BIRDS IN PORT ROWAN/LONG POINT

As usual migration time is always busy at Long Point/Port Rowan.

The spring of 2023 was the 64^th consecutive year that bird migration was monitored at Long Point by the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO).

The Sightings Board

LPBO publishes meticulous, easily accessible records on the LPBO Sightings Board.  There is always something notable or unusual to be found.

Case in point is a Black Billed Magpie found on the corner of the 1st Concession and Gore Rd. this past April 14th. In Western Canada the bird is abundant.  But not here This sighting was only the fourth ever in the area.

Well before spring another interesting sighting was documented by Stu Mackenzie, Director of Strategic Assets at Bird Studies Canada. Two Black-backed Woodpeckers - one in the St. Williams Conservation Reserve and another in Backus Woods were observed this past January.  Their sightings represented the first county records in 30 years, according to Mackenzie. These medium sized woodpeckers are typically found in boreal and coniferous forests.

More Recent Sightings

Over July and early August, we have had large numbers of great egrets roosting in the marsh area mere metres from the Port Rowan wetlands.   The species has not previously been seen in anything like these numbers in our location.

Egrets roosting at Port Rowan Wetlands
this summer

The great egret is an interesting bird.  White in colour it stands almost three feet tall with an S-curved neck, a dagger-like yellow bill, and long black legs.  Its breeding plumage is so attractive that the feathers became sought after for fashionable ladies’ hats in the 19^th century.                      

According to the American Bird Conservatory this craze for feathers led to the slaughter of huge numbers of Great Egrets and steep declines in their numbers. Conservationists were alarmed.  Starting in 1897 various states began to outlaw the wild bird feather trade.  This advocacy led to the creation of the National Audubon Society, which has the Great Egret as its symbol.

Checking on e-bird I notice that an experienced local birder counted 179 Great Egrets leaving the wetlands’ roosting location one morning in July headed to the more open location at Big Creek.  Karen Wood and other neighbourhood people check them out when they return in the evening. 

You can keep up with local birding news @LPBObs on Facebook, @LongPointBirdOb on Twitter, or @longpointbirds on Instagram. 

Come see the birds this fall and stay with us at Wood B & B.  https://www.bbcanada.com/13914.html

 

A Good Walk Perfected

Sometimes I wonder whether what I’ve written is relevant.  Perhaps at a point in time a piece was newsworthy or interesting.  However, time and current events often catch up and leave your piece as something to be filed under “P” for passed its best before date.

However, this story, basically a report on a presentation on birds and birding, seems more relevant today that when I put fingers to keyboard back in May of 2014. 

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It has been said that golf is a good walk spoiled.

But birding is “a good walk perfected.”  That was the message Jeff Gordon brought recently  to a large group of outdoor enthusiasts at Bird Studies Canada’s (BSC) National Office in Port Rowan just about 400 metres from my residence.

Yes, we have a National Office in Port Rowan. And Gordon, a celebrity in the birding world was a most able and appropriate speaker as spring migration is ramping up here on Ontario’s South Coast.

Gordon heads up the American Birding Association (ABA), a non-profit organization that provides leadership to North America birders and also contributes to bird and bird habitat conservation through its programs.

He was in town to participate as the Celebrity Birder in the annual Baillie Birdathon as well as to speak at this special event billed as a Celebration of Birding.

Gordon is passionate about birding and birds.  He worries, though, that birders need to open up to others who may be interested in nature and the outdoors but are intimidated by the vast knowledge many experienced birders present.  Rather birders need to be “evangelists” about their hobby and help “break down barriers” for newcomers.

Gordon’s presentation included plenty of action shots of birders from around North America including Alvaro Jaramillo. (Jaramillo coined the “good walk perfected” line.)  The ABA head takes these types of pictures because birders are good at taking photos of warblers and eagles and the like but not so good at taking pictures of people enjoying birds.  More images that capture the “grandeur of birding” are needed.

Earlier in the day, local ornithologist Tim Lucas found a rare Kirtland’s Warbler near the entrance to the new Long Point Provincial Park.  This is considered North America’s rarest warbler and is normally found only in a small area in the north central part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula during breeding season.

Gordon and a dozen or so others were there.  He captured the excitement on his smart phone and shared the footage in the evening presentation thereby reinforcing his key message.

I think Gordon made his point well that night.  The next day another relatively rare bird was located in the area.  Check out this picture from Jody Allair's twitter account and you should be able to share in the enthusiasm with those seeing a Bell’s Vireo for the first time.

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This story was originally published by Forever Young, a Metroland paper.

Update:

**In 2020 Bird Studies Canada changed in name to Birds Canada.  That change is recognition that their work extends beyond the study of birds and encompasses “public engagement, habitat stewardship, education and training, involvement in guiding conservation decisions, and more.”

**The 60th Long Point Christmas Bird Count took place on 19 December. The count covers a 24km circle centered on the lighthouse south of St. Williams, ON. 

Stu Mackenzie of Birds Canada reports that forty-seven local birders counted a remarkable 73,759 birds of 114 species.

This total ties the second highest species total (114 in 2016). It is also the third highest total number of birds tallied in the 60-year history of the Long Point count.

Ice free conditions on the Inner Bay meant that many waterfowl were still present including 20,000 Redhead.  Thousands of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes remain in the area. 

Highlight bird was the first ever White Pelican seen on Count Day at Turkey Point.  It is still here.

Seven Great Horned Owls were counted including this one photographed close to our B & B on Birds Canada property.  

Wood Bed and Breakfast

It is hard to believe that we welcomed our first guests more than six years ago.

We haven’t changed much in those six years with the exception of a small increase in rates that we believe better reflected the cost of us doing business. 

The year 2019 was our busiest year to date.  This ran counter to other attractions in the area who had difficulty due to necessary closures because of high Lake Erie water levels.

Birds and Birders

Many or our guest are birders.  And birder know that Long Point/Port Rowan area is one of the best areas in Ontario to see migrating and nesting birds.  We continue to see warblers, sand hill cranes, tundra swans and more.  There is something interesting every day, it seems.  Just checking today and notice that the Port Rowan Wetlands on Hunter Street North just up the street from us has now reached a total of 219 species seen at the site over the years.

Here is a picture of a Rose Breasted Grosbeak that Graham got earlier this year. 

Much to See

For example, we have always thought that we should get to all the tourist attractions, restaurants etc.  in Norfolk county so that we could offer informed opinion to you our guests.

In fact, this has proved to be an impossible task.  There is just too much to see/do here.

However recently we joined in on the South Coast Wine Spirit of the Season Passport tour.  This program has been going a few years and has kind of flown under the radar as far as we are concerned.

Karen drove the getaway car and I sampled the various wines, ciders and beers of Norfolk County.  There was food pairing at each location that Karen took advantage of.  Here is what the passport program looks like. https://ontariosouthcoastwine.com/spirit-season-passport/


A similar program runs in the spring.

We wonder if our guests would be interested in participating in the Passport program next year.  The idea is that we could offer some sort of package and provide the transportation.  Let us know if this might be of interest to you. 

If you haven’t already found this resource, check out https://www.norfolktourism.ca/ to find out about upcoming events.

Changes in Town

There are, at least three new places to eat in Port Rowan.  Chef Stan, who operated a food truck at the Legion last summer is transforming the Chinese restaurant into something called “Saloon.”

The Gallery Art Bistro https://shaunap.ca/ has been open for a while now and has live music.

And now there is local competition for Godfather’s Pizza.  Pizza Buoys https://pizza-buoys.business.site/, on Front near Highway #59, opened at the end of summer.

Let us know if you have any comments or feedback for us.

And best wishes for the holiday season to you and your loved ones

Karen, Graham and Bob Wood

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.  

Port Rowan Wetlands Opens

(This story originally appeared in the Norfolk News on September 30th.  Since then birders have observed a  Hudsonian Godwit, the first recorded at the Wetlands. Below is a shot of the Hudsonian Godwit taken Sunday evening.   

Wetlands Opening

It was fitting, perhaps, that a shorebird joined the crowd that had gathered on Hunter Drive North for the official opening of the Port Rowan Wetlands Sept. 24.

A pectoral sandpiper came in low and glided through the assembled group of dignitaries and interested observers. The bird landed on the newly constructed concrete walkway just metres from the viewing platform.

It was easy to imagine that the sandpiper was paying tribute to the newly restored area.

Birds have been coming to the former Port Rowan Sewage lagoons for years, of course.

Steven Price, president of Bird Studies Canada, whose national headquarters is just to the southwest of the site, recalls driving here from Toronto about 40 years ago.

“We’d tell people to go to the cannery road and turn north,” he said, recalling that the lagoons provided easy access to see swallows, waterfowl and a few shorebirds.

In the last decade, nearly 30 per cent of all the bird species that have been seen in Canada have been observed at this spot. That works out to 190 different species according to E-Bird, an online database of bird observations.

Although the pectoral sandpiper is a species that is doing well, fourteen species at risk have also been observed here, said Price, whose organization was one of the partners involved in establishing the wetlands.

With the completion of the adjacent wastewater treatment plant in 2012, the sewage lagoons were decommissioned.

Funds were then obtained to transform the site into an engineered wetland and restore the balance of the property with prairie grasses and other native shrubs and trees.

Water that once went directly into Dedrick Creek now moves through the wetlands and is naturally filtrated. This natural cleansing works to keep pollution, toxins and nutrients out of the water system.

Mayor Charlie Luke referenced the construction of the new wastewater facility and pointed over his shoulder to the wetlands.

“This is the icing on the cake, here for generations to come,” said the mayor.  

Steering committee members like Peter Bryan-Pulham, senior drainage superintendent for Norfolk County, spoke of how the Drainage Act, often a piece of legislation that is a challenge to navigate, actually worked in favour of getting the project done as the various partners worked together.

“It is a good example of groups who can sometimes be at each other’s throats agreeing on a common objective to restore sewage lagoons that aren’t much use to people when they are closed,” Price declared.

He expects that threatened birds like bobolinks and meadowlarks may be attracted to the enhanced habitat and begin to nest here. Nighthawks and chimney swifts could be drawn to the wetlands area too.

The County hopes that people from around the province and from across Canada will come as well.

They’ll be interested in how they may be able to replicate this unique Norfolk venture that benefits the natural world but will also be of economic value to Norfolk and Port Rowan.

Birds of May

We have been favoured by some interesting birds in the last week.


Along with many others, we've had some good views of a pair of White-faced Ibis which were in the area for about a week.  They could be found just off Lakeshore Road about 500 metres east of Port Royal.  They are pictured  in flight above and feeding to the right. They may still be around.


Graham got a good shot of a black tern  at the Port Rowan Wetlands on Friday May 22nd. (to the right).

Spring is Here. We think.

Motus Tracking System

Earlier this month I decided to check out the rumour that spring had arrived.


So I headed out so seek confirmation.


One way to do that if you live in south Norfolk County, as I do, is to go to the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) banding station at Old Cut on Long Point.


Thousands of Tundra Swans have already passed through the area on their way to their Arctic breeding grounds.  The Swans were somewhat behind this year due to lack of open water but on this Easter Monday migration was more widespread.  Swallows, Eastern Towhees Kinglets, Phoebes and others were moving through, evidence that we may finally be able to put winter behind us.


The banding station staff and volunteers were busy with birds and, as always in my experience, easily approachable to take questions from visitors.


One question about the technology involved in banding and tracking birds was a timely one.


That is because LPBO has been using the same relatively simple, labour intensive bird monitoring and research techniques since 1960.  That was the year when LPBO was established as the first organization of its kind in North America.                                                                                                                     


Banding and monitoring requires mist nets (Imagine elongated badminton nets.), cloth bags, favourable wind conditions and people power.  Here is a short video that shows how it is done.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihvgEERGKqU


Soon, an LPBO staffer will band the research station’s one-millionth bird at one of their three Lake Erie shore locations. The records provide a huge database of knowledge.  And, while I believe this work will continue, a new system has been developed over the last few years that will take research to a completely new level.


The Motus Tracking System fits birds with miniaturized radio transmitters so that researchers can track the real-time movements of these radio-tagged birds. 


These small transmitters cost about $200.  They weigh 0.3 grams and less depending on the bird that is being tagged. A warbler, who tips the scales at about ten grams, receives a transmitter that weighs about 0.1 grams, for example.

More than 250 tracking stations have been set up to date.  These stations resemble those TV aerials that we all had on our roofs in the fifties.  Each one of these stations can pick up the signal from tagged birds when they pass within about 20 kilometres.  


LPBO Program Co-ordinator Stu Mackenzie is the Motus Wildlife Tracking System Manager.  He reports that researchers and organizations radio-tagged over 1800 birds and bats of more than 30 species in southern Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes, and as far north as Southampton Island, Nunavut last year.


The Motus Tracking system is an exciting new development that will foster cooperation among bird researchers throughout the western hemisphere.  They’ll gain a better understanding of how migratory animals move over land and water.  Better wildlife policies and regulations will result.
For a more detailed description of the tracking system go to http://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/BWCfa14.pdf

Refocussing on "Our" Birds

The New Year provides the opportunity to make a small change in focus of this blog.

When we started out it seemed like a good idea to provide a little info on birds (and other wildlife) we have seen or heard about in the Port Rowan/Long point area.  From time to time, we’d slip a little reference in to Wood B & B.  Like this http://www.bbcanada.com/13914.html

Earlier this week, we read that a hunting season for Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese was going to start in Alberta.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/alberta-expected-to-declare-first-snow-goose-hunt/article22316287/

Apparently, hunters will be able to bag up to fifty a day.  (We aren’t hunters here so forgive us if “bag” is not the right word.)

It seems that these birds are in such abundance now that they are destroying their own habitat.  We have always understood that one of the main concerns for birds and other wildlife is the destruction of habitat.   We are more accustomed to us (humankind) being the offender when it comes to habitat destruction.

But, let’s get back to the idea of a small focus change for this blog. These birds are “our birds” as they represent two of the nearly 400 species counted at Long Point/Port Rowan over the years. For that reason, it seems appropriate to keep track of how species like these are doing when they’re not “visiting” us.  Let’s see how it goes.

Last fall Canadian Geographic had a story on this subject.  You can read it here.  http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/oct13/ross_geese_nunavut.asp

Time to check the feeders.  It’s cold down here.