The Journal of the Ontario Field Ornithologists Volume 13 Number 1 April 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: Gerry Shemilt, 51 Montressor Drive, North York, Ontario M2P 1Z3.
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: Phill Holder, Mike Turner 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 birdwatching 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 1 Apri11995 Pages 1-44
Table of Contents
Articles Changes in the status of the summer birds of the 1 western Rainy River District David H. Elder
Banding, movements and adult biometrics of Ontario Ospreys 4 Peter J. Ewins OFO Bird Finding Guide #4 A Birder's Guide to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam Area 11 Bruce and Laurie Di Labio Recognizable Forms Subspecies of the Palm Warbler 23 Ron Pittaway Notes Pileated Woodpecker eating dogwood berries 28 Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
Downy Woodpecker eating elderberries 29 William J. Crins
Another Dovekie record from eastern Ontario 31 Bruce M. Di Labio
Pomarine Jaeger: A reviewable species in southern Ontario? 35 Brian Henshaw Book Reviews Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and Rollers: A Handbook 38 reviewed by Dan Strickland
The Birds of Quetico Provincial Park and 40 the Atikokan Area reviewed by Frederick M. Helleiner
Publication Notices 10, 27, 44 Photo Quiz Cape May Warbler 42 Bob Curry
Cover Illustration: Juvenile Northern Gannet by Christine Kerrigan
ISSN 0822-3890 1 Articles
Changes in the Status of the SUDlDler Birds of the Western Rainy River District by David H. Elder
Introduction In 1929, L.L. Snyder (Snyder 1938), coniferous peatlands have dried out in association with the Royal Ontario and have been converted to Museum, carried out a faunal agricultural use. On the other hand, investigation of the western part of abandoned farmlands have grown up the Rainy River District. During the into willow thickets and aspen summer of 1929, from 31 May to 10 woods, creating habitat used by a August, camps were established at wide number of bird species. Emo, Off Lake, the mouth of the La In addition, the area has come to Vallee Creek on the Rainy River, and the attention of birders and during near the town of Rainy River. From the past 20 years in particular, these camps, observations and increased observation has contributed collections of birds and animals were to a better understanding of the bird made. species currently present in the area. Sixty-five years have passed since (see James 1991). Snyder carried out his work and The following annotated lists current information reflects a reflect the observed changes in the significant change in the avifauna of birds of the Rainy River area. The the area. During this period, land use first list details species not recorded activities have changed the character by Snyder. It does not include those of the landscape. There has been species that can be considered increased land clearing for accidental, having been recorded only agricultural purposes and a system of as vagrants one or two times. The drainage ditches has changed the second list details species noted by water table throughout large areas. Snyder that appear to have changed Formerly wet meadows and in population or distributional statl'S.
Species Present Now But Not Recorded by Snyder American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos A common summer resident of the Lake of the Woods. Now seen regularly east to Rainy Lake. The population is estimated at about 15,000 birds (Austen et ale 1994). Often seen inland circling high overhead in varying-sized flocks. Canada Goose - Branta canadensis A common summer resident throughout the area. The species is present due to local introductions and emigration from other areas. Northern Shoveler - Anus clypeata A scarce summer resident, most frequently seen on the Rainy River sewage lagoons. Usually moulting males are seen but females with downy young have been observed.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 2
Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis An occasional breeder on the Rainy River sewage lagoons. Not recorded every year. Merlin - Falco columbarius An uncommon summer resident. Pairs tend to return to the same general locations for breeding. Yellow Rail - Cotumicops noveboracensis An uncommon summer resident of grassy marshes and wet meadows. The species appears to be declining as habitat is lost as the wet meadows are dried out by ditching for agricultural use. Sandhill Crane - GTUS canadensis One of the characteristic summer birds of the area, commonly seen and heard. Breeding has been confirmed by the observation of downy young with adults. Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia longicauda An uncommon summer resident, tending to use rough, grazed pastures with exposed rocks and an occasional willow shrub. In June of 1994, four pairs were noted in a heavily grazed pasture. Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa An uncommon summer resident. Breeding was confirmed in June, 1994 when a pair of adults was observed with four downy young on Worthington Road :#3 (Elder 1994). Fifteen adults were noted on the Rainy River sewage lagoons also in June of 1994, and appeared to be flYing in from the surrounding fields to feed in the lagoons. Franklin's Gull- LaTUS pipixcan An irregular summer visitor to the area. May be present in the thousands one year and totally absent the next. Weather conditions on the prairies to the west seem to have an influence on the numbers that visit the Rainy River area. When the prairies have a hot and dry spring and summer, the species is likely to be seen eastward in greater numbers. Ring-billed Gull - LaTUS delawarensis A common breeding sumnler resident of the area, often seen in fields being ploughed. Nests in large numbers on rocky islands in the Lake of the Woods and has increased significantly in the past 20 years. Long-eared Owl - Asio otus A rare summer resident that is usually seen just at dusk flying the edges of fields and brushy meadows. The one breeding record for the area was a pair that used an abandoned Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) nest in a bushy willow, 27 May 1983. Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis A rare and sporadic breeding summer resident. Four nestings (three consecutively at the same site) have been recorded and individual birds are seen in the area every year. Black-billed Magpie - Pica pica A fairly common year-round resident. Its large, barrel-shaped nests are often placed in thick willow bushes and abandoned nests are used by Long-eared Owls and Merlins. Magpie pairs tend to be faithful to a particular breeding location. Common Raven - Corvus corax Strangely enough, Snyder did not record this species, which today is a common permanent resident of the area. Marsh Wren - Cistothorus PQlustris A scarce summer resident of the cattail and Phragmites marshes. Wood Thrush - Hylocichla mu.stelina A rare summer resident. Found in the aspen and oak woods near the Lake of the Woods. Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons An uncommon summer resident of the aspen and oak forests. Most frequently found near the Lake of the Woods. Its burry song is usually the first indication of its presence. Connecticut Warbler - Oporornis agilis An uncommon summer resident found in stands of second growth trembling aspen and balsam poplar. The habitat requirenlent for this species seems to be quite specific and is limited to aspen and poplar woods that are fairly open with a low ground cover of grasses and a few scattered dogwood, willow and alder shrubs (Elder 1991). Le Conte's Sparrow - Ammodramus leconteii A common sunlnler resident frequenting grassy wet nleadows and hay fields.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 3
Yellow·headed Blackbird· Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus A common breeding summer resident of the cattail and Phragmites stands along the Rainy River and the shores of the Lake of the Woods. A large colony co·exists with Red·winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) on Windy Point. Brewer's Blackbird . Euphagus cyanocephalus The common blackbird of the area. Found throughout the area, seemingly in every field.
Species Recorded By Snyder That Appear To Have Changed In Status Double·crested Cormorant· Phalacrocorax auritus Apparently this species was present on the Lake of the Woods at the time of Snyder's visit but was uncommon. Today it is a very common summer resident, seen mainly on the Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Turkey Vulture· Cathartes aura Rare at the time of Snyder's study, it is an uncommon summer resident of the area. Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus Snyder did not record this species although local residents indicated eagles were in the area. Today it is a common spring and fall migrant through the area and an Wlcommon summer resident with several active nests along the Lake of the Woods shoreline. Piping Plover - Charadrius melodus Seen by Snyder on Sable Island. It still occurs in very small numbers annually on Sable Island and Windy Point. These birds may represent the last breeding population in Ontario and their presence can be described as tenuous at best. Mourning Dove· Zenaida macroura This species was apparently just moving into the area at the time of Snyder's study and he did not see it, relying on observations of local residents to include it in his list. Today it is a common summer resident throughout the area. Eastern Screech Owl . Otus asio Snyder includes this species in his list on the reports of small, eared owls submitted to him by local residents. There have been no other reports of this species from the area. Whip·poor·will - Caprimulgus vociferus This species was considered scarce by Snyder. It is presently a common bird of the area. Red-headed Woodpecker· Melanerpes erythrocephalus Considered a relatively common species by Snyder, it appears to have declined and is continuing to decline to the point where it can be described as scarce. White·breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis This nuthatch is fairly common now, particularly in the oak and aspen woods along the shores of the Rainy River and the Lake of the Woods. Snyder considered it rare. Sedge Wren - Cistothorus platensis Found commonly throughout the area in wet meadows and hay fields today; Snyder considered the species uncommon. Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus Uncommon according to Snyder, it is at best rare today. A pair was reported to have nested at the south end of Sable Island in 1992. European Starling - Stumus vulgaris The starling apparently arrived in the Rainy River area just after Snyder carried out his study. It is now a common species found throughout the area. Vesper Sparrow - Pooecetes gramineus A common species, according to Snyder. Today it is a scarce bird and is difficult to find. Land use changes have adversely affected it. Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus Snyder made only one possible record of this species, near Emo. It is a common bird today found throughout the area in meadows, pastures and croplands.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 4
Acknowledgements Elder, D. 1994. Marbled Godwit breeding Nick Escott of Thunder Bay kindly record at Rainy River, Ontario. Birders reviewed the paper in preparation Journal 3: 154. and provided comments. James, R.D. 1991. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario. Second Edition. Life Sciences Miscellaneous Publications. Royal Literature cited Ontario Museum, Toronto. Austen, M.J. W., M.D. Cadman and Snyder, L.L. 1938. A faunal investigation of R.D. James. 1994. Ontario Birds at Risk: western Rainy River District, Ontario. Status and Conservation Needs. Federation Transactions of the Royal Canadian of Ontario Naturalists, Toronto and Long Institute 47: 157·213. Point Bird Observatory, Port Rowan, Ontario. Elder, D.H. 1991. Breeding habitat of the Connecticut Warbler in the Rainy River District. Ontario Birds 9: 84-86.
David H. Elder, 23 Birch Road, Box 252, Atikokan, Ontario POT 1CO.
Banding, DloveDlents and adult bioDletrics of Ontario Ospreys by Peter J. Ewins
Introduction In 1991 the Canadian Wildlife There have been few studies of Service, in conjunction with the Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Ontario Ministry of Natural Ontario. Previous work has focused Resources, Michigan Department of mainly on the declines during the Natural Resources, and the Georgian DDT era, and levels of contaminants Bay Osprey Society, began a study to in eggs (Grier et al. 1977; Postupalsky investigate the suitability of Ospreys 1971, 1977). One reason for this as sensitive indicators of scarcity of information on such a contaminant-related biological effects widespread and large, visible bird is in the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem. the inaccessibility of many nests, at This paper presents up-to-date the top of large, dead trees, often in information (as of April 1994) on swamps (Poole 1989; pers. obs.,. bandings and recoveries of Ospreys However, in some parts of Ontario, banded as nestlings in Ontario. Ospreys now breed in more Biometrics are presented for adults accessible sites, on low stumps in trapped at nests (the first published flooded lakes, artificial nesting for Ontario or the Great Lakes basin', platforms, hydro poles, navigation and these will assist anyone wishing aids and other towers (Ewins, in to determine the sex of adult press). Ospreys.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 5
Study area and methods Banding office in Ottawa. Subsequent Recovery details presented here are data are those generated by these of birds banded in Ontario. The CWS studies (1991-93). Methods used detailed studies from 1991 to 1993 in analyses of band recoveries follow were completed in five different those given in Ewins and Houston study areas. The three main areas (1993). were: the Kawartha Lakes (Lindsay area mostly), southeastern Georgian Results and Discussion Bay, and the St. Marys River. Less Banding intensive studies were carried out at At least 85 Ospreys (82 nestlings, two Ogoki Reservoir (north of Lake . hatching year birds, and one older Nipigon), and the St. Lawrence River near Mallorytown. Osprey) had been banded in Ontario up to the end of 1989 (Ewins and Chicks were banded when about Houston 1993). The present study has 5-6 weeks old, in early-mid July increased dramatically the banding (early August at Ogoki Reservoir). totals of Ospreys in Ontario, by 187 Young Ospreys usually take their first (40 chicks in 1991, 63 chicks and 21 flight when 7-8 weeks old (Poole adults in 1992, 61 chicks and two 1989). Each chick was fitted with a adults in 1993), to at least 272 birds USFWS band on one leg, and a single by the end of 1993. plastic colour band on the opposite leg, signifying the year. The same Recoveries and sightings colour is used for most young Up to the end of 1989, there had Ospreys banded in the Great Lakes been six recoveries of Ospreys drainage basin each year. banded in Ontario, a recovery rate of Adult Ospreys were trapped at 7.1%, which was the highest for any the nest during late incubation (dates part of Canada (Ewins and Houston ranged from 21 to 30 May),. using a 1993), and similar to that for U.S. dome-shaped noose-mat made of Ospreys (Poole and Agler 1987). The reinforced chicken wire placed over two reported recoveries from 19?1-93 the nest, and tied firmly beneath the bandings are presented, along WIth entire nest structure. This technique details of the six previous ones, in has been used successfully, and Table 1. These data indicate that safely, during long-term studies of Ontario Ospreys migrate along the Ospreys in Michigan (Postupalsky Mississippi flyway, and that by mid 1989). Sex was determined mostly on late September, young fledged from the basis of plumage details and body Ontario nests have moved hundreds size, either by direct observation of or thousands of kilometres south into copulation attempts, or by a . the U.S. combination of parameters, especIally when banded adults were seen In addition to the two recoveries together at the nest (Henny 1986; from the 1991-93 bandings, regular Poole 1989). nest checks detected a further ten Details of Ontario bandings and chicks which died before migrating band recoveries up to 31 December southwards. Of these ten chicks, two 1989, were obtained from the CWS (in the same 2-chick brood) were
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 Table 1: Band recoveries of Ospreys banded as chicks in Ontario, as reported Jup to 14 April 1994.
Banding details Recovery details
Date a Lat.1 Long. Location Date a lat.1 Long. Location Cause b
19.6.51 44°20' N 79000'VV nr. L. Scugog 19S1 44°30'N 76°20'VV nr. Kingston Shot 19.6.51 44°10' N 79° 00' W nr. L. Scugog 9.63 44°20' N 76° 20' W nr. Kingston F.D. 14.7.67 49°20' N 94°06' W L. of the Woods 27.9.67 39°25' N 94°30' W W. Missouri injured 25.7.67 49°20' N 940 12'VV L. of the Woods 30.9.67 30°06' N 89°12' W S. Mississippi F.D. 22.7.71 .49°30' N 94°20' W L. of the Woods 9.6.S7 48°S0' N 940S0'VV L. of the Woods unknown 12.7.78 46°06' N 84°00' W St. Joseph's Island 8.S7 4S030' N 80°20' W E. Georgian Bay injured
It) 0\ 5.S.92 50°30' N 88°20'W Ogoki Reservoir 6.11.92 34°406 N S1>50'W NW Alabama Wires ~
7.7.93 44°20' N 7S020' VV Kawartha Lakes 19.9.93 39°59' N 79°3S'VV SW Pennsylvania caught .~
~
~ Notes: a day:month:year; b Cause of reported death I finding circumstances; F.D. =found dead. i
~ \.0 o 7
killed and eaten by a Great Horned Adult biometrics Owl (Bubo virginianus) shortly after In May 1992, 21 adult Ospreys (three they fledged (their mother had also males and 18 females) were trapped been killed by a Great Horned Owl in the St. Marys River, Georgian Bay early in the nestling period, so the and Kawartha Lakes study areas. In male raised both chicks on his own). May 1993 an additional male and a Four large chicks died before leaving female were trapped in the Kawartha the nest area, probably from Lakes. There was no significant starvation, and four chicks vanished difference in female wing length, bill from the nest before fledging, length, or weight among the three probably either due to Great Horned areas (One-Way ANOVA, p) 0.3), so Owl predation, or to natural brood data were pooled. Adult females reduction caused by food shortages. averaged significantly larger than In 1993, at least 16 of the 21 males, for wing length (by 7%, t21 = adults banded with alpha-numeric 4.9, P = 0.0001), bill length (by 10%, bands in 1992 could be accounted for, t 18 = 4.2, P = 0.0005), and weight a survival rate of at least 76.1 %. The (by 30%, t21 = 7.0, P = 0.0001) five which were not located in 1993 (Table 2). Only wing length were ones which failed in their overlapped slightly between the breeding attempt in 1992. Ospreys sexes. Body weight appeared to be are more likely to move siteand/or the best biometric on which to change mate in the year following segregate the sexes (at least for the reproductive failure (Poole 1989). late incubation period), although a One of the colour-banded adults was combination of bill length and seen flying west at the Cranberry weight, or even wing length and Marsh Hawk Watch Station (east of weight, would also do (Figure 1). An Toronto) in late August 1993 (M.J.R. adult Osprey in Ontario with a Miller, pers. comm.), presumably one weight of at least 1600 g, and a bill of the Kawartha Lakes adults. (to cere) 32 mm or longer, is almost Average annual survival rates of adult certainly a female. Similar biometric Ospreys vary little in the published differences between the sexes have accounts: 82-84% after the first year been found in U.S. studies, but often of life (Henny and Wight 1969); 85% with greater overlap than we found after the third year (Postupalsky in Ontario (Macnamara 1977; Prevost 1989); and 83-90% for adults (Poole 1983; Poole 1989; Postupalsky 1989; 1989). Johnsgard 1990). More thorough searches, and further banding of adults is planned Summary for future seasons in the Great Lakes Between 1991 and 1993 a CWS-Ied study. Adult survival, site fidelity, study of Great Lakes Ospreys has and recruitment are key parameters, banded 187 birds, trebling the which need to be quantified before provincial total banded from 85 to at concluding that these populations are least 272. Ospreys raised in Ontario reasonably "healthy" in the early appear to migrate down the 1990s. Mississippi flyway in autumn. In Ontario, adult females average up to
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 8
Table 2: Biometrics of breeding adult Ospreys trapped at Ontario nests, 1992-93.
Sex Wing (mm) Bill length (mm) Weight (g)
Male mean 485 30.9 1383 s.d. 10 0.9 72 range 476 - 495 29.9 - 31.6 1303 .. 1475 n 4 3 4
Female mean 517 34.0 1804 s.d. 12 1.2 115 range 490 - 542 31.9 .. 36.4 1540 - 1946 n 19 17 19
300/0 heavier th'an males and have Ewins, P.J. and C.S. Houston. 1993. Recovery longer wings and bills. Any breeding patterns of Ospreys, Pandion haliaetus, adult Osprey heavier than 1600 g, banded in Canada up to 1989. Canadian and with a bill (to cere) longer than Field-Naturalist 106: 361-365. 32 mm in Ontario is almost certainly Grier, J. W., C.R. SindelarJr. and D.L. Evans. 1977. Reproduction and a female. Adults breeding in Ontario toxicants in Lake of the Woods Ospreys. appear to have similar biometrics to pp. 181-192 in lC. Ogden (ed.l. those measured in the northeastern Transactions of the North American Osprey u.s. Research Conference. Transactions and Proceedings Series No.2. National Park Service, United States Department of the Acknowledgements Interior. I thank Mike Barker, Mark Bacro, Henny, C.J. 1986. Osprey (Pandion Larry Benner, Mike Miller, Sergej haliaetus). Section 4.3.1, United States Army Postupalsky and many volunteers and Corps of Engineers Technical Report EL-86-5. colleagues for help with various parts Henny, C.J. and H.M. Wright. 1969. An of the fieldwork. Funding for much endangered Osprey population: estimates of of the work was provided by mortality and production. Auk 86: 188-198. Environment Canada's Great Lakes Johnsgard, P.A. 1990. Eagles, Hawks and Action Plan. Chip Weseloh kindly Falcons of the World. Volume 1. McGraw-Hill, New York. improved an earlier version of this paper. Macnamara, M. 1977. Sexing the American Osprey using secondary sexual character· istics. Pp. 43-46 in lC. Ogden led.). Transactions of the North American Osprey Literature cited Research Conference. Transactions and Proceedings Series No.2. National Park Ewins, P.J. In press. The use of artificial nest Service, United States Department of the sites by an increasing population of Ospreys Interior. in the Canadian Great Lakes basin. Journal of Raptor Research.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 9 38 ....------......
30 -
28 -+--...... --•..--.....--...... -----y--...... -..--.----t 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 weight (g)
560 -.------.....
540 -
520 -
500 -
480 -
460 ...... --...... ---.-.------.-.---.--....--..-...... 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 weight (g)
Figure 1: Bill length-weight and wing length-weight relationships for male and female Ospreys trapped in Ontario, 1992-93.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 10
Poole, A.F. 1984. Reproductive limitation in Postupalsky, S. 1977. Osprey reproduction in coastal Ospreys: an ecological and evolution the Lake Nipigon area. Pp. 193-198 in ary perspective. Ph. D. thesis, Boston J. C. Ogden (ed.). Transactions of the North University. American Osprey Research Conference. Poole, A.F. 1989. Ospreys: A Natural and Transactions and Proceedings Series No.2. Unnatural History. Cambridge University National Park Service, United States Press, Cambridge. Department of the Interior. Poole, A.F. and B. Agler. 1987. Recoveries Postupalsky, S. 1989. Osprey. Pp. 297-313 in of Ospreys banded in the United States. I. Newton (ed.). Lifetime Reproduction in Journal of Wildlife Management 51: 148-155. Birds. Academic Press, London. Postupalsky, S. 1971. Toxic chemicals and Prevost, Y. A. 1983. Osprey distribution and declining Bald Eagles and Cormorants in subspecies taxonomy. Pp. 157-174 in Ontario. Ms. Report No. 20. Canadian D.M. Bird (ed.). Biology and Management of Wildlife Service (Pesticide Section), Bald Eagles and Ospreys. Proceedings of the Ottawa, Ontario. First International Symposium on Bald Eagles and Ospreys. Raptor Research Foundation Inc., McGill University, Montreal.
Peter J. Ewins, Canadian Wildlife Service - Ontario Region, Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6.
PUBLICATION NOTICE
Bird Trends: A report on results of national and regional ornithological surveys in Canada. Number 4, Winter 1994/95. Migratory Birds Conservation Division, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario KIA OH3. No charge.
The latest report in this series features an overview of population status and trends for the 35 birds of prey that breed in Canada, as estimated through data from migration counts, Christmas Bird Counts, and the Breeding Bird Survey. Other articles in this 32 page report are: "Raptor species at risk"; "Trends in Peregrine Falcon populations in Canada from 1965 to 1990"; "Recovery of Osprey popula tions in Canada"; "The Bald Eagle in Ontario's Great Lakes basin"; ,'Productivity declines in Swainson's Hawks and their significance to population trends"; "Bur rowing Owl status and conservation programs"; "Recovery of the Ferruginous Hawk"; "Nocturnal owl surveys" (in Manitoba); "Protective legislation for rap tors in Canada"; "Environmental contaminants in Canadian raptors"; "Raptor rehabilitation programs"; and "Disease diagnosis and surveillance in birds and other wildlife". There is a great deal of interesting material here for Ontario birders.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 11 OFO Bird Finding Guide #4
A Birder's Guide to the Moses-Saunders Po-wer Datn Area by Bruce and Laurie Di Labio
11 October 1993 - Marbled Murrelet!! two miles below Cornwall along the A great flock of birders descended on St. Lawrence River; and on 19 the Moses-Saunders Power Dam November 1963, a Dovekie was (MSPD) to view this exciting vagrant picked up near Cornwall. which was new for Ontario and New York State. For many it was an General Information introduction to a new birding Autumn and winter are the most destination. interesting seasons to bird the power Situated along the St. Lawrence dam and surrounding area. Water River at Cornwall, Ontario, the along this section of the St. Lawrence MSPD (Figure 1) was completed as remains open year-round, drawing an Ontario-New York State joint many wintering and migrating hydro project in 1958, but was species. But be forewarned, as with relatively unknown to Ontario birders most birding areas situated near large prior to 1980. Since then, the few bodies of water, foggy and misty birders who have ventured here have conditions are a constant threat to uncovered a unique birding location visibility. for migrating and wintering water Successful birding depends birds. greatly on knowledge of weather The uniqueness of the MSPD is systems passing through the region. due to its location on a major north The most interesting birding follows south flyway and on one of the storms or high winds originating from largest bodies of water in the area. the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and during Also, the proximity of the Gulf of St. the fall and early winter, cold fronts Lawrence to the east and the Great from the northwest. Other productive Lakes to the west attracts an exciting times follow cold snaps during the and diverse selection of birds - Ivory months of December and January. As Gull, Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin are calm waters freeze, many undetected just a few of the notables that have late lingerers and other wintering made the area not only one of the birds are forced to seek the open best kept secrets but one of Ontario's water at the power dam. most challenging and rewarding Although weather affects the birding destinations. birding in this area, regular coverage In addition to the above, can yield interesting finds. For Ontario's first recorded Leach's example, both the Marbled Murrelet Storm-Petrel was found in a and the Atlantic Puffin were found weakened condition on 19 July 1939, on relatively clear days with no
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 12
Figure 1: Moses/Saunders Power Dam. Photo by B.M. Di Labia.
significant previous weather changes. signs and other signs restricting Most roads in the area are paved public use. and make birding locations easily accessible regardless of the season. Suggestions for Birding Cornwall and Massena are the two the Power Dam and largest towns in this region and offer Surrounding Area a variety of accommodations, The Robert Moses Power Dam restaurants and gas stations. (RMPD) and Hawkin's Point are the Depending on the season and most important vantage points. If weather conditions, birding this area time is short, you should emphasize requires at least one full day and these two locations. Although the possibly a second day to do it justice. power dam can be birded from either Keep in mind that during the winter side of the river, viewing is far some of these locations may be frozen superior from the American side. and snow-covered and less time Afternoon lighting conditions should overall may be needed to bird these first be taken into consideration. sites. From the American side, the sun is at Just two reminders. Firstly, when your back whereas you must look crossing the international border be into the sun on the Canadian side. sure that all optical equipment is The most significant factor, registered in advance with Canada however, is the availability of public Customs. Secondly, most of the areas access to the power dam facilities. On in this region have public access but the Canadian side, viewing at the remember to obey no trespassing Robert H. Saunders Generating
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 13
Quebec
N 11
10, 20, Kilometers New York
Figure 2.
Station (RSGS) is restricted to the public during strong winds and heavy months of June, July, and August. rain or snow. For further Because the centre's hours change information, call the New York during the year, you should first Power Authority at (315) 764-0226, contact Ontario Hydro in Cornwall to or write to the St. Lawrence F.D.R. gain permission to access the area. Power Project, Community Relations Ontario Hydro can be reached by Division, PO Box 700, Massena, New phone at (6.13) 938-1518 or by mail at York, 13622. Ontario Hydro, R.H. Saunders Information Centre, P.O. Box 999, Cornwall, Ontario, K6H 5Vl. Birding the Ontario Side of the Moses-Saunders The RMPD on the American side Power Dam is open year-round during the week from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Birders from Kingston, Toronto and weekends from Victoria Day to the other southern Ontario locations, Canadian Thanksgiving. During the follow Highway 401'east to Cornwall summer lJune to September), public and exit south on Power Dam Drive access hours are extended to 7:30 pm. (Figure 2). Continue south on this However, for safety reasons, the road, crossing Vincent Massey Drive observation deck is closed to the (Highway 2), to Saunders Road and
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 14
Figure 3. tum right at the stop ·sign. This route Mter 1 kilometre, turn left onto leads to the entrance of the RSGS. Brookdale Avenue and continue to From Ottawa, take Highway 417 Highway 2 west. Turn right onto east for 60 kilometres. Exit at Highway 2 (Vincent Massey Drive), Highway 138 just -east of Casselman. then left onto Power Dam Drive to Continue south on 138 for 40 Saunders Road and right at the stop kilometres and turn right at the stop sign to the generating station (Figure sign onto Cornwall Centre Road. 3).
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL1995 15
Cornwall Centre 1>. Trillium Dr. Floral Dr. ~ Road " East Entrance
Dyke
Figure 4.
Guindon Park the 1990 Massena-Cornwall C.B.C., a (Sites la and lb) Northern Hawk Owl and a Gyrfalcon Guindon Park is a large recreational were observed. Stranchan Island area with many nature trails, cross should be checked for Ruddy country ski trails, a boat launch, and Turnstone, Sanderling, Red-necked picnic areas (Figure 4). From the Phalarope and other shorebirds. generating station, retrace the route During the breeding season, the to Vincent Massey Drive (Highway island is occupied by nesting Ring 2). Turn left and drive to the sign at billed Gulls and Double-crested the western entrance of the park and Cormorants. On 3 May 1991, an adult turn left on Trillium Drive. Follow Great Cormorant was observed on this road to the boat launch (Site la) the island with the other cormorants. which provides an excellent view of Continue by traveling east on the headpond. Check for roosting Highway 2 to the east entrance of gulls in the field. The most common Guindon Park (Site 1b). From the ones will be Ring-billed, Herring, and parking lot you can see the dyke at a Great Black-backed, but Iceland, distance. Follow the trails to the Glaucous, and Thayer's are regular dyke. (For a complete review of visitors during the fall and early species, see Site 5b.) winter. Also watch for Lesser Black backed Gulls. Scan the open fields Robert H. Saunders during the fall and along the gravel Generating Station roads in winter for Gray Partridge. (Site 2a and 2b; Figure 5) If you have a lot of time and Proceed to the gate house and inquire energy, follow the dyke along the whether access is permitted to the water's edge, from site 1a to 1b, as parking lot and observation deck. there are many bays and inlets that These are the best two vantage points cannot be seen from the boat launch. to bird the dam. If access is denied, With the rocky shoreline along the park in the western parking lot and dyke, this is a good area for Purple walk up the embankment to view the Sandpiper from mid-October to mid headpond (Site 2b) or follow the November~ Anything is possible! On fenceline on the east side of the
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 16 gatehouse to the edge of the river and to the bridge to the United States. view the base of the power dam *The first bridge leads to the (Site 2a) . You can also walk along the Akwesasne Indian Reservation on bicycle path which runs parallel to Cornwall Island, and a toll of $2.25 the river and stop at various spots to (either US or Canadian) is collected scan for birds below the power dam. upon entry and return. The second (See Site 5 for details about the bridge is the border into the United birds). States. After U. S. customs, proceed south to the traffic circle and take the first right onto Haverstock Road Birding the American Side which leads to the Reynold's of the Moses-Saunders Aluminum Plant, the first stop on the Power Dam route. Birders from the Toronto and Visitors from Ottawa head east on Kingston region, take 401 east to Highway 417 for 60 kilometres to Cornwall and visitors coming from Highway 138. Travel 45 kilometres the Montreal area, take 401 west to south on 138 to Cornwall and Cornwall. Exit on Highway 138 continue south until you reach the (Brookdale Avenue) and proceed signs for the bridge to the United south through the town of Cornwall States (then proceed as above *).
Figure 5.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 17
Reynold'5 Aluminum Plant Northern Saw-whet Owls. Upon (Site 3; Figure 6) entering the open fields and Follow Haverstock Road past the woodlots, look for Northern Shrikes, Reynold's Plant and over the railroad Snow Buntings and overwintering tracks. At this point the road curves Northern Flickers as they frequent to the left and you can park this area. Also watch for Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, American anywhere along the guard rail to view the channel and banks of Kestrels, Gray Partridge, Horned Cornwall Island directly across the Larks, and occasional Lapland river. The best time to check this Longspurs, particularly if manure has area is from November through been recently spread in the farm March. Depending on ice conditions, fields. After passing the farm, take December, January, and February are the first right, and follow South Grass those with the highest concentrations River Road. Don't forget to check the of waterbirds (the more ice, the more residential feeders. Watch for birds but only up to a certain point American Tree Sparrows, Common -- too much drives them away). As Redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks, this section of the river remains open Mourning Doves, and overwintering during the winter, it provides a good blackbirds, particularly Red-winged location for roosting waterbirds. Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Goldeneyes and Common and Common Grackles. Mergansers are the most abundant At the stop sign, turn right onto winter ducks. However, carefully Trippany Road and proceed to the check for occasional wintering dead-end sign where you turn left Barrow's Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, towards Highway 37 (Figure 3). At Greater Scaups, Canvasbacks, this junction, turn right onto 37 and Oldsquaws, Red-breasted Mergansers, continue to Route 131, located and Hooded Mergansers. During the directly across from the St. Lawrence winter of 1990-91, an immature male Shopping Centre. Turn right and Harlequin Duck overwintered until continue on 131, the main road 3 March 1991. On the Massena crossing over the Grass River. Watch Cornwall Christmas Bird Count of 23 for Bohemian Waxwings and December 1990, a female King Eider Common Redpolls during the winter, was obseryed at this location. and in the fall, check any pine Remember to watch along the plantations along this route for breakwall for Snowy Owls in the wintering owls. winter and cormorants in the fall. Continue along Eisenhower Lock During early fall, it is also Road (formerly Route 131) passing worthwhile to check for Bonaparte's beneath the Eisenhower Lock which Gulls and Little Gulls that frequently is the boundary to Robert Moses State feed along this channel. Park. Go past the Information Centre, Once you have checked this area, cross over Barnhart Island Bridge, continue west along Haverstock and take the first left. This is also a Road. From late fall through winter, good area to listen for Eastern investigate the tangles of grape vines Screech Owl at dusk or dawn. Three along the road for American Robins, were heard along this stretch on 18 Bohemian Waxwings and roosting December 1993 and 16 February 1995.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 18
Cornwall Island
The Marina/Beach Barnhart Island Road to RMPD. A (Site 4; Figure 31 variety of species, including Proceed north to the marina/boat Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, launch area. From this vantage point, and American Robin can be found scan the open water for loons, grebes, feeding on the oriental crabapple trees along this stretch of road. One cormorants, diving ducks, and gulls. of the few New York State recorded As the water is frozen in the winter Sage Thrashers was found feeding in the most advantageous time to bird' these trees at the entrance to the dam this area is during the fall and early on 27 December 1971, the date of the winter. Check the islands off the first Massena-Cornwall Christmas marina for Snowy Owls which can be Bird Count. found on exposed rocks. Also check the islands for roosting Bald Eagles. To exit this area, turn left onto
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 19
Robert Moses Power Dam numbers of larger gulls such as the (Site 5a; Figure 5) Great Black-backed, Herring, and Once through the dam's main gate, Ring-billed Gulls. Carefully check proceed to the parking lot. You can through the gulls as they feed on the view the river from the parking lot water or rest on the power dam and from the observation deck on the structure. With the influx of the top floor of the power dam. It is larger gulls, an occasional Lesser Black-backed Gull may be found. highly recommended that both Patience can be rewarded as the first viewing sites be checked. New York State recorded Mew Gull Over the years, the RMPD has was found feeding below the dam on hosted an impressive total of 16 4 and 5 October 1986. Subsequent species of gulls and four species of observations have been made on 27 terns. Gull and tern numbers begin to December 1992 and 26 November increase in mid-August, and consist 1994. The California Gull, another mainly of Ring-billed and Bonaparte's western rarity was also found feeding Gulls and Common Terns. Carefully in this same area on 23 October 1990. scan below the dam for Little Gulls Franklin's Gull has only been which appear anytime from early recorded once at this site with a first August on. In September, there is a winter plumage bird present from 12 general increase in gull numbers as September to 24 October 1986. Black the first migrants move through the legged Kittiwakes are rare but regular area. At this time, Bonaparte's Gull visitors to the dam in small numbers. numbers can range anywhere from Usually one to three birds can be 100 to 1000. Although not a frequent found feeding below the dam during visitor, the Sabine's Gull is a good November and occasionally in late possibility during the latter part of October. Carefully scan the large raft September, most often observed of Ring-billed Gulls resting on the feeding below the dam. Little Gull water for first winter Black-legged numbers generally peak at the end of Kittiwakes. The majority of the month. Eight were observed on Kittiwakes recorded are first-winter 30 September 1990 and six on 25 birds, but on 6 November 1986, two September 1991. Common Tern adult Black-legged Kittiwakes were numbers peak in late September and observed feeding below the dam. early October. Usually numbering in A significant fluctuation in gull the hundreds, this species can be numbers occurs during November found actively feeding below the dam and December, depending on weather or sitting on the dam structure itself. conditions. If temperatures during Also watch for Arctic Terns which late fall are cold, the Bonaparte's have been observed twice during Gulls will as a rule have migrated out early October, feeding amongst the of the area. If the conditions are mild, Common Terns. Black Terns are this gull will remain though in regular visitors in August to mid reduced numbers. Carefully check September. Also watch for an the flocks of 'bonys" for Common occasional Caspian Tern migrating Black-headed Gull as they have been during the early fall. recorded four times, three of which October marks the increase in the were in November. All birds were
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 20
adults in winter plumage feeding are definitely overdue! below the dam. Ring-billed Gulls Depending on weather follow a similar pattern to that of the conditions, by late February or early Bonaparte's. They tend, however, to March the diversity of species linger in the power dam area longer, decreases rapidly as wintering gulls sometimes into late December. move north or down to the Gulf of Numbers in the fall usually range St. Lawrence and are replaced by from 1000 to 5000 birds, whereas in thousands of Ring-billed Gulls which December, if conditions are breed on numerous islands above the favourable a few hundred may power dam. remain. Early November also marks the arrival of the "white-winged Lake St. Lawrence/Headpond gulls". Two northern species, the (Site 5b; Figure 5) Glaucous and Iceland Gulls usually appear at the dam site at about the From the observation platform at the same time, in response to the freezing RMPD, survey the headpond located of lakes farther north. As the season above the dam. This area can be very progresses, their numbers increase. rewarding from August through to Record numbers are generally noted early January. Two of the rarest birds in January or February with a high have been a Marbled Murrelet (11-13 count of 67 Iceland Gulls on 6 October 1993) and a juvenile Atlantic February 1991 and 53 Glaucous Gulls Puffin (14-16 October 1994). Lake St. on 3 February 1992. It's interesting to Lawrence is usually frozen by note that no two years are the same. January and occasionally as early as Data gathered over the past 10 years mid-December. This location can net have shown that either species can a variety of species, most notable outnumber the other, with no single being the Red-throated Loon, Red factor controlling this fluctuation. necked and Horned Grebes, Brant, Another "white-winged gull", the White-winged, Surf and Black Thayer's Gull, is a rare but regular Scoters, all of which can be found visitor, appearing anytime between during October and November. A early November and late February. Parasitic Jaeger was observed roosting With usually only one bird found on the water on 15 September 1991 each season, one must scrutinize the and, on 11 November 1989, three flocks of Herring Gulls to locate this immature Pomarine Jaegers spent the elusive gull. Great Black-backed and afternoon feeding and resting in this Herring Gulls are regular winter area. The observation deck is also a residents at the power dam. Their good location for hawk watching. numbers also vary with weather Regular migrants included Red-tailed, conditions, particularly when severe Rough-legged, Red-shouldered, cold hits the area as this can reduce Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks. numbers of a few thousand to a few Bald and Golden Eagles, Peregrine hundred overnight. There is only one Falcon and Merlin are occasionally record of the Ivory Gull, an observed. From late December immature found off Hawkin's Point through mid-March, overwintering on 8 December 1977 and 13 January Bald Eagles from the Ivy Lea Bridge 1978. More sightings of this species area, west of Brockville, wander
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 21
downriver to the open water at the the turnoff. Located directly across dam in search of food. During late the channel from the dam, the fall and winter watch for Snowy lookout site provides one of the best Owls resting on the power dam vantage points for birding. From this structure or sitting out on the ice. location thoroughly check the base of the dam as well as down river Hawkin's Point Lookout towards the bridge. A few Red (Site 6; Figure 5) Phalaropes have been recorded here Retrace the route taken to the power during October. All gulls and terns dam. After crossing Barnhart Island highlighted in the section under Bridge, turn left on East-West Road RMPD can be seen here as well. The at the Information Centre. Follow sheltered bay, just east of the east along this road checking the pine lookout, is a good spot for wintering plantation on the left for owls, ducks arid gulls. Scan the roosting finches, Ruffed Grouse, Red-breasted American Black Ducks and Mallards Nuthatches and Golden-crowned fOf other unusual visitors, such as an Kinglets. At the transmission line occasional Green-winged Teal, towers, 3.8 kilometres from the Gadwall, or Northern Pintail. Snowy turnoff, turn right onto the dirt road Owls are sometimes found during the which leads to two ponds. A variety winter resting on the ice or along the of waterfowl can be found here, but shore. Viewing from Hawkin's Point most notable were the 500 Redheads is at its best during late fall and and 350 Ring-necked Ducks viewed winter. Diving duck numbers begin on 3 ·November 1991. During the late to increase during early fall and by fall and early winter the berry and mid-November thousands and fruit trees along this road are a haven sometimes as many as 10,000 for Bohemian Waxwings, wintering Common Mergansers may converge American Robins and Pine on the area below the dam and in the Grosbeaks. Carefully check any flock bay. The Harlequin Duck has of robins because a male Varied overwintered here twice and Thrush was found feeding with a Barrow's Goldeneye is a rare but small group of 17 robins on 15 regular winter visitor. Annually, since January 1991. Towards mid-winter 1985, a few Barrow's have been and early spring, Ruffed Grouse can found amongst the 500 to 2,500 be observed just before dusk overwintering Common Goldeneyes. "budding" in nearby poplar or aspen Storms from the northeast from trees. It is also during this time that October to early December have Northern Shrikes can be found produced a few rarities including an perched high in the deciduous trees. immature Razorbill on 27 November At the 4-kilometre point, turn left at 1987, a juvenile Northern Gannet, the sign to the boat launch. During that stayed from 22 November to 3 winters of heavy snowfall, the road December 1986, and a second leading to Hawkin's Point may be Northern Gannet on 3 November inaccessible. Under these conditions 1991. it is best to walk to the point, a distance of about one kilometre from
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 22
Loop Road Area left atthe service road. At the (Site 7; Figure 6) T-junction, turn left towards Massena To reach the loop, exit Hawkin's Point or right towards Polly's Gut. Point and turn left onto East-West Don't forget to walk through the Road. Take the left side of the fork in woods to look for a variety of the road and continue up the hill. landbirds. Northern Flickers have From the road, check the bays and been overwintering in this area for inlets for waterfowl and the open the past 10 years and up to five have fields for Red-tailed and Rough been found there annually. legged Hawks, American Kestrels and Northern Shrikes. At dusk, watch for Conclusion Short-eared Owls. The spruce It is hoped that this site guide will woodlot on the right, about 300 generate further interest in this metres from the road, can also be region, for much is yet to be learned rewarding. During the winter of about the frequency and diversity of 1987-88, at least five Northern Saw species that pass through or winter in whet Owls and one Long-eared Owl this area. For those who get the were seen" roosting there. The dense opportunity to bird the RMPD area, protection of this sole coniferous lot please forward a copy of your in the area attracts a variety of observations to the authors.. finches such as the White-winged Crossbill, and Pine Siskin, as well as Acknowledgements Northern Cardinals, Ruffed Grouse, We would like to thank Ross Harris, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and the Liz Stevenson, Chris Traynor and occasional Carolina Wren. The end of Norm Crookshank for their valuable the loop marks the entrance to the comments on earlier versions of the woods that leads to a number of manuscript. We are grateful to Norm vantage points, the most accessible Crookshank for the preparation of the being Polly's Gut and Massena Point. maps and Lee Harper for the use of Parking along the loop is permitted his boat on a number of occasions. but do lock all valuables in car trunks as the vantage points are a distance Editors' Note: from the road. Polly's Gut is located Since receiving the manuscript for directly across from the Reynold's the site guide, Bruce Di Labio found Plant, therefore the birds found at the two Northern Fulmars and two plant can be seen here as well. The juvenile Northern Gannets at the advantage of this site is that many of RMPD site 5b on 15 December 1994. the birds can be observed more One of the fulmars was found dead closely. From Massena Point on the the following day. The other fulmar other hand, you can see many bays was again observed flying over the and inlets that cannot be observed headpond during the Massena from other locations. To reach these Cornwall CBC 17 December 19941 locations, follow the trail and turn What next?
Bruce and Laurie Di Labio, 44 Helmsdale Drive, Kanata, Ontario K2K 2S3.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 23 Recognizable Forms
Subspecies of the PalIn Warbler by Ron Pittaway
Introduction Plumages, Molts, Ageing W. Earl Godfrey (1986) in The Birds and Sexing of Canada says about the Palm The sexes are similar in all ages and Warbler (Dendroica palmarum), plumages. The briefly held juvenile "There are two subspecies, one (juvenal) plumage is seen only on the eastern, one western, different breeding grounds. Juveniles undergo enough to be recognizable in the a partial molt to first winter (first field". The two subspecies (races) of basic) plumage before fall migration. the Palm Warbler are illustrated by First winter birds begin their partial Peter Burke in Figure 1. See also molt in mid-winter to first summer Plate 7 in Curson et al. (1994), page (first alternate) plumage, and they 369 in the National Geographic Guide breed in this plumage. Adult winter (Scott 1987), pages 287 and 295 in the (definitive basic) birds also begin Golden Guide (Robbins et al. 1983) acquiring adult breeding (definitive and page 239 in Peterson (1980). In alternate) plumage in mid-winter. the following account I discuss the First summer and adult breeding identification, distribution, migration plumages are very similar in times and routes, winter ranges, and appearance. Because these birds status of the two subspecies of the usually cannot be aged in the field, it Palm Warbler in Ontario. is best to refer to them collectively as being in breeding (alternate) plumage. Taxonomy After breeding but before fall The American Ornithologists' Union migration, both first summer and Check-list (1957) and Godfrey (1986) adult breeding birds undergo a list two subspecies of the Palm complete molt to adult winter Warbler: the nominate "Western" plumage. Autumn migrants consist of subspecies D. p. palmarum and birds in first winter and adult winter the eastern ''Yellow" subspecies plumages. These plumages are often D. p. hypochrysea. The two subspecies best treated collectively as winter or differ in so many ways that Todd basic plumage. (1963) .stated "! strongly suspect that we are dealing with two closely allied Western Palm Warbler but separate species". Todd's opinion {D. p. palmarumJ (before intergradation was well The Western Palm Warbler breeds in established) serves to demonstrate the "western and central Canada east to cUstinctiveness of the two subspecies. Moosonee and Kapuskasing, Ontario" See also discussion under Intergrades. (Godfrey 1986). It is a common
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 24 migrant in southern Ontario (James County on 23 June 1984. The Yellow 1991). For the Oshawa-Lake Scugog Palm is a rare migrant in southern area, Tozer and Richards (1974) say Ontario west to Point Pelee (James the (Western) Palm Warbler is "A 1991). For example, they have been fairly common spring and fall recorded at Ottawa, Kingston, transient (early May to mid-May: Toronto, Hamilton and Long Point. mid-September to early October) ... Yellow Palm Warblers tend to but in low numbers". migrate earlier in spring and later in Most Western Palm Warblers in fall than Western Palms O(Dunn 1994). breeding (alternate) plumage are A Palm Warbler in southern Ontario easily distinguished from Yellow in mid to late April or after mid Palm Warblers (with entire October could be a Yellow Palm! underparts yellow) by their whitish Typical Yellow Palm Warblers in or only faintly yellowish bellies breeding (alternate) plumage are which contrast with the rest of the easily told from Western Palms by underparts (Figure 1). See also the their entirely yellow underparts photograph of a Western Palm in (Figure 1). See also the excellent breeding plumage on page 155 in photograph on page 992 in Terres Volume 3 of the Master Guide (1982). In addition, Yellow Palms (Farrand 1983). Western Palms in have broad chestnut or reddish winter (basic) plumage are much streaking on the underparts, whereas duller than Yellow Palms; the yellow Western Palms have finer dark undertail coverts contrast with the brown streaking. Yellow Palms also whitish (or tinged yellow) underparts have more greenish-olive upperparts of adults or the buffy white than Western Palmso In winter (basic) underparts in fresh first winter birds. plumage, most Yellow Palms can be By learning the plumage variation in separated from Western Palms by the Western Palm Warbler you will their much yellower underparts be prepared to find the much rarer (Godfrey 1986) and usually yellowish Yellow Palm Warbler in Ontario. instead of whitish superciliary line (Bent 1953). See the illustration Yellow Palm Warbler comparing both subspecies in basic (D. p. hypochrysea) plumage on page 295 in the Golden The subspecies name hypochrysea Guide (Robbins et al. 1983). means "golden beneath" (Bent 1953). The Yellow Palm Warbler breeds in Intergrades "eastern Canada west to Lake The zone of intergradation between Mistassini, Quebec and Ottawa, the two subspecies of the Palm Ontario" (Godfrey 1986). The Ottawa Warbler is relatively narrow. For (Mer Bleue Bog) population is example, the breeding birds from apparently extirpated (Earl Godfrey, Moosonee and Kapuskasing, Ontario, pers. corom.). However, a few may are palmarum (Godfrey 1986); still breed in other large bogs of whereas birds from Lake Mistassini, eastern Ontario. Don Sutherland Quebec, and eastern Ontario (pers. comm.) observed a singing (Ottawa) are hypochrysea (Godfrey male Yellow Palm Warbler in 1949, 1986). However, breeding birds suitable breeding habitat in Stormont (five specimens) from Amos, Quebec
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 25
Figure 1: Top: Western Palm Warbler in breeding plumage (sexes similar). Bottom:Yellow Palm Warbler in breeding plumage (sexes similar). Drawing by Peter Burke.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 26
(about 140 km east of the Ontario Louisiana, and in spring crosses the border) are "almost exactly southern Appalachian Mountains to intermediate between the two races migrate northward east of the and show that the Amos region is an mountains to northern New England area of intergradation" (Godfrey and eastern Canada. The Western 1968). Note that specimens from Lake Palm, leaving its winter home in St. John, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario Florida and the West Indies, crosses are referable to hypochrysea but show the southern Appalachians in the slight intergradation toward palmarum opposite direction usually south of (Rand 1944, Rand 1948, Godfrey and the Carolinas, and migrates Wilk 1948, Todd 1963). In reference northward to Ontario and western to six specimens from Lake St. John, Canada. In fall, both subspecies Quebec, Godfrey and Wilk (1948) crisscross again en route to the state they "differ somewhat from wintering grounds. The Yellow Palm hypochrysea from the Maritime follows the reverse of its spring route. Provinces in the extent and intensity However, the fall migration route of of the yellow coloration of the the Western Palm Warbler is more underparts. In the two females the easterly and it usually outnumbers yellow ventral coloration is dull and the Yellow Palm along the Atlantic restricted, and in one is almost Coast at this time (Bent 1953, Bull lacking on the abdomen and flanks. 1974, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, This specimen is practically Dunn 1994). inseparable from palmarum from Manitoba and Alberta, except for its Summary more olivaceous upper parts. The Typical individuals of Western Palm series as a whole, however, is Warbler and Yellow Palm Warbler, unquestionably closer to particularly in breeding plumage, are hypochrysea' '. The above locations are easily distinguished in the field. The clearly shown on the map inside the Western Palm Warbler is the hard cover of The Birds of Canada common subspecies in Ontario. (Godfrey 1986). Intergrades are uncommon. As a final note, there is also some individual variation in both subspecies in that a bright Western Acknowledgements Palm or a dull Yellow Palm might be I am grateful to Peter Burke, Bill called an intergrade or confused with Crins, Bruce Di Labio, Jon Dunn, the other subspecies (Earl Godfrey, Earl Godfrey, Michel Gosselin, Ross Ross James and Don Sutherland, pers. James, Jean Iron, Mike Turner, Ron comms.). Tozer and Gerry Smith for much valuable advice and assistance. Jon Migration and Winter Dunn kindly made available a draft The Western Palm Warbler and the of the Palm Warbler text from his Yellow Palm Warbler winter in upcoming book on warblers. Peter different areas and there is a curious Burke is a wizard at being able to crisscrossing of migration routes. The convey differences in coloration in a Yellow Palm spends the winter in the black-and-white medium. Gulf States mostly west of Florida to
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 27
Literature cited American Ornithologists' Union. 1957. Griscom, L. and A. Sprunt, Jr. jRevised and Check-list of North American Birds, 5th Updated by E.M. Reilly}. 1979. The Warblers Edition. American Ornithologists' Union, of America. Doubleday, New York. Washington, D.C. James, R.D. 1991. Annotated Checklist of the Bent, A.C. 1953. Life Histories of North Birds of Ontario. Second Edition. Royal American Wood Warblers. United States Ontario Museum, Toronto. National Museum Bulletin 203. Peterson, R. T. 1980. A Field Guide to Eastern Washington, D.C. Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York State. Rand, A.L. 1944. Notes on the Palm Warbler, Doubleday/Natural History Press. Dendroica palmarum (Gmelinl, in Canada. Curson, J., D. Quinn and D. Beadle. 1994. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 58: 181-182. Warblers of the Americas, an Identification Rand, A.L. 1948. Probability in subspecies Guide. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston identification of single specimens. and New York. Auk 65: 416-432. Dunn, J.L. 1994. Comments on the 1992-1993 Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun and H.S. Zim. 1983. Holmes County wintering warblers. Birds of North America. Golden Press, The Ohio Cardinal 16: 70-71. New York. Farrand, J.F. Jr. (Editor) 1983. The Audubon Scott, S.L. (ed.). 1987. Field Guide to the Society Master Guide to Birding. Volume 2. Birds of North America. National Geographic Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Society, Washington, D.C. Godfrey, W.E. 1949. Birds of Lake Mistassini Terres, J.K. 1982. The Audubon Society and Lake Albanel, Quebec. Bulletin No. 114, Encyclopedia of North American Birds. National Museum of Canada, Ottawa. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Godfrey, W.E. 1968. Notes on Birds of the Amos Todd, W.E.C. 1963. Birds of the Labrador Region, Quebec. Natural History Papers Peninsula and Adjacent Areas. Carnegie No. 44. National Museum of Canada, Ottawa. Museum and University of Toronto Press. Godfrey, W.E. 1986. The Birds of Canada. Tozer, R.G. andJ.M. Richards, 1974. Revised Edition. National Museum of Birds of the Oshawa-Lake Scugog Region, Canada, Ottawa. Ontario. Published by the Authors. Godfrey, W.E. and A.L. Wilko 1948. Birds of the Lake St. John Region, Quebec. Bulletin No. lID, National Museum of Canada, Ottawa.
Ron Pittaway, Box 619/ Minden, Ontario KOM 2KO.
PUBLICATION NOTICE
Clive Goodwin has prepared a brief guide titled "Where to Watch Birds Around Cobourg". It is available from the Chamber of Commerce, 212 King Street West, Cobourg, Ontario K9A 2N1, free on receipt of a stamped, addressed No. 10 envelope.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 28 Notes
Pileated Woodpecker eating dogwood berries by Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
On 3 September 1994, along with many species of fruits as well as mast Heather Mackey and Bryan Bertie, in the form of wild nuts". However, we observed a Pileated Woodpecker we could find only one reference to (Dryocopus pileatusl near the Visitor Pileated Woodpeckers eating Centre and Lighthouse at Presqu'ile dogwood berries in Ontario. Mills Provincial Park, Northumberland (19821 says that "It has twice been County. It was unusually tame reported eating alternate-leafed around people. The apparent dogwood berries in the Huntsville attraction for the woodpecker was the region". Red-osier Dogwoods (Comus We conclude that wild berries are stoloniferal growing around the Visitor an important part of the diet of Centre. Twice we observed the Pileated Woodpeckers in Ontario, Pileated perch awkwardly near the particularly in autumn. top of two dogwoods and eat several Why have we not seen this berries from each shrub. Ryan (19781 behaviour before? It may be because states the fruit of the Red-osier most Pileated Woodpeckers in Dogwood is "eagerly eaten by birds". Ontario are rather secretive and We also learned from Robert Dawson difficult to observe in their favoured (pers. comm.l that he saw a Pileated mature forest habitat. However, in Woodpecker eating wild grapes (Vitis recent years this "denizen of sp.l near Hamilton in the fall of 1994. extensive forests" has become more Neither of us could ever visible as it adapts to urban areas and remember seeing or hearing about smaller woodlots. Therefore, we Pileated Woodpeckers eating fruit. A would expect more observations of search of the literature revealed some berry-eating behaviour. insights into this behaviour. Bent (19391 reports that Pileated Acknowledgements Woodpeckers eat mainly wood-boring We are grateful to Ron Tozer for insects, but supplement their diet drawing our attention to several with a variety of fruits and nuts important references in the literature. including acorns, wild grapes, holly, We also thank Bill Crins and Heather poison ivy, sumac, hackberry and Mackey for confirming the dogwood. Hoyt (1957) summarizes, identification of the Red-osier "In the fall of the year the pileated Dogwood. woodpecker may be found feeding on
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 29
Literature cited Mills, A. 1982. A Cottager's Guide to the Birds Bent, A.C. 1939. Life Histories of North of Muskoka and Parry Sound. Published American Woodpeckers. United States by the author. National Museum Bulletin 174. Ryan, G.A. 1978. Native Trees and Shrubs Washington, D.C. of Newfoundland and Labrador. Parks Hoyt, S.F. 1957. The ecology of the Pileated Division, Government of Newfoundland and Woodpecker. Ecology 38: 246-256. Labrador, St. John's.
Jean Iron, 9 Lichen Place, Don Mills, Ontario M3A 1X3.
Ron Pittaway, Box 619, Minden, Ontario KOM 2KO.
Downy Woodpecker eating elderberries by William J. Crins
Most species of woodpeckers make the Great Spotted Woodpecker some use of plant material (berries, (Dendrocopos majorl frequently feeds nuts, etc.l in their diets (Bent 1939, on coniferous tree seeds in the Cramp 19851. However, fruit is not winter, and searches for fruit and usually a major component of the nuts on the ground. The Syrian diets of most species. Woodpeckers Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacusl tend to specialize on insects of consumes significant amounts of various orders and families. There are fruit, including species of agricultural some notable exceptions to value, such as cherries, plums, specialized insectivory, however. apricots, almonds, apples, and pears. Some species are quite opportunistic It is also unique among woodpeckers and omnivorous, or even have in feeding fruit to its young (Cramp become specialized on certain plant 19851· foods. The Acorn Woodpecker The food sources of North (Melanerpes formicivorusl is one American woodpeckers appear to be obvious example of a North American less well documented than those of species that specializes on fruits Eurasian species. Bent (19391 and (acorns of various western oaks Terres (1982) note examples of the (Quercus spp.l I. at least in the use of fruits in some species, and winter. Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus spp.l Iron and Pittaway (19951 describe are noted for their use of sap, and this behaviour in the Pileated will switch to II ••• a vegetarian Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatusl, in diet ... " when other sources of food this issue of Ontario Birds. Several become scarce (Lawrence 1966; R.J. authors, including Jackson (19701. Pittaway, pers. comm.). In Eurasia, Kilham (19701. Lawrence (19661. and
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 30
Stokes and Stokes 119831, have Undoubtedly, Downy focussed specifically on the feeding Woodpeckers and other species of ecology of the Downy Woodpecker woodpeckers feed on fruit more IPicoides pubescensj, but have made frequently than the literature no mention of it using plant food, and suggests. This behaviour should be Bent 119391 and Terres 119821 looked for, especially in late summer commented only briefly on the use of and autumn, when many shrubs and plant foods by this species. Therefore, trees are bearing mature fruits. it seems it worthwhile to note an observation of fruit-eating behaviour Acknowledgements by a Downy Woodpecker. I thank Ron Pittaway for comments On 29 July 1993, the author and regarding the use of fruits by Scott Jones were examining a wetland sapsuckers, and Ron Tozer for by canoe at the mouth of Stobie reviewing this manuscript and Creek, where it enters Lake Huron at providing several literature Desbarats, about 50 km east of Sault references. Ste. Marie, Algoma District, when a Literature cited Downy Woodpecker was observed in Bent, A.C. 1939. Life Histories of North a Red Elderberry ISambucus pubensl American Woodpeckers. United States along the shore. We observed it National Museum Bulletin 174. Washington, eating the ripe berries of this shrub D.C. for a few minutes, and then we Cramp, S. led.}. 1985. Handbook of the Birds proceeded on along the edge of the of Europe, the Middle East, and North wetland. We do not know how long Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic. the woodpecker continued to feed on Volume 4. Terns to Woodpeckers. Oxford the berries. University Press, New York. Iron, j. and R. Pittaway. 1995. Pileated Given the variety of plant foods Woodpecker eating dogwood berries. Ontario used occasionally by various species Birds 13: 28-29. of woodpeckers 1Bent 1939, Cramp jackson, ].A. 1970. A quantitative study of the 1985, Terres 1982), it seems likely foraging ecology of Downy Woodpeckers. that any succulent, non-toxic fruit Ecology 51: 318-323. can be used when available. Kilham, L. 1970. Feeding behaviour of Downy However, only one speciJic report of Woodpeckers. 1. Preference for paper birches the use of elderberry has come to our and sexual differences. Auk 87: 544-556. attention. Cramp 119851 noted that Lawrence, L. de K. 1966. A comparative life the Grey-headed Woodpecker IPicus history study of four species of woodpeckers. Ornithological Monographs No.5. canusl has been known to feed on Stokes, D. W. and L.Q. Stokes. 1983. A Guide to Black Elderberry 15ambucus nigral in Bird Behaviour. Volume 2. Little. Brown and Europe. Company, Boston. Terres, j.K. 1982. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.
William J. Crins, R.R. 1, South Waseosa Rd., Huntsville, Ontario POA 1KO.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 31 Another Dovekie Record from Eastern Ontario by Bruce M. Di Labio
At dusk on 26 October 1993, on Carleton Place birder, who identified the Mississippi River approximately the bird as a winter-plumaged 3 krn east of Carleton Place, Lanark Dovekie (AIle aIle). Aware that this County (Figure 1), a small black and was a very unusual record, Ivan then white bird was shot as it approached contacted Mike Jaques, another local duck decoys. The hunter believed birder, who donated the specimen to that he had just shot a "Butterball" the Canadian Museum of Nature in or Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola). Ottawa. The author prepared a study Upon retrieving the bird, however, skin of the specimen. he realized that it was something The specimen was in excellent quite different. The specimen was condition (Figure 2). A few pellets to brought to Ivan Perry, a local the head had killed the bird, leaving
Dovekie Site
N ~
2 L..-_.....L._---I' Kilometers
Figure 1: Location of 1993 Dovekie record.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 32
Figure 2: Carleton Place Dovekie specimen. Photo by C. Traynor.
all other parts of the bird undamaged. involved in these inland "wrecks". The Dovekie was very thin, weighing Such occurrence's have been well only 118.9 grams. It had no fat, and documented along the Atlantic the stomach was empty. seaboard of the Up.ited States and Dovekies normally range across inland (Murphy and Vogt 1932, the North Atlantic Ocean. They breed Snyder 1953, Sprunt 1936, Veit and colonially on cliffs from Greenland Petersen 1993). Vagrant Dovekies east to Iceland and northern Europe, have been found west to Manitoba, and winter south to New Jersey, the Wisconsin and Minnesota, and south Azores, and France (AOU 1983, to Florida and the Caribbean Islands Cramp 1985, Godfrey 1986). The first (AOU 1983, Godfrey 1986, Robbins North American colony was recently 1991, Janssen 1987). discovered off Baffin Island (Finley Severe northeasterly gales in the and Evans 1984). Outside the nesting late fall and winter are cited period, Dovekies are highly pelagic. frequently as the major cause of large Nevertheless, like some other migrant inland Dovekie "wrecks" in eastern alcids (e.g., Thick-billed Murre, Una North America. Similar patterns of lomvia) , Dovekies are also known to vagrancy have occurred in other occur in inland areas and areas well alcids also, notably the Thick-billed south of their normal range on Murre (Tuck 1960). While Dovekies occasion. Sometimes, in "invasion are able to withstand most storms at years", large numbers of birds are sea, it has been suggested that
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 33
Table 1: Dovekie Records in Ontario 1. Late Oct. 1924:' One killed by Mr. McDiarmid on Mississippi Lake near Carleton Place, Lanark County. Mounted specimen was brought to P.A. Taverner by Ted White. Specimen missing. (Fleming 19301 2. 25 Nov. 1950: One at Toronto. (Baillie 19511 Sight record. 3. 28 Nov. 1950: Cpl. R.E. Brown reported a Dovekie in the taxidermy establishment of Mr. Ron Cameron, St. Elmo, Roxborough Township, Glengarry County. It had been found dead in Mr. Cameron's yard. At the time of discQvery, there had been very high winds. Record on file at Canadian Museum of Nature (W.E. Godfrey, pers. comm.l. Specimen missing. 4. 14 Jan. 1951: One at Toronto (Baillie 19511 Sight record. 5. 8 Feb. 1955: One found swimming in an apparent weakened condition by G.A. Scott at the Oshawa Harbour. Sight record (Baillie 19551. 6. 11 Nov. 1959: One shot by hunters Whitmarsh and Pollard as it came into duck decoy on Mississippi Lake, near Lake Park. Record on file at C.M.N. Specimen missing (W.E. Godfrey, pers. comm.l. 7. 19 Nov. 1963: One found emaciated and dying at Lot 29, Concession 7, Cornwall Township, Stormont County. The specimen was donated to the Royal Ontario Museum. Specimen #93840. It was an immature male, weighing 92 grams. 8. 23 Oct. 1988: One found dying along the shoreline between Port Weller and Port Dalhousie, Niagara Regional Municipality. It was an adult female weighing 87 grams, with no fat and empty stomach. R.O.M. specimen #154509 (Brad Millen, pers. comm.1. 9. 26 Oct. 1993: One shot by a hunter on Mississippi River, approximately 3 kms. east of Carleton Place, Lanark County. Specimen donated to the C.M.N. Ottawa. Specimen #96684. Accepted by the Ontario Bird Records Committee. prolonged gales may cause their main have not been linked exclusively to food source, planktonic crustaceans, severe storm conditions (Veit and to move to greater depths - beyond Petersen 19931. the diving depth of Dovekies (Cramp The available data suggest that 1985). Dovekies weakened by such the 26 October 1993 Dovekie record storm-induced food shortages could was an unexplained single be blown inshore and inland. occurrence. The weather in eastern Nevertheless, all large incursions Ontario between 21 and 25 October
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 34
was not unusual (Environment input in earlier versions of the Canada, Atmospheric Environment manuscript, Brad Millen from the Service). If there had been severe Royal Ontario Museum for specimen weather at an earlier date in the information, Norman Crookshank for North Atlantic, however, it may have preparing the map, Chris Traynor for blown this bird off course and led to the photograph and my wife, Laurie, it wandering subsequently to eastern who edited and typed the final copy. Ontario. No other Dovekie records, or inland records of other North Literature cited American alcids, during autumn 1993 American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. were mentioned in American Birds for Check-list of North American Birds. 6th eastern North America. Edition. American Ornithologists' Union. Washington, D.C. Consequently, this Dovekie record Baillie, J.L. 1951. Winter Season. Ontario does not appear to have been part of western New York region. Audubon Field a larger "wreck". Notes 5: 201-203. All known Ontario records of the Baillie, J.L. 1955. Winter Season. Ontario Dovekie are summarized in Table 1. western New York region. Audubon Field (The first eight occurrences have not Notes 9: 254-256. yet been reviewed by the Ontario Cramp, S. (ed.) 1985. Handbook of the Birds Bird Records Committee.) Most of Europe and the Middle East and North records have occurred between late Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. IV. Oxford University Press. October and late November. Though New York. some records suggest Dovekie Finley, K.J. and c.R. Evans. 1984. First occurrences can be directly linked to Canadian breeding record of the Dovekie weather conditions, the remaining (Aile allel Arctic 37: 289. records lack sufficient data to Fleming, J.H: 1930. Ontario bird notes. determine the exact cause. A number Auk 47: 64-71. of the Ontario Dovekies have been Godfrey, W.E. 1986. The Birds of Canada. found dead or in weakened condition. Second edition. National Museums of It appears that Dovekies, by the time of Canada, Ottawa. they reach inland locations, cannot Janssen, R.B. 1987. Birds in Minnesota. survive in waters such as the Great The University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. Lakes, possibly due to the absence of appropriate food or being too weak to Murphy, R.c. and W. Vogt. 1932. The Dovekie influx of 1932. Auk 50: 325-349. feed. Robbins, S.D. 1991. Wisconsin Birdlife: This is the ninth record of the Population and Distribution Past and Present. Dovekie in Ontario and surprisingly, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. the fifth for eastern Ontario. It also Snyder, D.E. 1953. A great flight of Dovekie represents the first record for the (Plallllls allel. Auk 70: 87-88. Ottawa recording district Iwithin 50 Sprunt, A. 1936. The southern Dovekie flight km of Parliament Hill). of 1936. Auk 55: 85-88. Tuck, L.M. 1960. The Murres. Wildlife Series I, Acknowledgements Canadian Wildlife Service. Ottawa. I would like to thank Ross E. Harris Veil, R.R. and W.R. Petersen. 1993. Birds of and Paul R. Martin for their valuable Massachusetts. Massachusetts Audubon Society. Bruce M. Di Labio, 44 Helmsdale Drive, Kanata, Ontario K2K 2S3.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 35 Pomarine Jaeger: a reviewable species in southern Ontario? by Brian Henshaw
Introduction one or two exceptions, were unlikely The Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius to amount to substantive records. pomarinus) is an annual vagrant in Records accepted and rejected by the southern Ontario, usually occurring OBRC, and itemized in the annual from September through November. reports of that committee, were also In 1994, the Ontario Bird Records tabulated. Reports and records (a Committee announced that along record being a report accepted by the with six other species, the Pomarine OBRC) were tabulated by date and Jaeger was no longer on the list of locality. Reports submitted to the species for which documentation is OBRC but rejected were not used in required in southern Ontario (Bain this summary. 1994). The criterion used for this decision was at least 30 southern Results Ontario reports published in American There have been 57 reports of Birds during the five year period from Pomarine Jaeger in southern Ontario 1988 to 1992 (M. Bain, pers. comm.). (and two in northern Ontario) during This five year review found 35 the period, for an annual average of reports (M. Bain, pers. comm.), but 5.7 . (A report is considered to be any the designated time period included number of birds seen together; the two record years (1988 and 1991) average number of birds reported at which together provided 23 (40%) of anyone time is about 1.7). The all reports for the decade from 1984 OBRC received documentation for 31 to 1993. (An additional three reports. reports during this period (only 48% for these two years were reviewed by of a total 64, including the seven the committee and found to be rejected). This 23% rejection rate is unacceptablel. This note reviews in line with recent annual rejection reports and records of this species for rates for all species of 25% to 10% the decade 1984 to 1993 inclusive, (Bain 1993, Bain 1994/ Curry 1991). and comments on the recent decision There have been 24 accepted records by the OBRC to remove Pomarine for southern Ontario during this Jaeger from the review list. period, for an average of only 2.4 Reports for the period 1984 to records per year. 1993 were gleaned from American The fall months were divided into Birds and/or Birders Journal. These thirds, and reports were tabulated on data were used as an estimate of the that basis. The peak period of . maximum possible occurrences of occurrence for all reports (but not Pomarine Jaegers in southern Ontario individuals) is extended. There was a during that period. It was assumed fairly even spread of reports from 15 that the few observations not September to 15 November, with appearing in these publications, with
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 36
fewer in early September and late in arriving at the conclusion that November. A small peak is evident Pomarine Jaegers arrive at latitude from 19 October to 11 November, 40-60 degrees North on average three when over one-third of all reports weeks later than Parasitics. Even occurred. When individual birds were allowing for a differential in tabulated they showed a strong peak behaviour when reaching Lake in early November (strengthened in Ontario, this indicates that early part by a report of 12 off Van jaegers are more likely to be Wagner's Beach, Hamilton, on 1 Parasitics. These early birds would November 1993; this report has not also arrive at a time when observers been submitted to the OBRCJ. are most unfamiliar with their "jizz", When localities were reckoned, making positive identification even 38% emanated from the western end more difficult. Early Pomarines do of Lake Ontario, with 16% from occur in southern Ontario (see OBRC Lambton County (mainly the Sarnia Annual ReportsJ, but areal, and the remaining 46% from misidentifications are likely to be about 13 locales. The vast majority of more frequent at that time. reports and records concerned The identification of jaegers is juveniles or un-aged birds, and only frought with difficulties. Adults are five reports (8%J concerned adult usually straightforward (although all birds. three are misidentified occasionally!J. Juveniles, however, provide one of Discussion the most challenging regular High numbers of juvenile Pomarines identification problems for southern were often reported in years when Ontario birders. Observers need to Parasitic Jaegers (S. parasiticusJ were rely heavily on structure and size, the plentiful. The main food source for latter often being entirely subjective breeding Pomarines is tundra and the former being much more rodents; this species does not breed difficult when the observer does not when lemming numbers are have comparative experience, but depressed (Maher 1974J. Breeding positive identifications should always Parasitics feed mainly on passerines, include plumage detail as well. Large, birds' eggs, berries and insects, and juvenile, female Parasitics occurring also by kleptoparasitism (Maher 1974, in early September, are prime Furness 1987J. Although bad weather candidates for misidentification as during the northern summer, and Pomarines. Observers familiar with weather patterns during migration, Pomarine Jaeger may well wonder may affect numbers of both species what all the fuss is about. Pomarines reaching southern Ontario, it seems often impart a jizz more like that of a paradoxical that numbers of juveniles skua (Catharacta sp. J than a jaeger. of both species would be Pomarine Jaegers are much more synchronous. likely to catch and kill a seabird, very The reported dates of arrival for rarely, if ever, engaging in the Pomarines in southern Ontario also energetic acrobatics of Parasitic closely follow those for Parasitics. Jaegers. I have watched Pomarine Furness (1987J quotes several sources Jaegers killing or attempting to catch
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 37
Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseusj, Conclusion Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa These comments have been made to tridactyla), and various alcids. Usually demonstrate that undocumented Pomarines will attack these birds reports appearing in birding while they are resting on the surface publications (not those reports of the water, soon giving up the submitted to the OBRC) may include chase once the intended victim a number of unidentifiable birds. For becomes airborne. Pomarine Jaeger especially, these The total number of Pomarine reports are not a good guide to reports per year (less than six) may ascertain whether or not the species translate to less than four reliable should be dropped from the review records, but even if all 57 had been list. Given the average annual total of documented, extrapolation of the accepted records of 2.4, the average rejection rate of 230/0 would still annual total of about 5.7 reports, the amount to less than five records per difficulty of identification of juvenile year. jaegers, and the possible anomalies in Another factor further obscures the occurrence patterns of reports, the situation in southern Ontario. The this species may merit reinstating as high percentage of reports (38 0/0) reviewable by the OBRC. from the western end of Lake Ontario undoubtedly includes at least some Literature cited duplication of individuals (d. the Bain, M. 1993. Ontario Bird Records Committee accepted records in the 1993 OBRC Report for 1992. Ontario Birds 11: 46-63. report). Certain individual birds are Bain, M. 1994. Ontario Bird Records Committee known to have lingered for extended Report for 1993. Ontario Birds 12: 41-58. periods in the western basin area, e.g. Curry, R. 1991. Ontario Bird Records Committee the "chip" bird of 1990 (Curry 1991). Report for 1990. Ontario Birds 9: 18-44. Furness, R. W. 1987. The Skuas. T. & A.D. Poyser, Staffs., England. Maher, W.J. 1974. Ecology of Pomarine, Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers in northern Alaska. Pacific Coast Avifauna 37: 1-148.
Brian Henshaw, Box 86, Brooklin, Ontario LOB 1CO.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 38 Book Reviews
Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and Rollers: A Handbook. 1992. By C. Hilary Fry and Kathie Fry, illustrated by Alan Harris. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Hardcover, 324 pages, 40 coloured plates plus line drawings and 114 range maps. $49.50 U.S.
This book is another in the authoritative - which is to be Identification Guide Series of expected since Hilary Fry has been comprehensive monographs including publishing on all three groups since Seabirds, Shorebirds, Waterfowl, the 1960s - and pleasingly well Swallows and Martins, Finches and written. The authors draw on the Sparrows, and Warblers published works of others whenever variously by Princeton University appropriate Iparticularly a huge, Press and Houghton Mifflin. The privately published monograph on present volume covers the world's 12 kingfishers by J. Forshaw) but their rollers ICoraciidae), 24 bee-eaters vast personal experience with these IMeropidae), and 87 kingfishers. The birds is also captivatingly evident latter, following Sibley and Ahlquist, throughout these overviews. are considered here to be comprised The same flavour is carried over of-three separate families: the into the individual species accounts. Dacelonidae 156 species of Each bird is usually discussed under kookaburras and halcyon kingfishers the general headings of Field centred in Australasia and the far Identification, Voice, Geographical east), the Alcedinidae 122 small blue Variation, Habitat and Range, Food, and rufous species mainly found in Habits lincluding Nesting and Laying the African and Oriental tropics), and Months), Description, and References the Cerylidae Ithe 9-member, largely but Fry and Fry don't hesitate to American green and giant kingfisher expand their treatments when they . group which includes our Belted see fit to include extra knowledge, Kingfisher). special insights, interesting anecdotes, The book begins with a concise or unanswered questions about a overview of current ideas on the particular species. taxonomic status of the five families The species accounts are plus that of the remaining, otherwise enhanced here and there with line untreated groups Imotmots, todies, drawings that illustrate v ious ground-rollers, and Cuckoo-roller) in displays, postures or fine points of the order Coraciiformes. Succeeding identification but it is the coloured chapters deal with the food and plates near the front of the book that foraging of kingfishers, bee-eaters, make the greatest visual impact. and rollers, their nesting, social and Here, on page after page, are breeding behaviour, their distribution illustrated some of the world's most and derivation, and a short section on stunning birds Ithe Carmine Bee the precarious status of several island eater gets my vote as the most rarities. The treatments are beautiful bird on Earth). Since your
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 39
reviewer has seen only two rollers, illustrated for that species (i.e. two bee-eaters and seven kingfishers subspecies or age-specific plumage) - and most of them longer ago than appearing on the right of the range he cares, to tell you -I am hardly map. After that, if you can still qualified to comment on the fidelity remember what you are doing - not a of Alan Harris' paintings. The ones I facetious remark after going through know are very good but all I can say 5 or 6 plates of totally unfamiliar about the others is that, to me, they species - you will at la~t find out, look like convincingly real, live birds after four steps, that the pretty little and are truly beautiful. All 123 bee-eater on plate 33 marked 103f, species are shown in this book but so for example, is the subspecies many well-marked subspecies are cyanophrys of the Little Green Bee also illustrated that the 40 plates eater (Merops orientalisl. Then, if ypu include no fewer than 350 different care to go through the same four portraits. The Mangrove Kingfisher steps allover again, you can find out alone is given 17 different treatments what the bird beside it is. I found this in an attempt to capture the range of process so annoying that I took a plumages exhibited by the 50 (ll couple of hours to do in pencil what different races of this one species. the book designers should have done This last example may be the in type in the first place - namely most extreme case of island to island write the name of every bird beside variation shown in this book but it is its portrait, so that the four step far from the only one. Indeed, I learning process is reduced to a one found that Harris' depiction of so step process (x 350 illustrations = big many races, not to mention of so savings in time and exasperationI. At many other similar forms now judged the same time, because I often found to be full species, was as fine an it difficult to know/when looking at illustration as one could ever hope to many illustrations on a plate, where see of the power of geographic . the forms of one species stopped and those of a new, similar species began, isolation to produce new forms of I drew solid lines between the species life. <;:lusters and then, within such The same wealth of illustrations groupings, dashed lines between also leads, however, to-the one criticism I have of this book and of subspecies where appropriate. In a this series. Someqne decided that, way it was a shame to mark up such rather than identifying each bird right a beautiful book but that's what it beside its image, it would somehow took to Illake it user-friendly. • be better to put a number and letter Considering that just one of the combination there instead. The 123 species covered in this book reader can then look for the same occurs in Canada, and only six (all number above one of the range maps kingfishers) in the western on the facing page and thence to the hemisphere, many readers may English and Latin names of the choose to pass on this steeply priced species beside it. After that, you can book. Then again, if you want to look for the letter part of the explore vicariously incredible avian combination in a list of abbreviated riches of Africa or the Far East - or be Latin names of the different forms inspired to see them for yourself -
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 40
then this book should be high on *The journal editors have pointed out your list. Let me leave you with the to me that at least one other title in following twitch-provoking passage ... this series, namely Shorebirds, has "Carmine Bee-eaters (the most plates that are so crowded that it beautiful bird in the world after all!) would be rather more difficult to put follow people, tractors and grazing in names beside all the illustrations. animals, catching insects disturbed from Even in this work, however, and the grass, and they have the engaging even if it meant using undersize type, habit ofriding on the back ofan it would still be preferable to name Ostrich, bustard, stork, Secretary- bird, each form beside the appropriate goat, camel, antelope, zebra or warthog, illustration. Any book or series calling dashing away every few moments to itself an "identification guide" should catch an insect put to flight, and help the reader to identify rather returning to incapacitate it by beating it than using a design that positively against the antelope's horns or the hinders that process.
Ostrich's back. II
Dan Strickland, R.R. 1, Dwight, Ontario POA 1HO.
The Birds of Quetieo Park and the Atikokan Area. 1994. By David H. EIder, illustrated by Gisela Ewald. Friends of Quetico Park, P.O. Box 1959, Atikokan, Ontario, POT 1CO. Paperback. 247 + v pages, black and white photographs, line drawings, and location map. $14.75 + 8% PST (Ontario Residents) + $3.50 ship ping charges + 7% GST (Canadian Residents) or $2.50 (U.S. Residents).
As a long-time collector of bird Thus, a reader with only elementary checklists and books that describe the birding skills is able to cope more status of species in various areas, easily with the task of identifying particularly Ontario, I was delighted common birds in any particular to acquire the latest regional bird habitat. Instead of looking through book of that sort. Elder's new book is the entire book for what birds might more than just an annotated be expected, one can quickly checklist, however. While it does eliminate the vast majority and focus have much of the detailed species-by on the twelve to thirty-two likely species information that appeals to species in any habitat which are dyed-in-the-wool bird listers, it also listed at the end of each habitat contains a great deal of basic description. behavioural information that More advanced birders, especially beginning birders or casual visitors to those who are visiting from out of the Quetico-Atikokan area who have province or from even farther afield, a passing interest in birds might find can turn to the checklist provided as useful. an appendix, where the status In particular, there are (common, uncommon, rare, or descriptions of nine habitat types in vagrant) of each species is provided. the area, within each of which the Whenever I travel to an unfamiliar variety of bird life is fairly limited. part of the continent, or to other
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 41 continents, a book like this one, Kingbirds, Black-billed Magpies, especially if it has range maps (which Mountain Bluebirds, Clay-colored most regional guides, including this Sparrows, Le Conte's Sparrows, one, do not have), is of great help to Western Meadowlarks, and Yellow me in determining what the common headed Blackbirds. All but four of birds are that I am seeing. The next these have occurred, with varying best thing is a checklist, and this degrees of regularity, in the Quetico book does provide that, albeit without Atikokan area, despite the distance any indication of seasonal abundance, from the core of their normal ranges. which would have enhanced the list. If I had to predict the next four If I put myself in the shoes of a species to appear for the first time in birder visiting the Quetico-Atikokan that area, I would single out these area from some other part of North four, in descending order of America (and there probably are a probability: Franklin's Gull, Western good many who do so on their Kingbird, American Avocet, Marbled holidays), I can see myself carrying, Godwit. Rarer, more western along with my Peterson, this useful vagrants (Western Grebe, Rufous guidebook and flipping constantly Hummingbird, Say's Phoebe, Varied from the habitat descriptions to the Thrush, Sage Thrasher, three Lark checklist and back again. If I had Sparrows, and, amazingly an Inca time during my visit to devote to Dove and a Great-tailed Grackle) concentrated birding, I would want have also been recorded. It is also no some directions to local IIhot spots" accident that Canada's largest single or, better still, the addresses of local day lists are consistently achieved in birders who might be willing to show an area not far from the Quetico them to me. Neither of these appears Atikokan region - southeastern in this book. Manitoba - where east meets west For serious Ontario birders, and north meets south. including, probably, most readers of Among the southern species Ontario Birds, The Birds of Quetico which summer at least occasionally Provincial Park and the Atikokan Area and quite possibly breed in the area provides a teasing look at what may covered by this book are Upland be expected in an area that lies Sandpipers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, solidly within Ontario's boreal forest Eastern Screech-Owls, Red-headed but is tantalizingly close to the prairie Woodpeckers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, biome and un the margins of the Great Crested Flycatchers, Warbling southeastern mixed forest. It is no Vireos, and Pine Warblers, an accident that Ontario birders make assemblage that would be unheard of pilgrimages to the Rainy River area, in the Kirkland Lake area, which lies some two hundred kilometres to the at the same latitude in northeastern west, to flesh out their Ontario lists Ontario. There are multiple records with western species such as of Northern Mockingbirds, White American White Pelicans, Swainson's breasted Nuthatches, Summer Hawks, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Piping Tanagers, and Lark Sparrows, and Plovers, Willets, Marbled Godwits, single observations of Least Bittern, Wilson's Phalaropes, American Red-shouldered Hawk, Carolina Avocets, Franklin's Gulls, Western Wren, Loggerhead Shrike, Golden-
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 42
winged Warbler, and Prothonotary appearance of the 253rd species Warbler. All of this is juxtaposed (Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch). While with all of the typically northern definitely a western vagrant, it was species which seldom occur in not among my four predictions. Elder southern Ontario. has done an excellent job of With a respectable total of 252 contributing to the ornithological species having been recorded in an literature of Ontario. At.the same area that has had little systematic time, he has managed, with the ornithological coverage and in which artistic assistance of Gisela Ewald, to there are few active birders, the time produce an attractive and reasonably was ripe for upgrading Peruniak's priced book that will appeal to a 1969 and 1971 list, which contained broad readership. He has also only 107 species. Unfortunately, such generously donated all of the a book as this can never be kept up proceeds from the first printing to to date; on the very day that this Friends of Quetico Park. review was written, I learned of the Frederick M. Helleiner, 35 Kingwood Dr., Peterborough, Ontario K9] 6N2
Photo Quiz
by Bob Curry
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995 43
Our quiz bird is quite a small differences between it and our bird passerine judging its size in that I hesitate to mention it as a comparison to the twigs and leaves possibility. These include (in adjacent. It also has a fairly finely Blackpoll) the light coloured legs, the proportioned bill tapering to a presence of two distinot wing bars, comparatively fine tip. Few of our the lack of contrasting auriculars and small birds combine densely streaked rump seen in the subject and so on. underparts and a slender, fine-tipped Magnolia has a contrasting light bill. Such a combination eliminates rump, even more than our bird, and all the blackbirds and finches leaving in alternate (breeding) plumage the only the Parulinae or wood-warblers. male has extensive white wing Again, using the same combination, coverts, while in fall all sexes and we can quickly sift through the ages have two distinct white wing warblers bringing the range of bars and the underpart streaks are possibilities down to about five not so long but are broader and species. Black-and-white photography blotchier. Again the head area lacks haS the advantage of forcing us to the pattern of our bird. concentrate on pattern, contrast and Probably the most difficult bird to shape rather than colour - a good distinguish from our bird would be a thing in honing identification skills. particularly dull first basic Yellow The contrast is not great in this bird rumped Warbler. However, in this and this, in combination with the species, the underpart streaking withering, dessicated leaves, indicates would be less extensive and the that we're dealing with one of those stripes broader. The throat would dreaded "confusing fall warblers", stand out more in contrast with the the stock-in-trade of bird guides. remainder of the underparts, the All the potential species belong to rump more with the upper tail and that large genus of (at least in our bpsk, and the head-nape-back area province) northern forest warblers, would be concolour. Once again, the Dendroicas. I suppose a case could there would be two definite, if be made for a first basic Townsend's perhaps dull, wing bars. Warbler, a vagrant to Ontario, but The most compelling feature of the underpart streaking is too the bird is the white slash created by extensive, extending beyond the legs, the mostly white greater and median and the auriculars are dark but not as upper wing coverts, a diagnostic contrasty as in Townsend's which, in feature of male Cape May Warbler addition, always has two distinct in basic plumage. In fact, it's a pity wing bars. Palm Warbler has streaked that, for this quiz, we were not underparts, although again not so presented with a first basic female extensive, and a lighter rump like the Cape May which lacks this white photo bird, but it has much duller wedge and can be very dull indeed. wings with vague lighter bars, less In that case, a feature it shares with noticeable auriculars, its undertail our bird, namely the light sides of the would not appear so bright, and it is neck extending up to the nape area is overall a slimmer bird than this one. diagnostic and, together with the bold Fall (basic) Blackpoll is certainly but incisive underpart streaks, will streaked but there are?o many
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1 44
clinch the identification. Incidentally, Editors' Note: the upper mandible of Cape May Henceforth, our quiz bird photograph Warbler often is a little more down and its solution will appear in the curved throughout its length than on same issue. this bird (which was photographed by Jim Flynnl·
Bob Curry, 92 Hostein Drive, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 2S7.
PUBLICATION NOTICES
A Birder's Guide to the Sault Ste. Marie Border Area. 1995. By Edward Czerwinski. Available from the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan, Box 21035,292 Northern Avenue East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 6H3. $6.75 (incl. .postage and handlingl.
This guide describes 16 of the best birding locations in the Sault Ste. Marie area. It contains maps and directions to 10 sites in Ontario and 6 sites in nearby Michigan. Recent bird observations from each location enhance the text. Some of the local highlights include Gyrfalcon, Harlequin Duck, Great Gray Owl, Snowy Owl, and Northern Hawk Owl. Ontario Birds will publish a full review of this new guide in an upcoming issue.
Artificial Nest Structures for Ospreys: A Construction Manual. By Peter J. Ewins. Canadian Wildlife Service Report CW66-13411-1994E. Available from the Canadian Wildlife Service, 25 S1. Clair Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M2. Free.
This report contains brief background information on the nesting site preferences of Ospreys, and then provides considerable detail on numerous designs for nesting platforms that can be erected to encourage the nesting of these birds. Photographs and/or illustrations, measurements, construction tips, and examples of existing structures are provided for each design. There are also suggestions on who to con tact to pursue a nest platform project, or to find out more about Ospreys.
ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 1995