Manitobabirds : Messages : 14488-14517 of 14517

Hi all,

Not new for the winter list, but welcome to appear in my binoculars whenever it
likes, a grey Gyrfalcon perched on a hydro tower near the old Lac du Bonnet
sewage lagoons ("east" side of Hwy 11 just "north" of PR 317) at about 2 o'clock
this afternoon, making me very smug about my idea of slinking off down the river
this afternoon.  The other reward was the sight of the two Harlequin Ducks,
still looking very lively in the rapids at Pine Falls.  I believe that is a
record-late date (17 Dec) for MB.  The rapids are still wide open, unlike most
of the river, so they may stay for a while yet.

Three Mallard are hanging in at open water on the Pinawa Channel, just below the
Pinawa diversion dam.  This evening, at last light, they were swimming without
any obvious agitation within about 5 metres of a fox that was standing
comspicuously on the ice.  I hoped it might put on some antics to attract the
ducks even closer, but it stayed still as they edged away downstream.  The only
other ducks of the day were Common Goldeneyes -- three at McArthur Falls and at
least six at Bracken Falls.

Peter Taylor
Pinawa, MB, Canada
50 N 96 W

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#14516

From: "Garry Budyk" <callgud@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:40 pm
Subject: Re: Merlin eating pigeon at Museum

gud544

Offline

About a week ago , I saw a Merlin blast across Main Street and try to pick off a
pigeon from the Concert Hall .  A high speed chase ensued up and around , with
predator and prey eventually disappearing from view .

Not sure if it was successful but it's good to know it's still in the area .
Bodes well for count day !

Cheers ,
Garry Budyk
Winnipeg MB
http://imagesofmanitoba.shawwebspace.ca/photos/


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Randy Mooi
   To: Manitobabirds@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 4:14 PM
   Subject: [Manitobabirds] Merlin eating pigeon at Museum



   A merlin is presently eating a rock pigeon on the wheelchair ramp of The
   Museum on Rupert St. Feathers are flying and breast meat is being
   ravenously devoured. Haven't seen a merlin around The Museum this winter
   until today; waiting for the Christmas count to show up?

   Randy
   Randall Mooi
   Curator of Zoology
   The Manitoba Museum
   190 Rupert Ave.
   Winnipeg MB R3X 1R1
   204-988-0659
   Fax 204-942-3679

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





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#14515

From: "Randy Mooi" <rmooi@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:14 pm
Subject: Merlin eating pigeon at Museum

randallmooi

Offline

A merlin is presently eating a rock pigeon on the wheelchair ramp of The
Museum on Rupert St.  Feathers are flying and breast meat is being
ravenously devoured.  Haven't seen a merlin around The Museum this winter
until today; waiting for the Christmas count to show up?

Randy
Randall Mooi
Curator of Zoology
The Manitoba Museum
190 Rupert Ave.
Winnipeg MB R3X 1R1
204-988-0659
Fax 204-942-3679


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#14514

From: Gene Walz <genewalz@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:10 pm
Subject: Wpg Xmas birds

gene_walz06

Offline

I just checked with Preferred Perch to see what her customers are reporting to
her about birds at their feeders. Unfortunately no street numbers were
available.
(Is that other bird store on Nairn still in business. Anybody know the
proprietors who might get info?)

A cardinal on Guay off St. Mary's Rd. Another in Whyteridge somewhere.

Goldfinches (as many as 40) at several feeders -- On Oustic, on Eggerton (sp?),
on Greendell, and elsewhere.

Evening grosbeaks and a towhee on Eggerton (sp?)

Pileated Woodpeckers coming to feeders on Lanoo (in Charleswood?) and on
Vialoux.

If anyone has more info, pass it on.

Gene Walz

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#14513

From: Gene Walz <genewalz@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:32 pm
Subject: Birdy spots in St. Vital

gene_walz06

Offline

Anybody in St. Vital who has an active feeder and would like to participate
officially or unofficially in the Xmas bird count this Sunday ( 20 December ),
please contact me at walz@... or simply hit the "reply" key.  Or
phone me at 254-4463. Like Garry Budyk (thanks for the tip) I too will gladly
come by and check your feeders and yard, adding your birds to the St. Vital
tally for the day. Or I can sign you up as a "Feeder Observer" -- not an onerous
task at all.



As Garry says, any bird is a good bird on count day, even sparrows and
chickadees!  Plus, there's always the possibility that a really "good" bird
(cardinals, crossbills, siskins, redpolls, grosbeaks, etc.) could be spotted.



Finally, if you know of any other feeders in your area or spots where there are
birds that we might miss, please feel free to pass that info on as well.


Gene Walz



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#14512

From: "Garry Budyk" <callgud@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:05 pm
Subject: Eastern Screech Owl

gud544

Offline

I found a roosting screech owl while walking near Kildonan Drive in East
Kildonan this morning . Hopefully we'll get screech owl(s) on Sunday's Winnipeg
CBC , but this one is good for count week if not .

Cheers ,
Garry Budyk
Winnipeg MB
http://imagesofmanitoba.shawwebspace.ca/photos/



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#14511

From: "Rudolf Koes" <rkoes@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:30 am
Subject: Winnipeg Christmas Bird Count

rflorisk

Offline

Hello all,
Tomorrow is the first day of the Count Period for the Winnipeg C.B.C. (The count
itself is on Sunday). This means that we can start keeping an eye on and
reporting the more unusual species, in case they do not get reported on Count
Day itself. Also, I hope that by now your zone captains have contacted you and
that you are teamed up and set to go on the day itself. Let me know if this is
not the case, so that it can be taken care of. Finally, if you know of unusual
species that have not been reported, please let me know, including the location.
Wishing you a great count and hope to see you afterwards at the compiling
session/potluck.
Cheers,
Rudolf Koes.

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#14510

From: "Garry Budyk" <callgud@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:15 am
Subject: Birdy spots in the West-End , North-end/West Kildonan ?

gud544

Offline

Hello birders in the above areas ,

If you have an active feeder  , and would like to have "your" birds counted for
the Winnipeg Christmas Bird Count this Sunday ( 20 December ) , please contact
me at  callgud@...  or simply hit "reply" , and I will gladly come by with
my group , check your feeders and yard , and add your birds to our tally for the
day .

Any bird is a good bird on count day , so please don't think that your few
sparrows and chickadees don't really matter....they do !  Plus , there's always
the possibility that a really "good" bird may pop by , right when it's time to
count 'em .

Also , if you know of any other feeders in your area , or spots where birds tend
to hang out , please feel free to pass that info on as well .

The West-End , Downtown , North-End and West Kildonan have had minimal coverage
for a number of years now , thereby my request for feeder locations .

With your help , we may again be able to make a significant contribution to the
overall results for the Winnipeg Count !  And who knows what might be lurking
out there....waiting to be found !

Thanks ,
Garry Budyk   >>>> callgud@... <<<<









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#14509

From: "Bing & Joy Bradley" <ajbradly@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:08 pm
Subject: varied thrush

bergamot12001

Offline

There is a Varied Thrush in McLeans yard east of Strathclair. Also I still have
17 Goldfinches at my place and at last 4 redpolls.   Joy Bradley, Strathclair

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#14508

From: "manitobawinnipegcanada" <careyneale@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:47 pm
Subject: American Kestrel

manitobawinn...

Offline

On my way home from Jo Schwart's where I saw the flicker but no wren, I saw an
American Kestrel perched on a wire beside Bishop Grandin at the west end of
Arnason's Driving Range.

Brad Carey
Winnipeg

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#14507

From: "toothpick_97" <mariej@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:37 pm
Subject: Back Yard Birds

toothpick_97

Offline

I am enjoying watching the regular visitors to my back yard. Red Breasted
Nuthatch, White Breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and Black Capped
Chickadee are frequent visitors to the feeding station and my new heated bird
bath! I had no idea that they like to take a good dip and a sip, despite the
extremely cold temperatures. But my most favourite visitor is the flock of four
Blue Jays that visit daily. They add a nice splash of color to the back yard
when they all arrive at the same time!

Marie Jaworski
1188 Wolseley Ave, Winnipeg

#14506

From: "Ryan Porteous" <birders@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:37 am
Subject: Congratulations!

lifebird2001

Offline

Hi all,
Congratulations are in order for Rudolf, Garry, Liis and John for their
successful trek to Creighton, SK in pursuit of the reported Rustic Bunting.
As a young man, I made several business trips to this border town and was very
tempted to call Rudolf, but as the saying goes, you snooze, you lose.
Cheers,
Ryan Porteous

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#14505

From: darrell neufeld <darrellneufeld@...>
Date: Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:23 pm
Subject: Re: Murder!

yahmemwhy

Offline

Hi All,
Thinking to much about Santa and his field marks!White-winged Crossbills!

Darryl  Neufeld
Wpg.Mb,

On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 4:17 PM, darrell neufeld
<darrellneufeld@...>wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Caught crows leaving from their roost at 7:30 this morning on 206 heading
> southwest!Red -winged Crossbills were
> identified after my binoculars and me got warm after watching them in
> Garson!
>
> Darrell Neufeld
> Wpg. Mb.
>

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#14504

From: darrell neufeld <darrellneufeld@...>
Date: Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:17 pm
Subject: Murder!

yahmemwhy

Offline

Hi All,

Caught crows leaving from their roost at 7:30 this morning on 206 heading
southwest!Red -winged Crossbills were
identified after my binoculars and me got warm after watching them in
Garson!

Darrell Neufeld
Wpg. Mb.


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#14503

From: "jehays54" <jehays54@...>
Date: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:01 am
Subject: Duck

jehays54

Online Now

At about 2:00 this afternoon I saw a duck on the red river east of the Louise
bridge in the bit of water still open . I wasn't close enough to tell what kind
of duck. Didn't have the time to find a better view but thought it was worth
posting .

#14502

From: "Linda" <linda_pearn@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:16 pm
Subject: Norwood Flats

patpearn

Offline

Betty Lavender & I did a short pre-count scouting trip on Sunday.  On the
Larchwood pathway we saw 2 robins feeding on fruit.

We also saw the Cedar waxwings on Churchill Drive

Linda Pearn
Winnipeg

#14501

From: Dennis Fast <denroy@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:36 pm
Subject: Bob Schettler Shrike

dennisfast

Offline

Hi Bob, et.al.,

Your account of the Northern Shrike's relentless pursuit reminded me of an
equally dramatic incident a number of years ago. Jim & Vic Reimer and I spotted
several very distant birds while driving slowly down a rural road. A look
through the binoculars revealed a Downy Woodpecker bobbing along ahead of a
Northern Shrike over a wide open agricultural field. The birds were approaching
from a farm on the next mile road so it took quite a while before they reached
us. As luck would have it, they flew right over us and pulled into the heavily
treed farmyard beside which we were stopped. We almost sighed with relief as the
Downy dove into a thick stand of spruce and both birds disappeared from sight!

Just as we were about to pull away, the birds reappeared and headed northeast to
yet another farm hedgerow about a kilometer (half mile) further. Once again the
birds disappeared into the trees as we watched through the binoculars. Only
moments later, the Downy popped out of the trees for yet another flight over
open fields, but this time the shrike caught up after about a hundred meters. We
watched as the shrike struck the downy on the back of the head with his beak,
and saw the Downy drop like a stone into the snow. The shrike was still sitting
there when we left, probably too tired to carry its prey away, or even to start
feeding immediately.

The whole drama must have lasted 15-20 minutes and certainly left an indelible
impression about how persistent a Shrike can be when it's hungry!

Dennis Fast

Kleefeld
Cheers,

Dennis

www.dennisfast.com

Dennis Fast
Box 151
Kleefeld, MB
R0A 0V0

(204) 377-4455
denroy@...

#14500

From: "Larry" <demarchl@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:07 pm
Subject: Proper labling of pictures

ldemarch

Offline

Hi All

This is another reminder that the Manitobabirds guidelines require that all
photos be labeled with species name, date taken and location.

Pictures should be down-sized so they are no wider than 1200 pixels and no
taller than 850 pixels so the full sized version will fit on most computer
monitors.  Consider cropping out extraneous areas of the photo if you need to
get a bigger image of the bird.

Improperly labeled photos do not add to our knowledge of the temporal and
geographic distribution of birds in Manitoba so they will be removed without
notice.

I'll start going through the photos in a couple of days.

Cheers,

Larry
Larry de March
Owner, Manitobabirds

#14499

From: Gene Walz <genewalz@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:46 pm
Subject: Count week?

gene_walz06

Offline

When does "count-week" start for our Winnipeg Xmas count? Do birds of yesterday
(December 13th) count?
Gene Walz

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#14498

From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:56 am
Subject: Manitoba Winter Bird List 2009/10

robparsons2001

Offline

Hi all,

     Very few of us seem to be birding, or at least finding anything new for
the list.  Considering the temperature, this isn't too surprising.  (Or is
everyone in Saskatchewan twitching the Rustic Bunting?)  We do, however,
have one new species for the list--the long-staying, if often elusive,
Carolina Wren; reported today by Jo Swartz.

     What truly amazes me is there are 3 previous winter list periods with
Carolina Wrens.  For a species not recorded in winter until this century,
this is almost unbelievable.

     Thanks to Jo Swartz for giving me a reason to update the list!  We are
now at 93 species.

     Please keep reporting your sightings, as well as those of others, to the
winter list.  As well, please continue checking the list to be sure I
haven't missed anything.

Cheers,

Rob Parsons
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA
parsons8@...

   Manitoba Winter Bird List 2009/10
     1.. Cackling Goose
     2.. Canada Goose
     3.. Tundra Swan
     4.. Wood Duck
     5.. Mallard
     6.. Northern Shoveler
     7.. Ring-necked Duck
     8.. Greater Scaup
     9.. Lesser Scaup
     10.. Harlequin Duck
     11.. Common Goldeneye
     12.. Common Merganser
     13.. Gray Partridge
     14.. Ring-necked Pheasant
     15.. Ruffed Grouse
     16.. Spruce Grouse
     17.. Sharp-tailed Grouse
     18.. Wild Turkey
     19.. Common Loon
     20.. Western Grebe
     21.. American White Pelican
     22.. Double-crested Cormorant
     23.. Bald Eagle
     24.. Northern Harrier
     25.. Sharp-shinned Hawk
     26.. Cooper's Hawk
     27.. Red-tailed Hawk
     28.. Rough-legged Hawk
     29.. American Kestrel
     30.. Merlin
     31.. Gyrfalcon
     32.. Sora
     33.. Ring-billed Gull
     34.. Herring Gull
     35.. Thayer's Gull
     36.. Rock Pigeon
     37.. Eurasian Collared-Dove
     38.. Mourning Dove
     39.. Eastern Screech-Owl
     40.. Great Horned Owl
     41.. Snowy Owl
     42.. Northern Hawk Owl
     43.. Barred Owl
     44.. Great Gray Owl
     45.. Short-eared Owl
     46.. Red-bellied Woodpecker
     47.. Downy Woodpecker
     48.. Hairy Woodpecker
     49.. Black-backed Woodpecker
     50.. Northern Flicker
     51.. Pileated Woodpecker
     52.. Northern Shrike
     53.. Gray Jay
     54.. Blue Jay
     55.. Black-billed Magpie
     56.. American Crow
     57.. Common Raven
     58.. Horned Lark
     59.. Black-capped Chickadee
     60.. Boreal Chickadee
     61.. Red-breasted Nuthatch
     62.. White-breasted Nuthatch
     63.. Brown Creeper
     64.. Carolina Wren
     65.. Golden-crowned Kinglet
     66.. Hermit Thrush
     67.. American Robin
     68.. Varied Thrush
     69.. Brown Thrasher
     70.. European Starling
     71.. Bohemian Waxwing
     72.. Cedar Waxwing
     73.. Fox Sparrow
     74.. Lincoln's Sparrow
     75.. White-throated Sparrow
     76.. Harris's Sparrow
     77.. White-crowned Sparrow
     78.. Dark-eyed Junco
     79.. Lapland Longspur
     80.. Snow Bunting
     81.. Northern Cardinal
     82.. Red-winged Blackbird
     83.. Western Meadowlark
     84.. Yellow-headed Blackbird
     85.. Common Grackle
     86.. Pine Grosbeak
     87.. House Finch
     88.. White-winged Crossbill
     89.. Common Redpoll
     90.. Pine Siskin
     91.. American Goldfinch
     92.. Evening Grosbeak
     93.. House Sparrow


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#14497

From: Lars Jansson <janssonl@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:00 am
Subject: Gyrfalcon

janssonl

Offline

Al Mickey reports observing a Gyrfalcon in Brandon on December 12.  Also
a few robins.

These have been reported to Cal Cuthbert in hopes he will seen them on
the CBC!

Lars Jansson (for Al Mickey)

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#14496

From: "Redmond Clarke" <rmclarke@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:50 am
Subject: Red-bellied Woodpecker

rmclarke@...

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker appeared, for about a minute, in the garden
this morning.

Other birds in the garden today were Downy and Hairy woodpeckers,
Black-capped Chickadee, a male Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted
Nuthatch, a Brown Creeper, two Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch and House
Sparrow.

A greyish Great-horned Owl spent a least a couple of hours in a nearby tree.


Cheers, Red
R. McV. Clarke
211 Victoria Crescent
Winnipeg
Manitoba  R2M 1X6



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#14495

From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8@...>
Date: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:33 pm
Subject: Manitoba Christmas Bird Counts Updates

robparsons2001

Offline

Hi all,

     I have another update.  The Dauphin count will be held Saturday,
December 19.  As I've said before, I will post any updates/corrections as I
hear of them.  So let me know if there are changes to be made.

     One additional note.  I've heard a couple of mentions of "count week".
I'm not sure if people are clear about the differences between count period
(December 14th through January 5th) and count week, which is the 3 days
before & the three days after an individual count.  Thus, count period
begins tomorrow (Monday); but count week, even for the earliest count
(Selkirk) will not begin until the 15th (Tuesday).  Count week for Winnipeg
begins on Thursday, the 17th.

     Counts where I know the dates:

Friday December 18
Selkirk -Gerald Machnee (1 204 757-4745) (December 21 as weather alternate)

Saturday December 19
Dauphin - Bill Walley (1 204 638-6774)
Glenboro/Spruce Woods -Lorelie Mitchell (1 204 827-2548)
Oak Hammock Marsh -Paula Grieef (467-3243)

Sunday, December 20
Balmoral -Jim & Patsy Duncan (467-8857)
Brandon - Cal Cuthbert (1 204 867-5981)
The Pas -  Joel Kayer (1 204 623-4006)
Winnipeg -Rudolf Koes (661-0763)

Tuesday, December 22
Riding Mountain N.P. -Ken Kingdon (1 204 848-7240) or Jennifer Gustafson
(204-848-7226)

Saturday, December 26
Cypress River/Spruce Woods -Ken De Smet (467-8635)

Sunday, December 27
Minnedosa -Ian Thorleifson (1 204 867-3527)

Monday, December 28
Delta Marsh -Bob Jones (1 204 239-1803)

Tuesday, December 29
Gimli -Bonnie Chartier (1 204 642-9777)

Wednesday, December 30
Pinawa/Lac du Bonnet -Peter Taylor (1 204 753-2977)

Saturday, January 2
Portage la Prairie -Carrie Braden (1 204 856-0952)

No date assigned, or which I'm not aware:
Lyleton -Ralph Wang (1 204 634-2465)
St. Martin -Stan & Edna Fowke (1 204 659-5311)
Thompson -Dave McDonald (1 204 778-9184)


Cheers,

Rob Parsons
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA
parsons8@...

#14494

From: "Bob Shettler" <sshettler@...>
Date: Sun Dec 13, 2009 5:15 pm
Subject: Northern Shrike

bobshettler

Offline

While looking out the second story den window on Friday, I could see a bird
flitting around actively by the riverbank. The bird looked a little larger than
the nuthatches and chickadees that have been flocking to the feeders and was
behaving a little differently than the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers that have
been coming to the suet. As I watched it, it started coming towards the feeder.
It turns out that it was a Northern Shrike in hot pursuit of a chickadee.

The chickadee and shrike were almost in constant motion. The chickadee made for
the interior of the clump of wild plum trees. It would land briefly and the
shrike would hover in towards it causing it to flutter briefly away to the
periphery of the bushes and land again in the heart of the bush. This went on
for at least 2 minutes. The chickadee escaped by making a beeline toward the
house and the safety of a large globe cedar as the shrike did not approach the
house and seemed to fly off.

I was struck by the relentless pursuit by the shrike and wonder if it was
frightened off by the faces in the window watching the unfolding drama. It was
also pretty clear that the chickadee would not have survived if it did not have
access to that cedar or similar cover.

The whole episode lasted about 3 minutes and who knows when it began. It is
interesting that the feeder returned to normal within about 3 or 4 minutes of
the shrike leaving.

Bob Shettler

Headingley




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#14493

From: "Richard Silverman" <silvrmn@...>
Date: Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:00 pm
Subject: Carolina Wren

silvrmn@...

Still here! Haven't seen the wren since the last posting ? a month ago but was
actually in my garage this morning. How  and when it got in I know not! Perhaps
just this morning when I was putting foood at the feeder. In any case, I was
torn... capture the bird and send it special delivery to a southern clime, or
open the door and let it fly on its own. I have chosen the latter. So it is in
the neighbourhood but where it roosts??????
Jo Swartz, Winnipeg


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#14492

From: "cbraden555" <cbraden555@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:46 pm
Subject: They're multiplying!

cbraden555

Offline

I now have 3 Robins in the tree!  Another female showed up!

Happy birding,
Carrie Braden
Portage

#14491

From: "cbraden555" <cbraden555@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:29 pm
Subject: Surprising Yard Birds

cbraden555

Offline

Lately my feeders here in Portage have been a little sparse.  They've had the
usual House Sparrow crew and the odd Chickadee and Red-breaseted Nuthatch.

Well today I've had a few surprised visitors.  It started with a flock of
between 20 and 30 Cedar Waxwings.  No red butts to be found!  I ran some errands
and when I got home I noticed that there was a red front in the bunch.  A lovely
American Robin was feasting in the mountain ash with the waxwings.  And now
while vegging out on the couch I notice that I have 2 American Goldfinches
chowing down on the sunflower seeds!  I just had another look and it turns out
there are 2 Robins out there.  A nice bright male and paler female!

What a nice surprise to see some variety out in the cold.

Happy Birding,
Carrie Braden

#14490

From: "bonie chartier" <cwe@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:42 pm
Subject: Northern Hawk Owl

bchartiercha...

Offline

Hi all,

I just received a note from Ed Bouvier of The Pas.  Yesterday he drove from
Winnipeg to The Pas.   He tells me that he saw 6 Northern Hawk Owls while on
route. This may just be an owl year!

Cheers,

Bonnie Chartier
Gimli, MB



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#14489

From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:37 am
Subject: Manitoba Winter Bird List 2009/10

robparsons2001

Offline

Hi all,

     Things have settled down to a more leisurely pace, but reports continue
to trickle in.  New this time around are Ring-necked Pheasant, Sharp-shinned
Hawk, Boreal Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush and Varied Thrush.
These bring us to 92 species, good enough to beat 2 of our previous 8 winter
lists.  All before CBC season!

     Thanks to Lars Jansson, Joel Kayer, Ken Kingdon, Rudolf Koes, Glen
Walleyn & Ralph Wang for their contributions this time around.  Glen's
contribution came just as I was about to hit the "send" button, requiring a
quick revision!


     In my last winter list update, I mentioned there were 11 more species we
had never missed and if they continue their perfect records, we would hit
97, but that I felt we were very fortunate to have at least three.  Of the 6
new species, 5 (all but the Hermit Thrush) are among the 11, reducing that
group to six: Willow Ptarmigan, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, American
Three-toed Woodpecker, Rusty Blackbird & Purple Finch.  Of those, only the
Rusty Blackbird & Purple Finch are rare and/or irregular, and might prove
difficult--we really *should* get the other 4.  We're also missing a couple
of species that, while not a perfect 8, we also really should get by
winter's end.  So, I think our chances for hitting the 100 species mark are
quite good.

     If anyone is out this weekend and finds new birds, I will update on
Sunday night or Monday.

     Please keep reporting your sightings, as well as those of others, to the
winter list.  As well, please continue checking the list to be sure I
haven't missed anything.

Cheers,

Rob Parsons
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA
parsons8@...

   Manitoba Winter Bird List 2009/10
     1.. Cackling Goose
     2.. Canada Goose
     3.. Tundra Swan
     4.. Wood Duck
     5.. Mallard
     6.. Northern Shoveler
     7.. Ring-necked Duck
     8.. Greater Scaup
     9.. Lesser Scaup
     10.. Harlequin Duck
     11.. Common Goldeneye
     12.. Common Merganser
     13.. Gray Partridge
     14.. Ring-necked Pheasant
     15.. Ruffed Grouse
     16.. Spruce Grouse
     17.. Sharp-tailed Grouse
     18.. Wild Turkey
     19.. Common Loon
     20.. Western Grebe
     21.. American White Pelican
     22.. Double-crested Cormorant
     23.. Bald Eagle
     24.. Northern Harrier
     25.. Sharp-shinned Hawk
     26.. Cooper's Hawk
     27.. Red-tailed Hawk
     28.. Rough-legged Hawk
     29.. American Kestrel
     30.. Merlin
     31.. Gyrfalcon
     32.. Sora
     33.. Ring-billed Gull
     34.. Herring Gull
     35.. Thayer's Gull
     36.. Rock Pigeon
     37.. Eurasian Collared-Dove
     38.. Mourning Dove
     39.. Eastern Screech-Owl
     40.. Great Horned Owl
     41.. Snowy Owl
     42.. Northern Hawk Owl
     43.. Barred Owl
     44.. Great Gray Owl
     45.. Short-eared Owl
     46.. Red-bellied Woodpecker
     47.. Downy Woodpecker
     48.. Hairy Woodpecker
     49.. Black-backed Woodpecker
     50.. Northern Flicker
     51.. Pileated Woodpecker
     52.. Northern Shrike
     53.. Gray Jay
     54.. Blue Jay
     55.. Black-billed Magpie
     56.. American Crow
     57.. Common Raven
     58.. Horned Lark
     59.. Black-capped Chickadee
     60.. Boreal Chickadee
     61.. Red-breasted Nuthatch
     62.. White-breasted Nuthatch
     63.. Brown Creeper
     64.. Golden-crowned Kinglet
     65.. Hermit Thrush
     66.. American Robin
     67.. Varied Thrush
     68.. Brown Thrasher
     69.. European Starling
     70.. Bohemian Waxwing
     71.. Cedar Waxwing
     72.. Fox Sparrow
     73.. Lincoln's Sparrow
     74.. White-throated Sparrow
     75.. Harris's Sparrow
     76.. White-crowned Sparrow
     77.. Dark-eyed Junco
     78.. Lapland Longspur
     79.. Snow Bunting
     80.. Northern Cardinal
     81.. Red-winged Blackbird
     82.. Western Meadowlark
     83.. Yellow-headed Blackbird
     84.. Common Grackle
     85.. Pine Grosbeak
     86.. House Finch
     87.. White-winged Crossbill
     88.. Common Redpoll
     89.. Pine Siskin
     90.. American Goldfinch
     91.. Evening Grosbeak
     92.. House Sparrow


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#14488

From: "Rob Parsons" <parsons8@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:04 am
Subject: Manitoba Christmas Bird Counts Updates

robparsons2001

Offline

Hi all,

     I have heard from Bonnie Chartier who tells me, weather permitting, the
Gimli count will be held on Tuesday, December 29.  As I've said, I will post
any updates/corrections as I hear of them.

     Counts where I know the dates:

Friday December 18
Selkirk -Gerald Machnee (1 204 757-4745) (December 21 as weather alternate)

Saturday December 19
Glenboro/Spruce Woods -Lorelie Mitchell (1 204 827-2548)
Oak Hammock Marsh -Paula Grieef (467-3243)

Sunday, December 20
Balmoral -Jim & Patsy Duncan (467-8857)
Brandon - Cal Cuthbert (1 204 867-5981)
The Pas -  Joel Kayer (1 204 623-4006)
Winnipeg -Rudolf Koes (661-0763)

Tuesday, December 22
Riding Mountain N.P. -Ken Kingdon (1 204 848-7240) or Jennifer Gustafson
(204-848-7226)

Saturday, December 26
Cypress River/Spruce Woods -Ken De Smet (467-8635)

Sunday, December 27
Minnedosa -Ian Thorleifson (1 204 867-3527)

Monday, December 28
Delta Marsh -Bob Jones (1 204 239-1803)

Tuesday, December 29
Gimli -Bonnie Chartier (1 204 642-9777)

Wednesday, December 30
Pinawa/Lac du Bonnet -Peter Taylor (1 204 753-2977)

Saturday, January 2
Portage la Prairie -Carrie Braden (1 204 856-0952)

No date assigned, or which I'm not aware:
Dauphin - Bill Walley (1 204 638-6774)
Lyleton -Ralph Wang (1 204 634-2465)
St. Martin -Stan & Edna Fowke (1 204 659-5311)
Thompson -Dave McDonald (1 204 778-9184)


Cheers,

Rob Parsons
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA
parsons8@...