10. Mountain Plover
This species seems primed for the Hillman Marsh shorebird cell in May to me.... There are a number of places one could lurk, but that location (and date) has the required coverage to someone to find it. Overall though, I think there's no clear cut place to expect it? (fall may be more likely)
When: Hillman Marsh Shorebird Cell in May. Or Pelee Island in late April in the fields.
(from Wiki)
9. Allen's Hummingbird
Ok, this is kinda boring. It will look like a baby Rufous, until someone bands it. But it is a likely addition to our list.
When: Some random backyard in October! \
[Ontbirds] Selasphorus Hummingbird in donk-ville is an Allen's! = from Generic Hummingbird Bander
Ohio Allen's Hummingbird being banded (here, link!)
8. White-tailed Kite
When: May 2-4 weekend. We often get a push of cold NE winds at this time of year in Ontario, and Long Point/Pelee are good bets to be where one is spotted, trying to head back south.... It will probably "arrive" in mid/late April (Beamer hawkwatch, Pelee Island?) but it may go undetected until it migrates "south" a few weeks later and hits one of those famous sand spits.
Link to White-tailed Kite from CT
7. Hammond's Flycatcher
There are too many records of this species around us for Ontario to not have it on the big list. Heck, I think New York has had 2 in the last 10 years. HECK, we have 3 records of Gray Flycatcher, which may be less likely?
When: If it isn't banded at Thunder Cape in September/October, then mid October-early November at a generic migrant trap along Lake Erie or Lake Ontario (feels like a bird I'd chase somewhere near Toronto for some reason)......
(from Wiki)
6. Reddish Egret
This species would probably be on everyone's "top 10 list" --- Ohio and Michigan have records on Lake Erie, and we practically own lake Erie. It's a fairly distinctive species too. Not like some crazy sparrow that is lurking in the bushes. These things are obvious.
When: my prediction is Pelee Island in August, but Long Point (Tip, Breakwater, Bluff's Bar etc) is also a prime spot. Doesn't feel like a Pelee bird to me.. Not with the current state of the beaches etc. there. 10% chance it shows up at Coburg Harbour or Presqu'ile. 10% chance around Fort Erie too.
My photo! I bet the first for Ontario won't be so darn pretty though.
5. Curve-billed Thrasher
This would be a mega mega rare bird for southern Ontario, but not out of the realm of possibility. Any of our vagrant traps could pick one up, spring or fall... Or some random feeder in middlesex county in winter.... But lets be serious here. This is a bird that REALLY should have shown up in northern Ontario by now (Thunder Cape? or is that too obvious). The shoreline of Lake Superior has probably had a few, but no one is looking at 70% of the shore. Someone will eventually have one show up mid/late fall at their feeders, and we will all have to decide how far we are willing to drive for a bird!
When: hope you have some funds for gas. Late fall, northern Ontario.
(wiki)
4. Clark's Grebe
Sure, Western Grebe is rare enough. And this species falls down the list due to excellent views required for a positive ID - but it is one of those birds that has already been pretty close to us, and it's only a matter of time. April or early may - anywhere there is some suitable water. Let's stick to the top 3 though, ok?
When: late Arpil/early may in the south. Mid to late May in Rainy River/Emo lagoons.
(from Wiki)
3. Red-necked Stint
Since most of us are not proper-coastal, I guess we can be forgiven for not having Red-necked Stint on our list. Actually wait, no we can't. Red-necked Stint is on state/provincial lists left/right and centre! For cryin out loud, we've already had at least 3 Little Stints seen in Ontario... In all honesty, there's probably been 20+ individuals on James/Hudson Bay in the last 50 years, but the odds of finding them up there are really low.. Thank god there's been an increase in coverage up there though! It'll happen soon! ROM shorebird crew power!
When: James Bay in Late July or Early August!
Link to RNST from MA --- A nice worn summer (fall migrant) --- just like we'll someday see in Ontario
Texas in JUNE of THIS YEAR
New York in 2008
(from Flickr)
2. Macgillivary's Warbler
One of those odd birds where there's probably been at least 2 "good" records rejected by the OBRC.. So you could almost argue that it's already occurred. But even still, there's no good reason for us to not have a fully/properly/totally documented record. Why do the banders at Long Point catch so many incredible vagrants, but no "western warblers" ? How long do we need to wait for Thunder Cape to catch one? Or the masses at Pelee to find one in May? Or a late fall vagrant somewhere?! Come on now!
When: whenever you find one! Get lookin!
Links:
Maine in 2009 - in december!
MA in 2009 - I think MA has like 10-12 or more records!?
Braddock Bay, NY (Lake Ontario Shoreline) in June, 2003 !!!!
(from Wiki)
1. Glaucous-winged Gull
Considering Ontario has some pretty spectacular gull watching and watch-er's, it's puzzling how this species has never been found here. We have over a Dozen Ross's Gull records, Slaty-backs, Kamchatka & Common Gulls, Black-tailed, Ivories, Vega and European Herring Gulls. So what gives? Michigan has 2 right? Or 3? Illinois has had multiple birds in the past few years. Heck, Newfoundland has 2 records... There is no other way to put it than "really overdue" for the province. Thunder Bay, Moosonee/James Bay, Point Pelee, Sarnia, Niagara River, Hamilton/Toronto, Landfills in Eastern Ontario (eg Ottawa) could all turn up this beast!!! Hopefully soon !!!
Links:
VIDEO of one THIS YEAR In Illinois on Lake Michigan
Michigan's SECOND record
Newfoundland in 2006 (Jared Clarke)
(from Wiki)
For some reason I forgot Clark's Grebe on my list...I didn't even put it in the "honorable mentions".
ReplyDeleteGood call with Mountain Plover - I think that's one we will see sooner rather than later.
Good luck up north - maybe you guys will knock one or two off that list!