Hi BBC; The birds, weather and leaders all combined for an excellent outing. Judy and Norah scouted and acquired permission to visit some appropriate properties with bird feeders. We were treated to great birding and even a platter of cookies. Thanks so much to Judy and Norah for adjusting the day's itinerary and pace to suit the group. Also a big acknowledgement to Marilyn for keeping the eBird checklists, writing the summary and doing the trip report. Well executed ladies. Some memorable comradery and sightings. Following is the day's report.
Cheers James
P.S. Being creatures of habit I envisage the White-winged Crossbills will visit Doug's cone laden trees more this winter.
Attending the birding day in bright sun and reasonable temperatures were: Barbara Palmer, Marilyn Ohler, Fred Jazvac, Rob Wray, Lynn Beaton, Cathy Bailey, Heather Drane, Susan Weaver, Linda and Bob Droine, Pat and Rod Sein, Jim Punnett, Connie Plante, Norma Nanni, Simon Turland, Doug Pedwell, Bill Hatten, Peter Storck, Margaret Anderton, Eloise Cameron Jantzi, James Turland and Carole Lupton. Leading: Judy Duncan and Norah Toth
Marilyn Ohler wrote a trip summary report for e-Bird and Judy and I don't think we could do any better.
"What a delightful day of sun and birds. Judy D and Norah T led 25 or so birders from Saugeen Shores to Paisley. Weather was clear. We enjoyed the sunshine and mild temperatures of 4-6 degrees with very little wind. Lunch was enjoyed at Allan's Fireside in Port Elgin. The bird of the day in my opinion were the White-winged Crossbill's spotted by Simon and James at Doug P's residence. Runner up was the Brown Creeper summoned by Werner at our last stop.
On the way home, Lynn B took Marilyn and Fred to the field of Snow Buntings. Thousands were still swirling about the field and when they rested in the far away elm tree it appeared to be in leaf as they were so numerous.
Lynn also saw a Red-tailed hawk fly at the car as we headed to Concession 12 for the spectacular sight of the Snow Buntings.
Thanks to all the home owners who allowed us access to their property and thanks again to Judy and Norah for organizing."
Our end of the day highlight was singing Happy Birthday to Werner who celebrates birds everyday. Werner has been part of the birding community since before the Bruce Birding Club was formed.
An interesting event of our day is that Cathy lost one of her hearing aids somewhere on the Bennett's property. We covered quite a bit of ground there. It was snowy, wet and some parts were clear. The people with her looked for it for a while with no luck. But...... The hearing aid was miraculously found, before dark, by Paul Bennett in a footprint in the snow enroute to the location of the Bohemian Waxwings behind their home! We thank Paul for looking and especially for finding it!
34 Species seen:
11 Canada Goose
4 Tundra Swans (id from Bill Hatten photo showing yellow spot on bill near eye)
2 Long-tailed Duck
5 Bufflehead
16 Common Goldeneye
3 Common Merganser
18 Red-breasted Merganser
1 Ruffed Grouse
9 Rock Pigeon
21 Mourning Dove
55 Herring Gull
1 Glaucous Gull
12 Bald Eagle
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
6 Downy Woodpecker
4 Hairy Woodpecker
3 Pileated Woodpecker
11 Blue Jay
23 American Crow
23 Black-capped Chickadee
5 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Brown Creeper
5 European Starling
3 American Robin
20 Bohemian Waxwing
1 Cedar Waxwing
3 Purple Finch
8 White-winged Crossbill
68 American Goldfinch
5150 Snow Bunting (some of us thought there were close to 10,000 when we first sighted them)
8 American Tree Sparrow
18 Dark-eyed Junco
1 Northern Cardinal
ADDITIONAL TAXA
50 gull sp.
We stopped at the following feeders: Doug Pedwell, Jim Coles, Barbara & Pat Martin, Paul Bennett, Werner Suksdorf We also stopped at the Saugeen River mouth and drove the shoreline in front of Gobles Grove just south of Port Elgin.
Judy Duncan and Norah Toth