The Journal of the Ontario Field Ornithologists Volume 13 Number 3 December 1995 Ontario Field Ornithologists

Ontario Field Ornithologists is an organization dedicated to the study of birdlife in Ontario. It was formed to unify the ever-growing numbers of field ornithologists (birders/birdwatchers) across the province and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among its members. The Ontario Field Ornithologists officially oversees the activities of the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC), publishes a newsletter (OFO News) and a journal (Ontario Birds), hosts field trips throughout Ontario and holds an Annual General Meeting in the autumn. Current President: Jean Iron, 9 Lichen Place, Don Mills, Ontario M3A 1X3 (416) 445-9297 (e-mail: [email protected]).

All persons interested in bird study, regardless of their level of expertise, are invited to become members of the Ontario Field Ornithologists. Membership rates can be obtained from the address below. All members receive Ontario Birds and OFO News. Please send membership inquiries to: Ontario Field Ornithologists, Box 62014, Burlington Mall Postal Outlet, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4K2.

Ontario Birds

Editors: Bill Crins, Ron Pittaway, Ron Tozer Editorial Assistance: Jean Iron, Nancy Checko Art Consultant: Chris Kerrigan Design/Production: Centennial Printers (Peterborough) Ltd.

The aim of Ontario Birds is to provide a vehicle for documentation of the birds of Ontario. We encourage the submission of full length articles and short notes on the status, distribution, identification, and behaviour of birds in Ontario, as well as location guides to significant Ontario b!rdwatching areas, book reviews, and similar material of interest on Ontario birds.

If possible, material submitted for publication should be double-spaced and typewritten. All submissions are subject to review and editing. Please submit items for publication to the Editors at the address noted above. Ontario Birds Volume 13 Number 3 December 1995 Pages 89 -132

Table of Contents

Letter to the Editors 89

Articles Fort Severn 1940 - with Cliff Hope 90 Ross D. James Notes Atlantic Puffin: third Ontario record 99 Bruce M. Di Labio

Merlin preys on bat 101 Don Shanahan

OFO Bird Finding Guide #5 A Birder's Guide to the Rondeau Provincial Park Area 103 P. Allen Woodliffe

Recognizable Forms Morphs of the Parasitic Jaeger 123 Ron Pittaway

Photo Quiz 131 Bob Curry

Cover Illustration: Le Conte's Sparrow by Ross D. James

ISSN 0822-3890 89

Letter to the Editors Review Criticized I was astonished by the lengthy it invaluable (locals too) despite the review of Clive Goodwin's A Bird­ reviewer's scepticism. Many other Finding Guide to Ontario (Ontario Birds criticisms deserve rebuttal, but I will 13: 77-82). One page of review and cite only two: five more mostly carping criticism. 1. Lack of precise directions for By its very nature, an extensive locating Louisiana Waterthrush. Atlas guide for the whole of Ontario will be of the Breeding Birds of Ontario classes deficient in some respects. Dwelling this bird as "rare", with only three on such defects to the exclusion of its nesting sites being in any form of obvious merits is destructive. Last protected area. All other sites are on minute revisions are impractical and private land. Ontario Birds at Risk expensive (ever built a house?). Clive calls it I'threatened". Need I say Goodwin deserves great credit for more? producing a second edition after only 2. Now for the hilarious Woodlawn/ 13 years -- Pettingill took 25! Woodland storm-in-a-teacup. Likely After publication of the first Goodwin was mislead here by using edition, many birders wrote in with local sources. OFO's excellent "Bird corrections and suggestions, all of Finding Guide # 1: Birding in the which were graciously acknowledged Hamilton Area" in Ontario Birds by the author. Seemingly, the 8 (3) has no less than three references reviewer did not do likewise. Pity. to Woodlawn Cemetery. This guide Birders visiting the United States was written by a Hamiltonian, but seldom travel without their ABA Lane alas, his collaborator lived east of the guides. Modern systematic lists with dreaded Credit River! As Ed Mirvish bar codes are far superior to the old might say, II a touch of humbility" four seasons system. Especially so was needed here. with fast Inoving migrants (e.g. Fox I suggest that most experienced, Sparrow). Goodwin has taken much as well as novice, birders will trouble with his systenlatic list and welcome this second edition of subjected it to review by none other A Bird-Finding Guide to Ontario and than three of the province's top find it helpful, if only for hot-line authorities: jclrnes, Weir and Ridout. birds in unfanliliar areas. I consider I anl glad he has follo\ved ABA's 111 y rlloney very well spent. exalnple, and visiting birders vvill find Gordon Bellerby Niagara-on-the- Lake Ontario

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 90 Articles

Fort Severn 1940 - 'With Cliff Hope by Ross D. James

Introduction river on the river bank. The ROM On a third trip in as many years to party set up "camp" in one of the the remote northwestern parts of HBC warehouses. Ontario, Cliff Hope visited Fort Hope describes the country Severn, a small native community on imlnediately about the post as a mass the banks of the Severn River about of stunted willows. Large islands in ten kilometres inland from the the river were covered with a nearly Hudson Bay coast (Figure 1). Hope's impenetrable gr()wth of gnarled and trip remains the only extended trip dwarfed willows. The river shores, specifically to study bird life there, subject to tidal action, had wide mud and many significant observations and gravel shores, backed by grassy resulted from it. flats with gravelly pools and then Hope left Toronto with the same dense growths of poplars and willows travelling companions that on higher banks. To the west of the accompanied him to Attawapiskat town was open spruce-tamarack Lake in 1939, L.A. Prince and W.B. muskeg. Scott (James 1994). They left on Up river from the post, the 4 June, going by train to Winnipeg, riverbanks were often more Manitoba, and Melville, precipitous, some reaching 15 m Saskatchewan, .and then northeast to high, with chunks falling away here The Pas and Ilford, Manitoba. They and there as water eroded the bases. remained in Manitoba for a week, The tops of the riverbanks were well finally flying to Fort Severn on 15 wooden with spruce forests, some June, along the Sachigo and Severn trees as large as 30 cm in diameter. Rivers. The rivers initially follow a Sphagnum moss and reindeer lichen channel between fairly high banks. carpeted the forest floor. The river Some 80 km from Sachigo Lake, the islands only had poplars and willow, route entered the Hudson Bay some of the poplars on larger islands Lowland; numerous sl11alliakes of reaching substantial size, as well. the shield country gave way to vast Back from the better drained banks, stretches of muskeg. away from the river, the country Fort Severn was a community of became more of a black spruce only about 90 Cree Indians. The muskeg. Hudson Bay C~mpany manager, Jack About halfway to the coast from Wilson, was the only non-native the town, the last trees were seen on person there. The HBC post consisted the flat ''barrens" extending to the of five buildings in a one acre bay. Patches of stunted willows and clearing about ten metres above the alders fewer than 30 cm high

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 1, A),. ,

o.,.~. HUDSON BAY

56° 00' N

, o< t'""I c: ~ trl ...... (.oJ z 87°.45' W 87°.30' W c: ~ to trl t.O :xl Figure 1: Map of the Fort Severn area, Ontario...... (.oJ 92 persisted for some distance amid cold rains were probably more of an open areas of "grass". This was impediment initially, and they dotted with innumerable pools, ponds experienced 5 cm of snow on 19 and streams. The willows became June. more stunted and pools more They left Fort Severn on 23 July, numerous closer to the coast, until some 38 days after arrival. They had finally only "coarse grass" remained, intended to stay about another week, over which high tides flowed. Finally, but the schooner M.S. Severn, that wide mudflats bordered the bay. was to take them to Churchill, Open water extended out several Manitoba, arrived early. They spent kilometres to the ice cover still most of the night packing in order to present offshore. be able to leave with the ship the Travel was largely on foot; thus next day. The following day, they he might have encountered more were still weaving their way through things along the coast if he had been floating ice on Hudson Bay as they more mobile. He was able to walk to travelled northwest. most available habitats, however. Again I have indicated, for each Several canoe trips were made with appropriate species in the following Jack Wilson's canoe to coastal areas accounts, by " #" that specimens and once up the river for about 12 were preserved in the ROM, and by km. He obviously had no spotting ".', that nesting/breeding was clearly scope, so many birds off or along the documented. Details are on coast could not be identified. They specimens or~est record cards in the had to contend with mosquitoes in museum. warmer weather, but these did not seem to limit activities. Persistent

Species Accounts Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata: # Rare; he saw two flying on 1 July, one swam down river on 15 July and two were brought to him from the coast on 12 July. Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica: =# Not seen by Hope at all; the only evidence he had of it was a wing brought in by an Indian from a bird taken near the coast on 3 July. Common Loon, Gavia immer: =# Fairly common; from one to as many as 30 seen on most days. Most were in small groups on the open bay or flying over and swimming on the open river. He had no indication of nesting and most, if not all, were likely nonbreeding birds. Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus: # Also never seen by Hope; wings and feet of two taken locally were brought to him on 2 July. American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus: *# Relatively rare, the usual being only one heard on about one quarter of the days. A bird brought to Hope on 17 June was a female with several ruptured follicles in the ovary, indicating local nesting. He heard one occasionally in spruce-tamarack bogs near town through most of his stay there. Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias: =# The skin of a bird taken 1 September of the previous year was given to Hope. Canada Goose, Branta canadensis: *# Common, with flocks of as many as 200, but was generally inconspicuous most of the time. Several downy young were brought to him on a couple of occasions. Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca: *=# Very rare; a skinned and dried head was brought to him on 9 July, and on 16 July a female was taken with a partially shelled egg that would soon have been laid, indicating local breeding.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 93

American Black Duck, Anas rubripes: # Rarely seen anywhere but on the mudflats bordering Hudson Bay and only a very few were identified. There were many unidentifiable ducks far offshore, however, more of which could have been nonbreeding birds of this species. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos: # Even rarer than the black duck; only four were identified, and a couple more brought to him, all in mid July, suggesting that most, if not all, were nonbreeding birds summering on the coast. Northern Pintail, Anas acuta: * # Thinly distributed in the muskeg and along the river and bay shores. Although not many were seen, a sizeable breeding population was present, as numerous young of various sizes were brought to Hope on a couple of occasions. American Wigeon, Anas americana: *# Less nwnerous than pintail, however a breeding population was present. A female had an egg ready for laying on 18 June and ducklings were brought to Hope on 9, 10 and 21 July. Greater Scaup, Aythya marila: # Rare; seen on only two occasions (22 June and 1 July) with no indication of breeding. Birds were also brought to him on 18 June and 19 July, suggesting some were probably there all summer. Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis: Very rare; only one pair was seen on a small bog pond on 24 June. White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca: Seldom seen, but apparently common; two flocks of 40 to 50 birds and two groups of three on the river were the only encounters. Many of the offshore birds could also have been scoters of this or another species. Red·breasted Merganser, Mergus se"ator: Rare; he saw only two males and a female·plumaged bird together on the river on 29 July. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus: # Rare, and no evidence of nesting was found. However, from one to three were seen on eight days through July, indicating summer residency. Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus: Fairly common in coastal areas where he saw as many as ten one day. From one to four were seen on about one third of the days there. Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus: A single individual on 17 June flying over the river shores within a couple of kilometres of town was the only observation. Americin Kestrel, Falco sparverius: Prince reported seeing one on 20 June for the only observation. Merlin, Falco columbarius: * # Rare; seen on only four occasions, but he was able to find two nests. One appeared to be an old crow nest in a patch of stunted spruce west of town, and the other was on an island in the river in a much larger spruce tree south of town. Spruce Grouse, Dendragapus canadensis: *# Rarely encountered; a female with a brood on 3 July, and a female and half grown young found by Scott on 17 July. Willow Ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus: *# Fairly rare; he saw only one in a bog on 20 June, and when leaving he saw five from the boat at the river mouth. Natives brought him several others on two occasions, one a female, 18 June, that had ruptured follicles to indicate local laying had taken place. Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis: # Very common in the marshes near the coast. Hope spent the night of 16/17 July out there and estimated hearing about 100 birds. The party was able to creep up on several, at least one of which was clearly seen by flashlight. Sora, Porzana carolina: Heard calling only once in a grassy marsh within 2 km of town. Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus: *# A common species along river shores with mud flats and gravel bars, often including scattered "grass" patches. He located three nests and saw one group of recently hatched young. Although these nests were not the first reported in the province (Peck and James 1993), they provided the first specimen evidence of nesting in Ontario. Contrary to what was reported in Peck and James (1983), and repeated by Hussell (in Cadman et al. 1987), Hope collected both eggs and downy young in Ontario prior to Manning's collecting of young at Cape Henrietta Maria in 1947 (Manning 1952). The eggs from much earlier nests at Moose River in 1860 may have been collected, but, if so, the whereabouts of the specimens is apparently unknown (Todd 1963). Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus: Rare; heard on only three occasions, twice shortly after arrival and once a month later. Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca: # Rare, with small nwnbers of migrants appearing on coastal mudflats after 10 July.

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 94

Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa fLavipes: *# Relatively few and thinly scattered as far as observations in June were concerned, but by mid July substantial numbers (100 +) had begun to congregate on coastal mudflats. On 8 July he had a very agitated pair in a grassy slough in spruce-tamarack muskeg northwest of town, but could not find the young he felt were there. The following day an Indian brought him a downy young to finally confirm breeding by this species. Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria: Rare; he saw only two on 7 July, both flying overhead. Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia: *# Common along river shores; he found a couple of nests and one group of recently hatched young. Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus: *# Rare, apart from migrants. A single female brought to Hope on '3 July had an incubation patch, ruptured follicles and a still enlarged oviduct, clearly suggesting local breeding. On 11 July on coastal tundra, he encountered two very agitated pairs and thought he heard young, but could not locate them. The only other observation was of about 30 near the coast on 17 July. Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla: Virtually absent; he identified two along the river shore on 1 July for his only observation. Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla: *# Common on the tundra. On 1 July he found two recently hatched young with parents and flushed a male from three fresh eggs. A well feathered young with parents was also found on 17 July. Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos: # Encountered only as migrants along the coastal area on 17 July; he saw about 15 that day. Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago: *# Widespread and seen regularly, but uncommonly. He found a single egg in the muskeg on 21 June that may have belonged to this species and a recently flying juvenile on 20 July also indicated local breeding. Red~necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus: *# Reasonably common in shallow tundra pools near the coast. It was undoubtedly breeding, although only ruptured follicles and brood patches tended to confirm that. Long~tailedJaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus: # Rare; encountered on only three occasions over the period, once a group of five along the river shore on 20 June. Bonaparte's Gull, Larus philadelphia: # Seen along the river in groups of three to eight on only three occasions in June, and no evidence of nesting was apparent. Herring Gull, Larus argentatus: # Uncommon for the most part, with one or two seen most days. The only suggestion of local breeding was some young of the year in a small flock with adults near the river mouth as Hope departed the area. Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea: * # Sporadically seen, usually only one or two, but after mid July, as many as a dozen near the coast. Breeding was indicated by a bird that contained an egg nearly ready to lay, brought to him on 18 June. Northern Hawk Owl, Surnia ulula: # Single birds were noted on 21 June and 1 July. Short~eared Owl, Asio flammeus: * # Fairly common, with one to three birds, and occasionally more, seen on half the days there. A nest with five young was found 19 July in a dry patch of stunted willows on Partridge Island. Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon: Only a single bird was reported to Hope on 3 July. Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus: *# Seen on two occasions near tree line, and up river several kilometres, a nest with large young was found 7 July for the only other observation. Yellow~bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris: *# Uncommon in the spruce forests up river; he flushed a female from a nest on 15 July.

Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum: *# Common and seen virtually every day; he found a nest partially constructed on 15 July that later had eggs. Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus: Heard calling only once in a poplar grove on Partridge Island on 19 July. Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris: *# Locally uncommon along the gravel flats of the river. He was probably late for much nesting activity. Two flying and full-grown juveniles were seen 9 July. Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor: Absent except for two birds observed about the Hudson Bay post on 23 June.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 95

Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia: # Noted 9 July (four birdsl apparently trying to excavate in a sandy patch along the river near Fort Severn, but not subsequently seen there. Two more were seen near Partridge Island 17 July. Cliff Swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota: # Three birds were noted investigating the eaves of buildings on 2 July. One bird was brought to Hope later in the day. No other sightings were made. Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis: *# Uncommon, but frequently observed throughout the stay. Juvenile-plumaged birds were no doubt locally raised. American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos: *# Fairly common, with as many as ten seen on a couple of occasions. He found a nest with small young on 17 June. Common Raven, Corvus corax: Absent except for a single individual flying over the tundra on 10 July. Boreal Chickadee, Parus hudsonicus: *# Rare near the community, more usual in spruce woods up river. A juvenile with a parent was encountered 22 July. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula: # Uncommon in spruce woods, but he was unable to confirm breeding. Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus: *# Fairly common in the area; he was taken to a nest in stunted willows near camp on 2 July by Indian boys. He revisited the nest in the evening to get a good look at the adult before collecting the first nest found in the province. He also came upon a brood of young out of the nest on 15 July. Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus: *# Uncommon in black spruce muskeg, yet he was able to locate two nests, 29 June and 7 July. Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus: Almost absent; he heard only one in full song in the spruce muskeg on 3 July. American Robin, Turdus migratorius: *# Commonly seen, yet characteristically difficult to confirm as a breeder. Adults feeding fairly large young on 6 July provided the only breeding evidence. American Pipit, Anthus rubescens: # Very rare; he recorded them only twice and a bird was brought to him on another occasion. European Starling, Stumus vulgaris: # Was not noted alive, but he found the desiccated remains of one in the outhouse of the Hudson Bay post on 17 June to verify that it had occurred. Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina: # Fairly common throughout; however, evidence of nesting eluded him. Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata: # Not nearly as numerous as the preceding species, but a substantial population was obviously resident there in summer. Again breeding evidence was not found. Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia: * # Common in the dense willow scrub. Nests were found on three occasions in early July. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata: * # Uncommon, usually only encountered up river in spruce woods. A nest and eggs were located 2 July by Prince. Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum: # Rarely encountered, but a brood patch on one bird suggested the possibility of local breeding. Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata: * # A common species in spruce-tamarack muskeg. He watched a female go to a nest on 2 July, and Indian boys showed him another nest on 17 July. These were the first two nests recorded in the province. Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis: * # One of the commonest species there, seen virtually every day. He found a nest on 29 June and observed adults feeding recently fledged young on 12 July. Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla: # Fairly common, seen almost as often and in similar numbers to the preceding species. Although it undoubtedly bred there, he did not encounter evidence of that. Rufous-sided Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus: # A single vagrant male was encountered 29 June, seeming "strangely out of its element" in a spruce bog. American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea: * # Very common among stunted willows. He found two nests on 1 July.

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Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis: *# A very common species in any "grassy" patches along rivers or in open muskeg. He found nests on three separate days, and recently fledged young on several other occasions. Le Conte's Sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii: Rare, encountered on only four occasions; however, he found at least six in one "grassy" patch on the tundra. Although no doubt breeding, the only evidence seen involved an agitated male on 8 July. Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca: *# A common species seen virtually every day. Young of the year were out of the nest by the 25th and 26th of June. He was subsequently shown a nest with a small young on 17 July that could have been a second nesting. Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia: *# Also common and seen virtually every day. He found a nest with eggs on 27 June and encountered a juvenile bird on 13 July. Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii: *# Uncommon in muskeg areas. A nest found 24 June was identified next day as belonging to this species. Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana: *# Uncommon, usually encountered only once or twice on about half the days there. He found two nests, one 25 June and one 3 July. White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis: *# Common throughout the muskeg areas. Nests with eggs were found 16 and 21 June. Double brooding is suggested by another nest with eggs found 20 July. White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys: *# A common species seen virtually every day. Nests with eggs were found 18 and 25 June. Harris's Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula: # Was an exceedingly rare bird at that time. He saw only a single bird on 28 June. That one, however, was a female with the "bare belly of an incubating bird", suggesting that nesting may have been in progress nearby. Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis: # Uncommon, although at least one was seen most days. He noted no evidence of breeding, however. Smith's Longspur, Calcarius pictus: *# An uncommon bird on the tundra. The first time he encountered them was on 22 June and he flushed a female off a nest, providing the first reported for this species in Ontario. Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis: # Very rare and unlikely to have been breeding. A single female 17 June and two males 1July, all feeding on the river mudflats, were the only observations. Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus: # Uncommon and seldom seen until mid July when a group of 30 including flying juveniles was seen. Although the young were probably locally raised (short-tailed), they were well able to fly. Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator: # Rare; he encountered singles on two occasions, and once a group of five. A male with enlarged testes and a female with an incubation patch, both on 3 July, suggested local breeding. White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera: Seldom seen; however, flocks of 25 on 24 June and 200 on 6 July indicate that local occurrence was to be expected. Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea: * # Fairly common in tundra areas; he found three nests in July. House Sparrow, Passer domesticus: # Rare; however, three or four were occasionally seen about the Hudson Bay post. His notes give no indication of surprise at their being there. Several people had previously Gray Owl, Boreal Chickadee, and made casual observations of birds at White-crowned Sparrow. There were Fort Severn. These were officers of a number of other observers over the the Hudson Bay Company stationed years, but the dates and specific there, beginning with Andrew localities of collecting activities seem Graham in 1771 (Manning 1952). to be somewhat uncertain for many Graham collected a small number of (Manning 1952). However, most of mammals, birds and fish that were the nonpasserine and many of the described by Forster (1772), among passerine species encountered by them the type specimens of Great Hope in 1940 had previously been

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 97

recorded either in the environs of the Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Tree fort itself, or in similar habitats in Swallow, Common Raven, Swainson's nearby areas along the coast. Hope's Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, trip was an important one, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm nonetheless, as he was the first to Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Le travel to that part of the province Conte's Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, specifically to study the bird life Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, there, and many significant and Song Sparrow. Although Le observations were made. Even where Conte's Sparrow might have been a species had previously been difficult to find, most of the others recorded, there was virtually no would seem to have been information on abundance or conspicuous enough that it is breeding status available. surprising that they were not Manning (1952) provided a list of previously recorded. species recorded at Fort Severn (and He also made the first summering other places along the Hudson and records of Harris's Sparrow, that James Bay coasts) from previously might have just been extending its published accounts, but not including range into that part of the province. Hope's observations. Manning He noted the first nests of Gray­ himself did not arrive at Severn until cheeked Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler 15 August and thus, was too late in and Smith's Longspur for the the season to add many passerine province, and finally established species to the list. Singing would have Semipalmated Plover as a nester in largely ceased for the year, birds Ontario. He had the first strong would have been molting and rather evidence of Whimbrel breeding, and inconspicuous, and some could even eventually what proved to be the first have migrated out of the area. Also, breeding evidence of Lesser Manning apparently did not spend Yellowlegs was obtained there (see any time far enough inland to be James 1992). He found that both among any habitats with significant House Sparrows and European numbers of large trees. Although Starlings had succeeded in Hope did not record even all species penetrating to even this remote previously seen there, he gathered settlement by that time. He recorded new information about many of them a number of species there that were and he was able to add many species not subsequently found during the to the list of those known to frequent breeding bird atlas project of that part of the province in summer. 1981-1985 (Cadman et al. 1987), One nonpasserine species found including: Spruce Grouse, Sora, easily by Hope, but surprisingly not Northern Hawk Owl, Yellow-bellied mentioned anywhere near Fort Flycatcher, Cliff Swallow, Swainson's Severn by Manning, was the Thrush, Le Conte's Sparrow, Pine Conlmon Snipe. Northern Flicker also Grosbeak and White-winged - \vas not mentioned, but would have Crossbill. The Spruce Grouse, been harder to find. Among the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and passerine species not included by Swainson's Thrush he even Manning, but which were recorded confirmed breeding and any of the by Hope, ",Tere: Yello\v-bellied others might have been, although

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 98

some may be sporadic there. Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Hope also recorded Horned Waterthrush, Wilson's Warbler, Grebe and American Kestrel, both of White-crowned Sparrow, White­ which have subsequently been found throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and there. On the other hand, several Song Sparrow. species have since been recorded that Although Hope spent he did not see. Some are probably considerably less time at Fort Severn more recent arrivals (Ross's Goose, than at Lake Attawapiskat (see James Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, 1994), his list of species was Gadwall, and Clay-colored Sparrow) marginally longer. This could easily or have recolonized subsequent to be accounted for by the greater being decimated by shooting during numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds the fur trading era (Tundra Swan and and nonpasserines in general, more Sandhill Crane). Various migrant readily visible in the open habitats shorebirds and waterfowl, Peregrine near the coast. At both places, Falcons and Gyrfalcons might have Common Ravens were almost totally been seen had he been there longer, absent. Apparently they were or had access to a spotting scope. A considered pests by trappers (Comeau number of species not seen are rarer in Manning 1952) and many may there and could easily have been have been trapped unintentionally or missed in anyone year, including: even shot. Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Among the most abundant species Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed at both Attawapiskat and Severn were Dowitcher, Great Horned Owt Spotted Sandpiper, Alder Flycatcher, Black-backed Woodpecker, Cedar American Robin, Yellow Warbler, Waxwing, Chipping Sparro'vv, Sharp­ Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's tailed Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Warbler, White-throated Sparrow and Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. Song Sparrow. However, he did not see Oldsquaw, More time and effort could Common Merganser, Hudsonian undoubtedly add more to the Godwit, Dunlin, Parasitic Jaeger, or observations already made at Fort Barn Swallow where there seems a Severn in this subarctic environment. higher probability that he might have. However, Hope's trip stands as the The most commonly seen species most extensive and informative effort among the nonpasserines were to date. Common Loon, Semipalmated Plover, and Spotted Sandpiper. Canada Goose Acknowledgements was also locally very numerous, but The contents of this paper could not seldom encountered, while Lesser have been provided without the Yellowlegs and Herring Gulls were journals (#'s 13 and 14) of Cliff Hope regular but somewhat less con1n10n. 111aintained in the archives of the An10ng the passerines, Savannah Royal Ontario Museun1. Thanks are Sparrow and An1erican Tree Sparrow also extended to L.A. Prince and appeared to be the n10st nUll1erous. W. B. Scott, along with unnall1ed Only slightly less nUll1erous were native people, vvho added 111Clterially Alder Flycatcher, All1erican Robin, !o the ohservations and specin1cns he Gray-cheeked Thrush, Yellovv recorded. I arn grateful to the

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 99

librarians at the ROM for access to James, R.D. 1992. Cliff Hope at Favourable the journals, and particularly to Lake - 1938. Ontario Birds 10: 16-23. Charlotte Goodwin for a copy of James, R.D. 1994. Cliff Hope at Attawapiskat relevant material. The figure was Lake in 1939. Ontario Birds 12: 94-102. prepared with the assistance of Brian Manning, T.H. 1952. Birds of the west James Boyle of the Photography Department Bay and southern Hudson Bay coasts. of the museum. National Museums of Canada, Bulletin 125. Peck, G.K. and R.D. James. 1983. Breeding Birds of Ontario: Nidiology and Distribution. Literature cited Volume 1: Nonpasserines. Life Sciences Cadman, M.D., P.F.J. Eagles, and F. Helleiner Miscellaneous Publications, Royal Ontario (compliers). 1987. Atlas of the Breeding Museum, Toronto. Birds of Ontario. University of Waterloo Peck, G.K. and R.D. James. 1993. Breeding Press, Waterloo, Ontario. Birds of Ontario: Nidiology and Distribution. Forster, J.R. 1772. An account of the birds Volume 1: Nonpasserines (first revision ­ sent from Hudson's Bay; with observations Part B: Vultures to Phalaropes). Ontario relative to their natural history; and Latin Birds 11: 83-91. descriptions of some of the most common. Todd, W. E. C. 1963. Birds of the Labrador Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Peninsula. University of Toronto Press, Society 62: 382-433. Toronto.

Ross D. James, Department of Ornithology, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6

Notes

Atlantic Puffin: third Ontario record by Bruce M. Di Labio

On 14 October 1994, while weakened condition. Despite the birding at the Moses-Saunders Power calm waters, the bird's wings were Dam at Cornwall, Ontario, I observed drooped, it never dove, and it spent a juvenile Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula most of its time floating along the arctica), from the observation deck on wall of the power dam. the American side of the St. The following day, after a Lawrence River. I first located the morning of high winds and rain, the bird at approximately 1400 h, mid­ puffin was finally discovered again in way across the headpond above the late afternoon from the Canadian side power dam, sleeping and swimming of the river by a number of about, slowly drifting towards the observers. Locating a small black and American side of the dam. I observed white bird on such a large, open the bird for over two hours and it expanse of water, especially during was apparent that it was in a strong winds, is very difficult. On

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 100

Figure 1: Juvenile Atlantic Puffin at Cornwall, Ontario, on 16 October 1994. Photo by Bruce Di Labia.

16 October, the puffin was again an emaciated condition, weighing observed on the headpond, along the 248.5 grams with no body fat and an dam (Figure 1). Much to our favour, empty stomach. This is a very low the weather was calm and visibility weight (see Di Labio and Bouvier was excellent. The bird again 1986). appeared weak and was not observed This individual was observed on diving, suggesting that it probably the Ontario and New York state sides had not eaten for quite some time. of the St. Lawrence River. It is the Late that afternoon, Lee Harper, third Atlantic Puffin record for Chris Traynor and I took a boat onto Ontario, and one of the few in New the headpond. We located the bird, York state away from Long Island which was easy to approach. It was (Bull 1974). The first record in not frightened by our close proximity Ontario was of a juvenile captured and we took a number of near Westmeath, Renfrew County, on photographs. The bird was then 15 December 1985 (Di Labio and captured, but unfortunately died en Bouvier 1986), and the second record route to the Wild Bird Care Centre in occurred at Detour Lake, Cochrane Nepean, Ontario. District, on 10 December 1991 (Bain I prepared a study skin of the 1993). Although a puffin was puffin and donated it to the Canadian reportedly taken on the Ottawa River Museum of Nature (specimen in October 1881 (Lloyd 1923), the #96697), and the record has been specimen apparently was lost. It was accepted by the Ontario Bird Records neither examined by an ornithological Committee (Pittaway 1995). It was in curator nor was its identification

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 101 validated under the guidelines Ross Harris and Liz Stevenson for governing the OBRC. Thus, the reviewing the manuscript, and status of the 1881 bird remains Cendrine Huemer for typing the hypothetical, leaving the Westmeath manuscript. bird as the first official record of the Atlantic Puffin in Ontario. Literature cited (Editors' Note: The Cochrane District Bain, M. 1993. Ontario Bird Records Committee Report for 1992. Ontario Birds 11: 46-63. record was mislabelled as the third Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York State. Natural Ontario record in Bain (1993). Given History Press. Garden City, New York. the unsubstantiated status of the 1881 Di Labio, B.M. andJ.M. Bouvier. 1986. Atlantic record, which was not accepted by Puffin: New to Ontario. Ontario Birds 4: the OBRC, the Cochrane District 19-21. record now stands as the second Lloyd, H. 1923. The Birds of Ottawa. Canadian officially accepted record for Field-Naturalist 37: 101·105. Ontario.) Pittaway, R. 1995. Ontario Bird Records Committee Report for 1994. Ontario Birds 13: Acknowledgements 46-65. I would like to thank Lee Harper for the use of his boat, Laurie Di Labio,

Bruce M. Di Labio, 44 Helmsdale Drive, Kanata, Ontario K2K 2S3

Merlin preys on bat by Don Shanahan

At 0950 h on 6 September 1995, AI casual horizontal swoops at it before Boisvert and I were wader-watching striking the bat with its talons. at Owen Point in Presqu'He Subsequently, the bat's fluttering Provincial Park near Brighton. A became more laboured. After a Ring­ Merlin (Falco columbarius) was flying billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) flew regular sorties about the area. In one directly past the bat, the Merlin flew instance, the Merlin flew just south forth, grabbed the bat in its talons of us over the lake and began and flew west towards Gull Island. pursuing what I first took to be a Birds comprise more than 90 per Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). cent of the Merlin diet (Ehrlich et aI. Binocular examination showed the 1988). Other prey includes insects, creature to be a small bat (probably amphibians, reptiles, and small Myotis sp.) which was fluttering in a mammals (de Smet 1984). References disorIented manner some 15 to 20 m to Merlins eating bats aren't common over the water. in the literature, but this behaviour The Merlin made several short, was mentioned by Terres (1980),

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 102

Cramp (1980), and de Smet (1984). Dekker, D. 1972. Pigeon Hawk catches bat. Merlins overwintering in Trinidad are Blue Jay 30: 256. known to prey on bats (ffrench 1991). de Smel, K.D. 1984. Status report on the Merlin Dekker (1972) reported a Merlin (Falco columbarius) in North America. taking a Little Brown Bat (M. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. lucifugus) in Alberta. Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin andD. Wheye. 1988. Acknowledgements The Birder's Handbook. Simon & Schuster Inc., New York. Thanks to Al Boisvert, Doug McRae, (french, R. 1991. A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Ron Tozer for helping me and Tobago. Cornell University Press, compile this note. New York. Literature cited Terres, J.K. 1980. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Cramp, s. (ed.). 1980. Handbook of the Birds of Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Volume 2. Hawks to Bustards. Oxford University Press, New York.

Don Shanahan, Box 519, Brighton, Ontario KOK 1HO

1996 OFO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Jean Iron Past President: Gerry Shemilt Vice-President: Jim Coey Secretary: Dave Cattrall Treasurer: Jim Griffith Memberships: Sid Hadlington Field Trips and Archives: Jerry Guild Birdathon: Chris Escott Publicity and Promotion: Bill Holding Director: John Barker Director: Eleanor Beagan

Committees: AGM 1996: Jim Coey, Jean Iron, John Barker Internet: Dave Cattrall, John Barker Certificates of Appreciation: Gerry Shemilt, Jerry Guild, Dave Cattrall Mailbox: Sheldon McGregor Mailing: Valerie Brown, John Barker Ontario Bird Records Committee Chair: Bob Curry OFO NEWS Editor: Jean Iron ONTARIO BIRDS Editors: Bill Crins, Ron Pittaway, Ron Tozer

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 103 OFO Bird Finding Guide #5

A Birder's Guide to the Rondeau Provincial Park Area by P. Allen Woodliffe Introduction Rondeau contained the highest The deep, southwestern part of number of birds with breeding Ontario has some exciting evidence in the whole province! possibilities for birding. In spite oft This site guide will, through maps or perhaps even because of the and written descriptions, give visitors extensively developed landscape, the plenty of information with which to few natural areas of any size, such as plan a trip to Rondeau, whether just Rondeau Provincial Park, provide for a day or, better yet, for a week. significant attractions for migrating, Visitors must bear in mind that the breeding or visiting birds. time of year as well as weather There is a great diversity of conditions of the day/ will of course habitats, including sandy beaches, playa major role in determining what rich southern hardwood forests, oak birds will be found. savannah, woodland sloughs, a sizeable marsh and a large/ General Information productive inland bay, all of which 1) Weather contribute to bird diversity. Many The weather is changeable, and it is species just barely make it into said that more weather forecasters southern Ontario. Those that do are almost sure to be found at Rondeau. lose their jobs in this part of the Also, because of Rondeau/s location world than areas with a more on the southern Great Lakes and continental climate. proximity to the midwest, species By mid-March, the ice of more con1n10n farther west are found Rondeau Bay and nearby Lake Erie here regularly. And of course, most has disappeared. Warmer days birds migrating north find Rondeau usually occur in April, along with the an ideal resting and feeding stopover first big waves of migrating for their travels. As a result / 333 passerines. May is occasionally cool species of birds have been recorded and wet, ideal for holding down in the Rondeau checklist area. One migrants, but it can just as often be hundred and thirty-four of these have hot, with temperatures in the upper been confirmed as breeding, with an 20s to low 30s Celsius. June through additional twenty or more species mid-September often continues this having at least some breeding warm weather trend, and the evidence. Indeed, during the Ontario humidity increases as well. Breeding Bird Atlas of 1981-1985, the Occasionally this hot, sultry weather atlas square that included most of will spawn some very turbulent

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 104

thunderstorms. Late September and horse flies feed along wooded trails as October are cooler, with usually the well as open grassy areas during the greatest number of clear, sunny skies hot, sultry weather. Stable flies, of the year. November until mid­ which are similar in appearance to December is fraught with grey, wet, the common house fly, are most sometimes stormy conditions. The noticeable along the beach areas in silver lining of this type of weather is mid to late summer. They like ankles that this is when most of the rare especially, are difficult to swat, and waterbirds show up. have a nasty bite! They do not often The first blasts of winter can draw blood, probably because one is occur by early December, but it can quick to strike out at them before just as easily dissipate and be well they have a chance. above freezing throughout the rest of One critter that haunts long the month. Southern Ontario, being grassy areas and can be an annoyance in close proximity to large bodies of is not an insect but an arachnid. water, means high humidity and that, Chiggers are the larval stages of combined with the winter winds, mites, and are so small that they are makes the temperature feel much difficult to see with the naked eye. colder than the thermometer reads. You are most likely to encounter Precipitation is just as often of the them during the hotter weather from liquid kind as the frozen stuff, and June through August. Evidence of snow seldom lasts for more than a them usually appears several hours couple of weeks, although one must after walking through these grassy be prepared for cold stretches as well. areas. At first you may notice a slight reddening of the skin at an area 2) Insects where there is a slight restriction of Insects are a definite part of the clothing, such as ankles, knees, fauna of the Rondeau area, and it is waistband, etc. This reddened area fortunate that they are! Many bird eventually results in a very itchy species, from swallows to flycatchers, rash. The critter by this time has nighthawks to kestrels, screech-owls secreted an enzyme to dissolve a bit to woodpeckers, cuckoos to of your skin's outer layers and has gnatcatchers and vireos to warblers situated itself just below the surface rely quite heavily on these insects for where it feeds on the brew. The itch food. can last for several days, and a lotion Most of the insect species present with an anti-histamine is usually will not be noticeable to the majority quite effective. People have differing of birders. However, a few may be sensitivities to chiggers, and although problematic, depending on the time they can be quite bothersome to of the day or season. There are at some, other people are not affected at least eight species of mosquitoes all. One precaution if you know you known for Rondeau, and different are in chigger country is to tuck your species hatch at different times of the pantleg into your socks, and spray a season, starting after the first hot and bit of insect repellent on your socks. humid periods by late May. They are In addition, when leaving an area the greatest nuisance in early potentially having chiggers, give your morning or at dusk. Deer flies and legs a brisk rubdown, which will ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 105

often crush their fragile little bodies approximately 275 km southwest of before they have a chance to burrow Toronto. Regardless of the direction, in. Taking a shower as soon as travel along Highway 401 is the possible after getting out of the field normal access, leaving it at Exit 101. will also help reduce the likelihood of Take County Road 15 south, crossing experiencing their aggravating habits. Highway 3, and continuing south on Wood ticks are present in small Highway 51 to the Park entrance. numbers, and would most likely be encountered in spring. Lyme disease 5 J Private Property has not been detected within the Much of the property in the Rondeau park. area is privately owned. Landowners, especially in the residential area 3 J Where To Stay immediately north of Rondeau Camping: Provincial Park, have heavily posted Rondeau Provincial Park their property and have made efforts (519-674-1750) to enforce it. Please respect these The Summer Place Marina and property rights and leave landowners Campground (519-674-2326) with a good image of birders. Most Rondeau Shores Trailer Park birding opportunities described in (519-674-3330) this guide will cover public or at least Bed & Breakfast: unposted land, or can be done from Morrison Manor public roads. (519-674-3431 ) Ridgeland B&B 6) Maps (519-674-2461 ) Topographic maps at 1:50,000 may Motels (Blenheim): be useful on your visit to Rondeau. The following sheets cover the The Queen's Motel Rondeau Provincial Park area: (519-676-5477) Ridgetown 40-1/5 The Silver Motel (519-676-5156) Chatham 40-J/8 Most larger urban centres will have Both the towns of Blenheim and one or more outlets for these maps Ridgetown have stores and services (e.g. bookstores) and may be one might normally require, available from them or from: including restaurants. A grocery store CANADA MAP OFFICE and seasonally operated dining 615 Booth Street facility are just outside the Park Ottawa, Ontario KIA OE9 entrance.

4) How To Get To Rondeau Provincial Park (see Regional Overview map) Rondeau Provincial Park is located in the extreme southwestern part of Ontario, approximately 115 km east of the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit, and

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 o Sketch Map: Z t-3 :> Regional Overview - The Rondeau Area a~ to R~:~OWNI t1:l

S3 2'~~II,...(,lm.II.I'IIWIII.I' o Mull ~'" V1 eAREA #1\3 I o Morpeth ~ t%:l C''>-J.- / ~o .C')-J.­ n ..r: ...... 0) == t%:l ~ (/f ~. ~076' t1:l XC4. t%:l Hoffman ~ Corners. ; to IE 1..0 C'~ CJl ')t'~ ~~'?~ 1/ -5>0'

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Breeding Bird Specialties of the resident, open woods and sloughs of Rondeau Provincial Park Area Rondeau. Red-bellied Woodpecker Common - a virtual guarantee to be -uncommon permanent resident, found if searched for in suitable mature woods of Rondeau. habitat at appropriate time of year; Pileated Woodpecker - rare Uncommon - should be found if permanent resident, mature woods of searched for in suitable habitat at Rondeau. appropriate time of year; Acadian Flycatcher - rare migrant, Rare - may be found if searched for seen most frequently in late May to in suitable habitat at appropriate time early June. Very rare summer of year; resident. Occurs in beech/maple Very Rare - a bonus, but don't count forests of Rondeau, but has not been on finding it. recorded breeding every year. Carolina Wren - uncommon permanent resident, but populations Least Bittern - uncommon summer may vary depending on severity of resident, Rondeau Provincial Park previous winter weather conditions. marshes. Occurs near forest edges and cottage Northern Shoveler - uncommon area. migrant and summer resident, White-eyed Vireo - rare migrant and Blenheim sewage lagoons. very rare summer resident. Occurs at Ruddy Duck - common migrant and shrubby forest edges of Rondeau. uncommon summer resident, Yellow-throated Vireo - uncommon Blenheim sewage lagoons. migrant and summer resident, open Bald Eagle - uncommon permanent oak forests of Rondeau. resident, seen from almost anywhere Cerulean Warbler - uncommon in Rondeau, but especially from the migrant and summer resident, open Marsh Trail. pine/oak forests of Rondeau, King Rail - rare summer resident, especially along Harrison Trail. marshes of Rondeau and occasionally Prothonotary Warbler - common the wet, grassy fields and marshes summer resident, larger sloughs of near Shrewsbury. Rondeau. Wilson's Phalarope - rare migrant, Yellow-breasted Chat - rare spring and very rare summer resident, but migrant, and very rare summer does not nest every year. Blenheim resident, shrubby tangles at forest sewage lagoon. edges, Rondeau. Forster's Tern - common migrant and summer resident, Rondeau Bay BIRDING AREAS and marshes. Area # 1 - North Part of Rondeau Black Tern - uncommon migrant Provincial Park (see Area #1 map) and summer resident, Rondeau This part of Rondeau is the marshes. narrowest, and many of the birds that Red-headed Woodpecker land at the south end of the park will -uncommon migrant and summer make their way through the north

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 108 Sketch Map: NORTH PART OF RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK

Area # 1

lI I I ~tr

DEER X .- ,'.-:;: EXCLOSURE ~ ~ .'~ ...... (: I~ 'ttr :~

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 109 end. The public boat ramp and dock situated near the east end of Bennett can be excellent vantage points for Avenue. It is best birded in the viewing numerous ducks on Rondeau spring, as migrating warblers are Bay in spring. About 1.6 km south of attracted to the opening flowers of the campground, along Rondeau the numerous oaks along the trail. Road, is the Spicebush Trail. It is a Also along Bennett Avenue is one 1.5 km trail loop set in a lush of the two deer exclosures in the beech/maple forest, with the west Park, the other being just south of side being more swamp-like. Typical Gardiner Avenue. Each exclosure was hardwood forest species, such as Red­ erected in 1978, and is easily eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Rose­ accessed via a short trail from the breasted Grosbeak, American road. The exclosures are worth Redstart, Hairy Woodpecker and visiting for two reasons. Firstly, they White-breasted Nuthatch occur in provide a vivid example of what can this area. Red-bellied Woodpecker is happen to a rich, southern hardwood frequently seen along this trail, and forest when a population of White­ Acadian Flycatcher is occasionally tailed Deer is allowed to remain at present. The wetter, west side of the abnormally high levels for many trail is more open, with Red-headed years. Secondly, the vegetation inside Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the exclosures is more normal Black-capped Chickadee, Great compared with the dearth of a Crested Flycatcher and Eastern ground and shrub layer outside. Kingbird often observed. Green These exclosures therefore act as a bit Heron and Brown Creeper are of an island, and bird species occasionally seen. Mter dark, the requiring a dense lower level trail's parking lot is one of the most vegetation, such as Ovenbird and convenient and reliable locations Wood Thrush, are more apt to be from which to get Eastern Screech­ found here. Interestingly enough, Owl to respond. later season migrant Hooded The forest and edges immediately Warblers and Kentucky Warblers southwest of the maintenance have occasionally been found in the compound (immediately east of the vicinity of these exclosures, as well. main picnic area) can be very Along Harrison Trail, about 0.6 productive for passerines in spring, km south of the campground, is an especially late in the day. Birds that old barn beside a clearing in the arrived at the south end of the park forest. Immediately south of the barn and have worked their way is an area referred to as the Log northward through the forest are Pond. In spring, especially when the often observed during the last couple cottonwoods and willows adjacent to of hours before sunset in a sort of the pond are in flower, this area can feeding frenzy, as they stock up for attract a surprising number of early the next leg of their migration. The migrant passerines. oaks and maples that are flowering About 0.4 km south of the park attract insects, which in turn may store, and just west of the main attract hundreds of birds of several picnic ground, is the entrance to the dozen species, especially warblers. Marsh Trail. This trail provides the The Black Oak Trail loop is best access to the 1000 hectare

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 110

marsh, and is excellent for hiking or Blackbirds and Marsh Wrens. The biking. I would recommend the latter park's resident Bald Eagles are more form of transportation if you are frequently observed perched in a tree interested in going the full distance or flying over the marsh. Over the (7 km each way). last couple of kilometres of the trail, This trail deserves careful the marsh widens and becomes more attention, as many of the park's open. The trail ends within about 200 rarities have been observed here. metres of the south beach, giving one Sage Thrasher, Yellow-crowned a look at numerous gulls, terns and Night-Heron, Tricolored Heron, other waterbirds. American Avocet, Yellow-headed The water levels in the marsh are Blackbird, Dickcissel, Cinnamon quite shallow, and as the summer Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Peregrine progresses, numerous mudflats Falcon, Little Gull and Common appear. These provide ideal Black-headed Gull are some of the conditions for wild rice beds to rarities that have appeared here. In establish, and there are often dozens addition, there are a number of of hectares of wild rice scattered regular goodies that can be found throughout. By late summer, the rice along the trail, such as Bald Eagle, seed matures and begins to fall, Least Bittern, American Bittern, corresponding with the migration of Common Moorhen, Forster's Tern Soras. On occasion, literally hundreds and Black Tern. of Soras can be heard peeping in the The first kilometre or so of the rice beds, in response to the splash of trail has shrubby, wooded vegetation a tossed stone. dominating the east side, with open The waterfowl migration begins water, mud flats (depending on with the first breakup of ice, usually seasonal fluctuations of the water by late February. Ducks, geese and levels) and dense cattail marsh swans can be seen from the marsh occurring on the west side. Common trail, sometimes numbering in the bird species are Yellow Warbler, tens of thousands, both spring and Common Yellowthroat, Eastern fall. By early April, only those that Kingbird, Northern Oriole, Warbling breed, and a few lingerers are Vireo, Swamp and Song Sparrows, present, and in early summer Great Crested Flycatcher and relatively few are seen. By late July, Mallard, with occasional Red-headed many of the resident and local Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Green Mallards, Blue-winged Teal and Heron and Great Blue Heron, as well. Wood Ducks gather together in post­ Eventually, the trail gets beyond the breeding flocks. Water levels often wooded sections to where there is drop by late summer, providing good extensive marsh on both sides. shorebird habitat scattered Willow Flycatchers occupy the throughout the marsh right up until scattered shrubs, and the stands of freeze-up. cattails provide a breeding haven for both bittern species, Sora, Virginia Area # 2 - South Part of Rondeau Rail, and occasionally King Rail, coot, Provincial Park (see Area #2 l11ap) moorhen, Black and Forster's Terns The south part of Rondeau, jutting and of course numerous Red-winged out into Lake Erie, is the most

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 111

Sketch Map: South Part of Rondeau Provincial Park

Area # 2

D

extensive and contains the greatest throated Warbler, Sharp-tailed diversity of habitats. It is here, Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow are especially along the South Point Trail, just a few of the rarities that have that most local birders concentrate turned up in this portion of Rondeau. their time. Indeed, whether you have The South Point Trail actually has three hours to spend in the Park, or two access points, one at the corner three days, your time would be well of Rondeau Road and Gardiner spent covering part or all of this trail. Avenue, the other at the south end of Most of Rondeau's rarities have Lakeshore Road. The latter access is appeared along this trail, or the parts recommended. Near the beginning, of the park accessed by this trail. there is a fair bit of low vegetation, Eared Grebe, Fulvous Whistling­ usually good for Rufous-sided Duck, Little Blue Heron, Harlequin Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Duck, Glossy Ibis, Piping Plover, Thrasher and Yellow Warbler. The Laughing Gull, Black Skimmer, dogwood is particularly good for Bewick's Wren, Summer Tanager, attracting warblers and thrushes Swainson's Warbler, Townsend's during the autumn migration. As the Warbler, Kirtland's Warbler, Yellow- vegetation begins to open up farther

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 112

down the trail, Blue-gray southwest part of the marsh, Forster's Gnatcatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee and Common Terns nest. Ring-billed and occasionally Red-headed and Herring Gulls are two of the Woodpecker are found. The trail most recently discovered nesting crosses a couple of wide sloughs at species for Rondeau, and they nest the very south end of the Park. These either on the south beach or one of sloughs are excellent for Belted the islands along the marsh edge. Kingfisher, Green Heron and one of If you continue along the paved the bird species Rondeau is probably portion of the trail, you will travel best known for - the rare through open woods and some of the Prothonotary Warbler. Rondeau is most mature beech/maple forest in undoubtedly the breeding capital of the park. In the more open areas are Canada for this brightly coloured excellent opportunities for viewing denizen of the woodland sloughs, breeding species such as Yellow­ with upwards of 40 pairs present in throated Vireo, Yellow-and Black­ an average year. billed Cuckoos, Gray Catbird, Great You have a choice at this most Crested Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler southern part of the trail. One option and possibly White-eyed Vireo and is to retrace your route to the starting Carolina Wren. In the more mature point, but hopefully you will have forest are species such as Pileated time and energy to either follow the Woodpecker, Red-bellied Lake Erie shoreline and go west Woodpecker, White-breasted towards Erieau, or continue along the Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, Rose­ paved portion of the trail. If you breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, follow the shoreline west, after about American Redstart, Cerulean Warbler 500 m, you will reach the marsh. and, occasionally, Acadian From this point and for the next 2.5 Flycatcher. During migration literally km or so the narrow sand barrier that dozens of species of passerines can be separates the lake from the marsh observed. and bay seldom gets more than 40 m This trail continues north until, wide. At the extreme west end of the after about 3.0 km, it joins with sandspit is a channel that separates Gardiner Avenue. You can then Rondeau Provincial Park from Erieau. travel east along the road as far as the This walk provides excellent Visitor Centre and then return to opportunities for viewing a variety of your starting point by heading south waterfowl, gulls, terns, cormorants, along either Harrison Trail or herons and shorebirds. The Lakeshore Road. You may want to endangered Piping Plover used to check the lakefront for waterbirds or nest here but in recent times only stop in at the Visitor Centre to see single birds are seen on rare what birds of interest have been occasions. Least and American reported. The open area around the Bitterns are seen or heard in the Centre usually has Warbling Vireo, south end marshes, and Black­ Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Bluebird, crowned Night-Heron, Sora and Red-headed Woodpecker and Virginia Rail are occasionally seen Northern Oriole. Cooper's Hawk and skulking at the edge of the cattails. Cerulean Warbler nest regularly On one of the islands at the very along Harrison Trail, and

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 113

Chuck-will's-widow, when present, the streets is private, so ensure you has most frequently been heard after stick to the streets. dark between Harrison and Along Highway 51, 1.1 km north Lakeshore south of the Visitor of the park entrance, there is Centre. privately owned marsh/swamp visible The entire loop described in the on either side of the road. Water past few paragraphs is approximately levels vary, but there often is suitable 8 km, if one is walking more or less habitat for a number of herons, in a straight line, and not counting a egrets, waterfowl and shorebirds. side trip out along the south beach. Parking along the roadway at this One other part of the park to precise point is quite restricted, so consider while in this area is the park only along the roadway south of Tulip Tree Trail. It is a one kilometre the marsh and walk along the narrow trail, handicap accessible, which road allowance to get the best views. begins and ends at the Visitor Centre Also, at the northeast corner of the parking lot. American Redstart, intersection of Highway 51 and White-eyed Vireo and Pine Warbler County Road 17, is a well known can sometimes be found near the trail flowering tree. Every year, usually entrance. It winds through a section during the first week of May, it is in of pine/oak forest and beech/maple full flower, and attracts numerous forest with, as its name suggests, hummingbirds, warblers and orioles. some impressive tulip trees along it In fact, it is probably the most as well. There are a number of reliable location to find Orchard boardwalks crossing several sloughs, Oriole at that time of year. providing access to prime Prothonotary Warbler and Wood If you continue north from Duck habitat. The park's first nesting Rondeau along County Road 17, the record of Hooded Merganser and road follows the Lake Erie shoreline. Winter Wren were noted along the In the first 3.5 km, there are three biggest slough. It is an excellent trail small creeks flowing into the lake, to see migrating passerines, but each one having a small wetland nothing that one would not expect to associated with it near the mouth. see along the South Point Trail. Although species such as Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Black­ Area #3 - North of Rondeau crowned Night-Heron, Mallard, Provincial Park (see Area #3 map) Wood Duck, Marsh Wren and occasionally shorebirds are the most The unincorporated village of likely bird species to be found here, Rondeau Park immediately north of rarities such as Snowy Egret and the Provincial Park boundary has Yellow-crowned Night-Heron have retained a fair percentage of original turned up in recent years. At 3.8 km, vegetation. The streets crisscrossing the road begins to turn inland, as it the area provide excellent access, and climbs some of the cliffs that are can provide quite good birding typical of the north Lake Erie opportunities. There are parking shoreline. These cliffs provide an areas and accesses to the lake at the excellent vantage point to survey the east end of most streets.· However, lake for loons, grebes, scoters, diving please keep in mind that property off

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 114

Sketch Map: NORTH OF RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK

Area # 3

LAKE ERIE

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 115

ducks and gulls, especially in the County Road 11. The fields along this spring and fall. road are often used by swans, geese Just as the road turns northwest and ducks in March. Freshly towards Morpeth is an excellent ploughed fields in May attract Black­ opportunity to view migrating hawks bellied Plover and occasionally in the autumn. Most hawks, American Golden-Plover and Ruddy especially buteos, prefer not to cross Turnstone. After 7.4 km you will be large bodies of water and so on their at Shrewsbury. A number of streets southward migration in the autumn, lead southeast towards Rondeau Bay tend to follow the north shoreline and adjacent marshes. Some of the until they can cross over, most often best ones are Kent, Brock and Albert near the mouth of the Detroit River Streets. south of Amherstburg. On days when there is a moderate or brisk wind Area # 5 - Erieau blowing from the northeast, north or (see Area #5 map) northwest, these migrating hawks The village of Erieau is on the often "pile up" along the shoreline western peninsula separating and follow it southwest. Literally Rondeau Bay from Lake Erie. Its thousands of hawks pass by at economy is almost entirely based on anywhere from treetop level to out of commercial and sport fishing as well sight. From late August to early as boating and cottaging. October, a number of Blue Jays and To get to Erieau from monarch butterflies can also be Shrewsbury, leave County Road 11 at observed migrating under these same the stop sign where it turns weather conditions. Park along the northwest towards Blenheim, and road allowance or along a quiet continue southwest along the New sideroad within 200 metres or so of Scotland Line for 1.3 km to Fargo the shoreline for the best results. Road. Turn right (northwest) for 2.0 km to the Bisnett Road, and then Area #4 - Shrewsbury turn left (southwest). Follow the (see Area #4 map) Bisnett Road for 2.8 kIn to the Erieau On the north side of Rondeau Bay is Road (County Road 12). Turn left the village of Shrewsbury. The village onto County Road 12. After 2.8 km, itself doesn't offer a lot for the you will be at McGeachy Pond visiting birder, but the scrubby areas Conservation Area. Because of its throughout the village and the streets proximity to Lake Erie, this small leading to the bay and marsh edges wetland can attract a surprising can be profitable. Large numbers of diversity of birds. At least some waterfowl, especially, can be waterfowl can be found anytime observed from this access from late there is open water. Shorebirds can February through early April and, to be found when there is suitable a lesser extent, from late autumn mudflat or exposed shoreline habitat. until freeze-up. The third week in May is when To get to Shrewsbury from Whimbrel migrate through the area, Rondeau, follow Highway 51 north of and a few are sometimes observed the park for 3.8 km, to the hamlet of resting on the mudflats. Gulls often New Scotland. Turn left (west) on loaf on the shoreline, and coot,

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 116 Sketch Map: SHREWSBURY

Area # 4

0) ely Rd 11 ~ (0---6---- ....,(J 0)'--10------'"- ~

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 Sketch Map: ERIEAU

Area # 5

SHREWSBURY

RONDEAU HARBOUR

o< t""' Shirley point c: 3: trj c:; McGeachy Pond z c: Conservation Area 3: t::O ~ trj r ::1J ~ w -...:J 118

moorhen and rails can occasionally Rondeau marsh to the east or on the be seen skulking amidst the cattails. Park's south beach. Even the black muck fields in the The spring and fall are the two vicinity of McGeachy Pond should be best times to visit this location, checked for shorebirds and gulls and, especially when a storm is raging or when water is present, waterfowl. immediately after a storm. Rarities that have been recorded here Waterbirds seeking shelter from the include Snowy Egret, King Rail, heavy seas of Lake Erie may take American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, refuge in the harbour. Indeed, it is Glossy Ibis, Laughing Gull, Buff­ usually at these times that species breasted Sandpiper, Eurasian Wigeon, such as Harlequin Duck, Red-necked American White Pelican and even Grebe, Common Eider or King Eider Burrowing Owl! have turned up. On one occasion, From McGeachy Pond, continue even a Black Skimmer put in an along County Road 12 for another 3.4 appearance for about five days! Red kIn into Erieau, following the One Phalarope occurs irregularly in the Way road along the lakeside cottages fall, and Purple Sandpiper can be to aT-intersection. Turn right and found on the pier or rocks almost continue to the Government Pier annually anytime from late October alongside the Erieau channel. Parking until at least mid-December. at the pier is usually no problem, but However, a note of caution is in occasionally it can be a bit busy. It is order: the lake can be very rough, a popular short-term destination for causing water to wash over the pier. people wanting to watch the In addition the pier can be slippery commercial fishing tugs and when wet. THEREFORE, DO NOT numerous power and sail boats ATTEMPT TO WALK OUT ON THE coming and going through the main PIER DURING THESE TIMES. More channel, or to fish from the pier. than one unsuspecting person has Fortunately, it is also a great spot been swept to their death from this from which to observe birds. pier. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of gulls and terns can be easily Area # 6 - Blenheim Sewage observed resting on the pier, the Lagoon (see Area #6 map) rocks or the water. Numerous waterfowl may also be present, A birding trip to the Rondeau area especially in spring and late fall. wouldn't be complete without a visit Major movements of Bonaparte's to the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants Perhaps they don't sound like the and diving ducks can be seen over best place to have your lunch, but the lake from the relative comfort of lots of birds would disagree! The one's car. Shorebirds occasionally use nutrient-rich waters, mudflats and the pier, especially if the wind is edges provide a rich, tasty banquet such (e.g. NW-NE) that the algae are for dozens of species of birds, exposed. Snowy Owls have been whether they are just passing through observed from here, sometin1es or ren1aining to nest. sitting on a gravel pile or harbour To reach the lagoons frol11 Erieau, post, or sometimes observed in the head north along County Road 12.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 119

Sketch Map: BLENHEIM SEWAGE LAGOON

Area # 6

a:"'0

HWY40 BLENHEIM WY 3

CTY RD

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 120

After 7.1 km north of McGeachy Once you have obtained Pond, you will come to Highway 3. permission to access the lagoons, take Turn right (east) on Highway 3 for your time to check all four of the 1.4 km until you come to the lagoon cells. Water levels and the intersection of Concession 3. Turn amount of vegetation in each cell will left (north) on Concession 3 and likely vary, therefore influencing travel 1.1 km. After you cross the what birds are present. Virtually all railroad tracks, you will see the of the herons, rails, shorebirds and sewage lagoons on your right. As you waterfowl species on the Rondeau approach the lagoons, you will notice Provincial Park bird checklist have signs ranging from "No Trespassing" put in an appearance at the lagoons, to "Trespassing By Permit Only". but the only shorebirds to nest are Although no birders have run into Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper and problems in the past few years that I Wilson's Phalarope. Nesting am aware of, there was a time in the waterfowl are Mallard, Blue-winged mid 1980s when birders were Teal, Ruddy Duck and Northern charged with trespassing. It is Shoveler. Rarities recorded here therefore advisable to obtain a include Piping Plover, American written permit from the clerk at the Avocet, King Rail, Eurasian Wigeon, Blenheim Municipal Office. This Ruff, Snowy Egret, Franklin's Gull, office is located in the downtown Little Gull, Laughing Gull, Eared section of Blenheim on the north side Grebe, Red-necked Grebe and Red­ of the main (Talbot) street, about half necked Phalarope. way between the two main sets of traffic lights. If you are not able to Acknowledgements stop in at the office during normal I am grateful to Sharon Korpan for office hours, you might try writing in preparation of the maps. advance to the Clerk, Town of Blenheim, Blenheim, Ontario, NOP lAO.

A Checklist of Birds of the Rondeau Provincial Park Area

_ Red-throated Loon _ Great Egret _ Trumpeter Swan _ Common Loon _Snowy Egret _Mute Swan _Little Blue Heron _Snow Goose _Pied-billed Grebe _ Tricolored Heron _Brant _Horned Grebe _ Cattle Egret _ Canada Goose _Red·necked Grebe _Green Heron _Wood Duck _Eared Grebe _Black-crowned _Green·winged Teal Night·Heron _American Black Duck _Northern Gannet _ Yellow-crowned _Mallard _American White Pelican Night·Heron _Northern Pintail _Double·crested Cormorant _Blue-winged Teal _ Glossy Ibis _Cinnamon Teal _American Bittern _Northern Shoveler _Least Bittern _Fulvous Whistling-Duck _Gadwall _ Great Blue Heron _ Tundra Swan _Eurasian Wigeon

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 - p'" 'NS,o~

121

_American Wigeon _American Avocet _Rock Dove _ Canvasback _Band-tailed Pigeon _Redhead _ Greater Yellowlegs _Mourning Dove _ Lesser Yellowlegs _ Passenger Pigeon _ Ring-necked Duck _Solitary Sandpiper _ Tufted Duck _Willet _Black-billed Cuckoo _ Greater Scaup _Spotted Sandpiper _Yellow-billed Cuckoo _Lesser Seaup _ Upland Sandpiper _Common Eider _Eskimo Curlew _Barn Owl _King Eider _Whimbrel _Eastern Screech-Owl _Harlequin Duck _Hudsonian Godwit _Great Horned Owl _Oldsquaw _Marbled Godwit _Snowy Owl _Black Seoter _Ruddy Turnstone _Northern Hawk Owl _Surf Scoter _Red Knot _Burrowing Owl _ White-winged Scoter _Sanderling _Barred Owl _Common Goldeneye _Semipalmated Sandpiper _Long-eared Owl _ Barrow's Goldeneye _ Western Sandpiper _Short-eared Owl _ Bufflehead _Least Sandpiper _Northern Saw-whet Owl _Hooded Merganser _ White-rumped Sandpiper _ Common Merganser _Baird's Sandpiper _Common Nighthawk _Red-breasted Merganser _ Pectoral Sandpiper _Chuck-will's-widow _Ruddy Duck _ Purple Sandpiper _ Whip-poor-will _Dunlin _ Turkey Vulture _Stilt Sandpiper _Chimney Swift _Osprey _Buff-breasted Sandpiper _Ruby-throated _Mississippi Kite _Ruff Hummingbird _Bald Eagle _Short-billed Dowitcher _Northern Harrier _Long-billed Dowitcher _ Belted Kingfisher _Sharp-shinned Hawk _Common Snipe _ Cooper's Hawk _American Woodcock _Northern Goshawk _Red-headed Woodpecker _Red-bellied Woodpecker _Red-shouldered Hawk _ Wilson's Phalarope _ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker _Broad-winged Hawk _Red-necked Phalarope _Downy Woodpecker _Red-tailed Hawk _Red Phalarope _Hairy Woodpecker _Rough-legged Hawk _ Three-toed Woodpecker _ Golden Eagle _Pomarine Jaeger _Black-backed Woodpecker _American Kestrel _ Parasitic Jaeger _Northern Flicker _Merlin _Long-tailed Jaeger _Pileated Woodpecker _Peregrine Falcon _Laughing Gull _Olive-sided Flycatcher _Ring-necked Pheasant _Franklin's Gull _Eastern Wood-Pewee _Ruffed Grouse _Little Gull _ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher _Wild Turkey _Common Black-headed _Acadian Flycatcher _Northern Bobwhite Gull _Alder Flycatcher _Bonaparte's Gull _ Willow Flycatcher _Yellow Rail _Ring-billed Gull _Least Flycatcher _Black Rail _ California Gull _Eastern Phoebe _King Rail _Herring Gull _Great Crested Flycatcher _ Virginia Rail _Thayer's Gull _ Western Kingbird _Iceland Gull _Eastern Kingbird _Sora _Lesser Black-backed Gull _Scissor-tailed Flycatcher _Common Moorhen _Glaucous Gull _American Coot _ Great Black-backed Gull _Horned Lark _Black-legged Kittiwake _Sandhill Crane _Caspian Tern _Purple Martin _Common Tern _ Tree Swallow _ Black-bellied Plover _Forster's Tern _Northern Rough-winged _American Golden-Plover _Black Tern Swallow _Semipalmated Plover _Black Skimmer _Bank Swallow _Piping Plover _ Cliff Swallow _Killdeer _ Thick-billed Murre _Barn Swallow

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 122

_Blue Jay _ Warbling Vireo _Indigo Bunting _Black·billed Magpie _Philadelphia Vireo _Dickcissel _American Crow _Red-eyed Vireo _Rufous-sided Towhee _Common Raven _American Tree Sparrow _Blue-winged Warbler _ Chipping Sparrow _Black-capped Chickadee _Golden-winged Warbler _Clay-colored Sparrow _Boreal Chickadee _Tennessee Warbler _Field Sparrow _ Tufted Titmouse _Orange-crowned Warbler _ Vesper Sparrow _Nashville Warbler _Lark Sparrow _Lark Bunting _Red-breasted Nuthatch _Northern Parula _ Yellow Warbler _Savannah Sparrow _ White-breasted Nuthatch _Chestnut-sided Warbler _ Grasshopper Sparrow _Brown Creeper _Magnolia Warbler _Henslow's Sparrow _Le Conte's Sparrow _Carolina Wren _Cape May Warbler _Bewick's Wren _Black-throated Blue _Sharp-tailed Sparrow Warbler _Fox Sparrow _House Wren _ Yellow-rumped Warbler _Song Sparrow _ Winter Wren _ Townsend's Warbler _Lincoln's Sparrow _Sedge Wren _Black-throated Green _Swamp Sparrow _Marsh Wren Warbler _ White-throated Sparrow _Blackburnian Warbler _ Golden-crowned Kinglet _ White-crowned Sparrow _Ruby-crowned Kinglet _ Yellow-throated Warbler _Harris's Sparrow _Blue-gray Gnatcatcher _Pine Warbler _Kirtland's Warbler _Dark-eyed Junco _Eastern Bluebird _Prairie Warbler _Lapland Longspur _ Townsend's Solitaire _Palm Warbler _Snow Bunting _Veery _Bay·breasted Warbler _Gray-cheeked Thrush _Blackpoll Warbler _Bobolink _Swainson's Thrush _Cerulean Warbler _Red-winged Blackbird _Hermit Thrush _Black-and-white Warbler _Eastern Meadowlark _ Wood Thrush _American Redstart _ Western Meadowlark _Eurasian Blackbird _Prothonotary Warbler _ Yellow-headed Blackbird _American Robin _ Worm-eating Warbler _Rusty Blackbird _ Varied Thrush _Swainson's Warbler _Brewer's Blackbird _Ovenbird _Common Grackle _Gray Catbird _Northern Waterthrush _Brown-headed Cowbird _Northern Mockingbird _Louisiana Waterthrush _ Orchard Oriole _Sage Thrasher _Kentucky Warbler _Northern Oriole _Brown Thrasher _Connecticut Warbler _ Monrning Warbler _Pine Grosbeak _American Pipit _Common Yellowthroat _Purple Finch _Cedar Waxwing _Hooded Warbler _House Finch _Wilson's Warbler _Red Crossbill _Northern Shrike _Canada Warbler _ White-winged Crossbill _Loggerhead Shrike _ Yellow-breasted Chat _Common Redpoll _Hoary Redpoll _European Starling _ Summer Tanager _Pine Siskin _Scarlet Tanager _American Goldfinch _ White-eyed Vireo _Evening Grosbeak _Bell's Vireo _Northern Cardinal _Solitary Vireo _Rose-breasted Grosbeak _House Sparrow _ Yellow-throated Vireo _Blue Grosbeak

P. Allen Woodliffe, 30 Argyle Cres., Chatham, Ontario N7Z 4T8

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 123 Recognizable Forms

Morphs of the Parasitic Jaeger by Ron Pittaway and Peter Burke

Introduction Goodwin (1995), and there is an Parasitic Jaegers (Stercorarius excellent site guide to seeing jaegers parasiticus ) are seagoing pirates at Sarnia in OFO NEWS (Rupert during the nonbreeding season, 1995). Parasitic Jaegers are casual in making their living by robbing gulls, spring in southern Ontario. terns and other seabirds by forcing Adult Parasitic Jaegers are them to disgorge or drop their prey. variable in appearance, but generally Seeing a Parasitic Jaeger accelerating occur in three colour morphs Peregrine-like, swiftly pursuing a tern (phases): light, intermediate and until it drops its fish, then catching dark. See Figure 1. Our classification the fish in mid-air before it strikes of adult morphs is based on the the water, is an unforgettable sight. descriptions in the genetic studies of On their tundra breeding grounds, O'Donald (1983) and O'Donald in they also prey on small birds, eggs Cooke and Buckley (1987) . Juvenile and young birds, lemmings, and morphs are also variable in invertebrates such as insects and appearance; see the light, spiders. Skuas and jaegers, subfamily intermediate and dark morph Stercorariinae, are unique among juveniles illustrated in Figure 2. birds in having the combination of In this article, we discuss the strong, sharply hooked claws and distinguishing features, frequency fully webbed feet. and distribution, and genetics of the In Canada, the Parasitic Jaeger three morphs of the Parasitic Jaeger breeds in the Arctic south to northern in Ontario. Discussion is restricted to Ontario (Godfrey 1986). It is a II rare adults in breeding plumage and summer resident along the Hudson juveniles because these are the two Bay coast" of Ontario (James 1991). age classes normally seen in Ontario. The Parasitic Jaeger is a rare to The best references on the locally uncommon migrant in identification of all three jaeger southern Ontario, mainly in the fall species are Olsen (1989), Kaufman on the Great Lakes from late August (1990), Harrison (1983), Cramp to mid-November. Two of the best (1983) and Harris et al. (1989). places to see jaegers in southern Ontario are Lake Ontario from Van Taxonomy Wagner's Beach at Hamilton during No subspecies (races) of the Parasitic east or northeast winds, and Lake Jaeger are recognized because Huron at Sarnia during north or differences between populations are northwest winds. Directions to Van slight. However, there is a marked Wagner's Beach and Sarnia are in geographical variation in the

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 124

frequency of the morphs between plumage, are casual in southern populations. For example, in Canada Ontario in late spring. As well, there the dark morph makes up about 40 is a subadult (exact age not reported) per cent of the breeding population in in the Buffalo Museum of Science Labrador and less than one per cent that was collected by Harold Axtell in the Canadian High Arctic (Cramp on 26 November 1960 at Fort Erie, 1983). See the discussion on the Niagara (Beardslee and Mitchell distribution and frequency of the 1965). See the illustration of a light morphs under Morph Genetics. morph subadult on page 143 of the National Geographic Guide (Scott Plumage, Molts, Ages and Sexes i987). Third summer birds are Sexes are alike in all plumages. essentially like adults, but at close Almost all birds seen in Ontario are range show some barring on the wing in juvenile (juvenal) or adult breeding linings and have shorter tail (definitive alternate) plumage. Jaegers projections. For a full discussion of molt twice a year. The postjuvenile plumages, see Cramp (1983). (first prebasic), postbreeding (second and later prebasic) and prebreeding Morph Genetics (prealternate) molts take place mainly O'Donald in Cooke and Buckley on the oceanic wintering grounds far (1987) provided strong evidence that south of Ontario (Cramp 1983). Some the three morphs of adult Parasitic very limited postbreeding molt Jaegers are under the control of a (scattered pin feathers) begins on the single gene. This gene has two alleles breeding grounds (Parmelee et al. (forms), one for light coloration and 1967). Parasitic Jaegers molt their one for dark coloration. Light morph pair of central tail feathers only once birds have two alleles for light a year, during the complete coloration, inheriting one light allele postbreeding molt. However, the from each parent. Similarly, dark other two jaeger species molt their morph birds inherit two dark alleles. central tail feathers twice a year, Intermediate morph birds have one replacing them in the postbreeding light allele and one dark allele. The molt and again during the partial allele for dark coloration is prebreeding molt (Cramp 1983). incompletely dominant over the allele Olsen's (1989) statement that all three for light coloration. Therefore, most jaeger species molt their central tail intermediate morph birds feathers twice a year is questionable (heterozygotes) are more like dark regarding the Parasitic Jaeger. Like birds in appearance. Compare the large gulls, Parasitic Jaegers probably intermediate and dark morph birds in attain their first adult breeding Figure 1. A similar situation occurs in plumage at four years of age (Todd the Snow Goose where most 1963, Cramp 1983). Other ages intermediate morph birds between juvenile and adult breeding (heterozygotes) are closer in plumages are normally not seen in appearance to blue morph than white Ontario because most Parasitic Inorph birds (Pittaway 1992). Jaegers spend at least their first two A pure dark bird nlated to a pure years at sea (Cramp 1983). Subadult light bird should produce only birds, probably in second sumnler internlediate nlorphs. A pair

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 125

Figure 1: Adult Parasitic Jaegers: light morph (top), intermediate morph (middle), at:ld dark morph (bottom) at Van Wagner's Beach, Hamilton. Drawing by Peter Burke.

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 126

comprising a dark and an polymorphism in the Parasitic Jaeger intermediate morph should produce vvas maintained by a combination of only dark and intermediate morphs in natural selection favouring light a ratio of one dark to one morphs and sexual selection intermediate. Similarly, a pair of light favouring dark morphs. Females, and intermediate birds should especially dark females, prefer to produce only light and intermediate mate vvith dark males (assortative morphs in a ratio of one to one. mating). Therefore, dark males take Genetic studies by O'Donald in less time to find a mate and they Cooke and Buckley (1987) indicate breed earlier than light birds, gaining that all light morph adults are a selective advantage of /I earlier homozygous (pure), vvhereasthe breeding and increased reproductive darkest intermediate birds often are success". homozygous, and some dark morph birds are heterozygous (alleles for Light Morph Adults both dark and light coloration). As Most adult Parasitic Jaegers seen in vvell, colour changes betvveen the Ontario are light morph birds. For darkest intermediates and dark example, in northern Ontario, Bruce morphs "occur from one breeding Di Labio (pers. comm.) observed nine season to the next", shovving that light morph adults on 15 September morph coloration is "partly 1994 at Shipsands Island (near developmental in origin" . Moosonee) at the south end of James The frequency of the dark morph Bay during strong northeast vvinds. In varies betvveen populations and southern Ontario, Rupert (1995) shovvs an interesting pattern. reported that 90 per cent of the adults Generally, dark birds are common in seen at Sarnia at the south end of coastal and southern parts of the Lake Huron vvere light morphs. breeding range (for example, 40 per Typical light morph adult cent dark in Labrador, 60 per cent Parasitic Jaegers are mainly vvhite on dark in Britain, 89 per cent dark in the throat, breast and belly; they may southern Iceland). Light birds have a gray band across the breast predominate at inland continental like the bird in Figure 1. The sites (for example, about 100 per cent undertail coverts are usually darker light in central Russia) and in the but may be vvhitish. See the high Arctic (for example, about 100 illustration of a light morph adult on per cent light in the Canadian Arctic Plate 39 in Godfrey (1986). islands), sometimes almost to the exclusion of the dark birds (Cramp Dark Morph Adults 1983). The distribution of the morphs Dark morph adult Parasitic Jaegers agrees vvith Gloger's Rule. The rule are much rarer than light morphs in says that dark pigments in feathers Ontario. See the bottom bird in increase in humid parts of the Figure 1 and the illustration of a dark breeding range, vvhereas lighter morph adult in flight on Plate 39 in pigments prevail in dryer areas Godfrey (1986). Many dark morph (Terres 1982). adults are uniformly dark brovvn vvith In addition, O'Donald in Cooke the cap being only slightly darker. and Buckley (1987) shovved that Dark morph birds have not been

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 127

Figure 2: Juvenile Parasitic Jaegers: light morph (top), intermediate morph (middle), and dark morph (bottom) at Van Wagner's Beach, Hamilton. Drawing by Peter Burke.

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 128

reported breeding in northern Ontario 0'Donald in Cooke and Buckley to our knowledge. At Churchill, (1987) describes intermediate adults Manitoba, Jehl and Smith (1970) state as "dark with a variable amount of that the breeding population "consists lighter plumage around the cheeks, entirely of light- or intermediate­ collar and breast; the bases of the phased birds, but a few dark-phased breast and belly feathers are white. individuals occur in migration". Those intermediates with a very Describing the 1974 Hamilton white base to their belly feathers boat trip on 22 September, Curry show a distinctly lighter belly (1974) wrote, "About twenty minutes compared to the dark birds, who out from the Canal, the familiar have no white base to their belly excited cry of 'Jaeger' rang out. All feathers. But the darkest intermediate eyes peered to port. It was a dark birds cannot always be distinguished bird flying left - probably an from the dark birds, except by immature Parasitic? But a closer look examination of the belly feathers; revealed a ramrod straight thin tail even then, dark intermediates merge and a dark cap against smooth, dark into darks in a continuous sequence". brown underparts, revealing it as the Intermediate morphs are rarer first dark-phase adult Parasitic Jaeger than light morphs in Ontario. Their most of us had ever seen locally" . status is unknown because many Rupert (1995) reports that 10 per cent intermediates were probably called of the adults seen at Sarnia are dark dark morphs in the past. morph birds. This percentage is higher than at Hamilton and Juveniles elsewhere on the Great Lakes. Parasitic Jaegers retain their full juvenile plumage during fall Intermediate Morph Adults migration in southern Ontario. The Intermediate morph adult Parasitic molt to first winter plumage takes Jaegers are variable, but most are place on the wintering grounds. closer in appearance to dark morph Figure 2 shows typical light, adults because the gene controlling intermediate and dark morph dark coloration is incompletely juveniles. See also the perched dominant over the gene for light intermediate morph juvenile on Plate coloration. See Figure 1. A few 39 in Godfrey (1986). Most juveniles intermediates show a distinct junco­ seen in Ontario are light or like hood and dark undertail coverts intermediate in coloration, but often contrasting with a white belly. Plate appear dark at a distance over water. 55 in Harrison (1983) illustrates a Juveniles usually outnumber pale intermediate showing a very adults on the Great Lakes. For dark chest band contrasting with a example, Rupert (1995) reported over white throat and belly. Note also that an 18 year period that two-thirds of the intermediate morph adult the Parasitic Jaegers seen at Sarnia illustrated on Plate 64 in Cramp were juveniles. On the 23 September (1983) is a pale extreme in our 1973 Hamilton boat trip, Curry classification, being much paler than (1974) reported that 23 jaegers were most intermediates. seen, "none of which was adult" . Based on his genetic studies, Bob Curry (in litt.) noted that "Most

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 129

years juveniles outnumber adults information on plumages and considerably but a closer look at the morphs. See also the excellent article data reveals a more interesting and illustrations by Jonsson (1984) on temporal pattern. The majority of the identification of juvenile adult Parasitics at Hamilton occur in Pomarine (P. pomarinus) and Parasitic September and very early October Jaegers. while most birds seen later than this are juveniles. Thus, in some years Summary adults outnumber juveniles in Adult Parasitic Jaegers occur in three September in the ratio of 3:2, but colour morphs: light, intermediate taking into consideration the entire season juveniles will almost always and dark. Most adult Parasitic Jaegers seen in Ontario are light morph birds, greatly outnumber adults". whereas intermediate and dark Interestingly, more adults than morph adults are decidedly rarer. juveniles have been seen in Ottawa Genetic studies indicate that over the years (Bruce Di Labia, pers. intermediate morph adults are darker comm.), perhaps indicating that and more like dark morph birds in Ottawa is nearer the main route of appearance than the intermediates adults from James Bay to the Atlantic described and illustrated by most (Michel Gosselin, pers. comm.). authors. Our illustration of an Morphs of the juvenile are highly intermediate morph adult is therefore variable, ranging from light to dark, more typical of a genetically the main difference being the extent intermediate bird. Juveniles also of barring on the undersides. Cramp occur in three morphs. Juveniles seen (1983) describes three morphs: light, in Ontario tend to be light or barred (intermediate) and dark. intermediate in coloration, but often Distinguishing juveniles from adults appear dark at a distance. Juveniles at a distance is difficult to impossible. usually outnumber adults on the At close range, typical light and Great Lakes in fall. intermediate morph juveniles are streaked on the head and neck, Acknowledgements barred below, and edged with rufous The following people provided us above and below. The pointed central with information and helpful tail feathers are short and project comments on the first draft of this only slightly beyond the others. article: Dawn Brenner, Bill Crins, Jim Extremely dark morph juveniles are Dick, Rob Dobos, Jon Dunn, Earl uniformly sooty-black and are Godfrey, Michel Gosselin, Jean Iron, difficult to separate from dark morph Ross James, Alvaro Jaramillo, Kevin adults unless the length of the tail McLaughlin, Dennis Rupert, Ron projection or fresh juvenile plumage Tozer and Mike Turner. can be seen. The seqence of colour changes from juvenile to adult is complex and Literature cited poorly understood. Olsen (1989) notes Beardslee, C.S. and H.D. Mitchell. 1965. Birds that dark juveniles may become light of the Niagara Frontier Region. Bulletin of the adults! Readers are referred to Cramp Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, (1983) and Olsen (1989) for more Volume 22.

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Cooke, F. and P.A. Buckley {editors} 1987. Jonsson, L. 1984. Identification of juvenile Avian Genetics: A Population and Ecological Pomarine and Arctic Skuas. British Birds 77: Approach. Academic Press, London. 443-446. Cramp, S. {editor} 1983. Birds of the Western Kaufman, K. 1990. A Field Guide to Advanced Palearctic: The Handbook of the Birds of Birding. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Europe, the Middle East and North Mrica. O'Donald, P. 1983. The Arctic Skua. A Study Volume 3: Waders to Gulls. Oxford of the Ecology and Evolution of a Seabird. University Press, London. Cambridge University Press. Curry, R. 1974. The 1974 Hamilton boat trip. Olsen, K.M. 1989. Field identification of the The Wood Duck 28 (4): 65-66. smaller skuas. British Birds 82: 143-176. Godfrey, W.E. 1986. The Birds of Canada. Parmelee, D.F., H.A. Stephens and Revised Edition. National Museums of R.H. Schmidt. 1967. The birds of Canada, Ottawa. southeastern Victoria Island and adjacent Goodwin, C. 1995. A Bird-Finding Guide to small islands. Bulletin 222. National Museum Ontario. Revised Edition. University of of Canada. Toronto Press, Toronto. Pittaway, R. 1992. Subspecies and morphs of Harris, A., L. Tucker, and K. Vinicombe. 1989. the Snow Goose. Ontario Birds 10: 72-76. The MacMillan Field Guide to Bird Rupert, D. 1995. Favourite Birding Hotspots, Identification. The MacMillan Press Ltd., Sarnia Waterworks. OFO NEWS 13 (1): 2-3. London. Scott, S.L. {editor} 1987. Field Guide to the Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds: An Identification Birds of North America. National Geographic Guide. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Society, Washington, D.C. James, R.D. 1991. Annotated Checklist of the Terres, J.K. 1982. The Audubon Society Birds of Ontario. Second Edition. Life Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Sciences Miscellaneous Publications, Royal Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Ontario Museum, Toronto. Todd, W.E.C. 1963. Birds of the Labrador Jehl, J.R. Jr. and B.A. Smith. 1970. Birds of Peninsula and Adjacent Areas. University the Churchill Region, Manitoba. Special of Toronto Press, Toronto. Publication Number 1, Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, Winnipeg.

Ron Pittaway, Box 619, Minden, Ontario KOM 2KO. Peter Burke, Box 1092, Lakefield, Ontario KOL 2HO.

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ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995 131 Photo Quiz

by Bob Curry

One of the aspects I like about our plenty of structural and plumage photo quiz as compared to some features on this bird to make a others is that ours generally shows an definite identification. Doubtless, entire bird in a not unusual pose and most readers will immediately not obscured by vegetation or other recognize that this is a white-winged birds. The task for reader and analyst gull in which the folded primaries are alike is then to review what one much lighter than the remainder of understands about a species group in the upper parts. This, essentially, comparison to the subject rather than limits the choice to Glaucous or play some kind of detective game in Iceland Gull. which, it is my sense, the analyst is Our bird is off-white or greyish able to "see" things on the bird white overall, most back and wing because she/he has been told the feathers have a blackish bar or spot identity even though it frequently resulting in a speckled appearance requires an unusual stretch for the and the underparts are washed with a reader to see some of said features. slightly darker shade of grey. These About the only thing unusual features together with the dark bill about this large larid is that there are indicate that this is a first basic no congeners present for direct plumaged bird or a first winter bird comparison. Nonetheless, there are to use the older term which,

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 3 132

especially in the case of gulls, I cling flatter; on Iceland these features are to anachronistically. The plumage more rounded and consequently the appears to be extremely fresh with no eye is more centred - all of which feather wear or fraying of primary lend Iceland a more gentle visage and tips which suggests that it is early in Glaucous a more aggressive one. the winter. Both Glaucous and Two features about the folded Iceland have this general colour and primaries are diagnostic in the photo pattern in their first winter. bird. The primary extension beyond Overall, this bird appears rather the tail tip is greater than bill length; neatly proportioned and tapered in Glaucous the tail extension is at elegantly from a moderate bill and most equal in length to bill length head in smooth lines to the wing tips. and usually is shorter. Secondly, a Glaucous Gull is chesty and the close examination of the folded secondaries and tertials are bulkier so primaries shows darkish subterminal that there is more abrupt and less spots. Glaucous Gull never has these. tapered extension of primaries So our bird is an Iceland Gull, beyond this. apparently of the subspecies L. When observing animals we are glaucoides kumlieni. The bill seems drawn inexorably to the head and quite robust for Kumlien's Gull and eyes as this is how we all interface the head not as rounded and domed with the environment. In these above the eye which suggests that features our two species are this is a male. diagnostically different. Glaucous The nominate subspecies of Gull has a long stout bill which has a Iceland Gull L. g. glaucoides, breeds considerable hook to the upper in Greenland, winters mainly in the mandible at the tip. Bill length western Palearctic, and is extremely (measured from the farthest extension rare in Ontario (see Ontario Birds 10: of feathering on the upper mandible) 24-26). It is worth noting that grey is at least half head length in markings on the primaries of lightly Glaucous and at most half head pigmented Kumlien's Gulls, both length in Iceland. In addition to being immatures and adults, are often not as long, the bill on Iceland Gull is notoriously difficult to detect. At the less robust than on Glaucous. In first end of the cline, darkly pigmented winter Glaucous Gull, the basal two­ Kumlien's Gulls overlap, in many thirds of the bill is pale pinkish and ways, Thayer's Gulls - but perhaps the distal third is black. In similarly that is a n1atter for a later photo quiz. aged Iceland Gull the bill appears (Editors' Note: This Iceland Gull almost entirely black, although there was photographed by Doug McRae at may be some lightening to dark Washburn Dump near Kingston, brown near the base. On Glaucous Ontario in late Noven1ber.) Gull the forehead and crown are

Bob Curry, 92 Hostein Drive, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 257.

ONTARIO BIRDS DECEMBER 1995