St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc.

Annual Banquet

2011-10-29T00:24:00.000-04:00

St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc.
Annual Banquet

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Friday, November 4th, 2011
Knox Presbyterian Church

SPECIES AT RISK in the ARCTIC
Rick Kiriluk

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$20.00WWWWWWWWWWDoors Open 6:00

DINNER 6:30

Notes from Al Sharpe

2011-02-10T22:49:00.004-05:00

Just a reminder of the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Above link will have some information on it.

There is now a Canadian site where you can download instructions on the brd count. This site also has a bird check list that ou can customize to your area. There are included instructions for uploading your sightings. All very neatly packaged.

Elgin Hiking Tril group is having a walk at 10 am at the southwld Earthworks on this Saturday, February 12th. Marg Hulls will be the leader. Directions: take Fingal Rd past Fingal to Iona Rd turn right, earthworks are just arond the corner.

The Feb 14th meeting of Otter Valley Naturalists presentation will be on a Brief Walk Through the Everglades with Joe Stephenson presenting some photos of his recent trip to Florida.

Also don't forget the owl prowl on Feb 16 at 7 pm at the Archie Coulter Conservation Area.

Tom Hayman had a nice article in the London Free Press on West Elgin Christmas Bird Count. Amazing number of owls reported.

Thankfully the ground hog saw his shadow only 4 more weeks of winter. ;-)
Take care
Al Sharpe

Savannah Sparrow

2011-02-10T22:34:00.002-05:00

Ron Kingswood sent this photo of a savannah sparrow to Diane Dobson on February 2, 2011, with the comment "I don't get this bird too often at this time of year".

St.Thomas Elgin Heritage Trees Web Site

2011-01-15T22:15:00.003-05:00

The St.Thomas Elgin Heritage Trees web site has been established and can be reached at http//stthomasheritagetrees.wordpress.com/

Once you have opened the folder and clicked on Heritage Trees Map - St.Thomas, you will need to click on the small line view larger image to get to the map proper. It is a large site and does take a few minutes to load, dependent on the speed of the computer, etc.

The site is a work in progress, with St.Thomas almost complete, requiring just a few more seasonal photos. The West Elgin site shows the locations of all of the trees, but so far no photos. The East Elgin site has just been started and shows just a few tree locations but no photos.

COOPER'S HAWK

2010-12-30T15:54:00.001-05:00

This photo was sent by Evelyn and Ray Knight of St.Thomas. It is believed to be a Cooper's Hawk. It caught a bird in their backyard and proceeded to eat it! This gave time for Ray to get a good photo.

Cheers, Diane.

Report from Diane Dobson

2010-12-22T19:18:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone, here is a short report sent to me by Ron Allenson. The Port Burwell Group held their count on Sunday.

Yo Diane: So glad you are checking!!!! I'm out to lunch. Spent most of the day today, checking out the reports of interesting birds for our CBC which took place on Sunday. (I think we will round out at 83 or 84 species. Can't believe it but it is all those celebrity birds who want to be a part of the Port Burwell-Vienna count) Wishing and hoping that for the St.Thomas count as well) The highlight of the day was observing an immature Golden Eagle, at Richmond, at the broiler farm. There were 17 Red-tailed hawks, and the one Golden Eagle. What a treat as I watched him/her soar in the clear blue sky.
As an alert to the counters in St.Thomas perhaps our results could serve as a watch "to be on the look out for" those species moving south along the shoreline.
We had two Brown Thrashers, 2 Mockingbirds, 5 Eastern Towhees, Red-Shouldered Hawks are also about. Tell the observers to look out for hermit thrush, we missed Woodcock (observed the day before the count), Turkeys were really high, . . . who knows what we will see . . . What an adventure. Ron

Annual Banquet

2010-10-05T17:05:00.002-04:00

Friday, November 5, 2010

Knox Presbyterian Church

MONARCH RESCUE

Laura Hathaway

$20.00 - Doors open 6:00 p.m.

DINNER 6:30 P.M.

Bobolink

2010-07-15T13:38:00.004-04:00

Hi Diane:

I expect you have seen him on your list by now but thought I'd tell you about him anyway. I saw this little guy this afternoon (May 28). Lots of competition with red-winged blackbirds but a great big field of grass for them. He was on the south side of Crinan Road just west of the place at 26437 Crinan Road between Dunborough and Graham, if you want to try to find him. Bobolinks aren't that common any more because you do not see fields like this very often. Don't know if there are plans to cut the field but the farms on either side didn't look to prosperous so they might leave it alone long enough for babies to fledge.

See you soon - Jan

Merlin Nest in St.Thomas

2010-07-14T21:12:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone, I know some of you got this last night (July 12) but I just got this message from Bob Hubert saying that Jim Dunn, at 126 Redan Street, would be happy to have bird watchers viewing the family of Merlins on his property. You can also see them from the Canadian Tire parking lot.

Don Fowler says he thinks that's a first for St.Thomas.

Diane.

Dave Martin adds: It's the first known Merlin nest in Elgin County making it the farthest south nest in Canada. London has had a breeding pair for two years now making that pair Middlesex's first known breeding pair. They are moving south quickly but even at the end of the latest Breedng Bird Atlas there were only 4 records in the Carolian Zone. By the next atlas they'll be everywhere.

Dave Martin.

Wednesday Evening Spring Walks - 2010

2010-05-08T12:48:00.005-04:00

Meet at Site at 6:30 p.m.

April 14
Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. Eighteen walkers participated in this walk when the following birds were sighted; American coot, pie billed grebe, geese, mallards, ducks, song sparrow, blue heron, 1 tundra swan, green winged teal and American widgeon.

April 2
Twenty walkers were on hand at the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area to see 1 bald eagle and many spring flowers, which were early, including bloodroot, yellow and white dog toothed violets, marsh marigold, early meadow rue, bluebells and trillium.

April 28
Home of Shirley Griffith. Eighteen walkers were present. Very few birds were sighted, including swallow, house wren, bluebird and cowbird. Nice walk around the pond and through the pine tree planting.

May 5
Rained out.

Next Walks -

May 12 - Corner's Corner.
May 19 - Hawk Cliff then to Port Stanley for Wimbrels.
May 26 - Pat and Bruce McLeans for walk and wiener roast. Hot dogs and condiments provided. Bring lawn chair, any goodies and beverage.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

2010-04-14T10:03:00.003-04:00

Ruby-crowned Kinglet by Ron Kingswood, April 12, 2010.

Rufus Towhee Sighted in Belmont

2010-04-13T19:20:00.005-04:00

I live in Belmont and on February 22, 2010, a Rufus Towhee was feeding at my feeders for about 5 days when there was some heavy snow. Then he reappeared again on March 14. I am told that this is quite a rare sighting for this bird.

Joan Hodges

Bird Sighting Reports to April 9, 2010

2010-04-11T16:14:00.004-04:00

At the April 9th meeting of the St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc, many new bird sightings were reported by the members. This spring Ron Kingswood sighted American Woodcock, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, and Tree Swallow to name a few.

Gary and Gillian Crowther sighted a Sandhill Crane near Port Stanley on April 7th.

During the Duck Rally several duck species were reported. Al Hurst saw Gadwills, Canvas Backs, Hooded Mergansers, American Widigeon and a Snow Goose in the last few weeks.

To us birders, the spring is like an amazing treasure hunt of the birds arriving back from their winter havens.

Happy Birding, Diane.

Signs of Spring

2010-03-16T00:30:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, March 11th a pair of blue-winged teal were spotted, in the water, at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area behind the Police College. We also saw red-winged blackbirds and robins on that property. In a field east of Half Moon Road there were several killdeers.

On Sunday March 14 we saw bufflehead and ring-necked ducks at lagoon #4 at the viewing stands at Port Stanley.

Marg Hulls and Joanne Burditt.

Christmas Bird Count 2009

2009-12-29T12:40:00.011-05:00

The St.Thomas Field Naturalist Christmas Bird Count, which occured on December 26th, was an unusual one.

The weather, which is always a factor, was really good for the birders. Most thought this would result in great birding. The air was clear and often sunny, the roads were excellent; however, the birds were just not active.

No one really knows how the birding will go, and this year the number of species was down with an unofficial total of 67 on the day of the count. The total number of birds was relatively good at 23,616, but 4,274 were Canada Geese, 3,559 were European Starlings, and over 6,500 were gulls. Most birders called it a slow day because of the low number of species.

Here is a comparison of species and numbers of birds back to 2006.
2006 Birds 29,081 Species 90;
2007 Birds 17,327 Species 77;
2008 Birds 23,695 Species 80.

Participants can report new species up to December 29, so the count may change before it is over. Hopefully a few more species will be added by then.

The birders met at Knox Presbyterian Church for a pot luck dinner and to collect the information. The meal was delicious as usual.

Attached is a photo of John Harbaruk searching for birds on the December 26th count day.

John Harbaruk

We had two more species added to our Christmas Bird Count! Al Hurst saw a Fox Sparrow at his feeder and Irene Bouris identified a Chipping Sparrow! We are up to 70 species now.

Best regards, Diane Dobson, compiler.

Bird Report, April 27, 2009

2009-04-27T09:49:00.005-04:00

The bird sightings are coming in as the weather warms...Ron Kingswood reported Nashville Warbler and Northern Oriole. Gill Crowther also reported a Northern (Baltimore) Oriole. Pat Harwell McLean saw something amazing at her pond again, she saw a Louisiana Heron. Look it up! It is very unusual I think. Mom (Norma Cook) and I were out birding on the weekend and found Brown Thrushers, and a Yellow Warbler at Hawk Cliff. We also went up to the two Eagle Nests near Wallacetown and both had an eagle sitting on the nest. Awesome! Also, we saw two herons on nests on the Bush Line. Great birding day.

Keep those reports coming! Diane Dobson

For some excellent photos of the Brown Thrusher click on http://www.kegressy.com/Songbirds_Brown_Thrusher_1.html

For photos of the Louisians Heron click on http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/blog/2009/01/florida-louisiana-heron.html

Bird Sightings

2009-04-24T15:29:00.003-04:00

Ron Kingswood sent this picture of a Yellow-rumped Warbler he saw in his yard earlier this week.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Pat Hartwell McLean had a pleasant surprise at her pond this week. A Black Crowned Night Heron arrived on April 18th, and stayed for a day, then went on its way.

Diane

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, taken April 18, 2009.

2009-04-20T16:23:00.008-04:00

Ron Kingswood sent this lovely photo of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, taken April 18, 2009.
Bird Sightings Report. Ron Kingswood has sent in reports of Hermit Thrush, American Egret, Barn Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Pine Warbler, Purple Martins, Chipping Sparrow, Tree Swallow and Cormorants in the last week, along with the pretty little Ruby Crowned Kinglet shown here.

Happy Birding Everyone, Diane

Wednesday Evening Spring Walks

2009-04-10T14:38:00.006-04:00

Meet at Site at 6:30 p.m.

April 29th
Home of Shirley Griffin. 6454 Centennial Road.

May 6th
Archie Coulter Conservation Area. Meet at entrance on Browers Line.

May 13th
Corner’s Corners. 45045 Fruit Ridge Line.

May 20th
Hawk Cliff/Port Stanley harbour. Meet at Hawk Cliff.

May 27th
Home of Pat & Bruce McLean. 5189 Middle River Road
(Walk plus wiener roast!)

Greater White Fronted Goose

2009-03-23T21:09:00.003-04:00

Diane Dobson reports that Al Hurst saw a Greater White Fronted Goose at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area on Sunday, March 22.

Bald Eagle Sighting

2009-03-08T13:21:00.002-04:00

Dianne Dobson reports from Ron Kingswood:

I thought that maybe the blog would be a good place to put this sighting. Golden Eagles are fairly rare and we seem to have several sightings in the last week or so.
Diane

Diane, I have another sighting of a Golden Eagle, this one also an immature. White at the base of the tail feathers, and the very noticeable white at the base of the primaries and the start of the secondaries. It was sitting on a bluff below our cliff (west of Port Bruce) and flew west.
Ron Kingswood

Calendar of Events

2009-03-07T09:41:00.007-05:00

WEDNESDAY Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area 6:30PM
April 27th Meet at the Parking Lot on Sparta Line

WEDNESDAY Home of Shirley Griffin 6:30PM
April 29th 6454 Centennial Road

FRIDAY
May 1st Regular Meeting: Jim O’Leary, “High Rise Red Tail Hawks” 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY Archie Coulter Conservation Area 6:30PM
May 6th Meet @ Entrance on Browers Line

SUNDAY
May 10th Baillie Birdathon – We will be looking for Sponsor’s

WEDNESDAY Corner’s Corners 6:30PM
May 13th 45045 Fruit Ridge Line

WEDNESDAY Hawk Cliff/Port Stanley Harbour 6:30PM
May 20th Meet @ Hawk Cliff

WEDNESDAY Home of Pat & Bruce McLean 6:30PM
May 27th 5189 Middle River Road (Walk Plus Wiener Roast!)

FRIDAY Pot Luck Picnic @ Pinafore Park’s Woodland Pavilion 6:00PM
June 5th Remember to bring your own plates, utensils and soft drinks.
There will be a walk afterwards!

SATURDAY 12th Annual Butterfly Count @ Pinafore Park 9:30AM
July 11th Meet at the Woodland Pavilion

Heritage Tree Committee

2009-02-12T14:49:00.005-05:00

The Heritage Tree Committee of the St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc., is shown on the completion of the new Elgin Trees a Guide to Heritage Trees in St.Thomas, Ontario map, on February 10, 2009. The committee members are, left to right, Ted Suckley, Frank Lattanzio, Keith Malcolm, Lorne Spicer and Anne Vance.

10,000 maps have been printed by Aylmer Express, Aylmer, Ontario, with the maps now ready for distribution. The committee previously produced Elgin Trees a Guide to Heritage Trees in East Elgin, Ontario and Elgin Trees, a Guide to Heritage Trees in West Elgin, Ontario.

Impacts of Wind Turbines

2008-04-21T14:26:00.002-04:00

AN INVITATION FROM THE ST. THOMAS FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC.

PRESENTATION TO CENTRAL ELGIN COUNTY COUNCIL -
APRIL 28th, 2008

Environmental Impacts of Wind Turbines on Bird Migration

You are invited to attend a presentation being made by Cyril Crocker to the Central Elgin County Council on Monday evening, April 28th at 7:30 p.m.
Please come out and show your support so that the council will know that as Field Naturalists, we have some concerns and wish to be heard!

Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, Main Floor
St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1

Sent via email April 20, 2008 to all members with email addresses.

Henslow Sparrow?

2008-04-20T14:11:00.003-04:00

Hello Birders: On returning from an outing this morning (April 15) to concession 6 west of Walsingham to view the Greater Yellow-legs posted yesterday we were driving slowly on Woodword Side Road. north from Nova Scotia Line (County Road 42) west of Port Burwell. Woodword is not an all season Road and runs through a large expanse of corn stubble at that point, with weedy and grassy wet ditches and a few clumps of red dogwood and low shrubs. We flushed a short-tailed sparrow on the west side of the vehicle which flew along low off the ground a short distance and landed slightly in front of the vehicle about three feet off the ground in a dead raspberry cane. The initial impression of the sparrow was a totally coloured yellow head, as if the whole head had been dipped in yellow with a paler chin. A small area of the upper breast was lightly streaked but most of the breast was unmarked, with a slight band of narrow streaking at the sides below the wing. The lower mandible was pink with the upper bill slightly darker. Legs were pinkish. There was a white eye ring and wisker lines. The wings were somewhat rusty brown with no noticeable white. Alister Dennis-Grantham and myself observed the perched bird from the vehicle with field glasses, from about 20 feet for perhaps 20 to 30 seconds. His sister Clare also observed the bird with her naked eye. I remarked to Alister, "Look at that head, Have you ever seen one of those before?" Alister is 11 years old and already a very good birder but his response was in the negative.
In our initial excitement we all made the error of looking in our field guides at the same time and we lost the bird. We exited the vehicle and flushed a common snipe from beside a large pool of water in the corn field. We searched up and down the roadway and adjacent fields for about an hour, trying to refind the bird. We turned up a pair of song sparrows, two savannah sparrows and several horned larks but could not relocate our first sparrow. It was sunny, about 1:30 p.m. with light winds, about 8 to 10 degrees C. when we left the sight.
I realize how unusual this sparrow is and considered the Nelson's and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed. However the breast was mostly white and streaking was minimal under the throat and to the side. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have an educated opinion or expertise on this sparrow. We will certainly be rechecking the location for future sightings.
Ron Allensen, Port Burwell.

Directions; Port Burwell is on Lake Erie at the southern terminus of highway 19 south of 401 from Ingersol exit. Proceed through town and turn right to cross the bridge. Proceed up the hill on Nova Scotia Line,(County Road. 42) round two turns going past Browns Road. continue on 42 for about a mile. Woodword Side Road goes north only (right) off of 42. It is wet gravel and sand. About a quarter mile up the road, 200 feet past the concrete culvert, is the spot the bird was sighted.

Horned Grebe

2008-04-20T14:06:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone, just saw something amazing (April 14) on the Dexter Line across the road from the house that had the albino cardinal. Steve said he saw something in the ditch. We turned around and there was this little bird flopping around, apparently injured. We watched it for a few minutes then it got spooked and started moving, in an injured way, along the ditch and into the field. By the time I thought of my camera it was too late, but we had such a great look at it for about five minutes. Finally I tried to get out of the truck to approach it (for a picture) and it flew away! Flies like a duck! It may have been hit by a vehicle shortly before we got there. But when it flew away it seemed to be back to its old self. It landed in a wooded area behind the house on the east side to the north. Anyway it was definately a Horned Grebe! We were within three feet of it for part of the time. What an amazingly strange and beautiful creature. A new one for me!

Diane

Tundra Swans at Aylmer Wildlife Area

2008-03-24T22:17:00.005-04:00

In the early afternoon of Monday, March 24, 2008, there were literally thousands of Tundra Swans at the Aylmer Wildlife Area. The photograph shows just a small part of the area occupied by the swans.

Some March Bird Sightings

2008-03-24T16:45:00.005-04:00

Diane Dobson reports:
Lorne Spicer spotted a Blue Phased Snow Goose on the morning of Sunday, March 16, in amongst some Canada Geese at Talbot Creek, east side of Union Road, between Fingal and Union.

Then on March 17, Mom, Steve and I were birding and not seeing any thing on the east side, we moved to the west to see Turkeys on the west side. Before we finished our travels, we saw horned larks, snow buntings, robins, red-winged black birds, killdeer, blue birds, rough leg, redtails and kestrels. We wanted an eagle so we went by the silo on the Fingal Road and behold . . two Bald Eagles flew to the ground and picked something up and went up into the next tree where they stayed. How fortunate for us to be there at the right moment. We also saw many turkeys and deer this morning. Up the road a bit from the eagles nest, we saw hundreds of Tundra Swans and one Canada Goose, looking conspicuous in the middle of them! Not a bad day after all.
Diane Dobson

Ted Suckley reports:
This morning, March 3, 2008 there was a flock of more than fifteen chickadees in my back yard on Brant Avenue. It was not possible to get an accurate count as they were constantly on the move. They remained in the yard for only about thirty minutes, after I first spotted them. There is no feeder in my yard, but the day before I had thrown some broken cookies onto the snow.
Ted Suckley

A Spring Walk in the Woods

2008-02-28T22:16:00.005-05:00

The next St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. meeting is on Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 55 Hincks Street, St.Thomas. Parking lot located at the corner of Hincks and Wellington Street.
The speaker is Brenda Gallagher with the topic "A Spring Walk in the Woods".

2008-02-25T19:31:00.002-05:00

Below are two of eight photographs by Bill Rayner that appear in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas of Ontario.

Barn Swallow

Blue Jay

Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas

2008-02-18T14:21:00.002-05:00

Without doubt, the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas ranks among the most successful, important, and exciting bird research and conservation projects ever undertaken in the Western Hemisphere. All told, project participants:
- logged an incredible 150,000 hours of time in the field, allowing a thorough assessment of how bird distributions have changed in Ontario since the first Atlas (1981-1985)
- undertook 69,000 point counts across the entire province allowing us to provide the first maps of relative abundance for many species in Ontario.
- submitted an astonishing 1.2 million individual breeding bird records, making the Atlas database an incredibly powerful foundation not only for the book itself, but for innumerable bird research and environmental management applications for many years to come.

Information taken from www.birdsontario.org/atlas where more information is available.

St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. Butterfly Count, 2007

2008-02-16T18:59:00.001-05:00

On July 14, 2007, the St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. held its 10th Annual Butterfly Count. The count area was limited to a twenty-four km diameter circle centred at the junction of John Wise Line and Rieger Road. A total of six hundred five butterflies of twenty-two different species were counted. The day started off with a mixture of sun and cloud and twenty degrees C, but showers moved in by noon hour bringing an early end to the count, resulting in much lower numbers of species and butterflies than in previous years.
The participants were: Ron Allensen, Alex and Neva Carmichael, Pete Corner, Denzel and Shirley D’Mello, Linda Carmichael Ferguson, Sean Hurley, Brenda and Gordon Longhurst, Bruce and Pat McLean, Dave Nopper, Jamie and Karen Pakkala, Bruce and Hayley Parker, Phil Reynolds, Lil Schubert, and Ann Vance.
The butterfly committee would like to thank all who participated in the count, helping to broaden the focus of the club and hopefully providing another enjoyable and interesting activity for those desiring to participate.
Ann Vance

Butterflies Recorded during the Butterfly Count, 2007
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 14
Cabbage White 164
Clouded Sulphur 89
Orange Sulphur 43
Eastern Tailed Blue 1
Great Spangled Fritillary 12
Eastern Comma 1
Mourning Cloak 2
Red Admiral 35
Painted Lady 1
Little Wood Satyr 21
Common Wood Nymph 68
Monarch 35
Silver-spotted Skipper 18
Common Sootywing 3
European Skipper 15
Northern Broken Dash 20
Striped Hairstreak 4
Banded Hairstreak 2
Summer Azure 9
Red Spotted Purple 4
Dun Skipper 44

Total Species 22
Total Individuals 605

Monarch Watch Tagging Results, 2007

2008-02-16T18:46:00.003-05:00

Neva Carmichael, Jamie Pakkala and Ann Vance tagged one hundred twenty-one monarchs. Three tags were unused; one was spoiled. (I tagged the truck.)
Fifty-three of the one hundred twenty-one were males;
sixty-eight were females.
All were tagged and released on site.
One hundred five were tagged at Hawk Cliff or near vicinity. Sixteen were tagged else where.
It appeared that we missed the peak of the migration in the 2 weeks before the demonstrations.
We have had four recoveries, all at El Rosario, Mexico. Three were tagged at Fingal Wildlife Management Area and one at Hawk Cliff, all in September, 2003. The first recovery was on February 29, 2004, the second on January 20, 2005, and the third and fourth on March 7, 2006. The Monarchs had flown about 3,152 km.
Ann Vance

January 2008 Bird Sightings

2008-02-16T18:36:00.001-05:00

Ron Allensen Reports:
There was a double crested Cormorant in the Harbour at Port Burwell January 16th to 19th. Never seen one in January around here before.
Also an Oregon Junco was under my feeder January 21st.
I have three swamp sparrows coming to my feeder area now . . this is the first time I have ever had these under my feeders.

Bird Sightings at Port Burwell

2008-01-03T23:11:00.002-05:00

Diane, all these birds were seen at Port Burwell. The Hooded Mergansers in the Big Otter, the Little Gull on the sandspit at the mouth of the Big Otter, The Black-headed gull feeding with Boneaparts in the surf near the beach. The Iceland flying in a group of mixed gulls; Black-throated gray warbler December 9; Yellow-throated Warbler, December 16.The black-throated gray warbler and the yellow-throated warbler are well documented and were seen and photographed by numerous people, (including myself).

Attached is a photo of the Yellow-throated Warbler.

Thanks Ron.

Yellow-throated Warbler at Port Burwell

Rare Bird Sighting for Elgin

2007-12-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

In December 2005, Bob Hubert sighted a bird at Hawk Cliff, and after eliminating all other possibilities concluded it could be an Ipswich Sparrow. Because the bird was so far from the range of the Ipswich Sparrow Bob hesitated to identify it as such.

The bird remained at the Hawk Cliff banding station feeder for more than a week, with its favourite perch being the cage, enabling Bob to call on Sheila Fowler for help in identifying the bird. After comparing all of the sparrows in her bird book, Sheila too concluded it could be an Ipswich Sparrow, and like Bob, Sheila could not believe the identification. A big factor in the identification was the light colouring of the bird that no other sparrow has.

Bob Hubert asked Marshal Field for help, in identifying the bird, and after studying it, and checking his bird book, Marshall turned to Bob and said “I think it is an Ipswich Sparrow”.

Even so the trio was reluctant to identify it as an Ipswich Sparrow and Bob recorded it as a Savannah Sparrow.

Bob was able to get several photographs of the bird, which he sent to the ornithologist for identification, and in Ontario Birds August 2007, the following report appeared.

“Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis princeps (1)
2005 one, first basic, 17-27 December, Port Stanley, Elgin (Robert A. Hubert; 06-090) - photos on file.
This is the first record of an Ipswich Savannah Sparrow from Ontario, and the farthest inland from the Atlantic coast. Previous to this, the farthest inland record had been from Quebec City, Quebec. (Bannon et al. 2003a, 2003b). Ian McLaren (pers comm. to Ronald J. Pittaway), an expert on this subspecies, examined the photographs, and corroborated the identification and age of this bird.

Special thanks to Dave Martin for his correspondence with Ontario Birds.

Congratulations to Bob Hubert on making such a significant sighting, and adding another species to bird sightings for Elgin County and the Province of Ontario.

2007-10-28T13:56:00.000-04:00

Finhgal Wildlife Management Area

2007-10-28T13:22:00.000-04:00

Fingal Wildlife Management Area

2007-10-28T09:08:00.000-04:00

Monarch Tagging Demonstration

2007-08-02T19:42:00.000-04:00

On September 15, 16, 22, 23 (weather permitting) Ann Vance and her helpers, Jamie Pakkala and Neva Carmichael, will demonstrate the tagging of Monarch Butterflies at Hawk Cliff just before the hawk presentation in the afternoon. Bruce Parker from London will demonstrate at the morning sessions.
Tags are brought from Monarch Watch, a program made possible through the University of Kansas and Dr. Chip Taylor. The long term purpose of the tagging is to assure the continuation of the migration in eastern North America. To accomplish this, people need to monitor the monarch population and educate the public and the policy makers to all factors, human caused and natural, which affect the monarch population.
A small tag with printed information is attached to the underside of the hindwing. Information about the specimen is recorded and the butterfly is released.
More information about Monarch Watch is available at www.MonarchWatch.org.

Butterfly Tally 605

2007-07-30T23:49:00.000-04:00

On July 14, the St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. held its 10th annual Butterfly Count.
The count area was limited to a circle 24-kilometres in diameter and centred at the junction of John Wise Line and Rieger Road.
A total of 605 butterflies of 22 different species were counted.
The day started off with a mixture of sun and cloud and 20 degrees C., but showers moved in by the noon hour bringing an early end to the count, resulting in much lower species and butterflies than previous years.
The participants were: Ron Allenson, Alex and Neva Carmichael, Pete Corner, Denzil and Shirley D’Mello, Linda Carmichael Ferguson, Sean Hurley, Brenda and Gord Longhurst, Bruce and Pat McLean, Dave Nopper, Jamie and Karen Pakkala, Bruce and Hayley Parker, Phil Reynolds, Lil Schubert and Ann Vance.
Butterflies recorded; eastern tiger swallowtail 14, cabbage white 164, clouded sulphur 89, orange sulphur 43, eastern tailed blue 1, great spangled fritillary 12, eastern comma 1, mourning cloak 2, red admiral 35, painted lady 1, little wood satyr 21, common wood nymph 68, monarch 35, silver-spotted skipper 18, common sootywing 3, European skipper 15, northern broken dash 20, striped hairstreak 4, banded hairstreak 2, summer azure 9, red spotted purple 4, dun skipper 44.

Battle at Kruger

2007-07-12T12:28:00.000-04:00

This web address http://popsci.typepad.com/popsci/2007/06/when_lions_buff.html will take you to an amazing 8 minute video. The star of the video is a buffalo calf with supporting roles by a crocodile, several lions and a Buffalo herd.

White Oak, Pinafore Park, St.Thomas

2007-07-04T12:04:00.000-04:00

White Oak, in all its glory, at entance to Pinafore Park on June 3, 2007.

Entrance to Pinafore Park, after the fall of the White Oak, on June 29, 2007.

Remains of the White Oak on June 29, 2007.

Wilson's Phalarope

2007-05-22T09:46:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, Harvey Patterson saw a Wilson's Phalarope at the lagoons at Port Stanley yesterday (May 21, 2007). It was in the third lagoon. He said be patient because it was under the bank at times.

I went down, and saw it fly into a spot but didn't see it after that; however, I did see four Dunlins in the second lagoon quite close to the viewing stands.

Diane.

Himalayan Spruce at Tyrconnell

2007-05-20T22:45:00.000-04:00

Libby Fairweather, of Alberta Heritage Tree Foundation, stands in the Himalayan spruce tree in St. Peter's cemetery, Tyrconnell. The large horizontal branches are tear-drop shaped in cross section, rather than round, an amazing engineering feat of nature, to strengthen the branches to support the enormous bending stresses placed upon them!

The main trunk of this remarkable tree is just as straight as any spruce tree.

The multi trunk Himalayan spruce, on the left, is in a low spot at the bottom of a gentle slope and could easily go unnoticed compared to the regular shaped spruce, in the open, on the right.

Cones, buds and needles of the Himalayan Spruce.

Orchard Oriole

2007-05-10T16:55:00.000-04:00

On Monday, May 7th I was startled to see an adult male Orchard Oriole at the oriole feeder. I have not seen it since. However I did manage one shot of it and it's certainly not the best pose but at least it's a record shot.

The remarkable fact of the sighting is that Orchard Orioles rarely are seen anywhere but very close to Lake Erie. I know Ron Kingswood always has half a dozen or so at his feeders but to see one within the city limits is very unusual.

The rarity of finding it so far from the lake is born out in the species account of page 219 of Birds of Elgin County. The last colour plate on page 92 shows the bird in a typical nesting situation, the nest being located in a fir tree on Ron's property.

Bill Rayner

Bird Sightings at Archie Coulters, Saturday, May 5, 2007

2007-05-07T01:44:00.000-04:00

Sharon Harabuck reports sighting the following 13 species of birds at Archie Coulter Conservation Area on Saturday, May 5, 2007.

1. Bay-breasted Warbler
2. Black Throated Green Warbler
3. Black Throated Blue Warbler
4. Yellow Rumps (lots)
5. Nashville Warbler
6. Black and White Warbler
7. Yellow Warbler
8. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
9. Veery
10. Female Baltimore Oriole
11. Rufous Sided Towhee
12. Flickers
13. Downey W.P.

And of course many of the more common birds. It was a wonderful day for sure.

We went back today (Sunday) and there were none! Amazing... but we did see two young racoons in a hole in a tree. They were watching us take pictures of the flowers, etc.. It was cute :-)

Great Horned Owl Chick - April 28, 2007

2007-05-05T00:09:00.000-04:00

The pictured Great Owl chick fell from a nest in a 70 ft. Pine tree along Dalewood Trail. While the parents were still feeding the chick, on the ground, the hikers who found him feared for his safety from other animals. The chick was brought to St.Thomas to be cared for and on April 29 the chick was transported to the Candian Raptor Conservancy, to be properly cared for, near Simcoe. The chick is a ball of fluff about 8 or 9 inches in diameter.

Potluck Picnic - Friday, June 1

2007-05-05T00:03:00.000-04:00

Potluck Picnic – Woodland Pavilion, Pinafore Park. Supper at 6:30 p.m. Come early to socialize and remember to bring your own cutlery, plates and your own beverage. Following supper there will be a walk in the woods.

Bird Sightings, April 21, 2007

2007-04-23T09:47:00.000-04:00

Sharon and John Harbaruk report seeing many Savannah Sparrows, between Fingal and the Lakeview Road, seeming to be everywhere they stopped.

They also stopped to check out the Redtail nest on the Fingal Line, just before the turn south at Wallacetown, to go to the Eagle's nest. There was a Redtail on the nest last week, before the storm, but could not see one today! They will check again in a few days.

Other than that there were lots of Vultures and a flock of Cormorants. Also sighted one Cooper and one Northern Harrier, lots of Flickers too.

Hawk Cliff Weekends

2007-03-30T19:30:00.000-04:00

The Hawk Ckiff Weekends for 2007, will be held on September 15/16 and September 22/23.

Bird Sightings

2007-03-30T19:16:00.000-04:00

Wood ducks are back, I saw my first for 2007 on March 12 . They usually have an egg in a nest box first week of April.

8 Sandhill Cranes in a field March 12.

2 Fox Sparrows March 13.

Rufous-sided towhee remains at the feeder.

1 Eastern meadowlark at Hawk Cliff March 1.

March 15, 5 common golden-eye; 11 Ring-neck duck; 7 Buffle-heads.

Bob Hubert

Bird Sightings, March 12, 2007.

2007-03-12T19:08:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, Spring is here! I am getting calls and emails daily about sightings. This week the hot birds are Red-winged Blackbirds, Turkey Vultures, and Killdeers seen by Bob Hubert. Ron Kingswood also spotted a Short-eared Owl, Fox Sparrow, Merlin, Brewers Black Bird, and Common Grackles.

Robins seem to abound (or at least everyone seems to have seen one).

Last Thursday, Mom and I went down to Roberts Line to see if we could see the Bald Eagle. Instead we saw a pair of Blue Birds! A pleasant sight for sure. We decided to drive to Port Stanley for the Eagles. Low and behold, just as we were leaving Port two big dark birds came over the ridge near Moore Water Gardens. First glance (while driving) we thought it might be vultures. But no, it was two Bald Eagles! Some other species we spied that day included Red-Tails, Rough Legs, Red-winged black birds, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. So it was a good birding day. Lunch topped it off as usual. Diane

Wednesday Evening Spring Walks

2007-03-12T19:03:00.000-04:00

Meet at Site at 6:30 p.m. – Please wear appropriate footwear.
April 11, Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. – behind Police College.
April 18, Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area, Sparta. (Hummingbird Trail)
April 25, Gillard’s, 42395 Roberts Line. Members Only.
May 2, Fingal Wildlife Management Area, Woods Trail, 35000 Scotch Line.
May 9, Corner’s Corner, 45045 Fruitridge Road.
May 16, Archie Coulter Conservation Area, Brouwers Line.
May 23, Hawk Cliff and then on to Port Stanley.
May 30, Pat and Bruce McLean’s, Walk and Campfire, 5189 Middle River Road, Port Stanley. Members Only.

Christmas Bird Count - 2006

2007-03-10T17:59:00.000-05:00

Bird Species Species Total
Common Loon............................... 0
Great Blue Heron............................ 4
Tundra Swan.................................. 256
Mute Swan..................................... 3
Snow Goose.................................. 0
Canada Goose............................... 2744
Wood Duck.................................... 12
Green-winged Teal.......................... 1
American Black Duck...................... 150
Mallard.......................................... 1430
Northern Pintail............................... 29
Gadwell......................................... 0
American Wigeon........................... 0
Canvasback................................... 0
Redhead........................................ 0
Ring-necked Duck.......................... 5
Greater Scaup................................ 1
Lesser Scaup................................. 1
Long-tailed Duck............................ 1
White-winged Scoter....................... 0
Common Goldeneye....................... 2
Bufflehead .................................... 5
Hooded Merganser......................... 0
Common Merganser....................... 38
Red-breasted Merganser................. 92
Turkey Vulture................................ 2
Bald Eagle..................................... 6
Northern Harrier.............................. 17
Sharp-shinned Hawk....................... 15
Cooper’s Hawk............................... 17
Northern Goshawk.......................... 0
Red-shouldered Hawk..................... 1
Red-tailed Hawk............................. 121
Rough-legged Hawk....................... 8
Golden Eagle................................. 0
American Kestrel............................ 0
Merlin............................................ 29
Peregrine Falcon............................ 0
Ring-necked Pheasant.................... 0
Ruffed Grouse............................... 0
Wild Turkey.................................... 160
Northern Bobwhite.......................... 0
American Coot............................... 0
Bonaparte’s Gull............................. 201
Ring-billed Gull............................... 4855
Herring Gull.................................... 3205
Thayer’s Gull.................................. 0
Iceland Gull.................................... 0
Glaucous Gull................................ 1
Great Black-backed Gull.................. 20
(Gull sp.)........................................ 22
Rock Dove..................................... 519
Mourning Dove.............................. 582
Eastern Screech Owl...................... 5
Great Horned Owl........................... 2
Snowy Owl..................................... 0
Long-eared Owl.............................. 0
Short-eared Owl............................. 0
Belted Kingfisher............................ 8
Red-headed Woodpecker............... 0
Red-bellied Woodpecker................. 39
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker................ 2
Downy Woodpecker....................... 123
Hairy Woodpecker.......................... 28
Northern Flicker.............................. 13
Pileated Woodpecker..................... 5
Eastern Phoebe............................. 0
Horned Lark................................... 19
Blue Jay........................................ 995
American Crow............................... 870
Black-capped chickadee................. 541
Tufted Titmouse............................. 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch................... 27
White-breasted Nuthatch................. 60
Brown Creeper............................... 7
Carolina Wren................................. 12
Winter Wren................................... 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet.................. 44
Ruby-crowned Kinglet..................... 7
Eastern Bluebird............................. 82
Hermit thrush.................................. 7
American Robin.............................. 6
Catbird.......................................... 1
Northern Mockingbird..................... 0
Brown Thrasher.............................. 0
Bohemian Waxwing........................ 0
Cedar Waxwing.............................. 40
Northern Shrike............................... 3
Loggerhead Shrike......................... 0
European Starling........................... 6010
Yellow-rumped Warbler................... 1
Common Yellowthroat.................... 0
Northern Cardinal............................ 303
Rufous-sided Towhee..................... 47
American Tree sparrow................... 181
Chipping Sparrow........................... 3
Field Sparrow................................. 18
Song Sparrow................................ 32
Swamp Sparrow............................. 4
White-throated Sparrow.................. 28
White-crowned Sparrow.................. 13
Dark-eyed Junco............................ 1101
Lapland Longspur.......................... 0
Snow Bunting................................. 120
Red-winged Blackbird..................... 39
Eastern Meadowlark....................... 1
Yellow-headed Blackbird................. 0
Rusty Blackbird.............................. 0
Brewer’s Blackbird.......................... 0
Common Grackle............................ 20
Brown-headed Cowbird................... 1821
Pine Grosbeak............................... 0
Purple Finch................................... 1
House Finch................................... 119
White-winged Crossbill................... 0
Common Redpoll........................... 0
Pine Siskin..................................... 0
American Goldfinch........................ 3
Evening Grosbeak.......................... 247
House Sparrow.............................. 1449

Unusual Species
Fox Sparrow..................................
Vesper Sparrow 06......................... 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 06...................... 0
American Woodcock...................... 3
Ruddy Duck 06.............................. 6
American Pipit 06........................... 1
Baltimore Oriole............................. 1
Lesser Blacked Backed Gull............ 2

Total Birds Seen........................... 29081

Total Species................................ 90

Cooper's Hawk Feeding in St.Thomas

2007-02-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

On January 21st 2007 at around 1 p.m., I was out and about when my fiance called me on my cell phone and told me that we had a bird of prey in our backyard feasting on what he thought was a squirrel. He suggested that I get home quick, I live in St Thomas 3 streets away from the Library. I was about 8 blocks from home and I was walking. I took my time, figuring that it would be great if I could photograph it, however I would never make it home in time. When I got home my fiance was standing at the door with my Cannon 30D equipped with the 70-300mm lens and directed me to the back window. Sure enough, there was a cooper,s hawk having a feast in our back yard. I tried to take a few shots through the window, however it looked awful and you couldn't see the bird.
I walked out the front door and attempted to quietly photograph this majestic bird without spooking it. I walked in slowly took a few shots, of course from where I was standing the poor thing looked like a dot. I took the step and snap method of shooting and crept as close as I could to the bird until I was close enough that I thought I could photograph him well without scaring him (about 3 metres). I stopped moving closer when he stopped eating, I figured that would be a sure sign that he was about to take off. I crouched down praying that I wouldn't fall over in the snow as I tried to steady myself against my garage. I got about 60 pictures of him in total. I chose this one because the beak is clearly visible. It was gruesome and awesome all at the same time. When I was done I stepped away slowly so as not to scare him and he stayed in our backyard for about half an hour or so until he flew off.

Robin Masse

Snow Buntings - February 3, 2007

2007-02-03T18:07:00.000-05:00

Sharon Harbuck reports that on a drive this morning, with her Mom, they saw over 1000 Snow Buntings on Roberts line, east of Quaker Road and also again at Jamestown Road (not sure if same flock or not).

Also saw two Roughleg Hawks (sp.?) one across from Moms, on John Wise Line, and the other on Centennial Road between the Sparta Union Road and Roberts Line. Also at that same spot is where we saw a Northern Shrike.

The picture was taken through my binoculars LOL... everyone said it could be done through a scope so just for fun I held the binoculars in my left hand and camera in right and took a shot. These (digital) cameras are just amazing... I am definitely going to start using my scope for some good pictures!! LOL (look out blog site!!)

Butterfly Count, July 2006

2007-01-31T16:26:00.000-05:00

For the Times- Journal
On July 15, St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. held its ninth Annual butterfly count.

The count area was limited to a 24-kilometre-diametre circle centred at the junction of John Wise Line and Rieger Road. A total of 1,455 butterflies of 28 different species were counted.

In total, the 18 participants walked 18.9 kilometres in 14.75 hours and drove 183.6 kilometres in 12 hours during the count. The day was sunny with a temperature of 32°C (90°F). Both numbers of butterflies and species were down from previous counts.

The participants were: Irene Bouris and Myles, Alex and Neva Carmichael, Bill Corner, Denzel and Shirley D’Mello, Linda Carmichael Ferguson, Brenda Longhurst, Pat McLean, Dave Nopper, Jamie and Karen Pakkala, Bruce and Hayley Parker, Bill Thompson, and Ann Vance.

Butterflies counted and recorded were : black swallowtail 14, eastern tiger swallowtail 43, cabbage white 447, clouded sulphur 307, eastern tailed blue 12, great spangled fritillary 19, question mark 7, eastern comma 7, mourning cloak 3, Kilbert’s tortoiseshell 1, red admiral 3, painted lady 2, Appalachian brown 2, viceroy 6, little wood satyr 13, common wood nymph 164, monarch 273, silver-spotted skipper 29, common sootywing 1, European skipper 39, northern broken dash 5, wild indigo duskywing 4, spice bush swallowtail1, banded hair streak 5, Baltimore checkerspot 2, red spotted purple 1, Dun skipper 2.

Ann Vance and Neva Carmichael

Boxing Day Bird Count 2006

2006-12-30T13:43:00.000-05:00

.
Hi Everyone:

This year's Christmas Bird Count for the St. Thomas Field Naturalists was certainly very interesting for several reasons. Firstly, the weather apparently has caused an increase in both numbers of birds and species. Another reason is that this is the first time that I have coordinated, collected information and prepared the information for Bird Studies Canada. A great experience and quite an eye opener.

The figures for both species and numbers of birds are up quiet considerably for the St.Thomas club in comparison to last year. I went back in records as far as 2000 and found this to be the highest number of birds and species for the last 6 years.

The number of birds seen 29,010 and the number of species is 90. Last year (2005) the count was 15,103 and 77 species. There were 53 participants in the different areas and supplying feeder counts also.

Presumably the weather had a lot to do with these higher figures. Geese, European Starlings, and gulls were observed in large numbers. Obviously, many other species were up in numbers to create this increase in the final totals. Some interesting sightings were: a Yellow Rump near Port Bruce, several Woodcocks, a Baltimore Oriole at a feeder, an American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow, and Ruddy Ducks to name a few.

The group met at Knox Presbyterian Church to collect the information and enjoy a pot luck dinner. After dinner, individuals were invited to tell stories of their most interesting sightings during the day long event. The group was given an unofficial tally for the day at that time.

There is always such a great sense of comradeship at this pot luck dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy the day. Who wouldn't..a great treasure hunt for sure!

Best regards for great birding in 2007!
Diane Dobson

Annual Banquet

2006-11-23T20:34:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the contributors of prizes for the can raffle at the Annual Banquet on November 10: Allan Wilson, Irene Bouris, Nancy MacDonald, Gammon's RV Parts & Service, Neva Carmichael, Gord and Brenda Longhurst, Ann Vance, Diane Dobson, Elaine McGregor-Morris and David Morris, Marilyn Ross, Su Redmond, Norma Cook, Sharon Harbaruk, Judy Layfield, Stan Caveney, Judith Evans, Joe and Gertrude Hurst, Grant Westman, Allan Sharpe, Sheila and Don Fowler, Russ & Doreen Chantler, Monty and Janis Balsdon, Eileen Stewart.

Tall Grass Prairie, Fingal Wildlife Management Area

2006-11-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

Tall Grass Prairie, Fingal Wildlife Management Area, September 5, 2006.

Bird Sighting

2006-10-16T15:37:00.000-04:00

On Saturday October 14, Sue Ross saw a Sabines Gull down at Port Stanley in amongst some Bonapart Gulls.

Hand Feeding Humming Birds . . . Simply Amazing!

2006-10-15T16:40:00.000-04:00

This is something I have never seen before, or ever even heard of. This lady lives in a Hummingbird fly zone. As they migrated, about 20 of them were in her yard. Just for a lark, she took the little red dish and filled it with sugar water and this is the result.

These images arrived in my email, with no indication as to where they were taken. Ted.

Redtail at Hawk Cliff Weekend

2006-09-13T16:40:00.000-04:00

Photos by John St. Pierre, taken at Hawk Cliff Weekend, September 9/10.

Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area

2006-09-07T00:53:00.000-04:00

Photo taken at the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area, east of Sparta, the evening of September 6, 2006.

Mute Swan Sighted at Fingal Wildlife Management Area

2006-09-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

On September 4, 2006, Ann Vance, Neva Carmichael and Olive Ireland sighted a mute swan at the Fingal Wildlife Management Area, south parking lot. On September 5, the mute swan was again sighted, this time on the pond, at FWMA. Along with the swan two loons were sighted as well as several small unidentified ducks.

Fingal Wildlife Management Area

2006-09-04T21:09:00.000-04:00

Prairie Grass at the Fingal Wildlife Management area, September 4, 2006.

Naturalists Count 1,455 Butterflies

2006-08-07T12:57:00.000-04:00

For the Times- Journal

On July 15, St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. held its ninth Annual butterfly count.
The count area was limited to a 24-kilometre-diametre circle centred at the junction of John Wise Line and Rieger Road.

A total of 1,455 butterflies of 28 different species were counted.

In total, the 18 participants walked 18.9 kilometres in 14.75 hours and drove 183.6 kilometres in 12 hours during the count.

The day was sunny with a temperature of 32°C (90°F).

Both numbers of species and butterflies were down from previous counts.

The participants were: Irene Bouris and Myles, Alex and Neva Carmichael, Bill Corner, Denzel and Shirley D’Mello, Linda Carmichael Ferguson, Brenda Longhurst, Pat McLean, Dave Nopper, Jamie and Karen Pakkala, Bruce and Hayley Parker, Bill Thompson, and Ann Vance.

Butterflies counted and recorded were : black swallowtail 14, eastern tiger swallowtail 43, cabbage white 447, clouded sulphur 307, eastern tailed blue 12, great spangled fritillary 19, question mark 7, eastern comma 7, mourning cloak 3, Kilbert’s tortoiseshell 1, red admiral 3, painted lady 2, Appalachian brown 2, viceroy 6, little wood satyr 13, common wood nymph 164, monarch 273, silver-spotted skipper 29, common sootywing 1, European skipper 39, northern broken dash 5, wild indigo duskywing 4, spice bush swallowtail 1, banded hair streak 5, Baltimore checkerspot 2, red spotted purple 1, Dun skipper 2.

The Birth of a Hummingbird - Amazing!

2006-06-21T10:37:00.000-04:00

This is truly amazing. To view these amazing photographs click on: http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/
Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page. There are 5 pages in all containing 17 photographs. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got this series of photographs all the way from the egg to the young leaving the nest. It took 24 days to complete the process from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy.

Contributed by Laurie Miller.

Photo Field Guides

2006-06-21T10:30:00.001-04:00

Over the past several years the St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. has published five full colour photo field guides, size 4x6¾ inches, ideal for the pocket. The books are:

Photo Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Ontario - 76 pages @ $10.00 - Plus shipping and handling.

Photo Field Guide to Some Caterpillars of Southern Ontario - 72 pages @ $10.00 - Plus shipping and handling.

Photo Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Southwestern Ontario - 72 pages @ $10.00 - Plus shipping and handling.

Photo Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of Ontario - 72 pages @ $10.00 - Plus shipping and handling.

Photo Field Guide to Some Wildflowers of Southern Ontario – 150 pages @ $15.00. - Plus shipping and handling.

Shipping and handling for a single book is $2.00. For larger quantities please enquire.For ordering information please contact:

St.Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc.,
P.O. Box 23009, St.Thomas, ON
N5R 6A3.

Phone 519-773-8768 or 519-633-4235.
E-mail mcgregorandmorris@sympatico.ca