Ontario

espite the relatively mild winter in much of Ontario, March and April remained cooler than normal overall and fairly quiet from the perspective of rarities.Spring migration appeared delayed at many locales, with pushes of returning migrants occurring later than usual.However, as is often the case, there were many exceptions that set local record-early dates, if only by a few days.Cold and wet conditions in March and April changed to warmer and more seasonal conditions in May, although that had the consequence for birders in allowing migrants to over-fly many traditional birding spots.Fallouts were noted at the end of April, but few were noted afterwards.Highlights included White-faced Ibis, Rock Wren, Bell's Vireo, and two colorful buntings, a Lazuli Bunting and a Painted Bunting, which enthused those who were able to see them.Abbreviations: N.PH.(Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch); Pelee (Point Pelee N.P, Essex); P E. Pt. (Prince Edward Pt., Prince Edward); T.C.B.O.(Thunder Cape B.O.).Place names in italics refer to districts and regional municipalities as well as to counties.LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL As is usual, numbers of Red-throated Loons appeared on the Great Lakes through the spring, with the highest count being 86 individuals at one spot along the L. Huron shoreline, near Kincardine, Bruce 6 Apr (MLH).A Pacific Loon was at Cabot Head, Bruce 17 May (VlVl, GS).On 6 Apr, Brights Grove, Lambton, had 2 Horned Grebes 0Mi), and at least 2000 Red-necked Grebes were at Ben Machree Park, Peel (BF, RS).Humber Bay Park in Toronto had an Eared Grebe 29 Mar (BY), another was at the lip of Pelee 12 Apr (HTO), one was reported from Oshawa Second Marsh, Durham 22 Apr (fide TH), and another was at Exeter S.T.P, Middlesex 30 May (RT).Rock Pt., Haldimand had an American White Pelican 23 May (PY, BH), and a Great Cormorant was observed at PE. Pt. 20 May (DO).Thirty active Double-crested Cormorant nests were counted 30 May on Gull I. in Algonquin EP (RSt), more than double the number of nests seen there last year.The peak of Doublecrested Cormorants at Kingston reached 10,000 on 21-22 May (KFN).Single Snowy Egrets were at Pelee 15 May (RGT, LA et al.), Amherst I., Lennox and Addington 24 May (KH, BR), and Sturgeon Creek, Essex 29 May (DAS).A Little Blue Heron stayed at Brantford 11-13 May (JP), a Tricolored Heron was reported from Rock Pt. 22 May (BW), and an ad.Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was at Sturgeon Creek, Essex 25-26 Apr (MG, NG et al.).The province's 4th White-faced Ibis, and the 2nd for Pelee, was at Holiday Harbour 9 May 0MG, JNF et al.).Single Black Vultures were in Haldimand, e. of Marburg 18 Apr (MGa) and near Dufwere at Townsend S.T.

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