Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Manitoba Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 10:44 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Northern Shrike,©Barry Kent Mackay

02 Sep goldfinches and greens [JRodger ] 1 Sep More on English Gardens ["Gail Schacter" ] 02 Sep English Gardens ["Dennis S" ] 1 Sep Goldfinches and greens ["Raven" ] 1 Sep Eastern Screech-Owl ["Rob Parsons" ] 1 Sep Fw: Eastern Screech-Owl ["Rob Parsons" ] 1 Sep New images on the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 1 Sep Greens and Goldfinches [Charlie McPherson ] 31 Aug Uploads of a Banded Blue-headed Vireo ["stuart.oikawa" ] 31 Aug Cooper's Hawk [Gene Walz ] 31 Aug Addition to the Nature manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 31 Aug New image on the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 30 Aug For the Magpie lover..... [Charlie McPherson ] 29 Aug Nighthawks & Hummer [Lorne Klassen ] 29 Aug 39 species [Charlie McPherson ] 29 Aug Fall warblers on the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 29 Aug Purple Finches ["Deanna Dodgson" ] 29 Aug Crescent Park ["manitobawinnipegcanada" ] 26 Aug bald eagle ["Coleen" ] 24 Aug Point Du Bois ["iamthedarklord" ] 28 Aug Whitewater, Turtle Mountain PP and Peace Gardens ["trafalgar.house" ] 27 Aug Goldfinch ["capenter75" ] 27 Aug Green Heron ["Harv & Barb Lane" ] 27 Aug New images on the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 27 Aug Beausejour - Beaches outing ["Rudolf Koes" ] 26 Aug Juvenile White-throats ["Deanna Dodgson" ] 26 Aug Solitary Sandpiper ["Garry Budyk" ] 26 Aug Assiniboine Park [Emily Pipher ] 26 Aug Re: Common nighthawks ["John Neufeld" ] 26 Aug A young Red-headed Woodpecker [Charlie McPherson ] 26 Aug Late brood of GW Teal [Richard Staniforth ] 26 Aug Grackles galore ["marcel" ] 25 Aug New images at the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 25 Aug Uploads - Fall Cape May, Magnolia, and Blackpoll Warblers ["stuart.oikawa" ] 25 Aug Cooper's Hawk [Charlie McPherson ] 25 Aug About the Ospreys [Charlie McPherson ] 25 Aug Lifer! ["Jake & Ruth Hiebert" ] 25 Aug Long-eared Owl ["Bob Shettler" ] 25 Aug someone from South Africa asking for birding in Winnipeg [Ricardo Ibarra ] 25 Aug Osprey ["Dennis S" ] 24 Aug Hummer [Lorne Klassen ] 24 Aug Osprey ["John Weier" ] 23 Aug canada warblers [Gene Walz ] 23 Aug Manitobabirds. [Lars Jansson ] 23 Aug Upload Canada Warbler ["stuart.oikawa" ] 22 Aug Canada Warblar [Charlie McPherson ] 22 Aug Prairie Falcon N of OHM ["Liis Veelma" ] 22 Aug New images at the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 22 Aug Re: Common Nighthawks [Lorne Klassen ] 22 Aug Common Nighthawks ["Jim Reimer" ] 22 Aug White bird photo [Larry de March ] 22 Aug Re: White bird identification ["Bob Shettler" ] 21 Aug Re: Unknown Birds [Carolyn Curtis ] 21 Aug Virgina Rail ["Sursohog" ] 21 Aug Unknown Birds [Craig Hanley ] 21 Aug White bird identification ["paula_grieef" ] 20 Aug Mazenod-Camiel Sys Ponds and a Black Duck [Richard Staniforth ] 20 Aug New images at the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 20 Aug Olive-sided Flycatcher and Rose-breasted Grosbeak ["stuart.oikawa" ] 20 Aug Swallows, Terns [Charlie McPherson ] 20 Aug Falcons and hawks ["iamthedarklord" ] 21 Aug Western Tanager ["nbutchard" ] 19 Aug RT Hummingbird [Lorne Klassen ] 19 Aug report of probable Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ["Rudolf Koes" ] 19 Aug (A whole bunch of) New images at the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 19 Aug Milne Park - directions boo boo [Charlie McPherson ] 18 Aug MATLOCK NIGHTHAWKS - 83 of'em! [Charlie McPherson ] 17 Aug Common Nighthawk [Lorne Klassen ] 17 Aug New images at the Nature Manitoba site [Frank Machovec ] 17 Aug Green Herons ["Harv & Barb Lane" ] 17 Aug Shoal Lakes ["Rudolf Koes" ] 16 Aug Photo Uploads ["stuart.oikawa" ] 16 Aug A Cardinal in the English Garden [] 16 Aug Turkey Vulture ["Garry Budyk" ] 15 Aug While out Atlasing [Charlie McPherson ] 15 Aug Fall Birds ["Jake & Ruth Hiebert" ] Subject: goldfinches and greens From: JRodger <jrodger AT xplornet.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:44:04 -0500 Goldfinches are an absolute plague if you're trying to grow chard and/or beets. One year they ate every last seedling in the garden, and since then I've grown both beets and chard under a long hoop house made of bird netting and electrical conduit. If the chard grows too close to the top of the netting, they shred whatever leaves they can reach. We feed the little darlings sunflower seeds all summer, too. My appreciation for rose-breasted grosbeaks is somewhat diminished by the fact that they regularly decimate our apple crop, too. Clearly they thrive on apples, as their numbers increase yearly. Johanna Rodger Argyle, MB Subject: More on English Gardens From: "Gail Schacter" <gailschacter AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:59:10 -0700 A six o'clockish visit to the English gardens was very birdy, and I do believe that I saw a pair of Blue-headed Vireos there, a Wilson's Warbler, Robins, Black capped Chickadees (a treat for me even though common here!), plus some other unidentified warblers. I'm looking forward to a trip to Fort Whyte as well to see all those new-for-me warblers that others have reported. Thanks, Gail Schacter Victoria, BC, [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: English Gardens From: "Dennis S" <photosdennis AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:46:07 -0000 Morning visit to the English Gardens finds me bumping into Alfred A...we have conversed by email re: cameras & lenses etc. but have never met. Must say Alfred it was a pleasure and delight to meet and chat in the Gardens with you today. We even got to do a rendition of "Old McDonalds Farm"...with a click, click here and a click, click there as we viewed and photographed a female Ruby-throated Hummer. Our conversation did lead us to Great Grays and Hawk Owls...something I think we both are looking forward to in a couple of months...as well as many others I'm sure ! Cheers ! Dennis S Subject: Goldfinches and greens From: "Raven" <raven AT xplornet.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:42:02 -0500 Hi all: Further on Charlie McPherson's post, I finally noticed that goldfinches eat beet greens and Swiss Chard is another favorite. For several years now I noticed the greens been eaten and upon close examination could not see any insects on the leaves so it was a mystery. We always have goldfinches here in the garden so did not give them a thought until I saw one land on the beets this year and commence eating. Mystery solved. On another note, Sandhill Cranes are moving south; all day Monday small groups of 6 - 20 were flying over and then again today, Wednesday September 1. Linda Boys Rapid City, MB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Eastern Screech-Owl From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8 AT mts.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:46:23 -0500 Hi all, There is a screeh-owl in my backyard, being mobbed by Blue Jays, chickadees and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. It's 2:45 as I type this. If anyone wishes to try for it, you are welcome to do so. My address is 68 Thatcher Dr. Cheers, Rob Parsons Winnipeg, MB CANADA parsons8 AT mts.net Subject: Fw: Eastern Screech-Owl From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8 AT mts.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:11:54 -0500 Hi all, Sent the following nearly half an hour ago, but it seems to have got lost in cyber space. Apologies if you get this twice. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Parsons" To: "Manitoba Birds" Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 2:46 PM Subject: Eastern Screech-Owl Hi all, There is a screeh-owl in my backyard, being mobbed by Blue Jays, chickadees and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. It's 2:45 as I type this. If anyone wishes to try for it, you are welcome to do so. My address is 68 Thatcher Dr. Cheers, Rob Parsons Winnipeg, MB CANADA parsons8 AT mts.net Subject: New images on the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:25:29 -0700 (PDT) I have just added a series of photographs from Stuart Oikawa of a banded Blue-headed Vireo at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/BHVI_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Greens and Goldfinches From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:53:17 -0500 I've noticed Goldfinches hanging around the garden recently and thought, perhaps, that they were picking up weed seeds, cauliflower worms etc, but today I noticed it was the beet greens that they were nibbling on. Imagine that! Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Uploads of a Banded Blue-headed Vireo From: "stuart.oikawa" <icemn_19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:33:19 -0000 A successful morning at Fort Whyte today in spite of the high winds and wet conditions. Sighted Magnolia, American Redstart, Black and White,and Chestnut-sided among the migrant warblers, a Swainson's Thrush, and a banded Blue-headed Vireo. I've posted the banded Blue-headed Vireo to my album here today, but it seems that Yahoo is having some difficulties again with showing them there. Cheers, Stuart Oikawa Winnipeg Subject: Cooper's Hawk From: Gene Walz <genewalz AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:49:40 -0500 Sitting by my front window Sunday, I watched a young Cooper's Hawk bank clumsily and flop into a stand of Muggho pines under the window where House Sparrows hang out. They all went immediately silent as he/she eyed the ground where they cowered. The hawk then plopped onto the ground with them, and one by one they fled to safety under my car. The hawk thrashed around for five minutes, leaving empty-taloned. It takes a while to get the hang of the hunt. Gene Walz [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Addition to the Nature manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:24:08 -0700 (PDT) I just added Ryan Porteous' photograph of an immature female Merlin at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/MERL_2010f.htm Frank Machovec Subject: New image on the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:45:51 -0700 (PDT) I have just added Deanna Dodgson's photograph of a female juvenile Purple Finch at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/PUFI_2010f.htm Frank Machovec Subject: For the Magpie lover..... From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:06:37 -0500 I came across a flock of 15 Magpies (near and north of the Netly Elevator) on Cochrane Rd in the RM of St. Andrews this evening. Tons of Canada Geese in the farm fields near there as well. I've had quite a group of White Throated Sparrows in the yard all week. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nighthawks & Hummer From: Lorne Klassen <lorne.klassen AT mts.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:52:12 -0500 Saw a flock of C. Nighthawks at about 7:25 PM today with the Franklins and possibly other gulls over the backyard hawking insects. Total number of Nighthawks was between 7-10. Another female RT Hummer checked our backyard flowers near the same time. There also some fall plumage warblers & chickadees eating the chokecherries. Also heard a waxwing and saw a RE Vireo earlier. Lorne Klassen - Fort Richmond Subject: 39 species From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:34:15 -0500 The birding outings over the weekend on the 45 acre property at the little festival next to Matlock produced 39 species. Of note today after the early downpour were 8-9 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks preening from the rain and a Common Yellowthroat working the ditch. Of note yesterday was a wonderful find for the Atlas - a pair of adult Goldfinches feeding (at the same time) 4-5 young mouths in a nest waist high along the edge of a patch of thistles. Found a Swainson's Thrush picking dogwood berries as well. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fall warblers on the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:52:37 -0700 (PDT) I have just added images of fall warblers from Stuart Oikawa as follows: Bay-breasted Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/BBWA_2010.htm Blackpoll Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/BLPW_2010.htm Cape May Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/CMWA_2010.htm and Magnolia Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/MAWA_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Purple Finches From: "Deanna Dodgson" <ddodgson AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:42:39 -0500 Making use of our birdy backyard enclave for the past three days have been four Purple Finches (photos posted of one "peaky" individual). Others visitors have been Red-eyed Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Swainson's Thrush, Yellow-bellied & Least Flycatchers, Ovenbird, Clay-coloured & Chipping Sparrows, the four White-throated Sparrows previously reported, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Wilson's, Yellow, Tennessee and Magnolia Warblers. Cheers, Deanna Dodgson Winnipeg [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Crescent Park From: "manitobawinnipegcanada" <careyneale AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:02:13 -0000 There was a nice assortment of birds at Crescent Park this morning. The area between the main parking lot and the river is the best for diversity. Warblers included: Magnolia Nashville Tennessee Black-and-white Ovenbird American Redstart Wilson's Chestniut-sided Mourning Northern Waterthrush Brad Carey Winnipeg Subject: bald eagle From: "Coleen" <col2joy AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:28:10 -0000 On my evening commute much to my surprise I saw a bald eagle cruising above the intersection of St. Mary's and St. Anne's Road. I wondered if my eyes were playing tricks on me but I was certain it was a bald eagle. Quite unmistakeable. Common occurance? Subject: Point Du Bois From: "iamthedarklord" <kevin.kodak333 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:02:48 -0000 Spent the weekend in Point Du Bois, saw and heard more birds than I could believe. Had a frolicking flock of nighthawks, counted out about 45, but they were moving so quickly it could have been 10 +/- either way, Pileated woodpecker, a group of 5 cormorants, chickadees; boreal and black capped, red breasted nuthatches, a great gray owl, screech owl, loons, about 30 mallards in a small lagoon with a couple of canvasbacks,warblers galore, sparrows (which I have yet to identify...I'm new to this!) and a bald eagle watching us have breakfast. Other highlights included a black bear, red fox, and yearling whitetail. I managed to snap a few pics, but as we were working on the cabin for the most part, I didn't have the cam attached to my hand the entire time. Subject: Whitewater, Turtle Mountain PP and Peace Gardens From: "trafalgar.house" <trafalgar.house AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:36:19 -0000 Hi, We have just returned from 4 days birding in these areas and were not rewarded with a high number of species(92), especially ducks! Two very windy days probably did not help. However we had some concentration and behavior highlights. First was an amazing number of mallards on swathed fields before the south turnoff to Sexton Island- easily 500 and quite likely a 1,000- they just went on and on. Second was a large concentration of short-billed Dowitchers at Whitewater- 200+ as well as great viewings of several Ibis- Whitefaced and Glossy. In this case, the wind helped as they were somewhat "suspended" in flight. The third highlight was an observation of Swainson vs Red Tailed Hawk. We had stopped on the approach road to the south mound at Whitewater to identify some flying raptors. There were 2 RT hawks and one Swainsons. One of the RT's kept going West while the other established a perch on a hay bale. We were enjoying the soaring of the Swainson's when it changed tack, folded its wings and started it's approach to a target at amazing velocity. Watching it approach the ground, we were astounded to see that its target was the perched RT Hawk. It knocked the RT off the bale, in true Mohammed Ali fashion and returned to its aerial survey. The RT never reappeared... Eric Smith and Louise Buelow-Smith East Fort Garry, Winnipeg, Manitoba Subject: Goldfinch From: "capenter75" <capenter75 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:25:12 -0000 I've had Goldfinch parents feeding fledged young in my yard the last few days. They could be migrants but also locals as I have had Goldfinch pairs at my feeders all summer. Who knows? On another matter-- it would be nice if the posting people had the right date and time on their computers Bill Buhler St. Vital Centre area Subject: Green Heron From: "Harv & Barb Lane" <harv.lane AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:40:57 -0500 Howdy, There is still at least one Green Heron at the golf course in Steinbach. Had a fly-by along the creek by the eighth hole where the creek heads over behind the swimming pool. Cheers, Harv Lane [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New images on the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:09:15 -0700 (PDT) I have just added images of a Chestnut-sided Warbler from Stuart Oikawa at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/CSWA_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Beausejour - Beaches outing From: "Rudolf Koes" <rkoes AT mts.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:06:16 -0500 Hello all, Yesterday (26th) Peter Taylor and I made a loop from Beausejour via Gull L., Patricia Beach, Grand Beach, Powerview and the Brightstone area back to Beausejour. Walter Chryplywy Park, at the s.w. edge of town, proved quite productive (as it is most of the time). A Broadwing, a roosting nighthawk, an unexpected Chimney Swift overhead, a calling pewee, a Veery and several warbler species. North of Ladywood we found a small flock of Baird's Sandpipers near the road. Gull Lake had a few Red-necked Grebes, while Patricia Beach was rather quiet (a few Forster's & Caspian Terns). At Grand Beach we had the most interesting bird of the day, a somewhat melanistic Forster's Tern. It was with about 100 other tern at the mouth of the channel between the beaches. Size and shape as Forster's or Common, but darker than Arctic on breast and belly, medium gray on the mantle and flight feathers, with a long and very wide black cap. Bill colour was rather indeterminate, but the bird flashed quite a bit of white in the primaries when it flew. It really stood out amongst the other terns and gulls. Between Powerview and Brightstone we saw a flock of 370+ cranes. Cheers, Rudolf Koes, Winnipeg. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Juvenile White-throats From: "Deanna Dodgson" <ddodgson AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:46:35 -0500 Over the past two weeks or so, three juvenile White-throated Sparrows have called our yard home. We surmise that they are the offspring of the over-summering pair that Garry heard in our neighbourhood this year. The young trio have been joined by another White-throat in full adult plumage on a couple of occasions, which may be their parent. I managed to get a decent photo of one of the youngsters and have posted it this evening. Cheers, Deanna Dodgson Winnipeg [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Solitary Sandpiper From: "Garry Budyk" <callgud AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:59:59 -0500 Deanna and I took a short walk along Bunns Creek yesterday ( 25 August ) . We found singles of both Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers , as well as a few warblers , 1-3 each of 8 species . There were also Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos among others , but no big wave of migrants yet , although we only walked a short distance . I tried uploading a photo of the Solitary Sandpiper but Yahoo seems to having issues . In the meantime it can be viewed at : http://imagesofmanitoba.shawwebspace.ca/photos/ Cheers , Garry Budyk Winnipeg MB http://imagesofmanitoba.shawwebspace.ca/photos/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Assiniboine Park From: Emily Pipher <enpipher AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:01:26 -0500 Hello birders, I took a fairly quick stroll through the English Gardens this afternoon. Nothing much new going on, and it was very quiet on the warbler end of things. However, I did manage to see Red-eyed, Warbling, and Blue-headed Vireos, several Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, several Ruby-throated Hummers, Chipping Sparrows, a soaring Red-tailed Hawk, and a singing Yellow Warbler to tie everything together. Next week I'm taking a short trip to Churchill, so hopefully I'll have some exciting birds to post about when I return! -Emily Pipher University of Manitoba Winnipeg [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Common nighthawks From: "John Neufeld" <hans007 AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:34:32 -0500 Last night at about 7 p.m I saw a number of whirling common nighthawks on PTH 75 near PTH 210 (Ste. Adolfe). I wish I could have stopped. John Neufeld Steinbach [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: A young Red-headed Woodpecker From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:00:36 -0500 I cut a cottager's grass once/month during the growing season, meaning the Red Clovers and such usually have time to grow and blossom between cuts. Any uncut yard can grow to become a smorgasborg of bugs much like an uncut tame hayfield in July. So I'm cutting this yard and it's a beautiflly quiet evening (except for me and the mower) and I notice a dozen Monarch Butterflies start working the clovers dazzling in the sun. Not only butterflies but Bumblebees as well. And then there's always the moths down there low in the grass. I noticed that some of the moths that were escaping to safer grass weren't really escaping at all. A young Red-headed woodpecker was picking them off, flying back to any convenient tree and gobbling them up. You can usually find this woodpecker and the adults anywhere near Prospect and 3rd-6th Ave Wpg Beach. 3rd Ave's southern backlane close to Prospect was a warblar paradise during migration last year. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Late brood of GW Teal From: Richard Staniforth <richard_staniforth AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:39:30 -0700 (PDT) Granary Ponds, Churchill; 25th August   We saw a late brood of Green-winged Teal here yesterday.  The ducklings were still not much bigger than golf balls and downy! Good luck to them! Richard Staniforth [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Grackles galore From: "marcel" <marcel_lacroix AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:22:19 -0000 HI, Early this morning hundreds of Grackles invaded Guilbault Street in St. Boniface. They searched for all things edible in trees, in eavestroughs and on the ground. They left no leaf unturned as they participated in a feeding frenzy. Quite a spectacle. Marcel Lacroix St. Boniface Subject: New images at the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:23:59 -0700 (PDT) I have just added some new photographs from Stuart Oikawa: Black-throated Green Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/BTNW.htm Sora at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/SORA_2010fwa.htm and Virginia Rail at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/VIRA_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Uploads - Fall Cape May, Magnolia, and Blackpoll Warblers From: "stuart.oikawa" <icemn_19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:46:11 -0000 I've uploaded Fall Cape May, Magnolia, and Blackpoll Warblers all sighted at Fort Whyte, August 21/10, to my album. Cheers, Stuart Oikawa Winnipeg Subject: Cooper's Hawk From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:10:35 -0500 A hawk flew north out of the spruce trees on Chalet Beach Rd in the RM of St. Andrews while I and my daughter were on the way home from work just now. I asked my daughter to watch and see if it had a square or a rounded tail as I could tell it was either a Coppper's or a Sharpie. Had Copper's hanging out a mile or two north all season. So she's looking out across the field into the distance and says, "It has a pointy tail." Har! Har! And then, as we turn north onto the old Gimli Rd going towards Matlock, hawk already out of mind, I catch a glimpse of it swooping down to grab something in the soybeans just 50 ft off the road - tailed fanned out in a perfectly rounded fan. We stopped to see if it was successful but it flew off empty footed. That doesn't mean it didn't gulp something down while in the soybeans. The Netly Marsh had very high water along Chalet Beach Rd due to recent winds but no evidence of waterfowl. There was, however, a YH Blackbird out there - the 2nd I've seen there this year. Used to see lots of'em back in the 60's. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: About the Ospreys From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:23:32 -0500 An Osprey pair used to nest up top the church steeple on 2nd Ave Gimli. I think ravens took over that site. I suspect that the Osprey moved over to Miclavic and built the new site that you've observed and that it's a 2nd year nest site. (I could be wrong about it being 2nd year.) I observed an Osprey carrying a fish north out of the Wpg Beach Marina ( a white bass) last spring. I believe the bass was a catch and release casualty as the kids had started fishing there once the season had opened. I had a hunch it was headed for Miclavic. I saw an osprey circling Hwy 9 just north of Ponemah Rd a week later. There was something catching his/her eye in the ditch (formerly Tuguela Creek and usually quite full in the spring) and he/she circled quite low. I pulled over to watch but it had a mind change, gained altitude and flew off. I observed Osprey hunting the mouth of the Salamonia Channel and the south end of L Wpg last fall while out catching a few fish of my own. I suspect those birds were the ones that were nested at the Selkirk Marina (up top the dredge.) They tended to fly south into the marsh, not north towards Gimli. They could, however, have been from the Grand Beach area for all I know. Snipes and Woodcocks: I thought, perhaps, I had a Common Snipe or a Woodcock digging in the woodchips that I spread out back as I could ' see the signs.' It turned out to be a young red squirrel burying hazelnuts - ha! Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lifer! From: "Jake & Ruth Hiebert" <jakeandruth AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:02:50 -0500 I am pretty excited about a Lifer I saw today. Earlier this morning I saw and also photographed a Blue-headed Vireo. This is always exciting to add a new bird to the list. Besides this,we have a few warblers passing through and just today also noticed several juvenile Cedar Waxwings. Also saw one Red-eyed Vireo,foraging in the trees. The regulars of course are ever present,RB and WB Nuthatches,BC Chickadees,a few House Finches and too many House Sparrows. The last few days have also brought many Robins to the cherry trees. Happy Birding, Ruth Hiebert,Morden -- Have a Great Day, Jake and Ruth Hiebert Check out our blog at: ruth-hiebert.blogspot.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Long-eared Owl From: "Bob Shettler" <sshettler AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:48:35 -0500 I had a Long-eared Owl in the yard today. It is only the second time in over twenty years that I have seen this species in the yard. The last time was in 2005 where one actually attempted to nest. The nest failed and I'm not sure why. Bob Shettler Headingley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: someone from South Africa asking for birding in Winnipeg From: Ricardo Ibarra <r_ibpo AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:23:07 -0700 (PDT) Hello all, A friend of my told me about someone who is asking for information to bring a group of people over from South Africa in late October. They are wanting to do some bird watching at that timeout They would be looking at likely doing a one-day event, not wanting to drive out more than a couple of hours if at all possible...   Please if anybody could help us with information to give him,   we really appreciate   Thanks a lot   Ricardo [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Osprey From: "Dennis S" <photosdennis AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:08:31 -0000 Your correct John...I have seen them a few times. http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/osprey http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/recent_photos Cheers ! Dennis S Subject: Hummer From: Lorne Klassen <lorne.klassen AT mts.net> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:58:37 -0500 Saw another female (I think) hummer check out our hanging flower pot flowers today. It was there only a second or two before it zoomed off. Lorne - Fort Richmond Subject: Osprey From: "John Weier" <jweier AT mts.net> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:29:52 -0500 A friend of mine called yesterday to tell me that there are two osprey young perched on the edge of a nest on a hydro pole in Miklavik on Hwy 9 just south of Gimli. Has anyone else seen these birds? John ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ John Weier 239 Bartlet Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3L 0Z5 204 284 5313 jweier AT mts.net www.poets.ca/johnweier [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: canada warblers From: Gene Walz <genewalz AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:23:54 -0500 It looks like yesterday (Sunday) was a day for Canada Warblers to pass through. Unfortunately one didn't make it. As I was entering University College at noon I saw one fly into one of the large windows. It was quickly dead and had not revived when I left several hours later. Gene Walz [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Manitobabirds. From: Lars Jansson <janssonl AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:24:44 -0500 Hi Ryan: The address for Manitoba birds that I have used (successfully) does indeed use ".com". the address is: Manitobabirds AT yahoogroups.com Not sure why your message went astray. Lars Subject: Upload Canada Warbler From: "stuart.oikawa" <icemn_19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:34:22 -0000 I sighted a few Canada Warbler migrants today at Fort Whyte, and posted one to my photo album here. Stuart Oikawa Winnipeg Subject: Canada Warblar From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:45:39 -0500 I had a Canada Warblar (first one I've seen this fall) in the yard yesterday. There were also both male and female Redstarts and a Northern Waterthrush. Saw an adult, male Yellow-rumped Warblar still decked out in breeding pumage along the old river road at the north end of the Netly Marsh, as well as the usuals - RE Verio, Cattbird, Y Warblar, Swallows etc... I guess the highlights for that trip were two Belted Kingfishers and two Greater Yellowlegs working Lake WPG's shoreline. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Prairie Falcon N of OHM From: "Liis Veelma" <avesaveo1 AT mts.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:48:32 -0500 Today Sunday August 22 around noon, Jo Swartz and I found a Prairie Falcon perched on a hay bale north of Oak Hammock Marsh. We were southbound on a field road which corresponds to 14E, the road that goes straight north from the little bridge which crosses the drain at 84N. Unfortunately, it flew as soon as it saw us. It was a biggish, pale, sandy falcon, and Jo saw the dark axillars. Liis Veelma Winnipeg, MB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New images at the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:12:59 -0700 (PDT) I have just added a series of images from Stuart Oikawa that illustrate the difficulties of identifying a bird with an unusual appearance, in this instance missing feathers on the neck. http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/TEWA_compare.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Re: Common Nighthawks From: Lorne Klassen <lorne.klassen AT mts.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:20:37 -0500 Hello, On Friday evening I saw a small number of Nighthawks hawking insects along with more numerous Franklin's Gulls as the cumulonimbus cloud approached from the WNW. The gulls still had their black head plumage. Also two female RT Hummers went through the yard that evening. Red Eyed Vireos, Phoebes, Blue Jays and Red Breasted Nuthatches near West Hawk Lake. Saw a Swainsons Hawk at the St Mary's Rd and perimeter intersection today at about 10:45 AM. Lorne Klassen > > From: "Jim Reimer" > Date: 2010/08/22 Sun PM 12:27:57 CDT > To: > Subject: [Manitobabirds] Common Nighthawks > > Good day! > > I've been observing the wave of nighthawks coming through in the last few days. The peak day was August 20th. I estimated 240 birds in one flock! This is the largest number I've seen in over 20 years of birding in my back yard. (I live two miles south of Ste.Anne for those that don't know me.) > > Vic Reimer > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > Subject: Common Nighthawks From: "Jim Reimer" <goldenb AT vcc.coop> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:27:57 -0500 Good day! I've been observing the wave of nighthawks coming through in the last few days. The peak day was August 20th. I estimated 240 birds in one flock! This is the largest number I've seen in over 20 years of birding in my back yard. (I live two miles south of Ste.Anne for those that don't know me.) Vic Reimer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White bird photo From: Larry de March <demarchl AT mts.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:58:25 -0500 Hi All Paula sent me a larger version which I've cropped and uploaded to the i.d. folder. It should be easier to i.d. now. Larry -- Larry de March Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Subject: Re: White bird identification From: "Bob Shettler" <sshettler AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:46:51 -0500 Cowbird? Bob Shettler Headingley From: paula_grieef Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:53 AM To: Manitobabirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [Manitobabirds] White bird identification Hello all I received three pictures of a white bird coming to a feeder near Oak Hammock Marsh. I was hoping for some input on possible species. The pictures are posted in the ID request folder and called White bird 1, 2 and 3. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Paula Grieef Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre p_grieef AT ducks.ca [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Unknown Birds From: Carolyn Curtis <ccurtis699 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:39:42 -0700 (PDT) Hi Craig, The sound you are describing belongs to a Merlin, a fairly common city-dwelling falcon. They are regulars in the area (I live in the next block on Brock St.) and they are very vocal. The colouration sounds off for a Merlin, but depending on the time of day, the lighting can give birds a different appearance. There have been Merlins nesting in the Brock/Cordova blocks between Grant and Corydon for as long as I can remember. If I had to guess, I'd say that River Heights has several pair of nesting Merlins each year. Best of luck with your birding. Regards. Carolyn Curtis Winnipeg ________________________________ From: Craig Hanley To: Manitobabirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 9:09:58 AM Subject: [Manitobabirds] Unknown Birds This is my first attempt at describing 2 birds I couldn't identify. On August 20th on Cordova Street in River Heights I was_ in the house_ and heard a bird incessantly calling a ke-ke-ke. I went outside and indetified a large bird sitting on a telephone pole in the backlane. Thinking it was one of the peregrines that are nesting in the area, I got my binoculars out And this is what I saw: a rather large bird - size of a medium chicken with colouring like robin - red breast and grey-brown wings with a long thin beak that was yellow. It was gone when I next looked but I still heard the call and searched and found another bird in a nearby tree. This one seemed to be of the same species but it was bigger with a black beak, white and grey chest and white patches on the trailing edge of the wing. If I had to describe their overall look iin one word it would be pudgy. No luck looking through our two bird books or the 10 at the Corydon library. Can anyone help me with this? Craig Hanley - newbie Winnipeg [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Virgina Rail From: "Sursohog" <sursohog AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:55:01 -0000 ---Hello - I uploaded a photo of a Juvenile Virginia Rail to my album. This was taken on a quick walk-a-bout at Fort Whyte Alive this morning and the skeeters were alive and well John Pelechaty Winnipeg Subject: Unknown Birds From: Craig Hanley <cahanley AT mts.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:09:58 -0500 This is my first attempt at describing 2 birds I couldn't identify. On August 20th on Cordova Street in River Heights I was_ in the house_ and heard a bird incessantly calling a ke-ke-ke. I went outside and indetified a large bird sitting on a telephone pole in the backlane. Thinking it was one of the peregrines that are nesting in the area, I got my binoculars out And this is what I saw: a rather large bird - size of a medium chicken with colouring like robin - red breast and grey-brown wings with a long thin beak that was yellow. It was gone when I next looked but I still heard the call and searched and found another bird in a nearby tree. This one seemed to be of the same species but it was bigger with a black beak, white and grey chest and white patches on the trailing edge of the wing. If I had to describe their overall look iin one word it would be pudgy. No luck looking through our two bird books or the 10 at the Corydon library. Can anyone help me with this? Craig Hanley - newbie Winnipeg Subject: White bird identification From: "paula_grieef" <grieef AT SimonAssociates.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:53:56 -0000 Hello all I received three pictures of a white bird coming to a feeder near Oak Hammock Marsh. I was hoping for some input on possible species. The pictures are posted in the ID request folder and called White bird 1, 2 and 3. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Paula Grieef Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre p_grieef AT ducks.ca Subject: Mazenod-Camiel Sys Ponds and a Black Duck From: Richard Staniforth <richard_staniforth AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:48:25 -0700 (PDT) Hi    A quick visit to the two ponds between 3:30 and 4:30 this afternoon showed the normal birds for this time of the year.    Perhaps of interest: Mazenod Pond: A juv. Merlin harrissing the gulls and the Black-billed Magpies. Most of the Franklins Gulls were losing their black hoods. The numbers of Killdeers appears to be increasnig with 49 today. Waterbirds included 1 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Canvasback, 10 Mallards, 1 B-W Teal, 2 G-W Teal, 10 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 "peeps" that took off to quickly for me to get a good look at them!     Camiel Sys Pond: The pond surface was covered with Mallards - I would estimate at least 250 and maybe a lot more than this. Amongst them was a very handsome Black Duck. Unfortunately, most of the Mallards and the Black Duck jumped into the air as soon as they saw me and flew high.  I left immediately in case they wanted to return to the pond.   Cheers Richard Staniforth   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New images at the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:34:49 -0700 (PDT) I have just added Stuart Oikawa's photographs of a Cooper's Hawk at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/COHA_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Olive-sided Flycatcher and Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: "stuart.oikawa" <icemn_19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:40:56 -0000 Uploaded Olive-sided Flycatcher and young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak seen this morning at English Gardens to my album. Great to meet a fair number of bird watchers this morning! Stuart Oikawa Winnipeg Subject: Swallows, Terns From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:13:00 -0500 There were whole bunches (100's) of swallows (Barn, Tree and Cliff) along with a few Purple Martins over the quiet water where the Salamonia Channel meets Lake Wpg (just south and east a few miles of Matlock) last night. About 40 Black Terns made a showing there as well. That's more than I've seen there for years. A Great Horned Owl hooted from what looks like an former nest site in a huge Cottonwood. Two Belted Kingfishers showed up as well. Lots of shore erosion with the high winds the other day - lots of up rooted trees on the shoreline. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Falcons and hawks From: "iamthedarklord" <kevin.kodak333 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:27:48 -0000 Hello, Early evening, last night I accompanied my wife to the Walmart off McPhillips, as I was in no mood to actually go shopping, I took a trip thru the fields behind the store and to the north. Walking thru there I spooked up a number of Kildeer, and one very surprised mallard female I almost stepped on (the grass twas a bit deep and marshy), i carried on in behind a treatment plant to a slew, where I found 2 canvasback ducks,with 3 young, 2 female mallards with 6 young between them , an American Coot, and a few Redwinged Blackbirds. All of whom seemed particularly spooked. As i walked along I heard a very familiar sound, and following it, got within about 200 feet of 3 playful, but also spookish falcons..I tried to get closer to identify them, but they would not let me get close (reminder to self: carry the scope in the van!!). After admitting defeat in that area, I turned my attention back to the slew. I walked towards it hoping to pick out a few more species, and spooked a red tailed hawk out of a coniferous tree not 15 feet in front of me. And there was the reason the ducks were a bit shaky and keeping the few visible ducklings close. After getting back up off the ground and dusting myself off, I wandered back to meet my wife, and make plans to return another day (earlier, under better light) with my camera and scope. Kevin Kodak Subject: Western Tanager From: "nbutchard" <nbutchard AT mts.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:40:33 -0000 Early this morning Nella, Lewis and I were enjoying the plethora of birds over at the English Garden when a female Western Tanager arrived near the top of the pine tree that is right behind the Shubert Chokecherry. She was most accommodating turning and giving us a variety of unobscured poses. The last we saw of her she was headed east into the trees along the river. Enjoy Neil Butchard Winnipeg Subject: RT Hummingbird From: Lorne Klassen <lorne.klassen AT mts.net> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:56:46 -0500 Saw a female RT'd Hummer at the English Garden at about 6:08 this evening. When it perched it was preening her plumage. A fellow worker of mine had a Common Nighthawk sleep on her back deck during the day a few days ago. She took a picture and after she zoomed it up I could identify it. Lorne Klassen Subject: report of probable Sharp-tailed Sandpiper From: "Rudolf Koes" <rkoes AT mts.net> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:02:52 -0500 Hello all, Ryan Porteous and Lars Jansson saw what was probably a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Oak Hammock this morning. The bird was at the gravel spit at the North End. Unfortunately it was flushed when a construction crew came with a big truck ( a viewing blind is being built). They went back in the early afternoon, but didn't see it. I checked this evening, but no STSA there. I also checked near the main mound (if you can call the little rise such). Both kinds of yellowlegs, some avocets, one Pec (well-seen) and about 200 Semipal. Sandpipers. According to a fellow on a mountain bike, who had just completed a loop around the east dike, there is lots of habitat there, with lots of shorebirds. Apparently tough going, even with a mountain bike. A highlight was watching 2 ad. and 2 juv. Short-eared Owls along the north-south road west of the marsh. Ryan has sent a message to manitobabirds earlier this evening, but he had noticed it did not go through. Cheers, Rudolf. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: (A whole bunch of) New images at the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:21:47 -0700 (PDT) I have just added several new images from Stuart Oikawa as follows: American Redstart at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/AMRE_2010.htm Cape May Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/CAWA_2010.htm Magnolia Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/MAWA.htm Rub-throated Hummingbird at the English Gardens at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/RTHU_2010ap.htm and Tennessee Warbler at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/TEWA_2010.htm I have also added new new photo from Bob Shettler of a Hummingbird at Headingley at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/RTHU_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Milne Park - directions boo boo From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:37:27 -0500 Turn right at the rw tracks (south.) Beware! Temperatures dropped farily quickly after sunset. I was shaking when I got home even though I had a sweater with hood. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: MATLOCK NIGHTHAWKS - 83 of'em! From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:10:52 -0500 On a hunch, since the weather had passed through and the evening was SO beautiful, I thought to check out MILNE PARK along Gimli Rd in Matlock (next to L Wpg) as it is usually a pretty good spot for migrating Nighthawks. I counted 83 between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, 20 of them just at dusk. They just trickled in 1, 2 and 3 at a time, and then the end rush. T'was very inspiring! A friend, Gregg, showed up and told me about SandHill Cranes in the woods-fields down the street from his place. I said I'd check'em out. And then, as if by magic, they (two of them) flew by no more than 20 ft off the lake. There's a little Folk Festival happening in Matlock on the 28th. I have been asked to take out a couple birding walks. I walked the property (45 acres) just before the nighthawks started happenning and got 24 species, most all of them where one hedgerow meets another, except for a few that were flying over the property. I guess that's the spot. A question: Do Yellow Rails still click at this time of year? There was this ditch next to a swamp and there was this clicking... Milne Park: Take Hwy 8 or 9 north to Hwy 225 east. Turn left just before the railway tracks (about 3/4 mile east of 9) onto Gmli Rd. Go south 4-5 blocks. Good parking, good birding - if you hit it right. The Sharp-shinned Hawks that migrate over the Whytewold Playfield a mile north, also migrate over Milne Park. Charlie McPherson Whytewold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Common Nighthawk From: Lorne Klassen <lorne.klassen AT mts.net> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:38:11 -0500 Saw a Com. Nighthawk do two flybys at the edge of the residential area at the SW corner of the U of MB property at about 9:45 PM. The Smart Park is East and a little north of there. It likely was in migrating mode. Lorne Klassen - Fort Richmond Subject: New images at the Nature Manitoba site From: Frank Machovec <frank_machovec AT yahoo.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:51:01 -0700 (PDT) I have just added new photographs from Bob Shettler-- LeConte's Sparrow at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/LCSP_2010.htm Lesser Scaup at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/LESC.htm Ruby-throated Hummingbird at http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/RTHU_2010.htm Frank Machovec Subject: Green Herons From: "Harv & Barb Lane" <harv.lane AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:01:33 -0500 Howdy, Yesterday when I was golfing at the Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course, I saw a heron flying away from me and had a distinct impression that I was seeing a Green Heron but I just didn't want to believe myself. Today I had a good view of 2 Green Herons flying around the course. I saw an individual flying along one of the creeks on the course a little later. It's been a while since I saw Green Herons here in Manitoba. It was a nice sighting for me. These were certainly the best "birdies" I saw on the course today!!! Cheers, Harv Lane [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Shoal Lakes From: "Rudolf Koes" <rkoes AT mts.net> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:45:21 -0500 Hello all, After not having done any atlassing for a while, I was suffering from withdrawal symptoms, so decided to visit the Shoal Lakes today (17th). I did not regret this, even though it rained all morning! Although 518 and 415 are closed and no doubt will remain so for the rest of the year (flooded at several places near the lakes), it was possible to approach the lakes from various directions. One can drive across the top of North Shoal Lake to go east or west, but even this road had water up to the edge. It sure is wet out there!! One stop, at the junction of 415 and 416 east of the lakes, was one of the birdiest I've ever experienced: 50 species within 300 m, and I probably forgot to mark down a few. It included 4 heron sp., 5 woodpeckers (incl. Red-headed feeding half-grown young in the nest), 6 flycatchers (incl. Yellow-bellied), and 7 warblers (incl. Black-throated Green and Mourning). I saw at least 62 Great Egrets, including a few on very distant nests (these can be seen by looking ENE with a scope from 518 at 0592662 - 5573087). Also notable was a Peregrine harassing a bittern. Quite a few birds with recently-hatched young, including Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe and coot, so there still is some atlassing possible. Cheers, Rudolf Koes, Winnipeg. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Photo Uploads From: "stuart.oikawa" <icemn_19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:49:38 -0000 Upon further examination on the puter screen and, James, I think you were right this morning, this does look like a Tennessee Warbler young one that has for some reason lost a bit of its neck feathers there, showing the blackish ring! At first the pics seemed to give the seniour birders a run for their money when shown on my camera!! I've also posted to my album a unkindly rear shot of that male Cardinal sighted this morning around 1030am or 1100am at English Gardens; I'd remembered a couple who reported their sighting to me in the same vicinity about two days earlier! Alas, I'll need more morning forays to see if I can capture a better frontal view of him. Ryan is your jaw still dropped over this one? Cheers, Stuart Oikawa Winnipeg Subject: A Cardinal in the English Garden From: <birders AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:28:55 -0500 Hi all, This morning Stuart Oikawa and I had a brief look at a male Cardinal which was reported by others a few days ago. Stuart snapped off a picture but only got a back view of the bird. It was observed in the northwest area of the garden. Cheers, Ryan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Turkey Vulture From: "Garry Budyk" <callgud AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:41:58 -0500 Deanna and I saw a Turkey Vulture tilting in the wind over Hwy # 59 at the Birds Hill town turn-off this afternoon . TVs are on the move ! Cheers , Garry Budyk Winnipeg MB http://imagesofmanitoba.shawwebspace.ca/photos/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: While out Atlasing From: Charlie McPherson <charliemac25 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:55:05 -0500 I was able to visit the 4 Wpg Beach Lagoons this morning. They are filling up with many species of ducks. The Lagoon just south of Kernstead Rd has a bit of a mud/gravel south shoreline (not grown in with cattails) and had quite a few species of shorebirds. I'm not all that good on shorebirds so I'll just say that some of them were Lesser Yellowlegs and Stilts for now? But I could be wrong. Do I ever need a shorebird buddy. The town has granted me the permission to ATLAS there. It was wild, wet, windy and rainy out there. I was able to drive to the coveted piece of shoreline. The truck served as a great, dry and comfy blind and most birds that flushed from the wind protected shore when I first drove up were back within 20 minutes. While learning to differentiate snipes from woodcocks a few years back, I noticed that the birds down my woodchip strewn trail would flush and BE GONE if I WALKED down it, making id very difficult. I stumbled upon DRIVING the truck down the trail one day and, to my surprize, had the birds just running ahead of me. They were woodcocks. YEA TO THE TRUCK BLIND! Charlie McPherson Whyetwold [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fall Birds From: "Jake & Ruth Hiebert" <jakeandruth AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:11:25 -0500 Hi, This afternoon we had an Olive-sided Flycatcher visit our yard on 1st. street in Morden.This is only the second sighting for us of this bird. We definitely notice more activity at the feeder.There are at least 3 RB Nuthatches,and as many BC Chickadees. We saw our first Hummingbird on the yard this year.I do hope we will see a few more in the next couple of weeks. Happy Birding, Ruth Hiebert,Morden -- Have a Great Day, Jake and Ruth Hiebert Check out our blog at: ruth-hiebert.blogspot.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]