Nov. 20 2024

Leaders; Norah Toth, Barbara Palmer, Judy Duncan, Rob Wray

Participants: Barbara Palmer, Becky Grieveson, Bill Hatten, BJ Martin, Doug Martin, Eloise Jantzi, Fred Jazvac, James Turland, Jim Punnett, Judy Duncan, Linda Nielsen-jones, Margaret Beard, Marilyn Ohler, Norah Toth, Rob Wray, Yvonne Bieman

Hi BBC: Against the weatherman's prediction it was a great day for birding. The rain never came and the flat calm water made it easy to spot birds. As planned our four leaders met us at the Bayshore Community Center and we started the day with a short hike to the inner harbor. There was no horizon the grey sky turned seamlessly into the grey of the bay. The lower water levels appeared as if the tide was out. We found the usual suspects like Canada Geese, Mallards and Goldeneye. The Goldeneyes here  deserve a second look, as a Barrow’s has been mingling with the Commons for the past six years. At Hibou Conservation Area well stocked feeders were flashing with Chickadees, Nuthatches and such. Loons are often solitary birds but a long way out on the tranquil bay we saw a raft of Common Loons. 

Rob then guided us to an industrial area with a man-made retention pond that had become an unexpected haven for wildlife. An out of season Blue-winged Teal was hanging out with the mallards.  With persistence Rob flushed a Snipe he expected to be there. Our second Pileated Woodpecker of the day vocalized and gave us great views. Norah graciously hosted us for lunch at her home, where we enjoyed the warmth of indoors, hot drinks, and cookies. At Kelso Park, we had great close-ups of Redheads, Cackling Geese, and Gulls, as the birds here are used to humans. We then took a scenic drive along the west shore, making several stops to observe Horned and Red-necked Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, Mergansers, and plenty more Goldeneyes. The return trip through some scrubby grassland offered views of perched Red-tailed Hawks and two hunting Harriers. Our final stop took us to Cobble Beach, where a Snowy Owl had been reported. After a bit of searching, we spotted it on the 18th fairway, and the photographers quickly moved in for closer shots. As the sun set, some of us opted to admire the Owl from a distance.All in all, it was another wonderful day of birding, accompanied by great fellowship. A huge thanks to the leaders for their scouting, guidance, and keeping us on track. This hike was inspired by Fred’s successful annual outing around the bay. Thanks also to Marilyn for managing the eBird lists.

For Marilyn’s Trip Report, check it out here: eBird Trip Report.

Complete list of Birds Seen

Owen Sound--Round the Sound, Grey, Ontario, CA

Nov 20, 2024 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling

30.0 kilometer(s)

Checklist Comments:     BBC Hike led by Norah, Barbara, Judy and Rob

40 species

Cackling Goose  X

Canada Goose  X

Mute Swan  X

Blue-winged Teal  X     pic

Mallard  X

Redhead  X

Lesser Scaup  X

Long-tailed Duck  X

Bufflehead  X

Common Goldeneye  X

Hooded Merganser  X

Red-breasted Merganser  X

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  X

Mourning Dove  X

Wilson's Snipe  X     well documented

Ring-billed Gull  X

American Herring Gull  X

Horned Grebe  X

Red-necked Grebe  X

Common Loon  X

Double-crested Cormorant  X

Northern Harrier  X

Bald Eagle  X

Red-tailed Hawk  X

Snowy Owl  X

Belted Kingfisher  X

Red-bellied Woodpecker  X

Pileated Woodpecker  X

Blue Jay  X

American Crow  X

Common Raven  X

Black-capped Chickadee  X

Golden-crowned Kinglet  X

White-breasted Nuthatch  X

Red-breasted Nuthatch  X

European Starling  X

American Goldfinch  X

Snow Bunting  X

American Tree Sparrow  X

Dark-eyed Junco  X