BC); eight at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 26 Sep (TH); five at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 3 Oct (JRo); five at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 4 Oct (YS); four at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 5 Oct (NMac,AMac); nine at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 10 Oct (MC) and three there 20 Oct (RvT); 15 at Valley Inn 19 Oct (DT), 20 there 20 Oct (DH/SCa), 20 there 27 Oct (WK) and five there 2 Nov L (SR); five at wetland at 407 and Britannia Rd [PL] 29 Oct (FP). Semipalmated Sandpiper: Eight at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (RvT); eight at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 3 Sep (JV); five at Windermere Basin 9 Sep (EG); eight at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 14 Sep (AZ); 20 at Red Hill Creek SWP 16 Sep (RB); six at wetland at 407 and Britannia Rd [PL] 22 Sep (RWo); nine at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 25 Sep (RWo) and two there 9 Oct (LF); five at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 28 Sep (BD) and one there 29 Oct L (BD); seven at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 4 Oct (MH); two at Valley Inn 19 Oct (MCo) and two there 25 Oct (SL, EHe).Short-billed Dowitcher: Ten at Windermere Basin 2 Sep (AZ) and two there 23 Sep (BC); four at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (KB); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 20-24 Sep L (DMi,PC).Wilson’s Snipe#: Three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 6 Sep (TH) and two there 23 Oct (TH); two at wetland at 407 and Britannia Rd [PL] 22 Sep (DDi); 13 at Cowan’s Lake [WT] 14 Oct (KD); two at Glen Morris [BR] 27 Oct (EH,JH); one at Heritage Green Park [HM] 3 Nov L (RP).American Woodcock: One at Glen Morris area [BR] 4 Nov L (KD); one at Hardy Rd, Brantford 4 Nov L (BL).Spotted Sandpiper: One at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 9 Oct (LF); one at LaSalle Park ** {photo} 4-11 Nov L (RLe/RLee/FK/CCr).Solitary Sandpiper: One at Joshua Creek [HL] {photo} 1 Oct (LF); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct L (RM).Greater Yellowlegs: 13 at Green Lane Wetland, Paris [BR] 4 Oct (MH), 23 there 20 Oct (MH) and four there 31 Oct (KD); six at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 18 Oct (MMac/BD); 10 at Rd Hill Creek SWP [HM] 18 Oct (RD); four at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 18 Oct (RWo) and one there 9 Nov (YS); 18 at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 20 Oct (RvT) and four there 11 Nov (MC); eight at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] 21 Oct (MC et al.); eight at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 21 Oct (MC et al.) and one there 16 Nov (TM); four at Laird Rd pond trail, Guelph 7 Nov (FU); nine at Cootes Paradise 4 Nov (RD,CE); six

at Shades Mills C.A. [WT] 15 Nov (AZ); one at Hanlon Creek and Kortright Rd, Guelph {photo} 19 Nov L (BWy).Willet#: One at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] {photo} 3 Sep (WP) – likely same bird as for 31 Aug.Lesser Yellowlegs: Eight at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] 3 Sep (BD); 16 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 7 Sep (BCo) and 16 there 13 Sep (JV); 10 at Windermere Basin 7 Sep (LF); 20 at Tollgate Pond 7 Sep (MPa) and six there 7 Oct (RD); seven at Rattray Marsh [PL] 8 Sep (DDi); 30 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 12 Sep (TH), 60 there 28 Sep (TH), 10 there 10 Oct (TH) and five there 21 Oct (BN); eight at Red Hill Creek SWP 16 Sep (RB); 10 at wetland at 407 & Britannia Rd [PL] 23 Sep (DDi); 12 at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 25 Sep (RWo) and one there 31 Oct (YS); eight at Valley Inn 28 Sep (PTa) and one there 2 Nov (SR); one at Cootes Paradise 3 Nov L (JW,MK).Wilson’s Phalarope#: One at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville [NG] {photo} 2-7 Sep L (MMac,m.obs.)Red-necked Phalarope#: One continuing bird at Tollgate Pond 1-7 Sep (m.obs.) and one there {photo} 3 Oct L (DPr).Red Phalarope#: One at Van Wagners Beach 12 Oct* (DPr).Pomarine Jaeger#: One ad. at Van Wagners Beach {photo} 26 Oct* (GRi,NMc,JP,RD) and one there {photo} 4 Nov L (BCr,BCha).Parasitic Jaeger#: One on Lake at Ontario St, Beamsville [NG] 4 Sep (MMac). Birds on Lake off Murray St Park, Grimsby: One 9 Sep (JRo); two 24 Sep (JRo); one {photo} 1 Oct (RG); one 24 Oct (MMac). Birds off Van Wagners Beach: Three 7 Sep (RPo,BCo/MPa); four juv. 8 Sep (RD); five 9 Sep (RPo,LF,m.obs.); one 12 Sep (DPr); three ad. 24 Sep (DPr,m.obs.); three 1 Oct (KB); three juv. 8 Oct (RD/BCha); one 27 Oct (IA,EG,WK); one 4-6 Nov (m.obs/DMil). One off Bronte Bluffs Park 1 Oct (RPo).Long-tailed Jaeger#: Two (1ad,1juv.) at Van Wagners Beach 7 Sep (MN,MMac,RD,m.obs.), one juv. there {photo} 9 Sep (IA,EG) and one ad. there 12 Sep (RPo,RD,CE).Black-legged Kittiwake#: One juv. off Bronte Beach Park 24 Sep (GPr); three juv. at Van Wagners Beach {photo} 24 Sep (DPr,MPa) and two juv. there 8 Oct (RD et al.).Sabine’s Gull#: Two juv. at Van Wagners Beach 12 Sep* (RPo,RD,CE,DPr), one juv. there 1 Oct (KB) and one juv. there {photo} 12 Oct (DPr/RPo).Bonaparte’s Gull: One on Grand River, Brantford 9 Oct (NFa); 35 at Van Wagners Beach 8 Oct (RD et al.), 75 there 13 Oct (RPo), 66 there 4 Nov (BCha,BCr) and 23 there 9 Nov (RD); four at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 17 Oct (AZ); 18 on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] 20 Oct (RL); 1500+ at Grimsby Harbour to Bal Harbour Park, Grimsby 12 Nov (AA); 25 off Nelles Beach, Grimsby 24 Oct (MMac); 25 at 3326 RR 22, Lincoln [NG] 31 Oct (RG); 21 at Bronte Harbour 31 Oct (MJ) and 40 there 2 Nov (RPo); 25 on Lake at Hunter Rd, Grimsby (JRo); 80 at Fifty Point 8 Nov (BD), 200 there 14 Nov (RPo) and two there 25 Nov (JM); 350 at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 12 Nov (MMac); 300 at Murray St Park, Grimsby 13 Nov (MMac); 400 past Burlington Ship Canal 14 Nov (JCo).Little Gull#: One ad. off Pier 8 14 Oct (TU); one ad. off Murray St Park, Grimsby 24 Oct (MMac) and two birds there 13 Nov (MMac); one ad. at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 25 Oct (MMac); one ad. at Van Wagners Beach 5 Nov (RPo); five (4ad.&1st winter) at Grimsby Harbour to Bal Harbour Park, Grimsby 12 Nov (AA); two at Fifty Point [HM] 14 Nov (RPo).Iceland Gull#: One at Grimsby Harbour 12 Nov F (AA,MMac); one 1st yr. at Fifty Point [HM] 14 Nov (RPo); one 1st yr. at Grays Rd [HM] 18 Nov (JRu); one 1st yr. at St George [BR] 22 Nov (JL) and one there {photo} 22 Nov (JL).

(continued from page 154)

Spotted Sandpiper at LaSalle Marina - 5 November 2018 -

photo Richard Lee.

Pomarine Jaeger at Van Wagners Beach - 26 October 2018 - photo

Garth Riley.

Long-tailed Jaeger, 9 September 2018 - photo Isabel Apkarian.

The Wood Duck - March, 20190

Lesser Black-backed Gull#: One 2nd yr at Van Wagners Beach 8 Sep (RD et al.) and two (1juv,1 – 2nd winter) {photo} 5 Nov (DPr). At Shades Mills C.A. [WT]: One ad. 26 Sep; one ad. 23 Oct; two ad. 20 Oct; and three ad. 16 Nov and again on 29 Nov (all AZ); one at Hagersville Quarry [HD] 4 Nov (BJo); one at Mohawk Lake, Brantford 9 Nov (MH); four juv. at Grimsby Harbour to Bal Harbour Park, Grimsby 12 Nov (AA); one at Murray St Park, Grimsby 13 Nov (MMac); two juv. at Fifty Point [HM] 14 Nov (RPo); one 3rd winter on Lake at Green Rd [HM] 17 Nov (MN,AD,GW); one ad. at Cootes Paradise 24 Nov (LHF,PT); one juv. at Tollgate Pond 24 Nov (SL,EHe,BPME).Glaucous Gull#: One 1st winter at Grimsby Harbour 12 Nov F (AA); one at Grays Rd [HM] 17 Nov (MN,AD,GW); one 2nd winter at Bronte Harbour {photo} 30 Nov (MJ).Great Black-backed Gull: Fifty-two at CCIW breakwall 20 Nov (RD).Caspian Tern: 80 at Windermere Basin 2 Sep (AZ), 10 there 9 Sep (NH,EG,IA) and five there 17 Sep (RPo); one at Van Wagners Beach 24 Sep (SL,BPME,EHe); one at Cootes Paradise 29 Sep (JHu); five on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] ## 19 Oct and one there ## 20 Oct L (RL).Black Tern#: One at Van Wagners Beach 9 Sep L (RPo,RM,BCo,RD).Common Tern: Ten on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Sep (RL,EG) and 13 there 21 Oct L (QW); 55 over St Augustine Cemetery [HM] 4 Sep (MM); 30 at Van Wagners Beach 19 Sep (CE,RD,RPo), 15 there 24 Sep (RPo), 27 there 8 Oct (RD et al.) and eight there 12 Oct (DPr); 20 at Bronte Harbour 1 Oct (DH); 17 off Murray St Park, Grimsby 12 Oct (MMac); six on Grand River at York [HD] 19 Oct (SMac).Forster’s Tern#: One at Van Wagners Beach 16 Sep F (DD) and one there 12 Oct (DPr); one off Murray St Park, Grimsby 12 Oct (JRo); two on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] 24 Oct (RL,JC).Red-throated Loon#: One at Van Wagners Beach 27 Oct F (RD), three there 4 Nov (BCr,BCha), one there 8 Nov (FP) and one there 9 Nov (DPr); one on Lake off Sioux Lookout [HL] 27 Oct F (RD); one off Grimsby Beach [NG] 30 Oct (MMac); two on Lake off Hunter Rd, Grimsby 7 Nov (JRo); two at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 7 Nov (BD); one at Fifty Point [HM] 10 Nov (RPo), two there 16 Nov (KM,BCh) and one there [NG] 18 Nov (JRu); one at Grays Rd [HM] 17 Nov (AD,MN,GW); one off Confederation Park [HM] 18 Nov (RPo); one off Frances Woods, Stoney Creek 30 Nov (LM); one off Millen Rd [HM] 30 Nov (LM).Pacific Loon#: One at Van Wagners Beach 4 Nov (BCr,BCha/DPr); one juv. on Hamilton Harbour 19-20 Nov RD/m.obs.).Common Loon: Eight on Lake near Grimsby Wetlands 17 Oct (MMac); seven on Lake off Murray St Park, Grimsby 24 Oct (MMac); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 2-13 Nov (TH); 11 off Van Wagners Beach 4 Nov (BCha,BCr) and one there 30 Nov (RD).American Bittern#: One at Franklin Pond, Cambridge 17 Sep (AZ); one at McLean School Rd [BR] 16 Oct (MH); one at SWP at Guelph Line [HL] 4 Nov (DD); one at Bury Court & Abbott Court area, Brantford 17 Nov ## (SMc).Great Egret: Five at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] 9 Sep (DMi,PC) and four there 3 Oct (TH); seven at Desjardins Canal, Dundas 15 Sep (CRo); 18+ at Princess Point {photo} 21 Sep (BNa); 12 at Bayfront Park 23 Sep (WO); eight at Cootes Paradise 6 Oct (AD,RPa); 24 at Hendrie Valley/Valley Inn 6 Oct (RD), 12 there 8 Oct (KHa), 10 there 14 Oct (WO), eight there 16 Oct

(SR) and five there 23 Oct (EH,JH); 10 at West Pond, Cootes Paradise 8 Oct (RD); one at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] {photo} 26 Oct (CBu); one at Streetsville Memorial Park [PL] 31 Oct L (RM).Green Heron: Three at Kinsmen Park, Caledonia [HD] 6 Sep (JP); two at Valley Inn 6 Sep (BCo,DT) and three there 19 Sep (PTa); two at Teal Dr-Downey Rd area, Guelph 7-24 Sep (RH); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 5 Oct (ES et al.); one at Van Wagners Beach 13 Oct L (RW).Black-crowned Night-Heron: Eight at Princess Point, RBG 1 Sep (WO); seven at Bayfront Park 2-23 Sep (WO); three at Desjardins Canal 4 Sep (SD); three at Valley Inn 13 Oct (RD); one on Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave [HM] {photo} 24 Nov (JR).YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON#: Continuing bird at Grand River, Caledonia [HD] ** {photo} 1-5 Sep (m.obs.).Black Vulture#: One over Dundurn area Hamilton ## 29 Sep (MM).Turkey Vulture: 145 over Dundas Valley 22 Sep (JL), 280 there 12 Oct (TU,JL), 210 there 15 Oct (TU) and 375 there 20 Oct (JL); 125 at Mohawk lake, Brantford 2 Oct (MH); 93 over 119 W 19th St, Hamilton 4 Oct (DC); 228 over High Level Bridge 4 Oct (JL); 182 over 157 Blythe Cres, Oakville 4 Oct (JWa); 130 roosting at Cootes Paradise 6-7 Oct (RD); 102 over Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP 12 Oct (MJ); 113 over St George [BR] 14 Oct (JL); 75 over Lorne Park [PL] 20 Oct (LF); 10 at south Brantford 4 Nov (SL,BL); 11 roosting at King St, Dundas 19 Nov (RD).Osprey: One at Beach Blvd, Hamilton 29 Oct (JSe); one at Streetsville

Memorial Park [PL] 3 Nov L (AA).Golden Eagle#: One over St George [BR] ** {photo} 16 Sep F (JL) {observed 30 minutes later over Glen Morris [BR] (EH,JH)} and one over 14 Oct (JL); two over RBG Arboretum 5 Oct (DMo); one ad. over High Level Bridge 14 Oct (WO); one over Sydenham Hill, Dundas 16 Oct (SD); one over Walkers Line, Burlington 17 Oct (RPo); one juv. at Woodland Cemetery [HM] {photo} 19 Oct (RN/BCh); one over Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 19 Oct (GPr); one over

Valley Inn 20 Oct (RW) and one there 3 Nov (RPa,AD); one over Dundas Valley 21 Oct (TU) and one there 13 Nov L (TU); one over Chedoke Rail Trail [HM] 28 Oct (WO); one over Cootes Paradise 30 Oct (DNe); one over south Brantford 4 Nov (SL,BL).Northern Harrier: Five over High Level Bridge 17 Oct (MMi,DS,BS).Sharp-shinned Hawk: Thirty Over Dundas Valley 12 Sep (TU,JL); 20 over High Level Bridge 18 Sep (MM) and 17 there 4 Oct (JL); six over Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 17 Oct (RPo); six at Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (RPo).Northern Goshawk#: One at Hyde Tract, Safari Rd [HM] 24 Oct F (TU);

Glaucous Gull at Bronte - 30 November 2018 - photo Mark Jennings.

Great Egrets at Princess Point - 21 September 2018 - photo Bart Namath.

Green Heron at 40 Mile Creek, Grimsby - 2 September 2018 - photo

Bill Davis.

Golden Eagle at Woodland Cemetery, 19 Oct 2018 - photo Barry Cherriere.

Sabine's Gull at Van Wagners Beach, 12 October 2018 - photo Rich Poort.


one imm. at Dundurn & York Blvd. area [HM] 4 Nov (BSm).Bald Eagle: Seven over High Level Bridge 18 Sep (MM); five at Bayfront Park 23 Sep (WO); three at Ruthven Park [HD] 26 Sep (RL) and four there 4 Nov (RL); four at Woodland Cemetery 19 Oct (RPo) and six there 20 Oct (RPo et al.); four along Grand River, Glen Morris [BR] 4 Nov (KD); four at Brantford 4 Nov (BL,SL).Red-shouldered Hawk: One over St George [BR] 14 Oct F (JL); seven over High Level Bridge 17 Oct (MM,DS,BS); 15 over Dundas Valley 20 Oct (TU,JL) and 13 over 21 Oct (TU); nine over Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (DD,CE,RD); two over River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 20 Oct (BO); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 21 Nov L (DPr).Broad-winged Hawk: Fifty over Oakville 7 Sep (MBo); 92 over south Guelph 18 Sep (FU) and 154 there 19 Sep (FU); 411 over High Level Bridge 18 Sep (MM) and one there 13 Oct (MM); 50 over 338 Maltby Rd, Guelph 19 Sep (AZ); 110 over 4th Line and 10 Side Road [HL] 19 Sep (MI); 48 over Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 19 Sep (LF et al.); one over CCIW 12 Oct (RD); one at Mountsberg C.A. [WL] 20 Oct L (RvT).Rough-legged Hawk: One at Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (MJa,AD,MN); one at Puslinch Lake [WL] 4 Nov (MC et al.); one at 3Rd Line, Hagersville [HD] 8 Nov (RPo); one at 10th Road E, Stoney Creek 15 Nov (RB); one over McMaster Forest 18 Nov (RP,DN); one at Hwy 403 & Linc [HM] 19 Nov (TU).Snowy Owl#: One at Suncor Pier [HL] 31 Oct-4 Nov F (MJ/LF,GW); one at Burlington Ship Canal 31 Oct F (CC); one at Tollgate Pond 4 Nov (RWo) and one there 23 Nov (RPo); one at CCIW breakwall 12 Nov (AT) and on 22 and 30 Nov (JM/RD); one at 2548 Sherwood Heights, Oakville 18 Nov (GPr); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 25 Nov (RM); one at Bronte Harbour 28 Nov (MJ).Barred Owl#: One at north shore Cootes Paradise {photo} 14 Oct ** (DW); one found emaciated at 1249 Guelph Line, Burlington on 15 Oct. It was rehabilitated at the Owl Foundation and released at Kerncliff Park on 4 Nov (fide CaC); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 4 Nov (AD,MJa,MN); one heard at 2019 Beke Rd [WT] 16 Nov (BF).Long-eared Owl#: One at Cootes Paradise {photo} 30 Oct (GA); two at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 4 Nov (AD,MN,MJa); one in urban Dundas 22 Nov (DMo).Short-eared Owl#: One at Hwy 56, 1 km N of Empire Corners [HD] 23 Oct F (CB).Northern Saw-whet Owl#: Birds banded at Ruthven Park [HD] four – 4 Oct F, five – 17 Oct, 12 – 20 Oct, three – 21 Oct, five – 23 Oct, ten – 25 Oct, 11 – 1 Nov, and nine – 3 Nov (RL et al.). One at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 4 Oct F (BO); one at Waters Edge Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM); one at Erindale Park [PL] {photo} 11-20 Nov (DDi); one at Fern Hill School, Oakville 18 Nov (RL); one at Guelph Arboretum 18 Nov (IA); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 25 Nov (RM).Red-headed Woodpecker#: One juv. at 944 Crozier Court, Port Credit [PL] 30 Oct - 4 Nov L (BKe).Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: One at Kerncliff Park [HL] 18 Sep F (DT); seven at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Oct (RL); three at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct (RM); four at Van Wagners Ponds 14 Oct (CE,DD,RD); two at 73 Ray St, Hamilton 20 Oct (BCo); one at Sulphur Springs Rd, Dundas Valley 19 Nov (RBe); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] {photo} 23 Nov (RPo); one at Erindale College [PL] 24 Nov (DDi).American Kestrel: 39 over High Level Bridge 18 Sep (MM) and six there 4 Oct (JL); six over Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 19 Sep (LF et al.); ten over Dundas Valley 12 Oct (JL,TU).Merlin: Three over Dundas Valley 12 Oct (JL,TU); eight over High Level

Bridge 18 Oct (MM,SD,DS).Peregrine Falcon: One over High Level Bridge 18 Sep (MM) and also on 4 Nov (MM et al.); one over Brantford 27 Sep (BL); one over Dundas Valley 12 Oct (JL,TU). Great Crested Flycatcher: Two at Waterworks Park, Brantford 12 Sep (MH); one at Christie C.A. [HM] 15 Sep (LB); one at Dundas 12 Oct L (LM). Eastern Kingbird: Two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 1-10 Sep (BHi,JHa/MMac); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 19 Sep (LF et al.); one at Valley Inn ** 27 Oct L (LHF,MP).Olive-sided Flycatcher#: One at Preservation Park, Guelph 2 Sep (FU); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] {photo} 7 Sep (RPo); one at Glen Morris [BR] 8 Sep (GSi,JSi); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] {photo} 11 Sep (DDi); one at Guelph Arboretum {photo} 13 Sep L (EHe).Eastern Wood-Pewee: Seven at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 8 Sep (BO); five at Waterworks Park, Brantford 12 Sep (MH); 13 at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Sep (RL) and one there 30 Sep (RL); six at Cootes Paradise 24 Sep (RP); one at Erindale Park [PL] 9 Oct L (MJo).Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Three at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Sep (RL) and one there 20 Sep L (RL); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] {photo} 11 Sep (DDi); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 16 Sep (MMac).Willow Flycatcher: One at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 8 Sep L (MJ).Alder Flycatcher#: One banded at Ruthven Park [HD] 22 Sep L (EG).Least Flycatcher: One at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 26 Sep (DE); one at Preservation Park, Guelph 27 Sep (FU); one at Confederation Park [HM] 30 Sep L (RD).Eastern Phoebe: Six at Riverwood [PL] 22 Sep (LF et al.); seven at Confederation Park [HM] 30 Sep (RD); eight at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (NH); five at Preservation Park, Guelph 13 Oct (FU); three at Birchwood Park [PL] 3 Nov (DDi); one at Spencer Creek near Cootes Drive [HM] 10-24 Nov (TH,RM/RP); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 19 Nov (RSo); one at Pinery Pond, Oakville 23 Nov (PM); one at Coldspring Valley [HM] 24 Nov (RP).Northern Shrike: One at Dundas Valley 31 Oct F (JL) and two there 28 Nov (JL); one at New Credit Rd [BR] 12 Nov (EHo).

White-eyed Vireo#: One at Jack Darling Park [PL] {photo} 28 Oct (RM,SM); one at Waters Edge Park [PL] {photo} 28 Oct (RM,m.obs.); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 4 Nov L (Alex Gray).Red-eyed Vireo: One at Shoreacres Park [HL] 8 Oct (DT); one at Cootes Paradise 7 Nov L (DL).

Barred Owl at Cootes Paradise - 14 October 2018 -

photo Doug Welch.

Eastern Phoebe at Pinery Pond, Oakville - 23 November 2018 - photo

Phil Mozel.

White-eyed Vireo at Waters Edge Park, Mississauga - 28 October 2018 - photo Amanda Guercio.


Northern Shike at Merrick Orchard, Dundas Valley - 28 November 2018 -

photo Doug Ward.

Saw-whet Owl at Ruthven Park - 20 October 2018 -

photo Quinten Wiegersma.

Olive-sided Flycatcher at Guelph Arboretum - 13 September 2018

- photo Eric Heisey.


side of Hwy #8 and one on the south. The unused boxes were within sight of the occupied nest boxes. The plan is to leave these boxes as is so that mated pairs will have choice in 2019 should they return to the sites. If a new pair shows up they too will have choice.

Unfortunately, summer inspections did not provide information on the number of young that may have fledged from each nest. In 2019 attempts will be made to have more oversight of the nest sites to look for fledged young. The nests were not disturbed from the time the boxes were put up until the fall clean out.

In 2019 the successful nests from 2017 and 2018 will be left in the same spots with the same orientation. Some of the nest sites used in 2018 will be moved in 2019. These are the sites were starlings or squirrels were found to be nesting. Two boxes on barns attracted starlings. The distance to structures or abundant trees proved to be more starling and squirrel friendly. One box was found to have a minimal amount of nesting material in it, but it could be determined what may have entered or used the box.

Boxes Used and Number American Kestrel 2 European Starling 5 Gray Squirrel 1 Not used 5 One nest box could not be inspected for property owner concerns. Hoping to retrieve the box in the spring.


Point Pelee Tent Camping 2019Once again the HNC has reserved some spots for tent camping in White Pine in Point Pelee National Park. Four nights, 9-12 May (Thursday to Sunday), leaving

Monday 13 May.There is a waiting list.

HNC members are welcome to drop into White Pine for a visit, anytime.

The first two nights our “kitchen” is in the Pavillion, and the last two nights in the “Big Tent”

Frank Morley, leader, 905-575-0668

Please join us at the 2019 PADDLING Film Festival hosted by the Hamilton Naturalists' Club (HNC) and the McMaster Outdoor Club. Contribution made to the HNC Kids in Nature, and Urban Natural Area initiatives. Tickets to be sold on-line through Eventbrite and at Adventure Attic (Dundas). The PADDLING Film Festival will take place at the newly restored Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N, Hamilton at 7:00 pm March 30.

Come help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club - Learning about & Protecting Nature and Natural Areas!

The PADDLING Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, Stand-Up paddling - action and lifestyle – in more than 120 cities and towns across Canada, United States and around the world.


Blue-headed Vireo: One at Woodland Cemetery 11 Sep F (RD); two at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 19 Sep (MMac); four at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 13 Oct (LF et al.); five at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct (RM); one at Arkendo Park, Oakville 4 Nov (LF); one at Slote Rd Bog [HM] 4 Nov (SMc); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 7 Nov (GRi,NMc); one at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM).Philadelphia Vireo: One at Edgelake Park [HM] 1 Sep F (DNe); two at Lakeside Park [PL] 6 Oct L (JWa); one at Nipegon Trail, Oakville 6 Oct L (DH); one at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct L (PR).Yellow-throated Vireo: One in Oakville backyard 11 Sep (PSt); four at Ruthven Park [HD] 13 Sep (RL) and one there 30 Sep (RL); one at Franklin Pond [WT] 16 Sep (AZ); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford {photo} 18 Sep (JPi); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 20 Sep (MMac); one at Elgin St, Grimsby 25 Sep (DE).Warbling Vireo: Six at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Sep (RL), one there 3 Oct (RL) and one there ## 12 Oct L (RL); six at Shoreacres Park [HL] 7 Sep (RPo) and four there 16 Sep (AD et al.); five at Waterworks Park, Brantford 12 Sep (MH); one at Franklin Pond [WT] 17 Sep (AZ); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 18 Sep (MMec); one at Hamilton Cemetery 29 Sep (MM).Horned Lark: 17 at Fallsview Rd, Dundas 17 Nov (SD).Purple Martin: Eight at Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Sep (RL) and five there 25 Sep L (RL); two at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 2 Sep (RD,DD,CE); six at Glen Morris [BR] 3 Sep (DK).Tree Swallow: Ten at Tollgate Pond 2 Sep (KMi); 56 at Townline Rd E, 1km E of Hwy 56 [HD] 22 Sep (BHi); 50 at Ruthven Park [HD] 22 Sep (CH) and four there 20 Oct (EG); 10 at 2785 S Grimsby Rd [NG] 29 Sep (RPo); 17 at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 7 Oct (MH); 35 at Oak Park Rd area, Brantford 22 Oct L (GSi,JSi).Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Eight at Kinsmen Park, Caledonia [HD] 8 Sep (JC,AT); 76 at Ruthven Park [HD] 10 Sep (RL), 200 there 22 Sep (EG/GS), 70 there 24 Sep (RL), 50 there 3 Oct (RL), 40 there 13 Oct (RL) and seven there 22 Oct L (RL); four at Cootes Paradise 23 Sep (AD et al.); 15 at Wilkes Dam, Brantford 19 Oct (NFa).Bank Swallow: Three at Ruthven Park [HD] 8 Sep (RL); 40 at Oak Park Rd, Brantford 9 Sep (GSi,JSi); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 10 Sep (MMac).Cliff Swallow: Nine at Tollgate Pond 1 Sep (KE); five over St George [BR] 1 Sep (JL); five at Unity Rd, W of Hwy 6 [HD] 3 Sep (GRi,NMc); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 10 Sep (MMac); two on Grand River at York [HD] 30 Sep L (SMac).Barn Swallow: 40 at Tollgate Pond 1 Sep (JHa,BHi); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 6 Oct (LF); five at 8th Line heronry [HL] 9 Oct L (LF).Black-capped Chickadee: 120 at Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (RD,DD,CE).Tufted Titmouse#: Three at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Sep (RL), seven 27 Sep (RL) and five 4 Nov (RL); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 14 Sep (RPo,KH) and one there 27 Sep (BCa); one at Gilkison Flats, Brantford 3 Oct (DG); one at LaSalle Park 3-12 Nov (DPr/GPr); one at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 3 Nov (RM/DDi) and on 25 Nov (RM); three at River Rd, Brantford 4 Nov (BL,SL); three at Westdale Ravine 4 Nov (RD,MM); one at Headwaters Trail, Dundas Valley 24-25 Nov (JL).Red-breasted Nuthatch: Six at Ruthven Park [HD] 21 Sep (RL) and six there 20 Oct (RL); 15 at Waters Edge Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM).White-breasted Nuthatch: 22 at Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (CE,RD,DD).Brown Creeper: One at 40 Mile Creek, Grimsby 13 Sep F (DE); six at Edgelake Park [HM] 25 Sep (RPo); seven at Griffin homestead, Dundas Valley 30 Sep (RP); 10 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 15 Oct (RPo); seven at

Ruthven Park [HD] 17 Oct (RL); eight at Rattray Marsh [PL] 28 Oct (EG).House Wren: Four at Shoreacres Park [HD] 8 Oct (RW,MW); three at Edgelake Park [HM] 10 Oct (RPo); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 14 Oct (MJ/RPa); one at Fern Hill School, Oakville 15 Oct (RL); one at Erindale Park [PL] 20 Oct (RM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 30 Oct L (RL).Carolina Wren: One at 8575 1st Line Campbellville [HL] 5 Sep (RWo,KWo); one at south Guelph trails 17 Sep (FU); one at Killborn Knoll Regional forest [WT] 6 Oct (DMi,PC); one at Leslie Rd at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] 6 Oct (DMi,PC); one at Middletown Marsh, Flamborough [HM] 3-10 Nov (BCha).Winter Wren: One at Hendrie Valley 8 Sep F (APo).Marsh Wren#: One at Van Wagners Marsh 22 Sep (RPo); four at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE); one at 272 McLean School Rd [BR] 16 Oct (MH); one at Cootes Paradise 20 Oct L (AD,MN,MJa).Golden-crowned Kinglet: Two at Riverwood Conservancy 22 Sep F (LF et al.); 38 at Lakeside Park [PL] 6 Oct (JWa); 40 at Woodland Cemetery 13 Oct (RD); 68 at Preservation Woods, Guelph 13 Oct (FU); 50 at Van Wagners Ponds 14 Oct (RD,CE,DD); 25 at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL) and 20 there 23 Oct (RL); 30 at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 17 Oct (DDi); 35 at Hyde Tract, Safari Rd [HM] 24 Oct (TU).Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One at Preservation Woods, Guelph 11 Sep F (FU); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Sep F (RL) and 60 there 14 Oct (RL); 15 at Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep (RM) and 25 there 13 Oct (RM); 40 at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct (RD); 45 at Sedgewick Park [HL] 6 Oct (WK), 25 there 8 Oct (MW,RW), 20 there 13 Nov (CE), 12 there 15 Nov (AD) and eight there 19 Nov (ES et al.); 35 at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 9 Oct (MMac); 60 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct (RM); 50 at Confederation Park [HM] 14 Oct (AnV); 40 at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 15 Oct (RPo); eight at Bronte Harbour 17 Nov (MJ); five at South Shell Park [HL] 17 Nov (JRu); one at Glen Morris [BR] 25 Nov (GSi,JSi).Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Four at McMaster Forest 3 Sep (RP); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 21 Sep (RL); one at High Level Bridge 21 Oct L (RD,MM).Eastern Bluebird: Sixteen at Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Sep (RL), 28 there 11 Oct (RL) and 18 there 4 Nov (RL); 100+ past Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (RPo) and 26 there 21 Oct (BC); 27 at Dundas Valley 20 Oct (JL); 11 at Valley Inn 21 Oct (APo); 41 over High Level Bridge 21 Oct (RD,MM); eight at Brant Park, Brantford 22 Oct (MH); 15 at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 22 Oct (LF); 25 at Birchwood Park [PL] 3 Nov (DDi); 10 at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 3 Nov (BO); 10 at Oak Park Rd trails, Brantford 28 Nov (GSi,JSi).Veery: Five at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 6 Sep (BO); two at Sherwood Forest Park, Burlington 15 Sep (RD,CE); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 16 Sep L (MMac).Gray-cheeked Thrush: One at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 5 Sep F (MMac) and two there 20 Sep (MMac); two at Shoreacres Park [HL] 28 Sep (ABa); three at Guelph Arboretum 1 Oct (EHe); two at Ruthven Park [HD] 13 Oct (RL); one at Van Wagners Ponds 14 Oct L (DD,RD,CE).Swainson’s Thrush: Seven at Hendrie Valley 12 Sep (BCo); five at Shoreacres Park [HL] 3 Oct (BCa) and one there 4 Nov ** (RPo); three at Ruthven Park [HD] 10 Oct (RL); one at Valley Inn 22 Oct (ABa); one at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] ** 3 Nov (BO); one at Waters Edge Park [PL]** 3 Nov (AD,RPa); one at Kings Forest [HM] ** 4 Nov (SCa); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] ** {photo}15-17 Nov L (AD,m.obs.).


Tufted Titmouse at Rhododendron Gardens - 3

November 2018 - photo Dennis Dirigal.

Philadelphia Vireo at J.C. Saddington Park - 7 September 2018 - photo

Gord Watts.

Eastern Bluebird at Bronte Creek P.P. - 22 October 2018 - photo Luc Fazio.

Swainson's Thrush at Sedgewick Park - 15 November 2018 -

photo Andrew Don.


Hermit Thrush: One at Kortright Rd, Guelph 11 Sep F (FU); six at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 5 Oct (NS); 12 at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL), 16 there 18 Oct (RL), 16 there 22 Oct (RL) and 10 there 25 Oct (RL); 10 at Dundas Valley C.A. 18 Oct (TU); 10 at Waters Edge Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM); two at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 17 Nov (DDi).Wood Thrush: Two at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 8 Sep (BO); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Sep (RL); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 3 Oct L (BD).Gray Catbird: One at Jack Darling Park [PL] 3 Nov (RM); two at Dundas Valley 5 Nov (TU); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 15-20 Nov (RM).Brown Thrasher: One at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 6 Oct (DE); one at Hendrie Valley [HL] 12 Oct L (BCo).Northern Mockingbird: One at Teal Dr-Downey Rd area, Guelph 16 Oct (RH).Bohemian Waxwing#: One at Guelph Arboretum 14-17 Nov ** {photo} (EHe/BPME).American Pipit: Six at Atlantis Winery, Sann Rd, Beamsville 26 Sep F (DWr); 50 at East River Rd, Glen Morris [BR] 21 Oct (EH,JH); 22 at Oak Park Rd trails, Brantford 29 Oct (MH); one at Coronation Park [HL] 17 Nov (MF,BCa); one at LaSalle Park 18 Nov L (AT); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] 18 Nov L (JRu et al.).Purple Finch: Seven at Preservation Park, Guelph 14 Sep (FU); eight at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 20 Sep (RM); 10 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 Oct (RM) and 10 there 28 Oct (RM,SM); 10 at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL), 20 there 21 Oct (QW) and 14 there 23 Oct (RL); eight at Hendrie Valley 20 Oct (PSt); 56 past Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (CE,DD,RD) and 27 past 21 Oct (BC).Red Crossbill#: One ad. m. at 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] 30 Oct* (RWo).White-winged Crossbill#: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 21 Oct F (RL); two at Grimsby Harbour 12 Nov 12 (AA).Common Redpoll: One at feeder in Rock Chapel area, Dundas 21 Oct F (SD,JD); three at Sam Lawrence Park [HM] 25 Oct {photo} (RP); 12 at Preservation Park, Guelph 30 Oct (FU); 20 at Confederation Park [HM] 3 Nov (SL,BPME); 16 at Fifty Point [NG] 3 Nov (RS); 30 at Dundas Valley HQ 13 Nov (TU); 25 at Fallsview Rd, Dundas 22 Nov (SD) and 29 there 30 Nov (SD); 28 at Spencer Creek trail near Cootes Dr 24 Nov (RP).Pine Siskin: Two at Nipegon Trail, Oakville {photo} 26 Sep F (DH); 20 at Dundas Valley 15 Oct (RBe); 50 at Walker’s Line and Lakeshore Road, Burlington 21 Oct (CR); 40 at Guelph Arboretum 25 Oct (RvT); 30 at 346 Haller Rd, Caledonia [HD] 29 Oct (GSa); 40 at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] 3 Nov (RM); 27 at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH).Evening Grosbeak#: Two at Jubilee St, Brantford 25 Oct* (BG); two at Creighton Rd, Dundas 25 Oct* (DMo); two at Binbrook [HM] {photo} 25 Oct* (BB); one at 27 Blenheim Rd, Cambridge 28 Oct (CBe); one at Preservation Park, Guelph 30 Oct (FU); one at Aberfoyle Mill feeder [WL] 30 Oct – 1 Nov {photo} (MHa/BWy); two at Winona Rd and Lido Dr. feeder [HM] 2 Nov (KDi) and eight there 4 Nov {photo} (KDi); nine on Burlington Escarpment between Cedar Springs Rd and Guelph Line [HL] 3 Nov (BDu,HD); two at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 3 Nov (BO); one at Little Tract [WL] 4 Nov (MC et al.); two at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 4 Nov (RPa,AD,MN) and three there 11 Nov {photo} (MJa); one at St George feeder [BR] 22 Nov {photo} (JL); two at Jack Darling Park [PL] 25 Nov (RM); six at 20 Hillview Dr, Grimsby 27 Nov (LMac,BMac); four at Dundas

Valley feeder 29 Nov {photo} (JL,TU).Lapland Longspur#: Six at Minor Rd, Smithsville [NG] 26 Oct (NM,EG); one at Grimsby Harbour 12 Nov (AA); two at 3rd Line, S of 15 Side Road [HL] 28 Nov (YS).Snow Bunting: One at Mountsberg C.A. [WL] 20 Oct F (RvT); 15 at Windermere Basin 30 Oct (JCo); 19 at Fifty Point 31 Oct (BMac,LMac); 10 at Puslinch Tract [WL] 29 Nov (TH).Eastern Towhee: One at Woodland Cemetery 3 Sep F (RP); five at Beverly Swamp area 3 Sep (TU); four at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (NH/RD,CE); two at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL); one at Rattray Marsh ]PL] 3 Nov (EP); two at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] {photo} 17 Nov (DDi).American Tree Sparrow: One at Van Wagners Beach 5 Oct F (DPr); one at Lakeside Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM).Chipping Sparrow: 12 at Woodland Cemetery 2 Sep (RSp) and two there 4 Nov (RW,MW); 10 at Ruthven Park [HD] 7 Sep, 12 – 4 Oct, 25 – 20 Oct, 22 – 23 Oct, five – 3 Nov, and one 17 Nov (all RL); 15 at RBG Arboretum 2 Sep (PR); 18 at Edgelake Park [HM] 6 Oct (WK); 10 at Confederation Park [HM] 14 Oct (AnV); 15 at St George [BR] 17 Oct (JL); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 4 Nov (AD,RPa,MN); three at Fern Hill School, Oakville

13 Nov (RL); one at Guelph Arboretum 18-28 Nov {photo} (IA/SL/MHa); two at Sedgewick Park [HL] 18 Nov (KSe,GSt).Field Sparrow: Six at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 14 Oct (RP); seven at McMaster Forest 14 Oct (RP); three at Eramosa Karst [HM] 4 Nov (TU); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 25 Nov (RM); two at Headwaters Trail, Dundas Valley 25 Nov (RM).Vesper Sparrow: Three at Confederation Park [HM] 1 Sep

(DNe); two at 10th Rd E, Stoney Creek 2 Sep (RP); two at Bismark

[NG] 1 Oct (KB); one at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct L (DT).Savannah Sparrow: 22 at 10th Rd E (Saltfleet Marsh) [HM] 2 Sep (RP); 32 at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 8 Sep (MJ); three at Bismark [NG] 1 Oct (KB) and one there 29 Oct L (KB); one at Grass Lake [WT] 9 Oct (NR); two at 8th Line, N of E Lower Baseline Rd [HL] 9 Oct (LF).Nelson’s Sparrow#: One at Cootes Paradise 6 Oct*(AD,RPa) and one there 20 Oct (AD,MJa,MN); one at Van Wagners Beach 13 Oct (RPo/MMac); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 28 Oct (DD); two at Petro-Canada Park, Oakville 28 Oct L (GPr).Fox Sparrow: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Oct F (RL) and seven there 22 Oct (RL); one at Van Wagners Beach 14 Oct (AnV); one at Grimsby

Purple Finch at Hendrie Valley - 20 Oct 2018 - photo Paul Strong.

Common Redpoll at McMaster Forest - 27 October 2018 -

photo Rob Porter.

Evening Grosbeaks at Binbrook - 25 October 2018 - photo Benjamin Brash.

Eastern Towhee at Riverwood Conservancy - 17 November 2018 - photo Dennis Dirigal.

Chipping Sparrow at Guelph Arboretum - 25 November 2018 -

photo Sarah Lamond.


Wetlands [NG] 14 Oct (MMac); 10 at Erindale Park [PL] 20 Oct (RM); one at Guelph Arboretum 19 Nov (SL,EHe); one at Brant Park, Brantford 19 Nov (MH); one at Sedgewick Park [HL) 25 Nov (CBe).Song Sparrow: 75 at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE).Lincoln’s Sparrow: Two at Puslinch Tract [WL] 19 Sep F (TH); one at SWP at Sutherland Cres, Hamilton 19 Sep F (RPo); four at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct (RPa,MN,AD); eight at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE); one at Holcim Lakefront Mansion [PL] 3 Nov (RM); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 3 Nov (AD,RPa); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 4 Nov L {photo} (AD,MN,RPa).Swamp Sparrow: One at 2536 Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 9 Sep F (GPr); 50 at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE); six at Ruthven Park 20 Oct (RL).White-throated Sparrow: One at Rock Chapel Sanctuary [HM] 4 Sep F (SD); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] 8 Sep (DDi), 30 there 29 Sep (SM) and 100 there 13 Oct (RM); 20 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 19 Sep (RPo); 100 at Confederation Park [HM] 30 Sep (RD) and 120 there 14 Oct (AnV); 45 at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Oct, 90 there 14 Oct, 125 there 18 Oct and 80 there 25 Oct (all RL); 50 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 5 Oct (MPa); 57 at Hendrie Valley 8 Oct (KHa) and 128 there 12 Oct (BCo); 91 at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct (PR); 150 at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE) and 60 there 14 Oct (AnV); 50 at Van Wagners Beach 14 Oct (AnV); 150 at Van Wagners Ponds 14 Oct (DD,CE,RD).White-crowned Sparrow: One at Preservation Park 9 Sep F (FU); two at Scotch Block Reservoir [HL] 25 Sep (YS); 20 at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 5 Oct (MPa); 20 at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct (PR); 12 at 2536 Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 6 Oct (GPr); 84 at Ruthven Park [HD] 11 Oct (RL); 13 at Clappison’s Corners Wetland [HM] 17 Oct (BC); 30 at Confederation Park [HM] 20 Oct (RPo).Dark-eyed Junco: Three at St George [BR] 19 Sep F (JL); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby [NG] 19 Sep F (MMac); one at Waterworks Park, Brantford 19 Sep F (MH); 80 at Woodland Cemetery 6 Oct (RPa,MN,AD) and 25 there 13 Oct (RD); 35 at Lakeside Park [PL] 6 Oct (VC); 24 at Ruthven Park [HD] 18 Oct, 100 there 23 Oct, 60 there 30 Oct, and 64 there 4 Nov (all RL).Bobolink: Three at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Sep (NR) and one there 6 Sep L (RL); one over south Guelph 4 Sep (FU); two at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 6 Sep L (BO); one at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 6 Sep L (MMac).Red-winged Blackbird: 130 at St George [BR] 3 Nov (JL); 352 at McMaster Forest 4 Nov (RP); 60 at Woodland Cemetery 4 Nov (MW,RW); 50 at Albion Falls [HM] 4 Nov (SCa); 90 at Globe Park [HM] 4 Nov (SCa); 55 at south Brantford 4 Nov (BL,SL); 81 at Ruthven Park [HD] 5 Nov (RL); 20 at 10th Road E, S of Ridge Rd [HM] 11 Nov (RP); 40 at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); two at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 20 Nov (RM).Eastern Meadowlark: One at Grass Lake [WT] 9 Oct (NR); one over St George [BR] 14 Oct (JL); one at Fern Hill School, Oakville 15 Oct (RL); three at Stone Rd Outdoor School, Guelph 19 Oct (MI); nine at Oak Park Rd trails, Brantford 29 Oct (MH); one at Desjardins Canal, Dundas 18 Nov (JL).Rusty Blackbird: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 19 Sep F {photo} (anon); five at Cootes Paradise 23 Sep (AD et al.); 22 at Guelph Arboretum 3 Oct (RvT); 25 at Woodland Cemetery 13 Oct (RD); 20 at Calfass Rd, Puslinch [WL] 13 Oct (MC,BWy,ML); 50 at 119 Bailey Dr, Cambridge [WT] 15 Oct (WVH); 12 at Ruthven Park [HD] 4 Nov (RL); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 17 Nov (AZh).Common Grackle: 150 at 12 Deer Run Court [BR] 4 Nov (GSi,JSi); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 19 Nov (GRi,NMc); one at Cootes Paradise 25 Nov (EH,JH).

Brown-headed Cowbird: 50 along Concession 8 W, E of Centre Rd [HM] 7 Oct (TM); 45 at St George [BR] 18 Oct (JL).Baltimore Oriole: Four at Ruthven Park [HD] 3 Sep (RL); one at River & Ruins Trail, Lowville [HL] 8 Sep (BO); one at 2536 Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 12 Sep L (GPr); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 12 Sep L (BCa). Ovenbird: One at Sherwood Forest Park, Burlington 2 Oct (RD); one at feeder in Clarkson [PL] {photo} 14-29 Nov ** (PWat,DWat); one at Oakville feeder {photo} 29 Nov ** (GHT).Northern Waterthrush: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct L (RM).Golden-winged Warbler#: One at Christie C.A. [HM] 4 Sep F (TU).Blue-winged Warbler#: Two at Ruthven Park [HD] 2 Sep (RL) and one there 13 Sep L ## (RL); one at Beverly Swamp [HM] 3 Sep (TU); one at McMaster Forest 3 Sep (RP).Black-and-white Warbler: Seven at Guelph Arboretum 13 Sep (EHe); one at Erindale Park [PL] 20 Oct (RM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 21-23 Oct (QW/RL); one at Jack Darling Park [PL] 28 Oct (LF/SM,RM); one near McMaster helipad, near Cootes Drive 4 Nov L ## (BWyl).Tennessee Warbler: Seven at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 29 Oct L (EP).Orange-crowned Warbler: One at Ridgeside Lane, Oakville 25 Sep F (GPr); one at Shoreacres Park 26 Sep (DPr), one at Confederation Park [HM] 26 Sep (RPo); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 26 Sep (DE); four at Windermere Basin 7 Oct (RD,CE); four at Jack Darling Park [PL] 28 Oct (BPME); two at Bayfront Park 18 Nov (RM); one at CCIW 18 Nov (RM); one at Leslie Log House [PL] 23 Nov (RM); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 25 Nov (RM); one at Millen Rd and N Service Rd [HM] 24 Nov (LM); one at South Shell Park [HL] {photo} 25 Nov (MJ).Nashville Warbler: Seven at Confederation Park [HM] 30 Sep (RD); one at Shoreacres Park 4 Nov (LF) and one there {photo} 17-30 Nov (m.obs); one at Westdale Ravine 4 Nov (RD,MM); one at South Shell Park [HL] 17 Nov (RM); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 17 Nov (DDi).Connecticut Warbler#: One at Sudden Tract [WT] {photo} 14 Sep F (anon); one at Confederation Park [HM] 26 Sep (TU); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] 26 Sep L (DPr/BCa).Mourning Warbler: One at Ruthven Park [HD] 1 Sep (RL,EG) and one there 10 Sep (RL); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 13 Sep L (RPa); one at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 13 Sep L (DE).Common Yellowthroat: Eight at Ruthven Park [HD] 15 Sep (RL); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] {photo} 4 Nov (PH); one in Dundas 4 Nov (BWyl); one at Sedgewick Park [PL] 19 Nov L (EP).Hooded Warbler: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] {photo} 17-30 Nov ** (CE,m.obs.). American Redstart: Nine at Guelph Arboretum 13 Sep (EHe); one at Hendrie Valley {photo} 19 Oct (BCo); one at Brant Park, Brantford 22 Oct (MH); one at Shell Park [HL] 4 Nov (MJ) and possibly same bird at Bronte Harbour {photo} 11-12 Nov ** (MJ); one at Erindale Park [PL] {photo} 20 Nov ** (Peter L); one at Grand River, S of Wilkes Dam, Brantford {photo} 28 Nov L ** (JMc).Cape May Warbler: Six at Sedgewick Park 7 Sep (RPa) and two there {photo} 12 Nov ** (BC) with at least one there until 22 Nov ** (m.obs.); six at Hamilton Cemetery 11 Sep (MM); one at Woodland Cemetery 20 Oct (RD).Cerulean Warbler#: One at Woodland Cemetery 13 Oct F ## (RD/MMac).Northern Parula: Six at Guelph Arboretum 13 Sep (EHe); one at Van Wagners Beach 14 Oct (RD,DD,CE); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 3-10 Nov ** (LF,m.obs.); one at Bronte Bluffs Park {photo} 11-17 Nov ** (MJ/JRu et al.); one at South Shell Park [HL] {photo} 17 Nov ** (JRu et al.); one at Edgelake Park [HM] ## 28 Nov L (LM).Magnolia Warbler: Fourteen at 40 Mile Creek mouth, Grimsby 10 Sep


Lincoln's Sparrow at Confederation Park - 4 October

2018 - photo Mike Veltri.

Orange-crowned Warbler at Bayfront Park trail - 12 November 2018

- photo Kevin Hannah.


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 – D e c e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 8

Annual Bird Quiz with David Brewerby Michael Rowlands

The December meeting of the BSG was in the first week of December at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre, just a few short

weeks after the November meeting and a week before the HNC’s monthly meeting. Everyone was in a festive mood as coffee was supplied by our director and his wife, Bruce and Laurie Mackenzie, and many attendees brought home-baked cookies and squares or savoury treats.

First on the agenda was a request from emcee Bruce Mackenzie for attendees to register their concerns with their MPPs about the Ontario government’s proposed hunting season to cull the population of Double-crested Cormorants. The government’s plan will allow anyone with a small game hunting license to kill up to 50 birds a day from March 15 until December 31 each year! Many naturalist groups and concerned citizens are submitting protests about this cull so alarmed birders are encouraged to support petitions against it or submit their own concerns to the government.

The main part of the December get-together of the BSG is always a birding quiz and this year’s version was administered once again by one of our own members, David Brewer, Ph.D. Born in western England, he started bird-watching at age 11, attended the University of Cambridge, did graduate work in chemistry in Glasgow, and banded Northern Gannets in his spare time. While doing post-doctoral work at the University of Arizona in Tucson, he had many trips into Mexico, kindling a life-long interest in Neotropical birds. Eventually he settled in Guelph doing research in agricultural and pharmaceutical chemistry. He has been a long-term associate of the Long Point Bird Observatory and a Past-President of the Ontario Bird Banding Association. He has authored or co-authored several books, including The Birds of Wellington County; Wrens, Dippers and Thrashers (in the Helm Identification Guides series); Where to Watch Birds in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean; the Canadian Atlas of Bird-banding (four volumes); several chapters in the Handbook of the Birds of the World; and, most recently, Birds New to Science; Fifty Years of Avian Discovery. He is a Research Associate in Ornithology at the Royal Ontario Museum, and received the Distinguished Ornithologist Award of the Ontario Field Ornithologists in 2011.

His first quiz question was an open-ended one: name birds and the plays in which they’re mentioned in William Shakespeare’s works. He thought there were about 60 different species and recalled a good number, complete with quotes from the relevant plays, as audience members offered their answers. Acceptable responses were blackbird, cormorant, crow, cuckoo, dove, eagle, falcon, finch, goose, kite, lark, martin, nightingale, partridge, raven, rook, starling, swallow, swan, and wren, but there are dozens of others!

The first few pictorial mystery birds were sparrows of different sorts (Grasshopper, Nelson’s , Henslow’s, Savannah) and a Smith’s Longspur. With each bird there was a story, drawn from David’s considerable experience with birding in various parts of the world. One real puzzler was a series of three photos of an indeterminate duck hybrid seen in Rockwood – a cross between a Ruddy Duck and a Bufflehead possibly. We also saw close-up shots of the Slate-colored and Pink-sided Dark-eyed Juncos that were being banded at Ruthven, so we could see the differences. A photo of a Northern Pygmy-Owl with its woodpecker prey led to a short identification session on the differences between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers when the head was not visible – the Downy has barred outer tail feathers while the Hairy’s are almost pure white. Comic relief was provided by a photo of a scarlet cord tied in a loop (signifying a Red Knot) and the punny clues “insane crow” leading us to “raven lunatic” (Common Raven) and “corroded icterid” leading us to Rusty Blackbird! Other slides featured grebes, ducks, warblers, sandpipers, and Darwin’s finches – each accompanied by an interesting anecdote. A leucistic Red-eyed Vireo fooled many of us!

Matt Mills was awarded the prize for the most number of correct answers and Bruce Mackenzie distributed some consolation prizes to others in the audience. Our emcee then thanked David for his stimulating presentation and invited people to stay a little longer to chat and enjoy the holiday treats. All in all, it was a very entertaining and educational evening!

Speaker David Brewer in holiday attire -

photo Mike Rowlands.

At the Next Bird Study Group18 March (Monday) 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Speaker: Peter MiddletonIndia: Temples, Tigers & Peacocks

Burlington Seniors' Centre, 2285 New St, Burlington

Peter Middleton's cosmopolitan view of the world began with his upbringing in Scotland and the wild environs of the North Sea Coast. His passion for birds and interest in migrations began there along the rugged cliffs and shores. Peter has shared his life long interest with nature through 40 years as an outdoor educator and travelling throughout the world. He is a recipient of numerous prestigious environmental awards. His talk on “India, Temples, Tigers and Peacocks” will bring an unknown world of India to many of us closer for our understanding of the world and the birds in it. Meet & greet at 7 p.m. Please bring your mug for coffee or juice. For more information please contact Bruce - [email protected].


(MMac); 12 at Edgelake Park [HM] 10 Sep (RPo); 20 at Shoreacres Park [HL] 11 Sep (RPo,KH); 18 at Rattray Marsh [PL] 11 Sep (DDi); two at Erindale Park [PL] 17 Oct (MJo); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 17 Nov ** (RM).Bay-breasted Warbler: Thirteen at Ruthven Park [HD] 22 Sep (RL,EG); 10 at 185 Ridge Rd, Hamilton 2 Oct (JL); 12 at Guelph Arboretum 3 Oct (RvT); one at Hendrie Valley 12 Oct L (BCo).Blackburnian Warbler: Six at Confederation Park [HM] 26 Sep (TU); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 14 Oct (RL); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 4 Nov L ** (LF).Yellow Warbler: One at Woodland Cemetery 11 Sep (RD); one at Hamilton Cemetery 11 Sep (MM); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] 11 Sep (DDi); one at Fern Hill School, Burlington 12 Sep (JC); one at 185 Ridge Rd, Hamilton 13 Sep (JL); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] {photo} 22 Sep (LF et al.); one at Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep L (RM).Chestnut-sided Warbler: Seven at Shoreacres Park [HL] 11 Sep (RPo,KH); one at Shadybrook Cres, Guelph {photo} 14-23 Oct (RH); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] {photo} 30 Oct - 8 Nov ** (MJa/m.obs/PSt).Blackpoll Warbler: Eleven at Ruthven Park [HD] 22 Sep (RL), 16 there 30 Sep (RL) and 15 there 3 Oct (RL); eight at Confederation Park [HM] 26 Sep (TU); eight at Rattray Marsh [PL] 29 Sep (SM); eight at Edgelake Park [HM] 30 Sep (DNe); one at Princess Point, RBG 17 Oct L (RD).Black-throated Blue Warbler: One at Guelph Arboretum 23 Oct (IA); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] {photo} 30 Oct – 3 Nov (FP/EP); one at Bronte Creek, S of Rebecca St, Oakville 20 Nov L ## (GPr).Palm Warbler: Seven at Wyecroft/McPherson SWP [HL] 8 Sep (MJ); seven at Fern Hill School, Oakville 11 Oct (RL); six at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 12 Oct (MJ); four at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 14 Oct (MJ); four at S.C. Johnson Trail, Brantford 14 Oct (SL); four at Grimsby Wetlands [NG] 14 Oct (RP) and one there 18 Oct (BD); one at Fern Hill School, Burlington 18 Oct (JC); one at Red Hill Creek SWP [HM] 20 Oct (MJa,AD,MN); two at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] {photo} 20 Oct (PH); one at Jack Darling Park [PL] 28 Oct (RM,SM,LF); one (Yellow) at Sedgewick Park [HL] {photo) 11 Nov (BC,AK); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 17 Nov (RM); one (Yellow) at Bronte Harbour 17 Nov ** (MJ/RM); one at South Shell Park [HL] 17-25 Nov L ** (JRu/RM/MJ); one at Bronte Creek, S of Rebecca St, Oakville 20

Nov ## (GPr).Pine Warbler: Two at Arkendo Park [HL] 11 Oct (RLi); one at Bronte Bluffs Park [HL] 12 Oct (RPo); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 12 Oct (RL); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] 14 Nov L (RBe,MVl).Yellow-rumped Warbler: Twenty-five at Sedgewick Park 22 Sep [HL] 22 Sep (AD,RPa) and 35 there 6 Oct (WK); 26 at Princess Point 23 Sep (IA) and 100+ there 13 Oct (BL,CAB,MA); 50 at Ridge Lane, Oakville 14 Oct (GPr); 100 at Bronte

Bluffs Park [HL] 12 Oct (RPo); 55 at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP [HL] 12 Oct (MJ); 100 at Ruthven Park [HD] 12 Oct, 35 there 17 Oct, 20 there 22 Oct, and one there 26 Oct (all RL); 60 at Spencer Creek and Cootes Drive area [HM] 14 Oct (PR); 42 at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] 14 Oct (MJ); two at Arkendo Park [HL] 25 Nov (RM); two at Bronte Harbour 25 Nov (MJ); one at J.C. Saddington Park [PL] 25 Nov (RM); one at South Shell Park [HL] 25 Nov (MJ); one at Bayfront Park 25 Nov (WO).BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER#: One at LaSalle Park 3-13 Nov {photo} ** (BGr,m.obs.).

Black-throated Green Warbler: Five at Waterworks Park, Brantford 20 Sep (MH); six at Confederation Park [HM] 25 Sep (TU); 15 at 185 Ridge Rd, Hamilton 2 Oct (JL); three at Woodland Cemetery 13 Oct (MMac); three at Rattray Marsh [PL] 13 Oct (RM); one at 61 Garden Lane, Milton [HL] 20 Oct (TC); one at Waters Edge Park [PL] 21 Oct (RM); one at South Shell Park [HL] {photo} 20 Nov L ** (MJ).Canada Warbler#: Five at Beverly Swamp [HM] 3 Sep (TU); one at Erindale College [PL] {photo} 21 Sep L (Peter L).Wilson’s Warbler: Four at Sedgewick Park [HL] 7 Sep (TP); three at Shell Park [HL] 11 Sep (DD); four at Shoreacres Park [HL] 11 Sep (RPo/KH); one at Holcim Lakefront Mansion [PL] 1 Oct L (LF).Scarlet Tanager: Two at Puslinch Tract [WL] 17 Sep (TH); two at Ruthven Park [HD] {photo} 18 Sep (CSc,RL); one at Dundas Valley 23 Sep (JL); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] {photo} 29 Sep (PH/SM); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 3 Oct L (JMe,MMe).

WESTERN TANAGER#: One at Rattray Marsh [PL] 28 Oct*-2 Nov {photo} ** (SM,m.obs).Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Ten at Ruthven Park [HD] 12 Sep (RL), seven there 18 Sep (RL), four there 23 Sep (EG,RL) and one there 30 Sep (RL); 13 at Hendrie Valley 13 Sep (PSt); 11 at Waterworks Park, Brantford 20 Sep (MH); six at Dofasco Trail and 1st Road E [HM] 29 Sep (BHr); one at Hanlon Dog Park, Guelph 30 Sep (RH); three at Lion’s Valley Park, Oakville {photo} 2 Oct (TM); one at Sherwood Forest Park, Burlington 2 Oct (RD); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] {photo} 3 Oct L (LF,JMe,MMe).

Indigo Bunting: Four at St. George [BR] 16 Sep (JL); three at Dundas Valley loop 23 Sep (JL); one at Riverwood Conservancy [PL] 26 Sep (RM); one at Ruthven Park [HD] 29 Sep (RL) and one there 12 Oct L (RL); one at Waters Edge Park [PL] 30 Sep (RM).Dickcissel#: One at 5667 Roseville Court, Oakville {photo} 4-8 Nov F ** (AD,RPa,MN,MJa,m.obs.)


Hooded Warbler at Sedgewick Park - 24 November 2018 - photo Mark Patry.

Black-throated Gray Warbler at LaSalle Park - 12 November 2018 -

photo Bob Curry.

Western Tanager at Rattray Marsh - 28 October 2018 - photo Iain Fleming.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Lion's Valley Park, Oakville - 2 October

2018 - photo Tom Miller.

Dickcissel at 5667 Roseville Court, Burlington - 8 November

2018 - photo Mourad Jabra.


Hamilton Naturalists’ ClubCelebrating 100 YearsSave the Date: 2ND November 2019

Join us for our banquet at liuna station in November for the grand finale of a

year of celebration. Mark your calendars. Invite your neighbours. Spread the news to

supporters of the HNC far and wide!

Make the HNC a central part of your 2019 by joining us here each

month for centennial news and activities.Rob Porter, Bronwen Tregunno and a host of volunteers are aiming to offer 100

activities to celebrate HNC’s 100th.

Enjoy the centennial logo in this newly designed back cover.

Becca Serena has volunteered her creativity, time and

graphic design to highlight our special year.

40448074

Return undeliverable Canadian

addresses to: The Hamilton

Naturalists’ ClubWestdale P.O. Box 89052

Hamilton, ON L8S 4R5

The current Hamilton Area Bird Checklist was published in 2007. It was thought that there would not be a market for a new checklist, what with people not wanting paper and books anymore. But apparently HNC members do want a new one. Thus a new checklist is one of our centennial projects. Look for the new updated Hamilton Area Bird Checklist - 2019 - this coming May!

Tickets for the celebratory dinner at the beautiful Liuna Station in downtown Hamilton on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, will be on sale for $75.00 at our monthly

HNC and BSG meetings starting this March. Cash or cheque accepted.

journal of the hamilton naturalists’...

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