Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday September 3


Field Trip: Dundee (La Réserve Nationale de Faune du Lac Saint- François)

Looking for waterfowl, raptors and migrating passerines.

map/cartehttps://goo.gl/maps/u3ihE

Guides: Sheldon Harvey e-mail 
450-462-1459 /Cell # on Saturday morning 514-637-2141
Wayne Grubert  e-mail
450-458-5498 514-774-0811 Cell (PLEASE use only on morning of trip)
Time: 8:00 a.m. Half day.

Directions: Meet at the Visitor Centre parking lot. If you are taking the Mercier Bridge from Montreal go (left) east on Highway 132 for 4.5km to Highway 730. Take Highway 730 to its junction with Highway 30. Proceed west on Highway 30 for approximately 33 km to the exit for Highway 530. Take Highway 530 until its end. Turn left onto Highway 132, crossing the bridge, and continue approximately 33km past Sainte-Barbe and Saint-Anicet to Cazaville. Continue another 8 km on Hwy 132 past Cazaville to chemin-de-le-Pointe-Fraser. Turn right on this road and meet at the visitor centre parking lot about 1 km along on the left.

An alternative route, especially from the West Island, is to take Hwy 20 or 40 west past Vaudreuil-Dorion to Highway 30. Take Highway 30 (Toll $2.50) and then exit onto Highway 530 and continue as per instructions above.

Allow about 1.5 hours from Montreal.

8h00. Rassemblement dans le stationnement de l’Accueil. Si vous arrivez depuis le pont Mercier en provenance de Montréal, prenez vers l’est (gauche) sur la route 132 pour 4.5 km jusqu’à l’autoroute 730. Prenez l’autoroute 730 jusqu’à sa jonction avec l’autoroute 30. Continuez vers l’ouest sur l’autoroute 30 pendant environ 33 km jusqu’à la sortie vers l’autoroute 530. Prendre l’autoroute 530 jusqu’au bout. Tournez à gauche sur la route 132, traversez le pont et continuez environ 33 km, en passant par Sainte-Barbe et Saint-Anicet jusqu’à Cazaville. Continuez encore 8 km sur la route 132 passé Cazaville jusqu’au Chemin-de-la-Pointe-Fraser. Tournez à droite sur cette route et rendez-vous au stationnement du centre d’accueil sur la gauche à environ 1 km.

Un itinéraire alternatif, en particulier depuis l’Ouest de l’Ile de Montréal, consiste à prendre l’autoroute 20 ou 40 ouest passée Vaudreuil-Dorion jusqu’à l’autoroute 30. Prenez l’autoroute 30 (frais de 2,50 $), puis sortez sur l’autoroute 530 et continuez en suivant les instructions données ci-dessus. Prévoir environ 1h à 1h30 de route à partir de la région de Montréal. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, rapaces, et parulines en migration. Demi-journée.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

BPQ field trip report, Saturday August 27

14 birders joined us for a field trip to the St-Lazare sandpit on this beautiful day, however the birds were very scarce. In the wooded area behind the playground it was exceptionally quiet, so we crossed to the sandpit area again hardly any birds, the water level was very high to only four species of shorebirds. On the way back to the cars we had a very good surprise that was enjoyed by all, an Eastern Bluebird. After that we went on the road just past the Centre de nature les forestiers and again still very quiet. We ended up to a total of 32 species but the company was very good so a nice field trip to start the fall season of "official" field trips. - Jean Demers

15 Canada Goose, 31 Mallard, 1 Green-winged Teal, 3 Great Blue Heron, 2 Red-shouldered Hawk, 2 Broad-winged Hawk , 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Killdeer, 1 Least Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Sandpiper, 3 , Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Mourning Dove, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 , Philadelphia Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 10 Blue Jay, 6 American Crow, 24 Black-capped Chickadee, 3 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Eastern Bluebird, 9 American Robin, 8 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 2 Chipping Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 2 Northern Cardinal, 12 American Goldfinch

5 Bernache du Canada, 31 Canard colvert, 1 Sarcelle à ailes vertes, 3 Grand héron, 2 Buse à épaulettes, 2 Petite Buse, 1 Pluvier semipalmé, 1 Pluvier kildir, 1 Bécasseau minuscule, 2 Chevalier grivelé , 3, Grand Chevalier, 2 Tourterelle triste, 1 Colibri à gorge rubis, 1 Pic mineur, 2 Grand Pic, 1 Moucherolle phébi, 1 Tyran huppé, 1, Viréo de Philadelphie, 1 Viréo mélodieux, Viréo aux yeux rouges, 10 Geai bleue, 6 Corneille d'Amérique, 24 Mésange à tête noire, 3 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 1 Merlebleu de l'est, 9 Merle d'Amérique, 8 Jaseur d'Amérique, 1 Paruline masquée, 2 Bruant familier, 3 Bruant chteur, 2 Cardinal rouuge, 12 chardonneret jaune

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday August 27


Field Trip to St-Lazare Sand Pits and Area
August 27 @ 07:30 - 12:00

Guides: Jean Demers and Clémence Soulard
514-694-8240 e-mail

map/carte: https://goo.gl/maps/o5p9D


Directions: Via HWY 40: Take Highway 40 west past Vaudreuil-Dorion and take Highway 30. Almost immediately take Exit 2. Turn west on Cité des Jeunes Blvd (Highway 340) and follow it for 8.4 km. Turn right on Chemin St Dominique (which becomes Robert) and travel 1 km. Soccer fields and parking lot are on your right. Looking for shorebirds, waterfowl and early fall migrants.

Via HWY 20: Take Highway 20 west past Vaudreuil-Dorion to Exit 22. Go north on Chemin St Dominique for 6 km to Highway 340. Cross over and proceed 1 km as in instructions above. Cost: $2.00 entrance fee (exact change).

Prenez l’autoroute 40 ouest passé Vaudreuil-Dorion et prenez l’autoroute 30. Presque immédiatement, prendre la sortie 2, tourner vers l’ouest sur le boulevard Cité des Jeunes (route 340) et le suivre pendant 8,4 km . Tourner à droite sur le chemin St Dominique (qui devient Robert) et continuer pendant 1 km . Les terrains de soccer et le parking , où nous rencontrerons, sont situés sur ​​votre droite . Nous rechercherons les oiseaux de rivage, la sauvagine et les oiseaux migrateurs hâtifs. 2,00 $ pour l’entrée (monnaie exacte).

Friday, August 19, 2016

Sightings for Thursday August 18

Pointe de Yamachiche -- map/carte: Common Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 15 Least Sandpiper, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, 4 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs 

Pluvier grand-gravelot, 1 Bécasseau sanderling, 15 Bécasseaux minuscule, 1 Bécasseau à croupion blanc, 4 Bécasseau semipalmé, 3 Chevalier grivelé, 2 Grand Chevalier, 2 Petit chevalier - Sylvie Robert

1 American White Pelican, 2 Killdeer, 1 Wilson's Snipe 

1 Pélican d'Amérique, 2 Pluvier kildir, 1 Bécassine de Wilson - Hugues Brunoni

2 Black-bellied Plover, 15 Turkey Vulture, 1 Osprey, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Bald Eagle

2 Pluvier argenté, 15 Urubu à tête rouge, 1 Balbuzard pêcheur, 1 Busard Saint-Martin, 1 Épervier brun, 1 Pygargue à tête blanche - Pierre Hébert

Sightings for Thursday August 18

Pointe de Yamachiche -- map/carte: Common Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 15 Least Sandpiper, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, 4 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs 

Pluvier grand-gravelot, 1 Bécasseau sanderling, 15 Bécasseaux minuscule, 1 Bécasseau à croupion blanc, 4 Bécasseau semipalmé, 3 Chevalier grivelé, 2 Grand Chevalier, 2 Petit chevalier - Sylvie Robert

1 American White Pelican, 2 Killdeer, 1 Wilson's Snipe 

1 Pélican blanc d'Amérique, 2 Pluvier kildir, 1 Bécassine de Wilson - Hugues Brunoni

2 Black-bellied Plover, 15 Turkey Vulture, 1 Osprey, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Bald Eagle

2 Pluvier argenté, 15 Urubu à tête rouge, 1 Balbuzard pêcheur, 1 Busard Saint-Martin, 1 Épervier brun, 1 Pygargue à tête blanche - Pierre Hébert

Monday, August 15, 2016

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #7 Report - Saturday, August 13

Well, I think we would have been drier had we held the field trip at a water park! 6 birders headed off at 6 am on Saturday headed for the eastern Ontario sewage lagoons, regardless of the weather forecast calling for heavy rain and possible thunder storms! We were successful in visiting just 2 of the 4 lagoons we had planned to visit. We got about an hour of birding in at our first stop, St-Isidore, seeing a good variety and number of birds. Just as we prepared to leave to head to St-Albert, rain began and got progressively heavier as we approached St-Albert. We waiting 10 to 15 minutes to see if the rain would let up. It didn't. We decided to head over to the Embrun lagoons where earlier in the week numerous shorebirds had been reported. We managed to get about 20 minutes or so of birding in at Embrun before the heavy rain started again. Unfortunate because one of the Embrun ponds was full of a variety of shorebirds. We rushed to identify what we could but were forced back to the cars as the rain got heavier. We decided to call it a day as it didn't seem the rains would let up. Good decision! We succeeded to visit two of the four lagoons, resulting in a total of 37 species for the day. Thanks to the dedicated birders who stuck it out through the rain. - Sheldon Harvey

Here are the results

Wood Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

Canard branchu, Canard colvert, Canard souchet, Grèbe à bec bigarré, Cormoran à aigrettes, Urubu à tête rouge, Busard Saint-Martin, Buse à queue rousse, Gallinule à poule-d'eau, Foulques d'Amérique, Pluvier semipalmé, Pluvier kildir, Bécasseau grivelé, Petit Chevalier, Bécasseau minuscule, Bbécasseau à poitrine cendrée, Bécasseau semipalmé, Goéland à bec cerclé, Pigeon biset, Tourterelle triste, Martinet ramoneur, Geai bleu, corneille d'Amérique, Grand Corbeau, Hirondelle noire, Hirondelle bicolore, Hirondelle de rivage, Hirondelle à front blanc, Hirondelle rustique, Merle d'Amérique, Étourneau sansonnet, Jaseur d'Amérique, Bruant chanteur, Cardina rouge, Carouge à épaulettes, Chardonneret jaune, Moineau domestique

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Sightings for Thursday August 11

Pointe de Yamachiche -- map/carte:  1 American White Pelican / 1 Pélican d'Amérique - Steeve Baker, Réal Boulet

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Sightings for Wednesday August 10

Pointe de Yamachiche -- map/carte: 45 species including 1 American White Pelican The bird, spotted yesterday, was still at the back of the baie de Yamachiche. Even from a distance you could enjoy its immense size and its massive and long yellow beak. 11 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Northern Harrier, 3 Bald Eagle, 1 Black-bellied Plover, 2 Semipalmated Plover, 4 Killdeer, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 5 Least Sandpiper

45 espèces avec: 1 Pélican d'Amérique L'oiseau, repéré hier, était encore au fond de la baie de Yamachiche. Même à distance on pouvait apprécier sa taille immense et son long et massif bec jaune. 11 Grand héron, 1 Grande Aigrette, 1 Bihoreau gris, 2 Busard saint-martin, 3 Pygargue à tête blanche, 1 Pluvier argenté, 2 Pluvier semipalmé, 4 Pluvier kildir, 2 Petit Chevalier, 5  Bécasseaux minuscule - Yves Gauthier

2016 Summer Series of Birding Field Trip #7 - Saturday, August 13

This Saturday's trip will be our annual trip to 4 eastern Ontario sewage lagoons.

DATE: Saturday, August 13, 2016
TIME: 6:00 AM – Full day, with lunch break; combination driving/walking trip.
MEETING PLACE: The Hudson Inn parking lot in Hudson, Quebec - Exit 17 off of Highway 40.

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/Ri5g3zfgwSG2


Please arrive early to be ready to depart at 6 AM sharp. We have about a 1-hour drive from Hudson to our first stop in St-Isidore.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: A detailed route for the day is available. If you would like a copy of the document, e-mail me

ITINERARY: We will visit 4 sewage lagoons; St- Isidore, St-Albert, Embrun and Casselman. We'll be looking for shorebirds and marsh-dwellers, as well as raptors and early migrating species. The stops at St-Isidore and St-Albert will fill the morning. We'll then break for lunch at Tim Horton's in Embrun, then move on to the Embrun and Casselman Lagoons. Bring your lunch or pick up something at the lunch stop in Embrun.

The trip involves a lot of walking. The lagoons are located in wide-open, exposed areas, away from any facilities. They provide no shade or shelter from the sun or rain. Please dress accordingly and bring along fluids and/or snacks. The grass can be quite wet, particularly early in the morning. Be equipped with suitable footwear. Spotting scopes will be very useful. If you have portable two-way radios, please bring them along for communicating between cars.

If you have questions please contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. If you are delayed on Saturday morning, please call 514-637-2141. We will leave Hudson at 6 am. Should you arrive late, you will have time to catch up to us at our first stop in St-Isidore.

Sheldon Harvey

Tuesday, August 09, 2016

2016 Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #4 Report - Saturday, August 6

15 people turned out for Saturday's field trip to Ste-Martine, Howick and Mercier, Quebec. It was a great day, weather-wise with mostly sunny conditions with less humidity than previous days this past week. Our timing was great as it seemed that a large number of shorebirds had arrived at the dam at Ste-Martine. The highlight from Ste-Martine was the discovery of two short-billed Dowitchers. Without a doubt though, the bird of the day was the Red-headed Woodpecker immediately found at the intersection of Highway 138 and rang du 40 near Howick. The bird offered up excellent views, a lifer for many in the group.

We completed the day with a total of 54 species. Here is the complete list. I will do separate listings for each location, for e-Bird purposes, later on. Thanks to everyone who participated. - Sheldon Harvey

Wood Duck 10, Mallard 80, Northern Shoveler 4, Green-winged Teal 5, Great Blue Heron 8, Great Egret 1, Black-crowned Night Heron 3, Turkey Vulture 3, Osprey 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Cooper's Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 2, Semipalmated Plover 2, Killdeer 24, Spotted Sandpiper 8, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 40, Least Sandpiper 22, Pectoral Sandpiper 1, Semipalmated Sandpiper 1, Short-billed Dowitcher 2, Ring-billed Gull 75, Rock Pigeon 12, Mourning Dove 8, Chimney Swift 5, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker 3, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Merlin 1, Peregrine Falcon 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee 1, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 2, American Crow 20, Purple Martin 4, Tree Swallow 20, Bank Swallow 4, Barn Swallow 30, Black-capped Chickadee 12, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, American Robin 4, European Starling 30, Nashville Warbler 1, Common Yellowthroat 1, Yellow Warbler 6, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Song Sparrow 6, Northern Cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 3, Common Grackle 4, American Goldfinch 20, House Sparrow 2

Canard branchu 10, Canard colvert 80, Canard souchet 4, Sarcelle d'hiver 5, Grand héron 8, Grande Aigrette 1, Bihoreau gris 3, Urubu à tête rouge 3, Balbuzard pêcheur 1, Épervier brun 1, Épervier de Cooper 1, Buse à queue rousse 2, Pluvier semipalmé 2, Pluvier kildir 24, Chevalier grivelé 8, Chevalier solitaire 1, Petit Chevalier 40, Bécasseau minuscule 22, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée 1, Bécasseau semipalmé 1, Bécassin roux 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 75, Pigeon biset 12, Tourterelle triste 8, Martinet ramoneur 5, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Martin pêcheur d'Amérique 2, Pic à tête rouge 1, Pic mineur 3, Pic chevelu 1, Faucon émerillon 1, Faucon pèlerin 1, Pioui de l'Est 1, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux  2, Corneille d'Amérique 20, Hirondelle noire 4, Hirondelle bicolore 20, Hirondelle rivage4, Hirondelle rustique 30, Mésange à tête noire 12, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Merle d'Amérique 4, Étourneau sansonnet 30, Paruline à joues grises 1, Paruline masquée 1, Paruline jaune 6, Paruline à croupion jaune 1, Bruant chanteur6, Cardinal rouged 1, Carouge à épaulettes 3, Quiscale bronzé 4, Chardonneret jaune 20, Moineau domestique 2

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

2016 Summer Series of Birding Trip #6 - Saturday, August 6

Saturday, August 6 - samedi 6 d’aout
Sainte-Martine, Howick, Mercier Lagoons, Mercier
Guide: Sheldon Harvey

514-637-2141 – E-mail
8:00 a.m. – Half-day
Meet at 1 rue du Pont, Sainte-Martine

GOOGLE MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/OzxnL


Driving Instructions: If you are taking the Mercier Bridge from Montreal, go right on Highway 132/138 West. Drive for approximately 40 km on Highway 138 West to the town of Sainte-Martine. In Sainte-Martine, watch for the Subway Restaurant on the right just before rue du Pont. Turn right on rue du Pont, cross the bridge. The parking lot will be immediately on your right.

If you are taking Highway 30 from either the east or west, take Exit 26-ch. de la Beauce (Highway 205). Follow Highway 205 south to the intersection with Highway 138 (boul. St-Jean-Baptiste) in Sainte-Martine. Turn right on St-Jean-Baptiste. Watch for the Subway Restaurant on the right & follow the instructions above.

NOTE: From Ste-Martine we will continue on Highway 138 to rang du 40 to look for the Red-headed Woodpecker, then return on secondary roads to the Mercier Lagoons to look for the Red-necked Phalarope and Bonaparte’s Gull

8 h 00 – Demi-journée
LIEU de rencontre: Rassemblement à 1 rue du Pont, Sainte-Martine, QC.

CARTE DE GOOGLE:
https://goo.gl/maps/OzxnL

La Route: Si vous arrivez depuis le pont Mercier en provenance de Montréal, prenez vers l’ouest (droite) sur la route 132/138 ouest. Suivez la route 138 ouest pour 40 km jusqu' à la ville de Sainte-Martine. En ville , sur la droite, vous trouverai le restaurant “Subway”. Après le “Subway” tournez à droite sur rue du Pont. Traversez le pont. Le stationnement est après le pont à la droite.

Si vous prenez l’autoroute 30, de l’ouest ou l’est, prendre la sortie 26 (Route 205-ch. de la Beauce) Continuez vers le sud sur route 205-ch. de la Beauce en direction Sainte-Martine jusqu’à l’intersection de Route 138 (boul. St-Jean-Baptiste). Tournez à droite sur boul. St-Jean-Baptiste et trouvez le restaurant “Subway” sur la droite. Après le “Subway” tournez à droite sur rue du Pont. Traversez le pont. Le stationnement est après le pont à la droite.

NOTE: De Ste-Martine, que nous allons continuer sur la route 138 à rang du 40 pour tenter de voir le pic à tête rouge, puis retour sur des routes secondaires au station d'épuration de Mercier pour chercher le Phalarope à bec étroit et la Mouette de Bonaparte.
 
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