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February 1999 Sightings in the Windsor Area

Sunday, February 28: Open water along the Canard River is attracting large numbers of Canada Geese and other waterfowl. Eight male Hooded Mergansers, three Ring-necked Ducks and two American Wigeon were present among the +2,000 Canvasbacks on Sunday (Fred Urie, Paul Pratt) as well as hundreds of newly arrived Ring-billed Gulls. A Bald Eagle was sitting on the nest near the mouth of the river.

A Ross's Goose was reported along the Canard River on Saturday by David Boyce but could not be relocated on Sunday. Ojibway's birding trip to Pelee on Saturday was rewarded with great views of a nesting pair of Great Horned Owls.

Friday, February 26: The red phase Eastern Screech-Owl is continuing to use a Wood Duck box at the Ojibway Nature Centre. Yesterday the first Eastern Meadowlark of the spring was found near McGregor by Fred Urie. On Wednesday two adult Bald Eagles were seen flying over the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve by Kirk McCarthy and four Turkey Vultures and four Killdeers were reported from Holiday Beach (Fred Urie). Last Sunday an Orange-crowned Warbler was found in the Holiday Beach pine plantation (Paul Pratt). This species rarely overwinters in Ontario.

Friday, February 19: The second annual Great Backyard Bird Count is being held over the weekend. Go to the Bird Source web site and enter your weekend sightings or check out the results.

We counted birds around the Nature Centre today and compiled the following list: Mourning Dove 8, Eastern Screech-Owl 1 (gray phase), Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Blue Jay 10, Black-capped Chickadee 12, Tufted Titmouse 4, White-breasted Nuthatch 3, European Starling 3, Northern Cardinal 19, American Tree Sparrow 37, White-throated Sparrow 1, Dark-eyed Junco 27, Red-winged Blackbird 5, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, House Finch 11, American Goldfinch 7, House Sparrow 120.

Wednesday, February 17: A flock of 50 male Red-winged Blackbirds, many in full song, were seen today along Matchette Road. These are the first migrant blackbirds to appear in the spring.

Fred Urie found two adult and six immature Bald Eagles along the lower reaches of Big Creek on Monday.

Monday, February 15: Spring continues to show signs of an early appearance. The first Tree Swallow and Killdeer were reported at Pelee on Saturday. On Sunday a Great Horned Owl was found nesting at Ojibway and today we heard the first singing Red-winged Blackbird of the spring.

Thursday, February 11: Long-eared Owls continue to be seen roosting along the Ganatcho Trail at Little River.

With the mild weather this week we are seeing the first signs of spring. The first migrants, Horned Larks, appeared on the 6th flying along the Lake Erie shoreline. Pussy Willows are peeking through their buds and many birds have started to sing. Just around the nature centre this morning we heard Mourning Dove, Cardinal, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Starling and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Thursday, February 4: A group of Long-eared Owls are roosting along the Ganatcho Trail at Little River. Fred Urie found four owls here on the 2nd. On the same day Fred had two Glaucous Gulls along the lakeshore at St. Clair Beach and the lingerling Oldsqauw at Lakeview Marina. Two Eastern Screech-Owls are continuing to use the nest boxes at the Ojibway Nature Centre this week.

Ojibway's Winter Festival will be held on Sunday, February 7. Come out and see the new wildlife viewing window, take a stroll through the woods or pick up some birdseed at sale prices. There will be special programs for kids between noon and 4:00 pm.