Port Weller Daily reports 2015
May 1, 2015
John B with Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson.
Bugs a nuisance but they have been worse.
Few migrants: 1 House Wren, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Yellow Warbler, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 1
White-throated Sparrow. Last year on May 1 we observed 2 Phoebes, 20 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 8
House Wrens, 3 Brown Thrashers, 2 Warbling Vireos, 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 20 White-throated
Sparrows and 1 Rufous-sided Towhee.
A group of about 70 immature male Red-winged Blackbirds travelled along the pier with us and we may
have seen them leave the vicinity of the Coast Guard station at 0910 hours heading south.
Alas there are dog ticks on the pier. Bob had one tick in the central area on the way out. I had 3 and
Jean had 2 on the way back along the path on the west side of the pier.
John B
May 2, 2015
Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson.
A beautiful sunny morning for a bird count.
Bugs a slight nuisance in areas.
Few migrants: 1 House Wren, 1 Brown Thrasher, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Yellow Warblers, 2
Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler, 1 Eastern Towhee, 1 Savannah Sparrow and 3 White-throated
Sparrows. See attached for complete list.
Looking for a place to have breakfast after your count. Try The Diner House 29 on the north-east corner
of Welland and Grantham Avenues. The banana foster French toast was delicious!
Bob & Jean
May 3, 2015
Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson.
Another beautiful sunny morning.
Some migrants: 2 House Wrens, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, 4 Yellow Warblers, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Palm Warblers, 1 Pine Warbler and 5
White-throated Sparrows. See attached for complete list.
One coyote observed on the west pier and a second observed running along Bunting Road north of Scott
Street on our way home.
Bob and Jean
May 4
Very quiet. A few Yellow-rumps and a lot of Yellow Warblers. Very noisy perhaps 100 or more
Grackles and Red winged Blackbirds at the start of the trail. Smaller groups of grackles and
blackbirds all along the pier.
Midges abundant and 1 tick in the central area.
A Northern Harrier female flew west across the canal and then over the west pier near the north
end.
A single Catbird was heard on the way back to the Coast Guard station and a Brown Thrasher
was seen at the side of the road.
The Coast Guard tell me the midges were so thick last night that the start of the road we census
was not visible from the Coast Guard station.
John B
May 5, 2015
Philip and I spent about 45 minutes. Not much variety. At least 46 Yellow-rumps (too many to
count exactly) , Baltimore Oriole, Black-throated Blue Warbler and Field Sparrow were new for
the week.
Two small groups of 4-5 Bluejays passed overhead heading north. Hundreds of Red-winged
Blackbirds feeding on the newly opened buds on the willows. Smaller numbers of starlings and
grackles.
John B
May 6
Cold (less than 10 degrees Celsius) . No ticks. We almost needed gloves. Midges much reduced
from yesterday. Few migrants once again. Less than 100 blackbirds this morning although they
are still around and feeding on buds (but not on the canal side willows today.) One adult Blackcrowned Night Heron in the willows. Only Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. The Yellowrumped Warblers , which were almost entirely adult males on May 4, are now almost entirely
females.
This morning I had a brief look at what looked like the usual brown
swallow at the Coast Guard boat exhaust port. It was with a regular
plumaged bird.
John B
May 7
Great morning,
Dan Salisbury Luc Fazio and I had an excellent visit to the pier. On arrival we observed a Greathorned Owl fly north pursued by grackles and it was seen subsequently several times.
Two Fish Crows were seen and heard. A Forster's Tern flew by the mouth of the canal. There
were not many migrants. We observed a Palm Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Common
Yellowthroat, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. A single Red-headed Woodpecker flew
south near the north end. Numbers of Grackles and Red-wings were substantially down from a
few days ago. Just south of the Coast Guard Station we observed a male Scarlet Tanager.
The real excitement came as we were walking along the west side of the pier on our way back to
the Coast Guard Station. Dan heard and then spotted a Yellow-throated Warbler. Great looks at
this bird, a first for me in Niagara! I put it on ontbirds (SEE BELOW) with directions to
Malcomson Woods where this bird could show up in the next few days. For those of you who
are counting in the next few days, if you take the walk back along the west pier then look for a
Happy Birthday Balloon tied to a tree. This marks the area where it was seen and heard. Learn
the song of the Yellow-throated before you go. Alternatively, look for it in Malcomson Woods.
"At about 0900 hours this morning Luc Fazio and Dan Salisbury and I observed a singing
Yellow-throated Warbler on the Port Weller west pier
north of the Coast Guard Station. This area is not open to the public but we were there to do a
special count. It is our experience, however,
that birds that first show up on the West Pier will often end up in Malcomson Woods."
John B
May 8
A good, but not great day at both Malcolmson and PWW. No rarities. First kingbirds,
Tennessee warblers and redstart, and a tree decorated with 3 male grosbeaks. No ticks! Few
midges.
Katherine
May 9
It was a beautiful day, but no rarities. Great-horned Owl. Great egret flyby and dead redthroated loon (can we count that? On west trail, first seen May 1). First hummer. Hopefully
better tomorrow.
Katherine
May 10
It was a lovely warm day, but no fallout. First pewee and red eyed vireos. 5 Northern Parula!
11 species of warbler.
Katherine
May 11
Important Note: The many warblers seen by Jean and Kayo had clearly not made it to
Malcomson when Katherine Stoltz was there at 0700-0800!!
Good morning all
Jean Hampson and I had an excellent morning on the PWW pier count this morning. The middle
grassy path (especially the middle third) was clearly the most active. We had 12 warbler spp
highlighted by a stunning Canada, 5 male Black and White (first for the count this year of this
species of concern), and a Northern Waterthrush singing on a branch found by Jean.
After the count was totalled, on the way out we observed a nice Veery along the main path.
Kayo
Hi Kayo
Looks like you were busy.
Some amazing numbers. 26 Magnolia Warblers and 12 Chesntut sided Warblers.
John
John....the Magnolia numbers might be low....the birds were everywhere. Might even say the
same thing for Chestnut-sided, one tree held 4 birds. We had a fair bit of fog this morning....that
would hold the birds down.
Kayo
May 12, 2015
Very windy, partially cloudy, seasonal temperature.
John Stevens
Hi John B
I have not seen a report on todays count as yet....I was wondering how many
Magnolia’s and Chestnut-sided were seen this morning at PWWP. Do you have a
report from John?
I subscribe to GeneseeBirds and today there were 3 reports to the listserv from US
birders about the fog they encountered yesterday morning, and two of the three
mentioned the unbelievable numbers of Magnolia and Chestnut-sided they observed
yesterday.
After my 8:30 optometrist appointment this morning I spent about an hour at
Malcolmson. A fair number of birds....mostly Yellow-rumped. I suspect the the next two
or three days should produce a substantial number of birds.
BTW....I saw the dark coloured Northern Rough-winged Swallow on Monday. It sure
looked chocolate brown all over even this early in its migration north. While there the
bird did not enter the exhaust hole. I was not able to photograph it but I would bet it is a
true dark morph bird.
Kayo
May 13
Overcast, cold and windy to begin, everyone wearing gloves but moderating as we moved along
and even seeing some sun eventually. Two Dunlin were trying to get something out of the
concrete near the end of the pier. On the return walk we had a couple each of Swainson’s Thrush
and Great Crested Flycatcher with single Lincoln’s Sparrow, Northern Parula and Canada
Warbler. About six Blackburnian Warbler seen along the road where none were found going
out.
John S
May 14
Greetings,
Dan and I had an uneventful walk out to the end of the pier this morning. Not many
warblers. Two Willow/Alder Flycatchers observed. One Canada Warbler.
We did have a Red-throated Loon fly by on our way back along the western side of the pier.
A coast guard person told us they had seen a female Coyote with a very young cub so keep
your eyes open for this animal and avoid it.
We had a very close look at the black Bank Swallow building a nest in the coast guard boat
exhaust. Dan suggests, based on his experience with other oiled birds , that this is an oiled
bird. There is evidence of preening on the chest and the overall appearance is somewhat
oily and shiny. The coast guard person we talked to said the nest was flushed out the other
day. This is the third year of a bird trying to build a nest in the exhaust port! Possibly it is
the same bird. At times there are a pair of birds sitting by the port but the normally
plumaged one has not been seen entering the exhaust port. If you do see a white fronted
bird (or two different black fronted birds) entering the exhaust it would be very interesting.
John B
May 15
It was a cool, gray day, rendering visibility poor. 13 sp. of warbler including Cape May. Fly by of
2 great blue herons and a pack of 23 blue jays. On the way back, had field sparrow, whitethroat and red-eyed vireo. The grass has been mowed, so easier to navigate the central and
west paths.
Katherine
May 16 2015
Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson.An
overcast and cool morning but we observed a variety of
birds.13 species of warbler: Black and white, Tennessee, Yellow, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped,
Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Palm, Wilson's, American
Redstart, and Northern Parula.
Other notables included, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Indigo Bunting and White-crowned Sparrow.
Returning along the lake side of the pier we observed a Common Yellowthroat, 2 Black-throated
Green Warblers and we heard a Blackpoll Warbler.
Bob & Jean
May 17, 2015
Bob Highcock, Jean Hampson and Kayo Roy
Jean, Kayo and I explored the pier this morning. A beautiful day but somewhat quieter than
Saturday.
9 species of warbler: Yellow, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Blackpoll,
Canada, American Redstart, and Northern Parula.
Other notables included, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher and
Swainson's Thrush. 2 Empidonax were observed and noted as Alder/Willow Flycatcher.
Returning to the coast guard station along the canal we all had a good look at a Philadelphia
Vireo. We also observed 2 Brown Thrashers and a White-crowned Sparrow.
Bob & Jean
May 18
Hi folks
Good day at Weller today with 14 species of warblers. 3 Long-tailed Ducks.
Marci
May 19
Hi folks
Very slow day at Weller today. Sadly 6 Blackpolls.
Marcie
May 20
Hi folks
Wednesday was a fairly good day at Port Weller with 11 species of warblers, including a young
female Cape May. The birds were actually singing.
May 21
Hi folks
Thursday was very quiet. We did find Gray Catbird and Warbling Vireo nests. Also a Brown
Thrasher on the way back from the tip.
Marcie
May 22
We bravely fought through choking clouds of midges to find a measly 4 species of warbler. Still
scads of yellow warblers and an unidentified pile of black feathers on the west trail on the way
out. Someone ate well.
Katherine
May 23
Despite dodging the Rankin Run set-up crew, we made it safely out of Midge Woods. No
surprises. A few shorebirds at the tip (3 Dunlin, 2 Semipalmated and 1 Sanderling) picking up
microscopic food particles.
Katherine
May 24
Much better than yesterday with the highlights being Osprey and Red-headed Woodpecker off
the tip, a late palm warbler and mama coyote. We received a scolding from the killdeer who
must have a nest in the grass near the tip.
Katherine
May 25
Very light wind to begin with the sun trying to appear after a cloudy night and very warm.
Second warbler species was a Mourning before we’d even reached the fork of the trail. Lots of
birds with many females and younger males. Judy and I may have had a Prothonotary; brilliant
yellow head, dark eye, bluish-grey to the wings, unstreaked yellow belly but neither of us
noticed white under the tail. Nevertheless we still had 16 warbler species and heard a
Tennessee on the way back too. Midges galore, mosquitoes and ticks with insufficient
flycatchers to deal with them
John S
May 26
A warm, pleasant day with light winds but with far fewer birds than yesterday. A Yellowrumped Warbler was found on the return. Judy found a small Snapping Turtle where the two
trails merge near the north end. It was a long way from water and looked pretty dusty.
John S
May 27
Another warm morning, moderately windy and partially sunny. Adult coyote seen in the
distance. A quiet day on the warbler front, only four species although a Common Yellowthroat
was heard on the return walk.
John S
May 28
Cooler and with a fresh westerly wind but that didn’t deter the midges which were out in force.
The only relief coming at the north end of the pier. A large flock of small shorebirds was seen
skimming low over the water heading west.
John S
May 29
For the antepenultimate day of the antepenultimate year of this study, it was a beautiful day for a
walk on the pier; bright sunshine, low wind, seasonal temperature and almost midge free until
right near the north end. There were so many birds that Katherine’s pen ran dry half way
through. Well, maybe it was almost dry to begin. After yesterday’s bugfest, I wouldn’t have
cared if I never birded here again but today restored my enthusiasm. (From Saturday May 30 :
Did John Stevens mention that we saw the sooty swallow (who is a female) mating on Friday?
Katherine)
John S
May 30
A nice warm and sunny morning....only problem was that we ran into a mosquito convention.
Nothing special found....a Black-crowned Night-Heron along the shoreline at the start, the coyote
let us see his presence and a Killdeer nest near the tip.
On the way home I stopped at Parmalat/Avondale ponds and found and photographed a Cattle
Egret.
Kayo
May 31
Good morning all
Well it sure was not a good morning at PW. Rain and strong winds greeted Brian and I.
As we entered past the electronic gate we saw that all the swallows were feeding near
the gate and no higher than 10 feet from the ground. Along the road were many small
branch limbs due to the strong winds from the east and not one cormorant was high in
the trees....a few were at water level branches with most of them in the water. As we
headed out the winds were stronger especially near the tip.
No mosquitos, no midges and virtually no birds not even swallows due to no
insects....all other birds must have been well hunkered down or deeper west of the main
road and secondary path.
Here attached is the miniscule total.
On the way out we had a great visual of an adult Black-crowned Night-Heron and an
Eastern Kingbird. We also checked out Parmalat/Avondale ponds for the Cattle
Egret....it was not seen.
Kayo