A Harbinger

This morning we are hearing red-winged blackbirds, clearly a harbinger of spring, right?  I realized I’ve had this thought and probably said it aloud many, many times during the late winter over the years.

But what is a harbinger?  I don’t really know where the word comes from.   You’ll know, but I don’t.  So I looked it up.

Well, there is an archaic use of harbinger.  That is “a person sent ahead to provide lodgings.”  I guess that is pretty much what Mister RWBG is doing out there today.  And the more modern usage “something that foreshadows a future event: something that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come” seems to fit too.  But it must be noted there is another meaning  i.e., “one that initiates a major change : a person or thing that originates or helps open up a new activity, method, or technology.” 

Anyway,  I can report that there are many harbingers of spring around Port Rowan/Long Point these days.

Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) reports  that great numbers of birds are already arriving in Long Point Bay. Tundra Swans, 1000’s of Canvasback and Redhead, & a good mix of other species are here. There are still a lot of Sandhill Cranes around too.  Karen saw big numbers landing in the fields to the west of

us on Saturday evening.

Here is a recent listing from e-Birds that will give you an idea of what has been seen in the area in recent days.
https://ebird.org/canada/subnational2/CA-ON-NF?yr=all

LPBO Notes

Some other interesting local stories picked up from LPBO’s twitter feed @LongPointBirdOb include:

·       **The Northern Saw-whet Owls banded at LPBO were found elsewhere and recently reported to LPBO.   Both were caught at Watters Smith Memorial State Park, West Virginia, which is 380 km to the south of us. One of those #owls was recaptured only 6 days after being banded at LPBO.

·    **Stu Mackenzie, LPBO’s Director of Migration Ecology, reports on the Swainson’s Thrush that was wearing a band from another observatory when caught here last May.  It was banded near Bath, MI, 330 km west of Long Point, in Aug 2018.

Details on upcoming LPBO activities can be found at https://birdscanada.org/longpoint/images/LPBTbrochure.pdf

Cheers,

Karen, Graham and Bob

Saw Whet Weekends at Wood B & B

Not a week goes by without some interesting bird activity in the Long Point/Port Rowan area.

The period from mid-October until early November is notable as Northern Saw Whet Owls are moving from boreal forests into and through our area.

This small nocturnal owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes, while common, is not often seen.  However, on some evenings, staff at the nearby Long Point Bird Observatory’s (LPBO) Old Cut banding station capture and band dozens of these owls.

For the second year we are offering a special package at Wood B & B so visitors can have a chance to see these owls up close.


Our package at $300 (CDN) per room* for two includes:

• Two nights stay
• Check in Friday (October 20, October 27 or November 3) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Breakfast Saturday and Sunday
• Lunch Saturday and a bagged lunch to go on Sunday
• Dinner Saturday
• Check out Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
• Throughout the weekend you can birdwatch or enjoy the rural charm, diverse landscapes and small town atmosphere of Norfolk County.

*

*A portion of this package fee will be donated to the Long Point Bird Observatory Research Programs.

Call us at 519-586-9700 for information about family and single rates.

. or to make a reservation.

Find out more about Wood B & B at https://www.bbcanada.com/13914.html

Old Cut Banding Station

Saw Whet Weekends at Wood B & B

Not a week goes by without some interesting bird activity in the Long Point/Port Rowan area.

The period from mid-October until early November is notable as Northern Saw Whet Owls are moving from boreal forests into and through our area.

This small nocturnal owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes, while common, is not often seen.  However, on some evenings, staff at the nearby Long Point Bird Observatory’s (LPBO) Old Cut banding station capture and band dozens of these owls.

Old Cut Banding Station

This year we have decided to offer a special package at Wood B & B so visitors can have a chance to see these owls up close.










Our package at $300 (CDN) per room for two includes:

• Two nights stay
• Check in Friday (October 21 or October 28) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Breakfast Saturday and Sunday
• Lunch Saturday and a bagged lunch to go on Sunday
• Dinner Saturday
• Check out Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
• Throughout the weekend you can birdwatch or enjoy the rural charm, diverse landscapes and small town atmosphere of Norfolk County.

*Give us a call about family and single rates.

Contact Us

Call us at 519-586-9700 for information or to make a reservation.  Find out more about Wood B & B at https://www.bbcanada.com/13914.html


Northern Saw-Whet Owl at Old Cut October 2015

More Info

Here is an interesting story from the Tillsonburg News that tells a bit about the 2011 season.

http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/2011/11/03/tourist-trap-for-saw-whet-owls

And check out a youtube video documenting Rick Mercer’s visit to Old Cut from last season at

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rick+mercer+%2b+long+point+bird&view=detail&mid=CFBE9D5791EF0112CFFECFBE9D5791EF0112CFFE&FORM=VIRE

PS: While there is a good chance you’ll see owls there are no guarantees.  Their movement is impacted by winds and temperature.  

Snowy Owl in Port Rowan

It is a warmish but drab day in Port Rowan.

Keen birders are off at the Woodhouse Christmas Count.
http://www.delhinewsrecord.com/events/1053372

We went for a short hike at the Port Rowan Wetlands on Hunter Drive North with no real expectations of seeing any interesting birds.

Port Rowan Wetlands

Graham took the picture of a Female Snowy Owl shown below before she headed off in the direction of the Beer Store.