Weekend Reflections

Last week, I took a trip home to Leamington for the Easter Weekend and, without much effort, saw some good spring birds there. The highlight by far were the high numbers of Tundra Swans in the onion fields north of Pelee (Concession D) and also flying over at various locations. Also along Concession D were Northern Pintails, new for my year list, and a few of the usual suspects. I tried Wheatley Harbour for Canvasback and a pink-billed Greater Scaup Marianne told me about but all were MIA. I was also pleased to get out to the countryside to see good numbers of Grackles (not Boat-tailed as a poor Ontbirds poster accidentally reported!), Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robins, Killdeer, Horned Lark, and a few others, all of which are virtually absent within Toronto. This weekend, I'm probably going to try to find some Bohemian Waxwings flocks that are being reported frequently from Leslie Street.

On a personal note, last Monday marked the anniversary of my grandpa's passing last year. Although he was suffering from dementia in his last few years, I could always count on him immediately asking if I had seen any good birds every time I visited him. When he was still at home and I had to call from Guelph, he would tell me what birds he had at his feeder, always with excitement in his voice. Above all though, his favourite bird was the Purple Martin and he maintained martin houses for years. He took me birding quite a few times when I was younger to Wheatley Harbour, Hillman Marsh, and Holiday Harbour. I could tell he enjoyed the trips as much as I did.

My Grandma, Mom, and I visited his resting place in the early afternoon on Monday. As we were getting out of the car, a large flock of Tundra Swans in 'V' formation flew over the graveyard singing their melancholy notes. It's the kind of moment we used to love sharing together. When you simply have to stop, forget everything around you, and admire the flock in silence.

Half-lifer! - Harlequin Duck male

Someone told me this week that Sunday was supposed to go below 0 degrees but fortunately, the afternoon ended up being really nice (except for a chilly wind). Therefore, I decided to try again for the male Harlequin and after about 10 minutes of being at Humber Bay East, I found it along with the 2 females. I had seen a single female a while back on a TOC trip but I missed the male then. Thankfully it stuck around. There were quite a few people taking photos and watching the trio. They were right where the latest poster on Ontbirds said they had them Saturday. I was able to see the male within about 30 feet of the shoreline, diving and sometimes being chased by the other waterfowl present (Long-tailed Ducks and Greater Scaups).

What a beautiful bird. My best bird of 2008 so far. There will be more good birds though. The year has just started and May is just around the corner. I'm trying for a week to two weeks off during spring migration and I'll be making the most of it. I really can't wait. I also want to be around the area so I'm not out of the loop on news of the cull as I'm sure it will be a hot topic of debate at Pelee this spring.

Is Histrionicus Histrionicus History?

Probably not. The more likely situation? I didn't check every possible place. The trio of Harlequin Ducks has been hanging out at Humber Bay East for weeks now; a male and two females which have been described as being "easy to find" by many. So unless they're actually gone, which I don't think is the case, I'll probably see them soon. I just have to do a more extensive search next time. I was on a schedule today and it was tough to leave the park on such a beautiful day. The snow was melting, I was actually sweating in a hoodie and winter jacket, and I was able to wear my sneakers without my toes freezing solid.

Other birds present were the usual suspects. All three Mergansers, Long-tailed Duck, a ton of Mallard and Canada Geese, the family of Trumpeter Swans, Gadwall, Scaup, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and a few Horned Grebes. A singing Cardinal was a nice addition. Apparently the temperature is supposed to drop tonight but I hope it doesn't stay cold for long. It only takes one day like today to really bring on the winter weariness.

And as a last note, congratulations on getting married, Marianne!!!

Update: As I expected, the male Harlequin was reported today between 4:30-6:00pm. I'll be back out there looking for it tomorrow then! This time I'm checking every spot.

I So Hate Hiatuses

No, I have not quit birding. I have, however, neglected Cerulean Sky for far too long. But not to fear. I'm back, the weather is showing signs of warmth, early migrants are being reported, male passerines are beginning to sing, and I am ready to leave the cold and snow behind and enter my favourite season. Spring.

Of course, with spring on the way, some planning must take place. A week vacation is in the works so that I can actually get to Point Pelee this May (it was torture having to miss the entire month of May in 2007 since I was already in the city). Since I'm now quite used to many of the Toronto hot-spots, I'll actually be able to get some good birding done in the city as well.

In the short term, I'm heading out to Humber Bay East this coming Saturday to check out the trio of Harlequin Ducks (2 females and a lucky male). I'm also running out of chances to look for Pine Grosbeak and there are no more reports coming in from the GTA. I've tried various locations, but not frequently enough. I have a valid excuse though, I swear! Before February, I was taking daily walks to the waterfront to look for gulls and waterfowl as well as taking trips to farther-afield GTA locations for Pine Grosbeaks. This was before we were hit with back-to-back storms that left the entire city covered in snow and ice. The other problem. I no longer have winter boots. The boots I was using were not proper winter boots at all to begin with. Now the right boot has a large hole in the ankle, which makes walking through snow cold and painful. To go out birding, I either need to suck it up and purchase winter boots for the remaining bit of winter, or just go out in running shoes and risk frostbite. I'll keep you posted.

Well, the break from extensive birding is over and I'm so glad spring migration is on the way. So, expect a few more posts in the next little while, some of which will likely turn into environmental/ethical rants so be prepared. I have some things to say about the last TOC meeting, a lot to say about the Cormorant cull on Middle Island, and potentially a brief discussion of another controversy regarding Point Pelee...(I'm going to leave that last point vague for the time being).

The Launch of the 2001-2005 Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario

The 1981-1985 Breeding Bird Atlas, a project that will take place every 20 years (the 2001-2005 Atlas features a Prairie Warbler).

The Atlas Launch at the ROM on Feb. 10, 2008 was a huge success. A capacity crowd was in attendance as Mike Cadman, Gregor Peck, Donald Sutherland, Denis Lepage, and Andrew Couturier introduced the 2001-2005 Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario. Most importantly, it was a place where politicians, conservationists, researchers, professors, environmentalists, and the public were able to get together to discuss the results of the Atlas, its importance to Ontario birds, and the next steps that have to be taken now that the 2001-2005 Atlas is over (the next will take place in 20 years, as 20 years before now the last Atlas was published). You could sense the magnitude of the project when talking to any birder or naturalist. The excitement in the room was palpable.

When Mike Cadman was called upon to make his speech, he received a much-deserved standing ovation. A project of this undertaking requires passion, perseverance, and hard work that only the most dedicated individual would be able to accomplish. An 8 year project spanning the province with thousands of volunteers, researchers, representatives, writers, and editors volunteering their time and efforts. His speech had a hard-hitting message. The launch certainly does not mean the end for the 2001-2005 Atlas. Addressing the members of Environment Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and other organizations, Cadman stressed that now is the time to use the wealth of knowledge available to us on Ontario's bird populations to examine (and hopefully solve) the many problems facing birds due to human activity. Bird populations that are on the rise are perfect examples of the success of conservation. Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Trumpeter Swan. These species are prime examples of how peoples' conservation efforts have not gone unnoticed. On the other hand, species such as grassland birds and insect-eating species like swallows and nighthawks are on the decline. Although we can only begin to guess why this is the case, the results of the Atlas provide an imperative baseline for any future research on these and other species.

I have had a chance to look through my Atlas and it is a spectacular publication. Hundreds of photos are available, maps for every species (including possible, probable, and confirmed breeding sites as well as abundance maps which were made possible by the hundreds of point counts performed across the province). If you haven't already ordered or purchased a copy, now is the time to get it. All added proceeds go directly to the conservation of Ontario birds.

For me, the launch was not only an opportunity to make contacts and talk with some of Ontario's best birders, but also a reminder of the importance of bird study. As I've said before, birds are one of our best environmental indicators we have and this Atlas provides a starting point for addressing environmental impact in the future. The launch was an inspiration. I left feeling empowered to get out there and continue to study and watch birds, which brings me to my final point. Yes, there are men and women who are leaders in bird research and conservation but where would they be without birdwatchers? Birdwatchers that go out on their own time and volunteer their own eyes and ears to the study of birds every day. Birdwatchers whose skills and reports provide a basis for bird study in Ontario and beyond. Birdwatchers are making a difference. They really are. And in my own eyes, I can't think of a better, more rewarding hobby.

Website Copyright Plight

My apologies for the lack of Cerulean Sky updates of late. I'm actually reworking many of my past posts as I received two separate notices in one week regarding copyrighted pictures and posting them illegally on my blog. I am sorry to anyone who was affected by this. I am currently removing any and all pictures that I did not have permission to post on my blog (perhaps all but five). It's taken a while because I've had this blog for months now but I'm almost finished. Further apologies for how plain/bland things are going to look from now on (unless I get a better camera, but a spotting scope is next on my wish list)! In the future, I hope to find a few people who will be willing to allow me to use their pictures so I can at least spice up my blog a wee bit...but also to improve my writing skills to make up for the lack of visual stimulation. To be frank, I was pretty surprised when I got the first email but I completely understand the concern from a photographer's perspective. I'm sure it can be difficult to sell photos and a lot of work went into each and every one of them. So it makes sense that someone would want to copyright their work so they receive credit for it. In my ignorance, I simply posted pictures all over, basically stealing someone else's work for the benefit of beautifying my little ol' blog space.

A is an Auk of the Arctic Sea

Project Gutenberg is a website that allows free viewing of published works whose copyrights have expired in the United States. It's a great website where you can view a ton of ebooks online (even though it can hurt your eyes to read off the screen for too long). Anyway, check out the simple but great Illustrated Alphabet of Birds when you get the chance. It's a quick read. There are some really interesting books on the site dealing with identification and avian art from years back that are worth a look, too.

GTA Reporting Guidelines "out of date," says Compiler Roy Smith

To update an earlier post on the subject, I received an email back from Roy Smith about how Toronto sightings are compiled. Unfortunately, the Greater Toronto Area Bird Checklist and Reporting Guidelines of 2000, written by Glenn Coady and Smith, is out of date (excellent, but out of date). Year to year, the significance of individual species sightings can change drastically. Take, for example, this year. At the end of 2007 and into 2008, the guidelines changed to include all sightings of Common Redpoll concentrations as well as Pine Grosbeaks to monitor the invasion of winter finches due to seed crop failure in the north. Another Toronto-specific example is the Glaucous Gull. Pre-2000, the cutoff # for reporting this species was 5. Now, however, all Glaucous Gulls are to be reported after the Keele Valley Landfill was shut down as fewer birds are now seen. Another good example, as Roy explained, is the case of birds affected by the West Nile virus. American Crow apparently has very poor data at the current time because very few people report sightings of this species (particularly numbers). Therefore, the only data for the GTA area on the crow is from Christmas Bird Counts or other specific events through the year. Smith also informs me that the number of people reporting in the GTA has dropped significantly, an unfortunate problem that I bet almost every area compiler experiences.

As of now, I do not believe the GTA has a seasonal status book like most other areas do. Bob Curry's book on the birds of Hamilton is excellent and Point Pelee has decently updated seasonal bars, but ideally, a book will be published for Pelee exploring early and late migration dates, peak numbers, and notable sightings. Personally, I think seasonal statuses can be a great learning tool, even if they are only averages and the next year might prove quite different from that preceding it. Although the status and distribution of birds is static and ever-changing, there is always the need to keep reports and observations up to date, not only for the benefit of birders but also to monitor populations. Particularly now, as climate change will no doubt largely affect movement, migration, and distribution of many North American species.

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Usually, I wouldn't provide advertising for a company on Cerulean Sky, but this Superbowl ad for FedEx is just too good to pass up.

You can watch the link here. I plan to expand my blog more in the future, discussing issues on conservation as well as providing all of my sightings, any interest stories from Ontario and worldwide, and also fun stuff like this video. Hope you enjoy!

The Rise and Fall of Ontario's Birds

While reading Blake Mann's blog, I noticed that he mentioned the decline of grassland species. A recent article in The Toronto Star also eluded to this concern after the results of the latest Ontario Breeding Bird Survey indicate a drop in grassland and insect-eating species due to habitat fragmentation and pesticides (and possibly climate change, as suggested in the Star article). I'm looking forward to there being more information presented at the Atlas launch this Sunday at the ROM and I can't wait to get my hands on my copy. I'm also planning on reading Silence of the Songbirds, which also provides evidence of farming, pesticides, and habitat fragmentation as the key problems affecting songbird populations.

On the other hand, apparently there has been an increase in species such as Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle, which have benefited greatly from conservation programs and the banning of DDT. It should be no surprise that other species that are on the rise include the swans (great effort has been put into the reintroduction {introduction?} of Trumpeter Swan into its proposed historical range) and the Wild Turkey, another species showing success after numerous reintroduction programs. Undoubtedly, hardy species that adapt quickly to the presence of humans will flourish in the next century.

Perhaps most worrisome is the drop in insect-eating species, particularly the Chimney Swift and Common Nighthawk, which are now considered threatened species in Ontario.

From the article:

Top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario:

Common nighthawk
Chimney swift
Bank swallow
Blue-winged teal
Red-headed woodpecker
Barn swallow
Cliff swallow
Brown-headed cowbird
Spotted sandpiper
Killdeer

Top 10 increasing bird species:

Canada goose
House finch
Blue-headed vireo
Turkey vulture
Wild turkey
Merlin
Eastern bluebird
Pine warbler
Bald eagle
Sandhill crane

Some interesting finds include Pine Warbler and House Finch being in the top ten increasing species list (particularly the House Finch after the breakout of fatal diseases in some finch species), Brown-headed Cowbird on the decline (a grassland species that replaces other songbird eggs with its own), and Blue-winged Teal in the top 10 declining species. The Blue-winged Teal is one of my favourite birds and to see it on this list is disheartening (mind you, to see that any of these species are showing significant declines is worrisome). To me, this demonstrates the importance of bird counts such as Christmas Bird Counts, feeder watches, and the Breeding Bird Survey in pushing for conservation and providing the 'canary in the coal mine' with birds as environmental indicators.