JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUBProtecting Nature Since 1919

Volume 69 Number 9 May 2016

I n T h i s I s s u e :Winter Season Noteworthy Bird RecordsTrouble in the Woods — Olympic WoodsGetting People Involved in Urban Birding

Member Profile – Gord McNultyThe 2015 Hamilton Butterfly Summary

Milbert’s Tortoiseshells on Common Privet flowers at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden on 2 June 2015 - photo Michelle Sharp. This record, and other interesting records, are detailed on page 176 on the annual Hamilton Study Area

Butterfly Summary.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 194

Table of Contents

Noteworthy Bird Records (Winter) December 2015 - February 2016 Bill Lamond 196 2015 Hamilton Study Area Butterfly Summary Bill Lamond 200 President’s Message Regarding Olympic Woods at RBG Maggie Sims 203Dates to Remember – May & Summer 2016 Rob Porter/Liz Rabishaw 204Monarch Awards Jen Baker 209Member Profile – Gord McNulty Colleen Cirillo and Bill Lamond 210Thank You, Birdathoners Jim Stollard 211Growing an Urban Birding Program with Emily Rondel Michael Rowlands 212Sheraton Hamilton Peregrines – Breaking News (We Hope!) Mike Street 216

A female Varied Thrush in Millgrove, Flamborough, 5 March 2016 - photo Dan Cornell. This bird was a two-day wonder, possibly showing up with a flock of robins, and feeding in a local yard for two days (March 5-6), then gone.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 195

Publications Committee: Christine Bishop, Rob Dobos, Maggie Sims, Kevin McLaughlin, Don McLean, Herman van Barneveld, Glenda Slessor, Jean Stollard, Jim Stollard and John Struger.

The Wood Duck is the official publication of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and produced by members of the Club. It is published nine times a year from September to May, inclusive. Deadline for receipt of material is the 5th of the month preceding publication date.

As long as credit lines are included, articles may be reprinted without permission, unless otherwise specified. Opinions expressed in the Wood Duck are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club promotes public interest in the study, conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage.

Meetings are held monthly September to May inclusive and field events are scheduled throughout the year. Visitors are welcome. The HNC is a registered charity and all donations as well as membership fees are tax deductible.

HNC BOARD 2015 - 2016 Executive

Past President:President:

Vice-President:Secretary: Treasurer:

Michael FischerMaggie Sims

vacantBronwen Tregunno

Jim Stollard

905 526 0325905 331 1496

905 637 7136905 634 3538

fischermj@sympatico.camaggie.sims@cogeco.ca

brontreg@cogeco.ca

jjstollard@sympatico.ca

Directors

Bird Study Group:Conservation & Education:

Field Events:Director-at-Large:

Membership: Programs:Publicity:

Sanctuary:Volunteer:

Wood Duck Editor:

Bruce MackenziePaul D. Smith

Rob PorterGord McNulty

Jill Baldwin William Oates

Pritom DeyBrian WylieKim FowlerBill Lamond

905 643 4526905 659 1482905 920 3148905 525 9927905 679 6447 905 628 0328647 607 8786905 627 4601647 886 3049519 756 9546

katina@sympatico.caam.pd.smith@sympatico.ca

rob@inpictures.cagmcnulty21@gmail.com

jill.membership.hnc@gmail.com oates.william@gmail.compritomdey1@gmail.com brianwylie@cogeco.ca

kimberley.fowler@gmail.combill-lamond@hotmail.com

Coordinators

Website Coordinator:Social Coordinator:Junior Naturalists:

Mailing:Land Trust Program:

Pritom DeyCatharine Flatt

Brian WylieJean Stollard

Jen Baker

647 607 8786905 628 2030905 627 4601905 634 3538905 524 3339

pritomdey1@gmail.comcflatt@cogeco.ca

brianwylie@cogeco.cajjstollard@sympatico.ca

land@hamiltonnature.org

Report rare bird sightings to: Cheryl Edgecombe 905-637-5923Send Noteworthy Bird Records to: Bill Lamond, 238 St. George St, Brantford, N3R 1W7 email: bill-lamond@hotmail.com

MEMBERSHIP FEES – Please remit to The Membership Director, Hamilton Naturalists’ Club P.O.Box 89052, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4R5

HNC PUBLICATIONS - To order, contact Elaine Serena905-639-2702 or serene238@gmail.com

Life Membership $750.00 Hamilton Nature Counts 2003 $75.00

Single Membership $45.00 Hamilton Area Bird Checklist 2007 $2.00

Senior Single Membership $40.00 Head of the Lake Nature Guide $8.00

Student Single Membership (on-line-only access to Wood Duck; for those 25 or under) free What’s Alive in Hamilton - from HCA website. free

Checklist of Ontario Butterflies $1.50

Senior Joint Membership $45.00 Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas(order from Glenn Barrett at ncc_images@hotmail.com) $45.00

Family Membership $50.00

Junior Naturalists - 1st child $80.00 Hamilton Mammal Atlas $15.00

Junior Naturalists - additional children $70.00 A Monthly Guide to Nature and Conservation. $5.00

Honorary Life Member n/a Reptiles and Amphibians of Ham. Area (check local library)

Volume 69 Number 9 CN ISSN 0049-7886 http://www.hamiltonnature.org

May, 2016 - Publications Mail Contract No. 40048074 info@hamiltonnature.org

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 196

Editor’s Notes........As many of you know, the Hopkins Woods area of the RBG has recently been posted “No Trespassing”, angering many area birders. Please read our President’s comments on page 203 and the small follow-up editorial asking for member’s comments. This month’s photo of the front cover Wood Duck is by Denys Gardiner. Readers will note that it is a photo of carving. Denys painted this unfinished Wood Duck carving and I have decided that anything goes with this contest. I had more or less ended the “contest” regarding the front cover Wood Duck photo, however after receiving this photo of the painted Wood Duck, I decided to keep the contest going until September. A Wood Duck painting would make a good image too, a hint to all you artists out there. This is the 15th photo/image in this “project” (see Wood Duck May 2014, page 196). I want to bring to your attention the outing to Short Hills as it is happening very soon on May 1. If you have never visited, it is time that you did as it is your sanctuary and it is a wonderful place. Also, please note the Birdathon article on page 211. I encourage you support our “celebrity birder” to help raise money for the HNC.I plan to do another issue of the Wood Duck “In the Summer” which will be published on-line only in early July. Please consider submitting an article for this issue. If you have never submitted anything before, now is the time, whether it is a short article, long article or your favourite photo. The summer is upon us. Get out and enjoy every day as the times slips by so quickly. Forget about cleaning out the base-ment or painting the kitchen. That can wait until the depths of next winter.

Noteworthy Bird Records – (Winter) December 2015 to February 2016by Bill LamondUnderlined species or dates require documentation by the Hamilton Bird Records Committee. Capitalized species require documentation by the Ontario Bird Records Committee. Those species lacking documentation will be followed by n.d. – “no documentation”. This notation is new for the NBR but is appropriate. The popular eBird database is requiring documentation for notable sightings and the proliferation of inexpensive easy-to-use cameras makes documentation of rare sightings so much easier. For species marked with “#”, all reported records are listed. For all other species, only highlights are listed. Note that the species order follows the most recent American Ornithologists’ Union checklist and supplements.Observers: Alfred Adamo (AA), Jim Anderson (JA), Heather Bagg (HB), Paul Baldassi (PB), Gerten Basom (GB), Robert Bell (RBe), Luke Berg (LB), Sarah Bird (SB), Barrie Boatman (BB), Mike Boyd (MBo), Wayne Bullock (WB), Jim Burrell (JB), Ken Burrell (KB), Mike Burrell (MB), Mike Cadman (MC), Barbara Canney (BCa), Adam Capparelli (AC), Alain Carriere (ACar), Barb Charlton (BCha), Chris Cheatle (CC), Helen Colvin (HC), Bill Cuddy (BCu), Bob Curry (BC), Sheena Chisholm (SC), Kevin Christman (KC), Barry Coombs (BCo), Martin Daly (MDa), Sandy Darling (SD), Rob Dobos (RD), Andrew Don (AD), Dave Don (DD), Mark Dorriesfield (MD), Philip Downey (PD), Chris Dunn (CD), Cheryl Edgecombe (CE), Chris Earley (CEa), Gavin Edmondstone (GE), Luc Fazio (LF), Xavier Fazio (XF), Tom Ford (TF), Christian Friis (CF), Denys Gardiner (DG), Kate Gardiner (KG), Athena Gubbe (AGu), Todd Hagedorn (TH), Marlene Hart (MH), David Heimbecker (DHe), Jim Hignell (JHi), Peter Hogenbirk (PH), Brandon Holden (BH), Ellen Horak (EH), Jerry Horak (JHo), Kyle Horner (KH), Jackson Hudecki (JH), Beth Jefferson (BJ), Mark Jennings (MJ), Marc Johnson (MJo), Susan Jones (SJ), Andrew Keaveney (AK), Lesley Knight (LK), Gordo Laidlaw (GLa), Bill Lamond (BL), Sarah Lamond (SL), Mary Laurie-Pile (MLP), Debbie Leung (DL), Gord Lewer (GL), Tim Lucas (TL), Rick Ludkin (RL), Bruce Mackenzie (BMac), Stuart Mackenzie (SMac), Dan MacNeal (DMac), Dave Maltby (DMa), Josh Mandell (JM), Len Manning (LM), Reuven Martin (RM), Arlene McCaw (AM), Jim McCaw (JMc), Anne McLagan (AMc), Kevin McLaughlin (KM), Gerry Mielke (GM), Tom Miller (TM), Dave Milsom (DM), Ian Miron (IM), David Moffatt (DMo), Frank Morley (FM), Chris Motherwell (CM), Dilia Narduzzi (DN), George Naylor (GN), Louise Niven (LN), Melissa Northey (MN), Andy Nguyen (ANg), Ben Oldfield (BO), William Olenek (WO), Frank Pinilla (FP), Rich Poort (RPo), Rob Porter (RP), Michael Press (MP), David Pryor (DPr), Kim Purpura (KP), Wayne Renaud (WR), Brian Rennie (BRe), David Restivo (DR), Nicole Richardson (NR), Brenda Rooke (BRo), Cody Rowe (CR), Yves Scholten (YS), Caleb Scholtens (CSc), Peter Scholtens (PSc), Lucas Short (LS), George Sims (GS), Joan Sims (JSi), Jeff Skevington (JSk), Richard Skevington (RSk), Bill Smith (BS), Paul Smith (PS), Bob Stamp (BSt), John Stevens (JS), Chris Street (CS), Roger Suffling (RSu), Lisa Teskey (LT), Peter Thoem (PT), Tom Thomas (TT), Anne Tinker (AT); Bronwen Tregunno (BT), David Trumbell (DT), Fred Urie (FU), Sandra Van Hullenaar (SVH); Rohan van Twest (RvT), Josh Vandermeulen (JV), John Vieira (JVi), Phil Waggett (PW), Mike Waldhuber (MWa), Rob Waldhuber (RW), Jim Watt (JW), Doug Welch (DW), Ross Wood (RWo), Dave Worthington (DW), Bryan K Wyatt (BKW), Anthony Zammit (AZ), Susan Zhang (SZ).

Legend:* – first record for the yearF – first record for the migrationL – last record for the migrationHSA – Hamilton Study AreaSM – singing maleterr. – territorial birdn.d. – no documentation

Plumages, etc.:m. – malef. – femalead. – adultba. – basicalt. – alternateimm. – immaturejuv. – juvenile1st yr. – first year

County/Region/City:Brant [BR]Haldimand [HD]Halton [HL]Hamilton [HM]Niagara [NG]Peel [PL]Waterloo [WT]Wellington [WL]

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 197

Greater White-fronted Goose#: Two on Lake at Jones Rd [HM] Jan 25 F (FP) and three there Jan 31 (DD); five on Lake at Fruitland Rd Feb 7 (GLa); six on 5th Road East, Saltfleet [HM] Feb 8 (BCh); one at Oakville Harbour (JW), two on grass at Fifty Point C.A. (BCha,GN,RW/RD), two at Lake at Jones Road (LM), and two at Windermere Basin (BCh), all Feb 13; one on Lake W of Gairloch Gardens [HL] Feb 27 (CE,RD).Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose: One possible hybrid at Oakville Harbour Feb 15 (JVi/CC).

Snow Goose#: One at 2nd Concession east of Lynden Road [HM] Dec 4 (CE); one (blue morph) at Fifty Point C.A. Dec 31 (LM); one white ad. at Bronte Harbour Jan 19-30 (MJ/m.obs); two in field at Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Milton [HL] Feb 3 F (RWo); two at Bronte Harbour Feb 10-14 (MJ).Ross’s Goose#: Four at 5th Road East between Green Mountain and Powerline Rds [HM] Feb 6*-7 (JR)Cackling Goose#: Two on Lake near Casablanca Blvd [NG] Dec 5 (AK); one at Princess Point Dec 26 (CM,FM); one off DVCA trails near Old Dundas Rd Dec 26 (AA); eight on South Grimsby Rd 21, south of Hwy 20 [NG] Jan 2 (MJ); one at Bayfront Park [HM] Jan 9* (GLa); two at stormwater pond at Derry Rd and James Snow Parkway Jan 14 (BCha); two at Bronte Harbour Jan 22 (BJ,MJ) and at Shell Park [HL] Feb 12 (RPo); one on Lake at Jones Rd [HM] Jan 28 (LM); one at Desjardins Canal, Dundas Jan 30 (RD,CE,DD); one at Oakville Harbour Feb 13 (MJ) and four there Feb 15 (JVi).Canada Goose: 4000 along 8th Line between Britannia and Derry Rds [HL] Feb 21 (RM).Trumpeter Swan: 13 at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] Dec 7 (AZ); seven at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] Dec 23 (CCo); six, two ad. four imm. at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Jan 1 (RvT); eight at Bronte Harbour Jan 20 (CC); six at Oakville Harbour Jan 22 (DH); 19 on Grand River at Glen Morris [BR] Jan 29 (GS,JSi); 13 at Port Credit [PL] Jan 30 (LF); 114 on Harbour at La Salle Park Feb 3 (DT); 28 at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Feb 3 (FU); two on Grand River in Brantford Feb 6 (SB) and 17 (JHi)Tundra Swan: One at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] Dec 1 – Jan 2 (BKW,ACar) - bird has been at this location since spring 2015; two at Dundas Hydro Pond Jan 1 (RP,DN); 10 at Bayfront Park Jan 5 (RW); three at Bronte Harbour [HL] Jan 8 (MJ); 30 at La Salle Park Jan 10 (BCha,RD); four on Lake off Coronation Park, Oakville Jan 22 (DH); three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Feb 3 (FU); 21 over Dundas Feb 24 F (RD); 100 over Skyway Bridge Feb 29 (PB); 89 on Lake between Fifty Point and Lewis Rd [HM] Feb 29 (FP).Wood Duck: One in small pond on Woodhill Road north of Concession 2 [HM] Dec 4-7 (CE/DD); one in flight past Green Road [HM] Dec 26 (BH); one fem. on Lake at Shoreacres Creek [HL] Jan 8 – Feb 19 (AM;RD,CE/TM); one at Sedgewick Park [HL] Jan 29 (DH) and also Feb 19 (TM); one at Windermere Basin Jan 31 – Feb 20 (LB/DM/RD,CE,DD).

Gadwall: Three at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Jan 2 (ACar); 148 at Bronte Harbour Jan 8 (MJ); 450 at Lakeside Park [HL] Jan 29 (RM); four on Tapleytown Rd N of Mud St [HM] Feb 21 F (LM).“Brewer’s Duck” – Gadwall x Mallard: One m. at Lakeside Park [HL] Feb 14 (RM).American Wigeon: One on Lake near Fruitland Road Dec 8 (LM); seven on Lake west of Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 2 (JW); one at Desjardins Canal, Dundas Jan 7 (BSt); one at Princess Point Jan 9 (AC); six at Holcim Lakefront Mansion [HL] Jan 6 (MD,TH,RM); two on Lake at Watersedge Park [HL] Jan 9 (DD); 20 at Lakeside Park [HL] Jan 29 (RM); two on 5th Road East N of Mud St [HM] Feb 21 F (JR).Northern Shoveler: Three at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Dec 9 (DR); nine at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] Dec 11 (FU); eight at Puslinch Lake [WL] Dec 12 (KB); 20 at Biggar lagoons [NG] Dec 12 (LM); two at Foreman Rd Wetland [HM] Dec 26 (DG); nine at Bayfront Park Dec 27 (SMac,CF); one at east side Bronte Harbour Jan 13-15 (MJ); one on Lake at Richard’s Memorial Park [PL] Jan 17 (RM); 230 at Windermere Basin Jan 31 (LB); 42 at Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave [HM] Feb 20 (RD,CE,DD); one at wetland at 407 and Britannia Rd [HL] Feb 28 F (RM).Northern Pintail: One m. at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Dec 27 (HB); one at Windermere Basin Jan 6* (RM,TH,MD); one at Red Hill Creek at Woodward St [HM] Jan 23 (LM); three on Lake at Jones Rd [HM] Feb 2 F (LM); one at Lakeside Park [HL] Feb 14 (RM); one m. in Dundas Hydro Pond Feb 20 (LM,LT).Green-winged Teal: Three at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] Dec 25 (CCo); 52 at Princess Point Dec 26 (SMac); 10 at Red Hill Parkway Pond Dec 26 (RPo,LM); two m. at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Dec 26 (HB); six at Windermere Basin Jan 7 (EH,JH) and 30 there Jan 31 (LB); one on Lake at Watersedge Park [HL] Jan 8 (MJ); one m. on Lake at Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 19 (WR); one in field near Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Milton [HL] Feb 3 F (RWo).American Black Duck: 40 on Grand River near Wilkes Dam, Brantford Feb 18 (MLP).Mallard: 1,100 at Lakeside Park [HL] Feb 14 (RM); 300 on Grand River near Wilkes Dam, Brantford Feb 18 (MLP); 1500 along 5th Road E between Green Mountain and Ridge Rds [HM] Feb 21 (LM); 800 along 8th Line between Britannia and Derry Rds [HL] Feb 21 (RM).Greater Scaup: 600 on Lake at Fifty Road [HM] Dec 10 (LM)Canvasback: One at Biggar lagoons [NG] Dec 12 (LM); seven at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Dec 26 (CCo); 110 on Harbour off La Salle Park Jan 3 (DD,CE) and 180 there Jan 10 (RD,BCha); one Great Lakes-Rebecca SWP [HL] Feb 4 F – 10 (MJ); three at Bronte Harbour Feb 19 (MJ).

Redhead: 15 Lake near Fruitland Rd [HM] Dec 3 (RD) and 130 there Feb 8 (LM); 1,100 on Lake at Fifty Rd [HM] Dec 10 (LM); one at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Dec 26 (CCo); 390 on Lake off Coronation Park [HL] Jan 6 (MJ); 97 on Harbour off CCIW Jan 26 (RD).Ring-necked Duck: 85 at Aberfoyle Pit, Puslinch [WL] Dec 2 (MC); three

Hybrid Canada Goose at Oakville Harbour, 13 Feb 2016 - photo John Vieria. Likely a cross with a “barnyard-type” goose but possibility of White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrid.

Canvasbacks at La Salle Park, 22 Jan 2016 - photo Dominik Halas.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 198

at Biggar lagoons [NG] Dec 12 (LM); two at Lake Medad [HL] Dec 26 (BL); five at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Dec 26 (CCo); 16 at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] Jan 4 (BKW); two at Windermere Basin Jan 6* (RM,TH,MD); 84 at La Salle Park Jan 10 (BCha,RD); 43 on Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave Jan 10 (LM); one m. at Desjardins Canal Feb 21 (BCa).King Eider#: One at Grays Rd [HM] Dec 1 (LM); three on Lake at Fruitland Rd [HM] Dec 2 (JV,LM), four there Dec 3 (LM), six there Dec 5 (JB,MB,KB), three there Dec 31 (LM); three on Lake off Hunter Rd, Grimsby [NG] Dec 5 (GN,BCha,RW); six, including one “near-ad.” m. between Fruitland Rd and Fifty Point Dec 18 (LM) and also Jan 2 (RD,DD,BCha); 10 (all f. plumaged) on Lake between Stoney Creek and Grimsby Jan 16 (WELO IBA survey); four f. on Lake west of Fifty Point [HM] Feb 18 (KM).Harlequin Duck#: Two (m. and f.) on Lake at Joshua Creek [HL] Dec 1 (JW); one on Lake off Ben Machree Park [PL] Dec 4 (fide CE); two on Lake (m. and f.) at Fifty Road [HM] (GN,BCha,RW) moving to Creanona Blvd [HM] on Dec 8-24 (LM); one at Port Credit [PL] Dec 5 (LF); one m. on Lake at Lorne Park [PL] Jan 16 (LF) and one m. on Lake at Joshua Creek Jan 16 (MP); one m. on Lake at Rhododendron Gardens [PL] Jan 17 (RM); pair at Gairloch Gardens [HL] Jan 30 (DH); Surf Scoter: One on Grand River above Wilkes Dam, Brantford Dec 15 (BL,SL); 907 on Lake on Peach Tree CBC Jan 2 (m.obs.); one on Harbour off La Salle Jan 10 (RD,BCha).White-winged Scoter: 8,721 recorded on Lake on Peach Tree CBC Jan 2 (m.obs.); 180 on Lake at Suncor Pier [HL] Feb 4 (MJ).Black Scoter: 50 on Lake at Green Rd Dec 1 (BH); 18 on Lake on Peach Tree CBC Jan 2 (m.obs.); one on Harbour of La Salle Park Jan 2 (RD,BCha); 25 on Lake at Fruitland Rd Jan 6 (MD,TH,RM); one at Bronte Harbour Feb 25 (MJ).Common Goldeneye: 50 on Grand River above Wilkes Dam, Brantford Feb 19 (MLP).

Common Goldeneye x Barrow’s Goldeneye#: One m. on Harbour off CCIW Jan 28 (RD) and on Lake off Confederation Park Jan 29 (BCh)Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser#: One m. at Leander Boat Club Jan 6 (KM) – likely same individual present in Dec 2014.Hooded Merganser: 167 in Dundas Hydro Pond Dec 13 (LM)Common Merganser: 74 on Grand River in Brantford Jan 3 (BL,SL). Ruddy Duck: Three at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] Dec 9 (MC); 322 at Tollgate Pond Dec 12 (LM), 76 on Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave Jan 7 (DT); 15 on Harbour off La Salle Park Jan 15 (DT); 130 at Spencer Smith Park, Burlington Jan 16 (BO); one at Bronte Harbour Feb 6 (AC); one at Great Lakes/Rebecca SWP Feb 10 (MJ); 200 at Windermere Basin Feb 20 (DMac).Ring-necked Pheasant#: One along York Rd near Hopkins Corners, Dundas Dec 28 (LM).Ruffed Grouse#: Up to three birds through December at least, on Westover Road N of 8th Concession [HM] and one bird there Jan 1-16 (PS); three at Crieff Bog [WL] Dec 12 (RP); two along Safari Rd at

Spencer Creek [HM] Dec 18 (BCo); one at McMillan Pit, Puslinch [WL] Jan 10 (RvT); one along Brock Rd, just south of Freelton Feb 8 (GM); one on 10th Concession W of Hwy 6 [HM] Feb 20 (RD,CE,DD).Wild Turkey: 13 at 2nd Road E about 500m S of Ridge Rd Dec 30 (LM); 16 along Indian Line near Seneca Road, Six Nations I.R. [BR] Dec 31 (BL,SL,DG); 26 on Powerline Rd and Fifth Road E Jan 2 (RD,CE,DD); 60 just W of Thirty Road on Mud St [HM] Jan 2 (EH).Red-throated Loon#: Two on Lake off Van Wagners Beach Dec 1 (RD); one on Lake at Green Rd [HM] Dec 2 (LM/KM); four off of Sayers Park [HM] Dec 5 (KB et al.); one juv. on Lake at Fruitland Rd Dec 18 (LM); one on Harbour off CCIW Jan 2810 (RD).Common Loon: One on Lake off Birch Hill Promenade, Oakville Dec 5 (RM); one on Lake off Bronte Harbour [HL] Dec 5 (GE); one on Lake of Lorne Park, Mississauga Dec 5 (LF); one on Harbour off of La Salle Park Dec 25 (CS), two there Dec 27 (DD) and 11 there Jan 31 (DD); two in flight on Lake at Green Rd Dec 26 (BH); one on Lake at Watersedge Park, Oakville; two off Bronte Harbour Feb 6 (AC).Pied-billed Grebe#: One at Sideroad 10 N quarry pond [WL] Dec 25 – Jan 2 (CCo/ACar); one at Windermere Basin Dec 26 (BC) to Feb 8 (FP).Horned Grebe: One on Lake at Joshua Creek [HL] Dec 1 (JW); six on Lake between Westdale Rd, Oakville and Oakville Harbour Dec 5 (RM); one on Lake off Watersedge Park, Mississauga Dec 5 (LF); one on Lake at 40 Mile Creek [NG] Dec 7 (KM); one grounded on lawn near Bronte Harbour [HL] Dec 11 (MJ) (taken to Oakville Humane Society); two at Fifty Point [NG] Jan 10 (PD) and one there Feb 18 (KM); two on Harbour off La Salle Park Jan 20 (MDa).Red-necked Grebe: One on Lake off of Fifty Rd [NG] Dec 25 (LM) and also Jan 2 (SMac,CF,RWo); one on Harbour at La Salle Park Jan 3 (DD,CE) and two there Jan 10 (RD,BCha); one on Lake off of Bronte Harbour [HL] Jan 8 (MJ); one on Lake off Sioux Lookout [HL] Jan 16 (BO).Double-crested Cormorant: 110 on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.)GREAT CORMORANT#: One (possibly 2nd yr. bird) on Lake at Green Rd [HM] Dec 26* (BH).Great Blue Heron: One at Niebaur’s Pond [WL] Dec 2 (LN); four over Cootes Paradise Dec 3 (JA); one on Grand River at Lorne Bridge, Brantford Dec 3 (DG); one at Shoreacres Park [HL] Dec 5 (BJ); one at Erindale Park [PL] Dec 7 (RM) to Feb 19 (MJo); one on Grand River at Ruthven Park [HD] Dec 8; three in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 10 (CS); two at Rattray Marsh [PL] Dec 21 (KC); two at Van Wagners Marsh Dec 26 (RPo,LM); one at Long Pond, RBG Dec 26 (CSc,PSc); one at Taquanyah C.A. [HD] Dec 28 (RSk,JSk); one flying over Desjardins Canal [HM] Jan 7 (LM,BSt); one on Grand River at River Rd, Cayuga [HD] Jan 7 (CR); one over QEW and Fifty Road [HM] Jan 8 (BMac); three at Dundas Hydro Pond Jan 8 (BC) and two there Jan 24 (IM); two at Princess Point Jan 9 (AC); three at Windermere Basin Jan 14 (AC) and two there Feb 7 (BC).Great Egret#: One at Dundas Hydro Pond [HM] Dec 1-17 (RP/JVR); likely same bird at Valley Inn Dec 3 and Dec 5 (TT/SVH).Black-crowned Night-Heron#: One at Red Hill Creek at Woodward Ave [HM] Dec 2 (JR); one at Globe Park [HM] Dec 9 L (RM).Turkey Vulture: Three in field at Jerseyville and Field Rds [HM] Dec 4 (fide CE) and seven there Dec 30 (RP); one over Dundas Dec 24 (RP); one at Garden Ave at 403, Brantford (GB); one at Allen Rd N of Sixteen Rd, SW of Smithville [NG] Jan 2 (GN,RW); one at Kemp Dr and Creighton Rd, Dundas Jan 10 (YS); two flying west at Escarpment at Ridge Rd at 11th Road E [HM] Feb 4 F (TT).

Common x Barrow’s Goldeneye male, 29 January 2016 on Lake Ontario off of Confederation Park - photo Barry Cherriere.

Great Egret at West Pond, 12 December 2015 - photo Joanne Redwood.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 199

Bald Eagle: Five at Cootes Paradise Feb 6 (JH) and seven there Feb 7 (MDa); 10 on Harbour ice Feb 10 (RD); two adults at nest on Grand River south of Wilkes Dam, Brantford Feb 19 (MLP) with presumed eggs by Feb 23 (BL,SL,KG); one on Grand River in Caledonia [HD] Feb 21 (WR); one on Grand River at York [HD] Feb 21 (WR); 12 on Hamilton Harbour Feb 28 (WO); one migrant at Beamer C.A. Feb 28 (JS).Northern Harrier: Three at Burloak/Great Lakes grassland Jan 17 (MJ); two at Dofasco Trail at 10th Road E Feb 14 (RD,CE).Red-shouldered Hawk#: One ad. near Wellington Rd 32, Hwy 401 and Ellis Rd [WL] Dec 20 – Jan 23 (KH/KB).Red-tailed Hawk: Nine migrating along Escarpment on Hamilton Mountain Feb 27 (PW).Northern Goshawk#: one ad. at Little Tract [WL] Jan 2 (RvT); one imm. at Crawford Tract, Concession Rd 11 [WL] Jan 17 (MC); one ad. 8575 1st Line, Campbellville [HL] Feb 6 (RWo); one imm. at 36 Winter Way, Brantford Feb 16 (DG,SG).Rough-legged Hawk: One at 4th Concession W near Brock Road [HM] Jan 1* (MD); two migrants at Beamer C.A. Feb 28 (JS).American Coot: 120 at Bayfront Park on Harbour Dec 9 (GLa); one at Biggar lagoons [NG] Dec 12 (LM) and three there Jan 2 (SMac,CF,RWo); four at Lakeside Park [HL] Jan 29 (RM); one on Lake at Fruitland Rd Feb 20 F (LM); two at Oakville Harbour Feb 15 (JVi).Sandhill Crane#: 65 over Grindstone Creek at Plains Rd [HL] Dec 3 (CSt) and roosting in Cootes Paradise and observed taking flight next morning Dec 4 (CE); 35 over Carlisle [HL] Dec 25 (HC); one over Escarpment Radial Trail Dec 26 (GL); three over Sandusk Road N of 10th Concession Walpole at Hwy 6 [HD] Dec 31 (BL,SL,DG).Killdeer#: Five at 8th Road E north of Dofasco Trail [HM] Feb 28 F (CE,RD,DD,BCha).American Woodcock#: Two at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] Feb 28* (DD).Phalarope sp.#: One phalarope (almost certainly Red Phalarope) over Lake at Bronte Harbour [HL] Dec 5 (GE).Bonaparte’s Gull: One at Shade’s Mills C.A. [WT] Dec 9 (AZ); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] Dec 12 (SJ); two at Desjardins Canal Dec 13 (LM)Ring-billed Gull: 365 at Bronte Harbour Feb 24 (MJ).Thayer’s Gull#: One ad. on Grand River at Wilkes Dam, Brantford Dec 20 (ANg); one 1st ba. on Harbour at CCIW [HM] Jan 27* (MC) and on Feb 5 (RD).Iceland Gull: One ad. at Beach Canal [HM] Jan 2* (KM,TL); five at Brantford landfill [BR] Jan 3 (BL,SL); one 2nd ba. at Leander Boat Club Jan 6 (LM); one on Dundas Hydro Pond Jan 9 (RP); one ad. at mouth of 40 Mile Creek, Grimsby [NG] Jan 14 (KM); one ad. at Bronte Beach [HL] Jan 25 (MJ); two 1st ba. at CCIW Jan 28 (RD); one 2nd ba. at Jones Rd at Lake Feb 6 (KM); one 1st ba. at Oakville Harbour Feb 13 (MJ); one on Grand River at Lorne Bridge, Brantford Feb 19 (MLP).Lesser Black-backed Gull#: One 3rd ba. at Windermere Basin Dec 26 (BC); one at Hespeler Mill Pond [WT] Dec 31 and also on Jan 2* (FU); one ad. at Mohawk Lake, Brantford Jan 3 (AZ); one juv. at Leander Boat Club Jan 6-7 (KM); one imm. at Tollgate Pond Jan 10 (LM); one ad. at

La Salle Park Jan 17- Feb 11 (DH/DW); one at McNally Pit, Puslinch [WL] Jan 17 (RvT); three (one ad, one 1st ba., and one 2nd ba.) on CCIW breakwall Feb 10 (RD).Glaucous Gull: One imm. at Van Wagners Beach Dec 13 F (RD,CE,DD); five at Brantford landfill [BR] Jan 3 (BL,SL); 16 at Bayfront Park Jan 30

(GLa); one at Bronte Harbour Feb 1 (MJ); four on Grand River at Lorne Bridge, Brantford Feb 19 (MLP); four (two ad. & two 1st ba.) on Harbour ice Feb 20 (RD,CE,DD).Great Black-backed Gull: 50 on Grand River at Lorne Bridge, Brantford Feb 19 (MLP).Black-legged Kittiwake#: One juv. over Lake at Green Rd [HM] Dec 26 (BH).Snowy Owl#: One at Beachstrip sewage treatment plant [HL] Dec 15 (LM,BC); one at QEW & Red Hill Valley Pkwy [HM] Jan 2 (RD); one on east Mountain at East 13th St [HM] Dec 22 (fide JH); two in Bronte area, one on Suncor Pier and one at Burloak Waterfront Park Jan 4 (MJ); one at Bronte Harbour Jan 7 (BJ); one at Home Depot on Burloak Road Jan 9 (DD); one at Britannia Rd at First Line [HL] Jan 13 (AD); one at Lake Ontario shore near Jones Rd [HM] Jan 16 (LM); one at Windermere Basin Jan 16 (CC); two in area of Burloak Dr Jan 25 (MJ); three, one at Suncor Pier, one at Burloak Home Depot, and one at Burloak/Great Lakes field Feb 7 (MJ); one at Home Outfitters building on Wyecroft Rd, Oakville Feb 18 (TM). Long-eared Owl#: One at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] Dec 12 (BCu); one at Concession 4 Puslinch, N of Little Tract [WL] Dec 20 (CEa) and again on Dec 22 (CCo,DMac); one on Concession 1, Puslinch, 1km W of Wellington Rd 35 [WL]; one at Little Tract [WL] Dec 25 (RvT); one at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] Jan 2 (AD) and five there Jan 24 (AGu); one on Nipegon Trail, Oakville Jan 9 (DH/TM) two on N shore of Cootes Paradise Jan 30 (RD,DD,CE).Short-eared Owl#: One at 10th Road E & Dofasco Trail Jan 2* (RD,BCha) and two there Feb 12 (RW,MWa); one over Cootes Paradise Jan 14 (RP); two at “Oakville Grasslands” along Great Lakes Blvd and Rebecca St [HL] Jan 25 (MJ) and three there Feb 12 (RPo); one in field near Mainway and Appleby Line, Burlington Feb 22 (CS).Northern Saw-whet Owl#: One at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] Dec 8 (MJ) to Feb 6 (AC); one at Fifty Point C.A. [NG] Dec 19 (LM); one at U of G Arboretum, Guelph Jan 8-9 (MD, m.obs/RvT).Belted Kingfisher: One on Grand River at Waterworks Park, Brantford Dec 14 (DG); eight on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.).Red-bellied Woodpecker: 84 on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.).Yellow-bellied Sapsucker#: One on Concession Road 11, Puslinch, N of 15 Sideroad [WL] Dec 2 (BRe); one at 34-71 Sulphur Springs, Ancaster Feb 13 (RBe).Pileated Woodpecker: Eight on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.).Merlin: One in Grimsby [NG] Dec 8 (BM); seven recorded on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.); one on 10th Road E at Vinemount Nature Sanctuary [HM] Feb 13 (MDa); (continued on page 208)

Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at La Salle Park, 17 Jan 2016 - photo Joanne Redwood.

Adult Glaucous Gull at Bayfront Park, 30 Jan 2016 - photo Gordo Laidlaw.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 200

2015 Hamilton Study Area Butterfly Summaryby Bill Lamond

This is the 12th annual report of butterfly observations in the Hamilton Study Area, although there was a 16 year gap

(1994-2009) when there were no reports. These reports began in 1988 and the 12 reports provide a relatively comprehensive report of which species occur in our area, where they occur, and on what dates these species could reasonably be expected to occur.Butterflies in 2015 were not exceptional, save for a couple of notable records. There were no reports of Fiery Skipper, Little Sulphur or Variegated Fritillary, and only two records of Common Buckeye. However, the appearance of a record-early-for -Ontario Common Painted Lady in Burlington on 15 April was very unusual – unusual in that it was not an early spring and also because it was not a great year for this immigrant species. Truly an “odd-ball” record. The other exceptional record in 2015 was an Ocola Skipper at Windermere Basin on 7 October. This Ocola Skipper was the second record of this very rare stray skipper to Hamilton, the first record which was found at the Children’s Garden, RBG on 8 September 1991 by Bob Curry – the first record for Canada! These two exceptional records made it easy to overlook how mediocre the 2015 butterfly season really was.There were a few other highlights in Hamilton in 2015. Several species of hairstreak were frequently encountered, especially Hickory Hairstreak which was relatively common. Milbert’s Tortoiseshells were again in good numbers, as “common” as this species has been in the Hamilton area in at least 30 years. Why is this? Who knows? Habitat is not lacking for this species. There are so many unknown factors that negatively affect a species such as diseases, predators, parasites and parasatoids. I expect that at some future time, this species will again become a rare sight in Hamilton. Hopefully I am completely wrong as this is such a beautiful species. Also of note this year was the first Hamilton record of a 3rd brood Inornate Ringlet photographed in Mississauga on November 16. This strange record defies any logical explanation.The records below are of all species recorded in the Hamilton Study Area in 2015. Locality data for all “uncommon” to “rare” species are included except for multiple dates for the same locations and occasionally for the same locality from different years. First and last dates of all species are included, as well as sample high numbers. However, I have not applied “first” and “last” dates to species that have likely been “on the wing” for several days before (or after) their first (or last) submitted observation. This is a judgement call on my part I realize, but it may be helpful for people who read this in 30 years!Abbreviations and Symbols* — all records are listed (site duplications may be omitted).# — only significant records submitted are listed.+ — immigrant species, non-residentFO/LO – First/Last record of over-wintering adult.F/L – First/Last record of a single-brooded species.F1-F2/L1-L3 – First/last record of 1st, 2nd or 3rd brood.C.A. – Conservation Aream. obs. – many observers

RD et al.1 – RD,CE,DD,BC RD et al.2 – RD,CE,BC,MM,LMRD et al.3– RD,DD,CE,TF RD et al.4 – RD,BC,DD,LMKM et al. – KM,IS,RP BM et al. – BM,LMac,PP,KMoES et al. – ES,BK,DG,MF,JL

Black Swallowtail #

Confederation Park 1 4 May F1 BK

Giant Swallowtail #

Jones Rd & South Service Rd 1 21 May F1 BMCurrie Tract 2 30 May RD et al.1

Eramosa Karst 1 2 Jun LMRuss Rd, N of Kemp Rd, Grimsby 4 30 Jun SHBeverly Swamp Reserve 1 5 Jul L1 ES et al.Westover Tract 9 7 Aug JRDumfries C.A., Cambridge 1 17 Sep JReiCedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 1 18 Sep L2 BVR

Tiger Swallowtail #

Hyde Tract 1 10 May F1 IS

Mustard White *

Kelso C.A. 1 20 May BVRRattlesnake Point C.A. 2 29 May BVRBranchton R.R. 1 22 Jul RCaKelso C.A. 2 28 Aug BVR

West Virginia White *

Twiss Rd Escarpment WoodsHilton Falls Complex

97

28 Apr F28 Apr F

BVR BVR

Rattlesnake Point Crawford Lake

315

2 May 6 May

BVR BVR

Twiss Rd Escarpment Woods 25 8 May

SB

Cabbage White #

Beamer C.A. 1 17 Apr F1 RCVan Wagners Beach 2 3 Nov L3 RD

Black Swallowtail at Van Wagners Beach, 4 May 2015 - photo Bonnie Kinder.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 201

Common (Clouded) Sulphur #Valens Rd & 6th Conc. 1 15 May F1 RD,CE,DDStrabane at 8th Conc. 1 19 Nov

PS

Orange Sulphur # +

Windermere Basin 1 18 Jun F RD,CEVan Wagners Beach 2 3 Nov L RD

American Copper *Cedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 1 7 Aug BVRRail Trail at Jerseyville Rd 3 9 Aug BVR

Bronze Copper *rare Charitable Research Reserve 1 21 Aug TS

Dorcas Copper *Grand River Fen, Brantford 3 6 Jul F BL

Acadian Hairstreak *Westover Tract at 6th Conc 1 5 Jul RD,BC,MMFletcher Creek Swamp Preserve 2 5 Jul KM et al.HBC Area #2 1 5 Jul BM et al.Sedge marsh N of Hyde Tract 10 5 Jul BLCooper Rd N of SOSA Gliders 3 5 Jul BLLynden Road @ 5th Concession W 2 5 Jul BL

Coral Hairstreak *

Fletcher Creek Swamp Preserve 7 5 Jul KM et al.Westover TractLynden Road @ 5th Concession Wrare Charitable Research Reserve

511

5 Jul 5 Jul 11 Jul

RD et al.2

BL GR

Banded Hairstreak Ruthven Park 1 17 Jun F NP,MPNational Sewer Pipe lands 1 19 Jun BVRUrquhart Butterfly Garden 1 21 Jun MSBayview Park 2 22 Jun BVRHamilton Butterfly Count 20 5 Jul m.obs.Lions Valley Park, Oakville 1 10 Jul NGCaesar Ave, Oakville 1 12 Jul NGBrookmill Rd, Oakville 1 18 Jul NGOakville Trafalgar High School 2 20 Jul NGDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 10 23 Jul BVRSassafras Woods 1 6 Aug BVR168 Norfolk Ave, Cambridge 1 15 Aug L BVR

Hickory Hairstreak *King Rd N of Service Rd 1 19 Jun F BVRBayview Park 2 22 Jun BVRWalter’s Greenhouses, Brantford 10 30 Jun BLRuthven Park 27 3 Jul NP,MPPowerline Rd at Dundas Valley 1 5 Jul PDCheese Factory Rd 1 5 Jul NP,MPWestover Tract 3 5 Jul RD et al.2

Glenorchy C.A. 4 21 Jul BVR

Urquhart Butterfly Garden 3 21 Jul RD,DDClappison Escarpment Woods 1 22 Jul BVRDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 4 23 Jul BVRFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul L RCa

Striped Hairstreak *Lower Baseline Rd, Milton 1 26 Jun F GHBronte Creek P.P. 1 29 Jun BVRrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 3 Jul TSPowerline Rd at Dundas Valley 1 5 Jul PDHamilton Butterfly Count 4 5 Jul m.obs.Lions Valley Park, Oakville 1 10 Jul NGClappison Escarpment Woods 7 22 Jul BVRDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 4 23 Jul BVRCourtcliffe Park 2 2 Aug RDCedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 2 7 Aug L BVR

Eastern Pine Elfin *Hyde Tract 1 17 May F ISShade’s Mills C.A. 2 22 May JReiDundas Valley @ Paddy Greene Rd 2 23 May IS

Hickory Hairstreak, Puslinch Lake area, 5 July 2015 - photo Ken Morrison.

Striped Hairstreak at Urquhart Butterfly Garden, 20 July 2015 - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Eastern Pine Elfin at Paddy Greene Rd, Dundas Valley, 23 May 2015 - photo Ian Smith.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 202

Eastern Tailed-Blue #Glenorchy C.A. 3 2 Jun F1 BVRWestover Tract 38 5 Jul RD et al.2

N shore Cootes Paradise 1 7 Oct L2 CC

Spring Azure #Shade’s Mills C.A. 1 29 Apr F JReiFifty Point C.A. 1 2 May RD et al.3

Twiss Rd Escarpment Woods 16 8 May SBLot 27, Conc. 7, Nassagaweya 1 6 Jun L WM

Summer Azure #

Lot 27, Conc 7, Nassagaweya 1 9 Jun F WMWaterdown Woods 1 11 Jun BVRrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 11 Jun TSWindermere Basin 1 5 Sep L RD,CE,DD

Silvery Blue Dundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd. 1 20 May F BVRRed Hill Valley Trail 1 27 May BKErindale Park 12 28 May MJoCurrie Tract 20 30 May RD et al.1

Eramosa Karst 4 2 Jun LMGlenorchy C.A. 36 2 Jun BVRLower Baseline Rd, Milton 53 7 Jun GHTrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 9 Jun TSSixteen Mile Creek, Oakville 56 10 Jun GHTBayview Park, Burlington 1 22 Jun BVRHamilton Butterfly Count Area #2 1 5 Jul L BM et al.

American Snout * +

Urquhart Butterfly Garden 1 20-26 Jul MS,m.obs.

Great Spangled Fritillary #16 Mile Creek, Oakville 1 10 Jun F GHTBaseline Rd, Milton 18 Jun 26 GHTRuthven Park 31 Jul 3 MP,NPHamilton Butterfly Count 43 Jul 5 m. obs.Cedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 2 Sep 18 L BVR

Silver-bordered Fritillary *Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul RCa

Meadow Fritillary *Cedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 1 13 Jun BVRhayfield, Cooper Rd, N of Hwy 8 40 5 Jul BLCedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 4 7 Aug BVR

Silvery Checkerspot *King Rd, N of North Service Rd 1 19 Jun BVRBronte Creek P.P. 9 29 Jun BVR

Northern (Orange) Crescent #Glenorchy C.A. 1 22 May F1 BVR

Pearl Crescent #Urquhart Butterfly Garden 2 16 May F1 MSPaddy Greene Rd, Dundas Valley 1 16 May F1 ISWindermere Basin 1 27 Sep L2 RD,CE,DD

Baltimore Checkerspot *Triangle Fen, Hardy Rd, Brantford 3 6 Jun F BLCheese Factory Road 4 5 Jul NP,MPSpencer Creek S of Hwy 5 10 5 Jul RD et al.4

sedge swamp just N of Hyde Tract 9 5 Jul BLFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul L RCa

Question Mark # +rare Charitable Research Reserve 1 28 May F TS

Eastern Comma #

Oakville 1 2 Apr FO GHTSouth Shore trails, Cootes Paradise 12 12 Apr GB

(continued on page 207)

Silvery Blue at Red Hill Valley, 20 May 2015 - photo Bonnie Kinder.

American Snout at Urquhart Butterfly Garden, 25 Jul 2015 - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Question Mark caterpillar, rail trail, 20 Jul 2015 - photo Ian Smith.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 203

President’s Message Regarding Olympic Woods at RBGby Maggie Sims

Many of you are aware of a recent change at RBG regarding access to their Olympic Woods/Hopkins Woods trails. There

have been some media articles and a lot of discussion amongst our members since RBG chose to suddenly start actively enforcing “no trespassing” rules at these particular areas. In an effort to clarify the situation, your Board sought a meeting with RBG and we met in mid-March. After a lengthy but productive meeting, we were able to agree on several measures to ensure that everyone understands what led to these changes and what the future situation will be.

It is important for our members to know that these specific parts of the RBG grounds, which constitute only a very small part of the total area at RBG, have long been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and therefore off-limits to the public. The purpose of an SPA is to preserve the specific habitat and the flora/fauna which lives there. It is part of RBGs ongoing mandate to preserve the natural environment for the future, teach people how to be good environmental stewards while enjoying nature, and to abide by the Species at Risk Act. The RBG must protect the ~50 species at risk which now live at RBG – species such as the Bashful Bulrush which is not known to exist anywhere else in Canada, and the Bald Eagles which are just starting to return to the area and breed successfully after many years of decline.

Unfortunately, in recent times RBG has not had the necessary funding or resources to adequately monitor and protect these critical areas. This has led to many years of inappropriate use. Some of the challenges RBG has faced include dumping of garbage, use of the unofficial trails as outdoor classrooms, ATVs entering the areas and tearing up the land, illegal campfires which carry the risk of starting a forest fire, off-leash dogs which trample the plant life and scare the birds/animals, illegal fishing and poaching. There are also additional risks to the public who venture into these SPAs as they are not maintained to the same degree as the official trails are. For instance, dead trees are generally left standing, which could fall on the unwary, and the footing can become slippery and unstable during wet or winter weather.

We responded that we felt that RBG could have done a much better job of communicating their plans to the public. An upfront discussion about their mandate, policies and justifications for their recent activities would have negated the ill-feeling which has been generated. We indicated that it seemed as if HNC was being unfairly targeted by RBG but they assured us that this is not the case and, in fact, have already had positive discussions with both McMaster and the City of Hamilton. We also pointed out that the existing maps and descriptions of the grounds do not clearly delineate areas such as the SPAs which are off-limits.

In summary, we all agreed that there are several steps to be taken that will alleviate the situation and prevent any further misunderstandings. RBG undertakes to improve and broaden their communications and advise of future changes well in advance of implementation. They are also working on clearer and more definitive maps of the trails and public-access areas which will

plainly indicate where the public is not admitted. However, the various bird counts will continue as census takers will be granted special permits to access the SPAs as required. HNC will invite RBG to attend some of our meetings to provide regular, short updates. It is hoped that occasional open forums can be hosted by RBG, which will include representatives of a broad sample of interested parties in the community (naturalists, birders, hikers, people who fish, other outdoor enthusiasts, etc.) and in which ideas can be exchanged about the effective management of the RBG natural lands. HNC agreed to update the HNC website so that it will provide RBG birding location descriptions for approved access locations only. HNC was very clear that the Club cannot control what information is available to birders and other outdoor enthusiasts from various non-HNC sources, such as eBird, Hamilton Birders Google group, etc. However, the Club will ensure that the information provided on its own website is accurate and urges respect for the owners of the property being visited. Birders will be strongly encouraged to abide by the OFO’s Code of Ethics found on their website at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/aboutus.ethics. HNC will also work closely with RBG to ensure that the SPAs are not promoted as good birding areas and their value to the environment is supported.

In conclusion, HNC intends to maintain an on-going dialogue with RBG in hopes of gaining some lessening of restrictions over time. Implementation of the measures noted above should help both organizations to clarify the permitted activities at RBG and will help HNC to more accurately inform members of current and upcoming changes.

I have heard from several Club members who are not pleased with the RBG actions. Of course there are two sides to every story and the RBG considers this private land. However, the amount of public money that supports the RBG suggests that there is a large “public” component to these lands. I note that at least 68 birders visited this location this winter based on eBird reports. This does not take into account those who do not post to eBird. Obviously this is (or was) a favourite area for birders, people who are usually very protective of nature and normally allies of RBG-like institutions. The RBG states that this is a sensitive area for wildlife and people need to be excluded. Some would respectfully disagree. Are there other issues in this area not related to birders? We invite comments from HNC members on this contentious issue. All comments received will be published in the summer issue of the Wood Duck. Well-reasoned letters might grab the attention of the RBG Board and help them see this issue from the other side. Let us have a respectful debate! - Ed.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 204

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to 15 May: The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch’s 42nd season of monitoring the migration of raptors at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Quarry Rd off Ridge Rd W., Grimsby. Counters are present every day from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT. Visitors always welcome. Information: Bruce Mackenzie 905-643-4526, katina@sympatico.ca or Mike Street - 905-648-3737, mikestreet1@gmail.com.

1 May (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. HNC - Short Hills Sanctuary Work Party. Come enjoy the old growth forest and spring wild flowers of our Short Hills Sanctuary. Meet at Battlefield Square Plaza (Value Village) on Hwy 8 for car-pooling or meet at the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. This is our annual spring cleanup and work party. Bring a lunch. Moderate to heavy activity. Garlic mustard pulling, garbage and trail cleanup. Contact Warren Beacham at 905-627-3343 for more details.

1 May (Sunday) 2-3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Hendrie Valley, meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

4 May (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8: 30 p.m. HNC - Spring Migrants at Confederation Park Join Matt Mills for an evening birding walk through Confederation Park. Meet at the east entrance of Confederation Park breezeway trail at the north end of Grays Rd.

7 May (Saturday) 9:30 a.m. RBG - Spring Wildflower Walk. Meet at Cherry Hill Gate in Hendrie Valley. Be ready for rough terrain. Hike (2.5 to 3.5 hours) is geared for intermediate levels. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $15.

8 May (Sunday, Mothers’ Day) 2-3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free Nature hike (donations welcome). Princess Point, meet at the parking lot. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404. Also 15 May, Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum location; 22 May, Cootes South Shore, meet at the Aviary parking lot; 29 May, Rock Chapel, meet at parking lot.

9 May (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting. Rebuilding Bronte’s Natural Infrastructure. Bronte Creek is not as healthy as it was historically. Jack Imhof, Director of Conservation Ecology for Trout Unlimited Canada, will highlight two major projects undertaken recently on Bronte Creek. (see page 213 for details). At the RBG HQ, Plains Road W., Burlington.

11 May (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Migrant Warblers at Paletta (Shoreacres) Park. This location is known for its abundance of diverse warbler species during migration. Leader: Andrew Don. Meet at the parking lot at 4280 Lakeshore Road, Burlington.

14 May (Saturday) 9:30 a.m. RBG - Spring Wildflower Walk on North Shore. (meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum location). Dress for the weather, and be ready for rough terrain. Hikes (2.5 to 3.5 hours) are geared for intermediate levels. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $15.

14 May (Saturday) 2:00-4:00 p.m. RBG - Turtle Walk. At RBG Centre / Grindstone Creek. Hike the trails to try and spot amphibians! Family program. Fee: $12 per adults, $8 per child (3 years and under free).

15 May (Sunday) 2:00-3:30 p.m. RBG - Get Back to Nature Walk. Free Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore, meet at the Nature Centre, Arboretum location, Old Guelph Road. If the weather is inclement, call Program Update Line 905-527-1158 ext. 404.

15 May (Sunday) 1:30-3:00 p.m. HNC - Spring Wildflower Walk. Meet Fleur-Ange and Dean for a spring wildflower walk along the trails of the Dundas Valley. Meet and park at Ancaster Lions Outdoor Pool on Jerseyville Rd. Contact Dean at dgugler@gmail.com.

18 May (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Crerar Forest: Urban Forest Walk. Join Dr. Giuliana Casimirri, Ph.D., an urban forest enthusiast, and local naturalist Sheldon McGregor to explore this small but significant patch of urban forest within Hamilton. Meet in the parking lot of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle at 1355 Upper Wellington St

25 May (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Hike the Lafarge Trail. Leader: Paul Smith, contact at am.pd.smith@sympatico.ca or 905-659-1482. Meet at the north end of Middletown Road north of Regional Road #97 (previously Hwy. 97), W of Hwy 6 North.

28 May (Saturday) 7:00 a.m. RBG - Paddling in Paradise. At RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. A guided tour of Cootes Paradise; we supply the canoes, paddles, and life jackets; you bring camera and binoculars, water bottles and snacks also recommended. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $35 per person.

28 May (Saturday) 7:30-9:30 p.m. RBG - Moonlight and Lilacs. At RBG Arboretum location. Guided tour, hors d’oeuvres, music; one drink included with ticket, additional available. Must be 19 years of age or older, Pre-registration required. Fee: $40.

29 May (Sunday) 1:00-4:30 p.m. RBG - Early Summer Tree ID. At RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Begin indoors, then hike RBG’s trails, learn to ID trees in our area. Tree manual and lens are needed. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $40 (hike, tree manual, and lens). Fee: $15 (hike only, without tree manual and lens included).

31 May (Tuesday) 6:00 p.m. RBG - Paddling in Paradise. At RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. A guided tour of Cootes Paradise; we supply the canoes, paddles, and life jackets; you bring camera and binoculars, water bottles and snacks also recommended. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $35 per person.

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1 June (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Cedar Haven Farm - Hear from A Rocha staff about their environmental restoration projects and education programs. 1039 Regional Rd #97, Freelton. Park on the grass, behind the shed and across from the barn.

RBG - Get Back to Nature Walks Every Sunday (including holiday weekends), June through August, 10:00 a.m.- 12 noon at the locations noted below. FREE (donations welcome). Every walk is a different adventure! 1st Sunday of every month: Hendrie Valley; meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking lot. 2nd Sunday: Princess Point; meet at the parking lot. 3rd Sunday: Cootes North Shore; meet at the Nature Centre. 4th Sunday: Cootes South Shore; meet at the Aviary parking lot on Oak Knoll Drive, Hamilton. 5th Sunday: Rock Chapel; meet at the parking lot. NOTE: Walks are typically 1.5 to 2 hours in length. Trails are not suitable for most strollers, except those for off-sidewalk use. In the event of inclement weather, call our Program Update Line at 905-527-1158 ext. 404

2-3 June (Thursday & Friday) 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. RBG - Spring Hawthorn Identification at RBG. Join instructors from the Royal Ontario Museum at RBG. Learn the most recent hawthorn keys; field and classroom time. Fee: $275 (call for student rate).

4 June (Saturday) 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. RBG - How to Attract Mason Bees at RBG Centre. Join RBG staff Karin to learn about these bees, build a simple bee house, explore the gardens for bees. Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $35/ person.

8 June (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Exploring Coldspring Valley: Parking in Paradise - Join your guides Reyna Matties (McMaster biology) and Randy Kay (Restore Cootes) for a hike into the past, present and future of McMaster’s Lot M Parking. In 2014, some big changes started to improve the natural environment. Meet at the intersection of Lakelet Drive and Binkley Cres.

11 June (Saturday) 7:00 a.m., 14 June (Tuesday) 6:00 p.m., 25 June (Saturday) 7:00 a.m., 28 June (Tuesday) 6:00 p.m., 9 July (Saturday) 7:00 a.m., 16 July (Saturday) 7:30 p.m. and 23 July (Saturday) 7:00 a.m. RBG - Paddling in Paradise at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. A guided tour of Cootes Paradise; we supply the canoes, paddles, and life jackets; you bring camera and binoculars, water bottles and snacks. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $35 per person/day.

11 June (Saturday) 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. RBG - Iris in the Moonlight at RBG Laking Garden. Guided tour of the kaleidoscope of colours, hors d’oeuvres, music; one drink included with ticket, additional available. Must be 19 years of age or older, Pre-registration required. Fee: $40.

12 June (Sunday) 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. HNC - The Breeding Birds of McMaster Forest. Join HNC Field Events Director and local birder Rob Porter on a birding hike through McMaster Forest Research Site, a former potato farm originally purchased by McMaster University in the 50s that is now a conservation and biology research site that includes a tallgrass restoration project in progress.Meet at the roadside parking lot, just west of the intersection of Wilson Street and Lower Lion’s Club Road along the wooden fence.

15 June (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Falconwatch Open House - Interested persons are invited to meet the Falconwatch Team in the parking lot of the new McMaster Health Sciences Centre at the corner of Bay and King Streets. Volunteers will inform visitors about the 21-year history of Falconwatch and show them the active Peregrine chicks on the ledge.

18-19 June (Saturday and Sunday) 9:00 a.m. to noon. RBG - Learn to Canoe at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Two half days of instruction. Pre-registration required. Fee: $70 per person.

25 June (Saturday) 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. HNC - Spooky Hollow: Birds, Ferns, and other Botanical Wonders. Explore Spooky Hollow, the club’s first nature sanctuary. It is home to many fine Carolinian plants. Breeding birds at Spooky include Hooded Warblers and Acadian Flycatcher. Many species of ferns including Cinnamon (at its finest in June), Interrupted, Intermediate, New York and Oak Ferns. Leaders: Peter Thoem (author of the Wood Duck fern series) and RBG’s botanist, Nadia Cavalin. For more information peterthoem@gmail.com 905-681-2738. Meet to car-pool at 8.00 a.m. at Fortinos parking lot on Wilson St. in Ancaster. Bring a lunch.

26 June (Sunday) 1 to 4:30 p.m. RBG - The Key to Wildflowers at RBG. Learn to ID wildflowers using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide—a skill to take with you on all your nature walks! Fee: $40 (hike, manual, and lens). $15 (hike only).

29 June (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Globe Park Nature Walk. Join Bob Curry for a walk through Globe Park. We will be following along the Red Hill Creek, and continue along the trail overpass over the QEW to Van Wagners ponds. We’ll be mostly seeing birds as it may be late in the day for other fauna, but we’ll look at everything. Meet at the east end of Brampton St, off Woodward Ave.

2 July (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. HNC - Annual Hamilton Odonate Count. Bring lots of enthusiasm, a lunch, lots of water, shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and any of the following that you may own: net, field guides, hand lens, envelopes for the hard to ID, digital camera. Contact dragonfly and damselfly expert Brenda Van Ryswyk, brendavanryswyk@gmail.com or 519-568-3073. work - 905-336-1158 ext 282. Meet at the corner of Kirkwall Road and Concession 8 West in the church parking lot at Kirkwall.

3 July (Sunday) 9:00 a.m. HNC - Annual Hamilton Butterfly Count. This is not a typical hike. It is a census, and as such, there will be little time available for ID information. By no means do you need to be an expert, but some experience is needed. If unsure, please call count compiler Bill Lamond, bill-lamond@hotmail.com or 519-756-9546. Meeting location same as for 2 July outing above.

6 July (Wednesday) 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Birding & Biking the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail. Join us for a birding trip by bike, from Copetown to Jerseyville and back. Leader: Dave Moffatt. Meet at parking lot on Hwy 52 at Powerline Road.

The Wood Duck - April, 2014Page 206

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HNC HIKES All of our leaders are volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and time. The HNC assumes no responsibility for injuries of any kind sustained by anyone as a result of participating in any of these activities. Please assess your own ability to participate. Hikes are sometimes cancelled or rescheduled. You are advised to check the HNC website (www.hamiltonnature.org) before setting out, to ensure that the hike has not been rescheduled. Generally, pets on hikes are discouraged as they startle wildlife, damage nests, and interfere with the enjoyment of others. Contact the leader before bringing your pet and for other questions. We also publicize Royal Botanical Gardens hikes and events. Most RBG programs require pre-registration one week prior. There is a charge for these activities except for the Sunday Get Back To Nature Walks. For information on RBG hikes: Liz Rabishaw, Public Program Bookings, RBG, 905-527-1158 (1-800-694-4769) ext. 270. programs@rbg.ca www.rbg.ca

Short Hills Nature Sanctuary Work (and play) DayCome enjoy the old growth forest and spring wild flowers of our Sanctuary. Meet at Battlefield Square Plaza (Value Village) on Hwy 8 in Stoney Creek at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, May 1st to carpool, or meet at the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. This is our annual spring clean-up and work party. Bring a lunch. Light to medium activity. Garlic Mustard pulling, garbage and trail cleanup. There is no rain date for this work party. If the weather is damp, we will be there, if it is steady rain, wet and cold, we will not! Contact Warren Beacham at 905-627-3343 for more details.

9 July (Saturday) 8:00 to 10 p.m. RBG - Moonlit Roses at RBG Hendrie Park. Magical tour of the Centennial Rose Garden, hors d’oeuvres, music; one drink included, additional available. Must be 19 years of age or older, Pre-registration required. Fee: $40.

9 July (Saturday) 9 a.m. to noon. RBG - Spider Identification Workshop at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Hear a presentation, head on outside to search for spiders. Pre-registration required, please call for list of what to bring to help with field ID. Fee: $60.

9 July (Saturday) 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. RBG - Fireflies in the Garden at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Bring the family for a magical evening and learn about these luminous beetles. Family program, wear close toed shoes, bring a flashlight. Pre-registration required. Fee: $12 per adults, $8 per child (3 years and under free).

10 July (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. RBG - Risky Business at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Which plants to watch out for, which to avoid, while hiking. Discover the good and bad in plants around us. Pre-registration required. Fee: $15.

13 July (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Eramosa Karst Hike. Explore the unique geology and life forms of this area. Caves, underground streams and two very different woodlots await. Meet Bruce Mackenzie at the entrance on Upper Mount Albion Rd.

3 August (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. HNC - Explore the Cartwright Sanctuary. This hike will explore the Cartwright Nature Sanctuary, part of a wildlife corridor that runs from the Escarpment to Cootes Paradise. Within this HNC sanctuary are old orchards and woodlands that are home to a number of native flora and fauna. There is a kilometre long loop trail with a distant view of the Hamilton’s downtown. Contact Warren Beacham at 905-627-3343. Meet at the dead end of Wesley Avenue, Dundas.

3 August (Wednesday) 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. HNC - Summer Evening Walk at Bayfront Park - Details to follow. check website.

11-12 August (Thursday & Friday) 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. RBG - Fern and Allies at RBG Centre. Get to know the ferns, horsetails and other pteridophytes of southern Ontario’s forests and wetlands in this two-day workshop for professionals and botany enthusiasts. Pre-registration required. Fee: $275 per person (call for student rate).

14 August (Sunday) 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. RBG - Introduction to the World of Ferns at RBG. Join RBG staff, walk in the native and woodland gardens learning to ID ferns. A skill and booklet to take with you on all your walks. Pre-registration required. Call to inquire about the fee per person.

21 August (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. RBG - The Return of the Bald Eagle at RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum location. Hear a brief presentation of RBG’s efforts to assist the eagles re-establishment, then a hike, and hopefully catch a glimpse. An Adult Education Series program. Pre-registration required. Fee: $15 per person.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 207

Ruthven Park 5 17 Jun F1 MP,NPRuthven Park 2 28 Aug F2 NP,MPCarolina Park, Brantford 2 16 Nov L2 BL

Gray Comma *Lower Baseline Rd, Milton 1 26 Jun F1 GHT rare Charitable Research Reserve 1 3 Jul TSRR @ 401 near Campbellville 1 13 Jul AWKelso C.A., Summit Trail 3 15 Jul WM,IMRuthven Park 1 19 Aug F2 NP,MP16 Mile Creek C.A., Milton 1 31 Aug GHT

Dumfries C.A., Cambridge 1 17 Sep L2 JRei

Compton Tortoiseshell *

Erindale Park 1 25 Apr FO RMErindale Park 1 1 Jul F1 MJoHamilton Butterfly Count Area #2 1 5 Jul BM et al.

Mourning Cloak #

Oakville 1 2 Apr F GHTSouth Shore trails, RBG 12 12 Apr GB

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell *Pleasant View, Dundas 1 12 Apr FO PH Terra Greenhouses, Britannia Rd 1 17 Apr GHTPaddy Greene Rd, Dundas Valley 1 16 May IS

rare Charitable Research Reserve 1 21 May TSWestover Tract near 6th Conc 5 6 Jun LM3674 Indian Trail, RR#8, Brantford 1 7 Jun BVRHardy Rd near RR trail, Brantford 8 9 Jun BLRuthven Park 9 11 Jun NP,MPCedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 1 13 Jun BVRMiddletown Marsh, Flamborough 1 13 Jun BC Spencer Creek trail, RBG 1 15 Jun GBPrincess Point, RBG 1 17 Jun WFUrquhart Butterfly Garden 7 18 Jun GNDundas Valley C.A. parking area 1 21 Jun GBMartins Rd, Dundas Valley 1 20 Jul CCFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul RCaCedar Haven Farm, Hwy 97 2 31 Jul BVRLorne Park, Brantford 1 12 Oct L BL

American Painted Lady # +Forty Mile Creek, Grimsby 1 9 May F RD,CEWindermere Basin 1 10 Oct L RC,GS

Common Painted Lady # +New St, Burlington 1 15 Apr F RC rare Charitable Research Reserve 2 19 May TSWindermere Basin 1 7 Jul LMUrquhart Butterfly Garden 1 16 Aug L MS

Red Admiral # +Stoney Creek 1 13 Apr F BH

Common Buckeye * +

Mt Nemo Escarpment Woods 1 17 Aug F BVRWindermere Basin 1 12 Oct L RC,GS

Red-spotted Purple #Limenitis arthemis astyanaxValens C.A. 1 27 May F1 BVR Ruthven Park 1 4 Sep L2 NP,MP

White Admiral *Limenitis arthemis arthemis

Rail trail at Jerseyville Rd 1 5 Aug BVR

(butterfly summary - continued from page 202)

(continued on page 214)

Gray Comma at 16 Mile Creek C.A., 31 August 2015 - photo Gail Howe Trenholm.

Mourning Cloak at Red Hill Valley, 11 April 2015 - photo Bonnie Kinder.

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell at Pleasantview, Dundas, 12 April 2015 - photo Peter Hurrell.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 208

one on East 36th St, Hamilton Feb 19 (FM).Peregrine Falcon: Two ad. at CCIW Dec 8 – Feb 29 (RD,m.obs).Northern Shrike#: One at Bronte Creek P.P [HL] Dec 2 – Feb 6 (SC/AD); one at Middletown Rd and 5th Concession W [HM] Feb 9 (BCha); one ad. at 10th Road E at Ridge Rd area [HM] Dec 6 (CSt) to end of period (m.obs.) and one imm, there Dec 31 (RD); one in McMillan Pit area, Puslinch [WL] Dec 11 to Jan 9 (MH/TH); one at RONA ponds [HM] Dec 26 (PW); one at 7667 Maltby Rd E [WL] Dec 30 (LS); one on Concession 8 Walpole [HD] Jan 26 (GR,DR); one on Scenic Drive [BR] Feb 12 (AT); one at Chedoke Golf Course [HM] Feb 19 (WO); one at Powerline Rd west of 5th Road E [HM] Feb 22 (LM).Blue-headed Vireo#: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec 1 (CS,TT/AMc,JMc, m.obs.) until Jan 19 (LF); one at Arkendo sewage treatment plant [HL] Dec 18 (RM) and there Jan 2 (JW).Common Raven: One over Spencer Creek at Middletown Rd [HM] Dec 18 (BCo); two at 10th Road E and Vinemount Meadows Sanctuary [HM] Feb 4 (TT); one over Olympic Park, Dundas Feb 6 (RP,DN); one at Burloak/Great Lakes grassland [HL] Feb 17 (MJ).Horned Lark: Four at Fallsview Rd, Dundas Dec 19 (SD); two on 5th Road E near Mud St [HM] Dec 28 (LM); four on Middletown Rd at 4th Concession W Jan 1* (MDa); 18 at 10th Road E near Ridge Rd [HM] Feb 18 (CE); two over Lake at Bronte Harbour Jan 31 F (MJ).Cave Swallow#: Four at Bronte Harbour [HL] Dec 15 (MJ).Tufted Titmouse#: Two at Olympic Woods Dec 1 (CS,TT) continuing until Feb 29; one calling at north end of Mazza Ave, Flamborough Dec 18 (SD); two in Martins Rd area of Dundas Valley Dec 26 (RWo,MBo,DR); two at Ruthven Park [HD] Dec 30 (RL); one at 8629 Twenty Rd, just W of Caistor Centre Rd [NG] Jan 2 (MJ); one at Allen Rd N of Sixteen Road, SW of Smithville [NG] Jan 2 (GN,RW); three in south Brantford Jan 3 (BL,SL).Carolina Wren: 64 on Hamilton CBC Dec 26 (m.obs.)House Wren#: One in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 3 (BCo,PT); one at Escarpment Radial Trail [HM] Dec 26 (GL) (n.d.).Winter Wren: Nine in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 26 (MJ).Marsh Wren#: One at Desjardins Canal, Dundas [HM] Dec 14 (DMo) to Jan 1 (RD et al.) with two there Dec 29 (RP).Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec 1-12 (fide CE/TT), two there Dec 10 (LM) and one there Jan 3 (CE); one in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 3 (BCo,PT); one at Glen Morris [BR] Dec 13 (DL); one at La Salle Park [HL] Dec 6 (NR) to Jan 3 (BB).Eastern Bluebird: Three at McMaster Forest [HM] Dec 2 and four there Jan 30 (RP); five in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 6 (TT); four at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] Dec 8 (BCo) and six there Jan 23 (BT); 10 at Olympic Woods [HM] Dec 9 (MN); four at Dundas Hydro Pond Dec 12 (JA); 50 in field along 6th Concession W, 300m east of Hwy 8 [HM] Dec 20 (RSu); four at Ruthven Park [HD] Dec 30 (RL); five at Vinemount Swamp [HM] Jan 2 (RD,CE,DD); 20+ on Bruce Trail near Waterdown Rd and Grindstone Creek [HL] Jan 22 (fide HC); six at Iroquois Heights C.A. Jan 24 (CE,RD,DD).Hermit Thrush#: Two at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec 9 (TT) and three there Dec 10 (LM); one in Hendrie Valley [HL] Dec 11 (BCo); one at Rattray Marsh [PL] Dec 19 (LF); one at Fusion Park, Mississauga Dec 23 (AK); one along Robson Road, Waterdown [HM] Dec 26 (BL); one at Smith Loop trail, Puslinch [WL] Jan 3 (RvT); one at Erindale Woodlands, Mississauga Jan 4 (RM); one at Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 7 (JW); one at

Sudden Tract [WT] Feb 15 (AMc); one at Valley Inn Feb 26 (CC).American Robin: 60 at Sheridan College, Oakville Dec 7 (AGu); 50 at Arkendo Park [HL] Dec 18 (RM); 112 in Stoney Creek valley [HM] Dec 26 (RW,MWa); 80 at Puslinch Sideroad 10 pit [WL] Jan 9 (MC, BKW); 51 at Oak Park Trail, Brantford Jan

17 (GS,JSi); 60 at Luxton Park, Milton [HL] Jan 21 (SZ); 80 at

Riverwood Conservancy [PL] Jan 27 (RM); 50+ on Ofield Rd N of Hwy 5 [HM], 100+ at Gates of Heaven Cemetery [HL], and 30+ on Waterdown Rd at Escarpment [HL], all Feb 21 (PW).Gray Catbird: One along Desjardins Canal and Olympic Dr Jan 4*-7 (JR/DPr).American Pipit: one at Brantford landfill [BR] and one over Brantford Golf & Country Club [BR] Jan 3* (BL); one at Richard’s Memorial Park [PL] Jan 17 (RM); three on Lake shore at Lakeside Park [HL] Jan 29 (RM); one at Jones Rd at Lake [HM] Jan 31 (LB).Cedar Waxwing: 15 at Sawmill Road, Brant County Dec 18 (GB); 100 at RBG Rasberry House [HM] Jan 2 (CD).Bohemian Waxwing#: One at RBG Rasberry House Jan 2* (CD).Lapland Longspur#: One at Fallsview Rd, Dundas Jan 1* (JR) and two there Jan 4 (BS).Snow Bunting: 25 along Field Rd at Powerline Rd [HM] Dec 5 (RP); 75 at Brantford landfill [BR] Jan 3 (BL,SL); 50 along Dofasco Trail near 11th Road E [HM] Jan 7 (BCu); 150 over Fallsview Rd, Dundas Jan 9 (RP) and 400-500 there Jan 13 (RP); 60 along Sawmill Rd west of Norsworthy Rd [BR] Feb 13 (GB); 300+ along Jerseyville Rd between Lynden and Parsonage Rds [BR] Feb 15 (DMo).Orange-crowned Warbler#: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec 1 (PH) to Jan 11 (CE).Common Yellowthroat#: One on Leslie Rd near Mountsberg [WL] Dec 27 (FU); one at Erindale Park [PL] Jan 5* (RM).Palm Warbler#: One at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec 1-Feb 29 (CS/m.

obs./LM); one at Dundas Sewage Treatment Plant Jan 1* (DD,RD,CE,TF).Pine Warbler: One at feeder on Blythe Cres, Oakville Dec 20 and again on Feb 27 (JW).Yellow-rumped Warbler#: One at Port Credit Harbour Dec 4-13 (LF); three at Olympic Woods [HM] Dec 5 (RP); one at Springbank Park, Mississauga Dec 8 (RM); two at Sedgewick Park [HL] Dec

(continued from page 199)

Winter Wren at Sedgewick Park, 25 Feb 2016 - photo Joanne Redwood.

Orange-crowned Warbler at Sedgewick Park, 6 Jan 2016 - photo

Joanne Redwood.

Palm Warbler at Sedgewick Park, 6 Jan 2016 - photo

Joanne Redwood.

Yellow-rumped Warbler at Olympic Woods, 23 Feb 2016 -

photo Lucas Short.

Wilson’s Warbler at Arkendo Park, 19 Jan 2016 - photo Wayne Renaud.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 209

12 (JV) and one there Jan 3 (CE) and Feb 11 (CE); one at 7667 Maltby Rd E [WL] Dec 30 (LS).Wilson’s Warbler#: One at Arkendo Park [HL] Dec 1-19 (JW/RM) and also there Jan 5*-7 (fide CE/JW), Jan 16 (AD) and Jan 27 (fide RM); one at Lakeside Park [PL] Dec 12 (DPr).Eastern Towhee#: One m. near Iroquoia Heights C.A. [HM] Dec 14-26 (WB,DMo,DMa) and Jan 21 (WB).Field Sparrow#: One on south shore of Puslinch Lake [WL] Dec 20 (JB,KB,MD).Chipping Sparrow#: Two at River Rd, 500m N of Gibson Rd, Cayuga

[HD] Jan 16* (CR).Fox Sparrow#: One at Olympic Woods [HM] Dec 24-28 (BCo/GLa) and also there Jan 5 (GLa); one at a New St feeder, Burlington Dec 25 (AMc).White-throated Sparrow: 22 at Olympic Woods Jan 23 (KB).White-crowned Sparrow: One near Dundas Hydro Pond Dec 1 (CSt) and two at Olympic Woods Jan 1-30 (RP/RD et al.); one at Valley Inn Dec 11 (BCo); three at Vinemount Meadows Sanctuary [HM] Dec 13 (RP); seven on Concession 7 Rd at East Townline Rd [NG] Jan 2 (MJ); one at Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 2 (JW); four at Brantford landfill [BR] Jan 3 (BL); eight at 10th Road East south of Ridge Road [HM] Feb 18 (CE); one at 1750 6th Line Oakville Feb 13 (TM).Eastern Meadowlark#: One at Dofasco Trail and 10th Road East [HM] Jan 7* (BCu) to Feb 27 (TT).Rusty Blackbird#: Five at Olympic Woods [HM] Jan 1*-30 (RD,CE,DD/JR/DW) and eight there Feb 10 (RP).Common Grackle: One at Olympic Woods Dec 26 (DD); two m. at Sedgewick Park [HL] Feb 8 F (FP); one at Clairfields Dr, Guelph Feb 12 (KP); two along 5th Road East between Green Mountain and Ridge Rds [HM] Feb 21 (LM).Red-winged Blackbird: Two at Dundas Hydro Pond [HM] Dec 9 (JA);

one m. at feeder at Hillview Dr, Grimsby [NG] Dec 27 (BMac); one at Mountsberg Reservoir [WL] Jan 1* (CCo); one at Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 2 (JW); one at La Fortune Park [HD] Jan 3 (BRo); one at McMaster Forest [HM] Jan 3 (RP); two at Olympic Woods Jan 5 (GLa); two m. at Cooper Rd S of Gore Rd [HM] Jan (CE,RD); one at 1831 Waterdown Rd [HL] Jan 12 (BCa); three at Sprague’s Rd near Shouldice Rd [WT] Jan 30 (BF); two at Bronte Creek P.P. [HL] Feb 7 F (LF); two at 16 Mile Creek and River Glen Blvd, Oakville Feb 7 F (XF); one at Iroquoia Heights C.A. [HM] Feb 9 (WB); 56, 1.5 km W of York [HD] Feb 16 (NR).Brown-headed Cowbird: 300 in field at 569 Mud St [HM] Dec 28 (RP); 500 along 2nd Road East about 500m S of Ridge Rd [HM] Dec 30 (LM); 175 on 8th Road East between Green Mountain and Ridge Rds [HM] Jan 2 (BCha,RD); 550 along 8th Road East between Green Mountain Rd and Mud St Jan 2 (RP); seven at Bronte Jan 8 (MJ); 80 at River Rd, Cayuga Jan 16 (CR); five at Arkendo Park [HL] Jan 29 (RM); 35 along Sprague’s Rd near Shouldice Rd [WT] Jan 30 (BF); 15 near Dundas Hydro Pond [HM] Feb 2 F (RD) and 105 there Feb 7 (MDa).Red Crossbill#: Five at Blind Line, N of Colling Rd, Burlington Feb 20* (CE,RD,DD).Purple Finch: Five at Weir Rd at railroad bed [HM] Dec 21 (RP); two at Middletown Marsh [HM] Jan 20 (BCha); two at Fallsview Rd W, Dundas Jan 24 (BC); two at Olympic Woods Jan 27 (JM); one at Dundas Valley C.A. Feb 28 (RP).Common Redpoll#: One near Preservation Park, Guelph Jan 28* (FU).Pine Siskin: 30+ birds on Westover Rd, N of 8th Concession [HM] Jan 18 (PS); 90 at 8575 1st Line Campbellville [HL] Feb 7 (RWo); 27 at Crawford Tract [WL] Feb 7 (MC et al.); 50 on 6th Line Nassagaweya, S of Sideroad 15 [HL] Feb 11 (LK), 20 on 11th Conc, E of Centre Rd [HM] Feb 20 (RD,CE,DD).

Monarch Awards Are you a gardener who uses native plants, captures rainwater, cares for the soil and follows sustainable practices? You could win a Monarch Award!

The Monarch Awards recognize gardeners who are making a contribution to a bio-diverse, sustainable environment.

Originating with a group of gardeners, the idea for an “alternative” garden awards program quickly gained momentum. The organizing committee includes staff from the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Environment Hamilton, along with volunteers from the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Crown Point Garden Club, as well as individuals. For its first year (2016) entries will be limited to gardens in Wards 1 through 4. Stay tuned for the official launch, April 22nd (Earth Day).

Look for an expanded program next summer. There is no charge to enter. Visit www.monarchawardshamilton.org for more details.

If your entry is selected for a judging visit, you will be contacted to arrange a convenient time and date. Please note the deadline for entries is midnight on Sunday June 19, 2016.

All entrants receive a Pollinator Paradise “We’re Feeding Pollinators” lawn sign and a listing in the Pollinator Garden map. (http://www.hamiltonpollinatorparadise.org/).

For details, visit http://monarchawardshamilton.org/ Email info@monarch awardshamilton.org or call 905 549 0900.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 210

Member Profile - Gord McNultyby Colleen Cirillo and Bill Lamond

Gord McNulty was a youngster growing up in his native Hamilton when he caught (and released) an American Eel in

lower Spencer Creek. He recalls the eel being beautifully stream-lined and olive green with a cream belly. “I was astounded to learn that this fish had made its way to Hamilton from the Sargasso Sea.” Such early experiences helped fuel a life-long passion for nature and its preservation.

From the start, Gord took a strong interest in birds, fish, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians. He spent his allowances to purchase the Golden Nature guides. The co-editor of these guides, Herbert S. Zim, became a familiar name for Gord. He still has these guides to this day. Growing up in Westdale, Gord loved to fish. “I enjoyed nearby Spencer Creek and especially looked forward to the White Sucker spawning run in early spring. Two species of birds that stood out were Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Wood Duck. However, I was dismayed by the degraded water quality of Hamilton Harbour, Cootes Paradise and to a lesser extent, the Grand River. It really bothered me that coarse, undesirable species of warm-water fish – primarily carp, bullhead, “sheepshead” (Freshwater Drum) and Bowfin – dominated what had previously been one of the most bountiful fisheries in the Great Lakes. The disappointment was underlined for me when, during family visits to other Great Lakes communities such as Sarnia, Goderich or Kingston, I would watch anglers catch impressive numbers of sought-after fish exemplified by Yellow Perch and White Bass (colloquially known as “Silver Bass”) and wonder why the Hamilton waterfront couldn’t offer the same.”

Gord had difficulty accepting the extent to which Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise were so polluted by heavy industry and inadequate sewage treatment. In fact, it has been a lifelong frustration for him!  He finds it especially gratifying that the “Bay” and surrounding watershed is finally being cleaned up with the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan – but it’s literally taking a lifetime to accomplish.  Gord participated in meetings of the RAP and the Bay Area Restoration Council and he encouraged them as much as possible. His philosophy has always been to be an activist, supporting many conservation and environmental organizations. “I have especially enjoyed an excellent rapport with the staff of Ontario Nature, with whom I have worked closely as HNC Director-at-Large.  I sign email petitions for one cause or another every day.”

With his interest in nature, conservation and the environment, it might have seemed natural that he would find work in this field. However, Gord developed an early and strong addiction to current affairs and politics. The turning point came when a guidance counsellor at Westdale Secondary School referred Gord to the journalism program at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto.  Gord had not heard of the course, but nonetheless that was his “bingo moment” – as Gord describes it – which led to a rewarding career in journalism. Many people would have thought that being soft-spoken and modest, he was too quiet a person to be a newspaper reporter, but he thrived on

the campus newspaper, the Daily Ryersonian, and the rest is history.  After graduating from Ryerson with honours in 1968, Gord became a reporter at the St. Catharines Standard, moved to the Windsor Star in 1970, and joined the Hamilton Spectator in 1973. At the Spec, he started in the Burlington office and moved on to full-time postings at Queen’s Park, and then Ottawa (these were the days when newspapers were thriving). He returned to Hamilton to become an editorial writer in 1984 and retired from the Spec in 2006. In all, Gord enjoyed 38 years as a journalist, living and working in six different Ontario cities. 

Gord recalls: “Stories about conservation and environmental issues always caught my eye, but I encountered a colourful range of politicians, cabinet ministers and press gallery personalities through the years. Some media colleagues had egos larger than politicians!  An unforgettable “white-knuckle” adventure in the air occurred after I was pulled from Queen’s Park one summer to cover a raging forest fire in northwestern Ontario. Arriving at the fire control centre in Dryden, a photographer from the Toronto Sun and I rented a seaplane to get close to the action.  Unfortunately, the pilot was overconfident.  He soon became lost in dense, billowing smoke, turbulence and high winds. We came dangerously close to a water bomber before the episode ended when the pilot was ordered to land immediately, then arrested for violating restricted air space.  We were all relieved simply to be on terra firma.  The ordeal ended with a long, dusty ride in the back of a pickup truck to Dryden.  Just another day at the office!” 

Gord joined the HNC in the late 1980s. He has been an active member, representing the HNC at meetings and events of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, Hamilton City Council, attending occasional Land Sanctuary Committee meetings, and monitoring area conservation authorities. And as stated above, he is the current Director-at-Large, a position he has held since 2008. This position is our Club’s liaison with Ontario Nature and Gord has been very helpful to the staff at Ontario Nature in their consultations with the Ontario government on environmental policy. Anne Bell, Ontario Nature’s Director of Conservation and Education states that “Gord is a gem” as he has been very generous with his time and expertise with these consultations. In 1988, Gord married Angie Vesprini. Angie is also a keen member of the HNC and other organizations such as Ontario Nature, Environment Hamilton and the Bruce Trail Conservancy. 

Although Gord was once an avid angler, he rarely finds time for fishing and only occasionally “wets a line” during summer vacations to Lake Nipissing or the Kawarthas. As with most of us, nature is not his only passion As Gord states, “I would have more time to spend on conservation and environmental issues

Gord McNulty from ON Nature, Winter 2015 - photo Nicole Chamula.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 211

were it not for a lifelong interest in aviation, which I acquired from my father. His renowned collection of aviation photos is in the National Archives in Ottawa. I belong to numerous aviation organizations, particularly the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS). I’ve contributed articles and photos to the CAHS Journal and write Flypast newsletter reports on monthly meetings of the CAHS Toronto Chapter among other things. In 2013, at the CAHS convention in Regina, I was presented with the William Wheeler Volunteer Service Award.  In 2015, I helped organize the CAHS convention in Hamilton and joined the Board as Vice President.” His interest in aviation and conservation often dovetails nicely.  For example, during a visit to the Norseman seaplane festival at Red Lake, Angie and Gord enjoyed the beautiful scenery

and wildlife of northwestern Ontario communities including Rainy River, Kenora and Red Lake. 

After six decades of studying and championing nature, Gord is both frustrated and hopeful. “We’ve made some real progress with pollution abatement and habitat restoration – for instance the RAP of Hamilton Harbour of the late 80s,” he says. But he is rightly worried about the growth pressures affecting southern Ontario’s environment. Will this growth undo all of the positive changes enacted? “Stronger political will is required to effectively address them. While the challenges are great, so too are the rewards.”

Thank You, Birdathoners! by Jim Stollard How much money was raised for the HNC by those participating in the spring 2015 Great Canadian Birdathon? The answer is coming soon. Did you know that a portion of all funds raised by Club participants in the Great Canadian Birdathon (a program of Bird Studies Canada) flow back to the Club? In 2015, that was 25% or $764.50. Of this amount, $344 helped pay Falconwatch expenses, $200 supported Bird Study Group expenses and $220.50 contributed to our General Fund expenses. The 75% which goes to Bird Studies Canada (BSC) helps pay for their many programs engaged in bird research and preservation including the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation. Thank you, birdathoners for your efforts in 2015. Mike Street, Elaine Serena, Sheldon McGregor, Ursula Kolster, Glenn & Kim Barrett, you have shown us what can be done with a little planning and effort. Now as a present and former Treasurer, I know we have done even better than this in past Birdathons, so this year please consider doing a Birdathon of your own. When you register with Bird Studies Canada to do a Birdathon, you can choose the organization which shares in the funds donated. Please consider making the HNC your benefiting organization. In past years, the Club has chosen a designated birder as a focus for donations for those who did not know of a person doing a Birdathon. Kevin McLaughlin, Denys Gardiner, Angie & Ken Williams, Dave Don, Len Manning, amongst others, have served the Club as the HNC designated birder in past years. This year the HNC designated birder is a Hamilton celebrity, Ward 1 Councillor Aidan Johnson, who will be ably assisted by Field Events Director, Rob Porter. They have chosen the name Team Wood Duck. Let’s all contribute to the efforts of our HNC Team Wood Duck. The birds and your Club will appreciate it. You can find all the information you need to sign up for your Great Canadian Birdathon at the Bird Studies Canada website, www.birdscanada.org. To donate to Team Wood Duck, see Rob Porter at an HNC Monthly Meeting or a Bird Study Group Meeting. To make a pledge to Team Wood Duck, send an e-mail to Rob at rob@inpictures.ca and include your name, address (including postal code) and phone number and the amount you are pledging. You can pledge a fixed dollar amount or an amount per species recorded, keeping in mind that Rob expects they will find at least 125 species. Team Wood Duck will collect pledged amounts after their Birdathon. Bird Studies Canada will use the information provided to send you your tax receipt.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 212

B i r d S t u d y G r o u p M e e t i n g S u m m a r y – F e b r u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

Growing an Urban Birding Program with Emily Rondelby Michael Rowlands

Another action-packed agenda was in store for attendees of the February meeting of the Bird Study Group chaired by

Bruce Mackenzie, the BSG director.

Cheryl Edgecombe started the evening with a short overview of the process by which the Bird of the Year award is determined. Using criteria that include the rarity of the proposed bird – in Hamilton, the province, and the country – and the enjoyment factor (i.e., how many people were able to see the bird), a panel of five judges (Dave Don, Rob Dobos, Bill Lamond, Bob Curry, and Cheryl Edgecombe) considers all the candidates (four this past year!) and selects a winner. The bird for 2015 was a Lark Bunting found by Howard Shapiro and Brian Gibson on May 23 at Valens Road south of Concession 8 in Flamborough. Both men, who have done birdathons together, were present at the meeting to tell of their discovery and to accept the award.

We next watched a short video downloaded from the Rick Mercer Report in which Rick visited the Long Point Bird Observatory to learn about and personally experience the banding of songbirds and Northern Saw-whet Owls with Jody Allair and Stuart Mackenzie of Bird Studies Canada. (Due to your projectionist’s unfamiliarity with the totally different default sound settings of the newly-installed Windows 10 on his laptop, the sound quality was terrible so the video will be shown again at a later date with the proper audio settings!).

Emily Rondel, the energetic and well-spoken Toronto Projects Coordinator for Bird Studies Canada, was our guest speaker for the evening with her presentation entitled “Growing an Urban Bird Program – Bird Studies Canada’s Work in Toronto.” She explained up front that her talk would be more about people than birds as her program, designed to get more urban dwellers interested in birding, has had many challenges in its four-year history.

First of all, there has been difficulty getting representative participation in BSC’s citizen science projects from urban populations. Birding, she explained, began as an avocation of people who like rural and suburban living, yet today 90% of our population is in urban areas. In 2011, the Great Backyard Bird Count received 12,599 checklists from all across Canada and 6,447 from Ontario – an amount proportional to Ontario’s share of the national population. However, from Toronto, which holds 7% of the country’s people, there were only 0.4% of the checklists.

Yet Toronto has lots of birds: 399 species have been seen in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and 355 in the city proper, with breeding evidence for 196 species. There are lots of north-south river valleys that form migration corridors and contain nesting habitat, so what is the problem?

Part of the answer is that people simply don’t notice the diversity in nature around them in cities. An experiment in parks in Paris, France demonstrated that regular users of the city’s public gardens were unaware when the diversity of birds, flowers, and pollinators was deliberately increased by the planting of flower-meadows and the installation of nesting boxes by the researchers. The same indifference was noticed in Torontonians when the urban birding program began in 2011.

The program first started by recruiting people for some of BSC’s more popular projects, such as eBird, NestWatch, SwiftWatch, and FeederWatch, but participation increased only a little. People thought that the city was sterile for birds and only attracted pigeons and sparrows! To focus the volunteers more, additional urban-specific projects were taken on, such as the Toronto Summer Bird Count and training people how to take observations for the next birding atlas. When a “species at risk” survey was taken in the GTA and compared with existing bird atlas data, it was observed that some species, such as the Chimney Swift, had actually increased significantly. This may be because of pesticide restrictions in the city favouring increased insect populations as a food supply and better access to nesting habitats in the city’s many ravines and river valleys. Common Nighthawks with their “booming” displays also seemed to be on the rise in urban territories – the data for the next bird atlas will confirm whether this is in fact a trend.

Another factor in getting people involved in urban birding is a homogeneity that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has observed amongst birders in the United States in general: “Citizen scientists are overwhelmingly highly educated, upper middle-class, middle aged, and white.” (A quick survey of our own BSG audience confirmed that this appears to be the case here, as well.) Yet 47% of Torontonians identify themselves as being part of a visible minority. How do you get them involved?

There is no single solution to diversifying birders. Near Los Angeles, organizers from the Debs Park Audubon Center found that 71% of the surrounding Latino community was unaware the center existed. Only by slowly building relationships with the community, having displays at community events, talking to people one-on-one and as families, connecting to influential

Emily Rondel being thanked by Emcee Bruce Mackenzie at the February BSG meeting - photo Michale Rowlands.

Howard Shapiro (L) and Brian Gibson, winners of the 2015 Bird of the Year -

photo Mike Rowlands.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 213

community leaders, and partnering with groups, schools and the whole community could they make inroads.

Rue Mapp, founder of a group called Outdoor Afro in Washington, DC, says that her black household enjoyed wildlife but her parents never used the word “conservation” or thought of themselves as birders, so never felt motivated to join a naturalists’ club. Many African Americans may even still associate parks as being unsafe places because of memories of the days before desegregation when they were not allowed the freedom to roam through parks, or when they did, they had concerns about their personal safety.

Wildlife ecology professor J. Drew Lanham of South Carolina’s Clemson University, with tongue in cheek, advises black birdwatchers to carry two to three forms of identification, never wear a hoodie, and be careful when birding at night. He jokingly says, “If you’re a black birdwatcher, be prepared to be confused with the other black birder.”

In London England, a black naturalist named David Lindo is trying to get Londoners of all stripes to embrace birding by dispelling the notion that birders must wear a traditional uniform and behave a certain way: “You don’t have to wear green anoraks; you can look cool and fashionable, I find the birds prefer it too.” His website (theurbanbirder.com) is full of interesting material.

In Toronto, Emily has had success in getting people out with a general outreach style. She leads walks around the city in different neighbourhoods. For one hike to hear the morning chorus in High Park at 5 a.m., she had 80 people turn up, all novices, and their first birding experience was memorable because they witnessed the peak of Common Loon migration, with many birds flying directly above the hikers making their distinctive wailing and tremolo calls. She also works with children from her office at the Royal Ontario Museum to help them identify common city birds such as the House Sparrow. Getting into actual classrooms of the Toronto District School Board for outreach has not been possible so far, Emily said in the question period after her talk.

What else can be done by an organization such as BSC? Even

wording can be off-putting to some minorities: her own parents wondered if Christmas Bird Counts were in some way associated with a church. And the Great Backyard Bird Count immediately seems to exclude anyone who cannot afford to live somewhere with its own backyard!

What’s ahead for the BSC’s urban birding project in Toronto? Emily says translating urban birding information into other languages will help. Appealing to people, such as Tamils, from former British colonies may also draw in some new participants as many of them had birding experiences overseas but just called the birds by different names. Attending community festivals and events, whether nature-related or not, will also gain visibility for the project. Cultivating relationships with community leaders and members will help establish the project and its personnel as key partners in the urban landscape and eventually increase participation in a wide variety of BSC activities. With an enthusiastic coordinator like Emily leading the way, it’s hard to imagine that she will not succeed.

Bruce Mackenzie then continued with some general announcements about upcoming events and, of note, mentioned that the HNC will have Hamilton City Councillor for Ward 1, Aidan Johnson, as its celebrity birder for the Great Canadian Birdathon in May. Bruce feels that with some increased media relations and a big push by all of us, we should be able to raise $6000 for the Birdathon and see a good portion of it come back to the Club to help fund our birding activities.

The final subject for the evening was an open discussion about the recent closing of some unofficial trails on Royal Botanical Gardens’ property behind the Olympic Sports Park and arena in Dundas. Some good winter birds have been sighted there for a number of years running and many birders have come from far and wide to leave seed for them and enjoy them. Bruce asked BSG members to respect the no trespassing signs that are there and said he would arrange to have a meeting of HNC representatives with RBG personnel to discuss this matter further. On that note, the meeting ended and everyone departed with much food for thought!

Next Monthly Meeting – 9 May 2016 Topic: Rebuilding Bronte’s Natural Infrastructure. Speaker: Jack Imhof.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Plains Road, Burlington. 7:30 p.m.Bronte Creek is not as healthy as it was historically. The proliferation of on-stream dams, channelization of the watercourse and the gentrification of its watershed have damaged both riparian and in-stream habitats. In 2009 Trout Unlimited Canada began an approximately six year program to help restore portions of the stream and engage the communities to better protect this beautiful system. Our speaker will highlight two of the major projects undertaken with a variety of partners on Bronte Creek with a brief description of the first project in Lowville and the more recent follow-up in the headwaters in Courtcliffe Park. In both cases, the projects are designed to engage and inform community, narrow the stream, and improve the quality of riparian lands to improve overall ecological functions of the water course and the watershed in general.Jack Imhof is Director of Conservation Ecology for Trout Unlimited Canada and an aquatic ecologist who has spent over 40 years of his life working on river and watershed restoration. Jack specializes in restoration ecology, watershed management and natural channel design and recently retired as a Provincial Aquatic Ecologist and Watershed Re-search Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Among his various awards, Jack was the 2010 recipi-ent of the Conservation Award of Excellence from the Credit Valley Conservation and named a Conservation Pioneer at the 19th A.D. Latornell Conference in 2012. He is also an adjunct professor at Guelph, Waterloo and Brock. He has spoken at least once before to the HNC on Canada’s Aquatic Biodiversity.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016Page 214

Viceroy #Valens C.A. 1 27 May F1 BVRWindermere Basin 1 27 Sep L2 RD,CE,DD

Tawny Emperor *Hardy Rd area, Brantford 1 6 Jul F BL

Northern Pearly-Eye #rare Charitable Research Reserve 1 6 Jun F TS

(Northern) Eyed-Brown #Hardy Rd S of RR trail 5 9 Jun F BL

Appalachian Eyed-Brown #Robertson Tract 1 20 Jun F WM,IMMiddletown Marsh 13 5 Jul RD,LM,DD

Little Wood-Satyr #Valens C.A. 1 27 May F BVRrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 28 Jul L TS

Inornate (Common) Ringlet #Valens C.A. 2 26 May F1 BVRDumfries C.A., Cambridge 3 17 Sep L2 JReiErindale Park 1 16 Nov F3 RM

Common Wood Nymph #Bayview Park, Burlington 1 22 Jun F BVR

Monarch # +Grass Lake 1 4 Jun F RD,CECPR at Clyde Rd 1 6 Jun PSSam Lawrence Park 24 22 Sep RPCoronation Park 1 11 Nov MJTim Hortons Field 1 15 Nov RD,CE,GNHamilton 1 17 Nov L RW

Silver-spotted Skipper #Urquhart Butterfly Garden 1 28 May F1 MSUrquhart Butterfly Garden 1 31 Aug L2 MS

Northern Cloudywing *Lower Baseline Rd, Milton 3 10 Jun F1 GHTWaterdown Woods 1 11 Jun BVRSassafras Woods 6 16 Jun BVR

Bayview Park, Burlington 2 22 Jun BVRBronte Creek P.P. 9 29 Jun BVRClappison Escarpment Woods 1 22 Jul F2 BVRDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 4 23 Jul BVR

Dreamy Duskywing *Kelso C.A. , Summit Trail 1 15 Jul WM,IMLions Valley Park at Footbridge 1 29 Jul WM,IMLower Baseline Rd at 16 Mile Creek 1 29 Jul WM,IM

Juvenal’s Duskywing #Calcium Pits 1 8 May F BVR

Columbine Duskywing *Calcium Pits 1 8 May F1 BVRKelso C.A. 1 20 May BVRDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 2 20 May BVRGlenorchy C.A. 1 22 May BVRClappison Escarpment Woods 1 22 Jul L2 BVR

Wild Indigo Duskywing *Glenhyrst Gardens, Brantford 5 12 Oct L2 BLShell Park, Oakville 1 12 Oct L2 RC,GS

Common Sootywing *Glenorchy C.A. 1 22 May F1 BVRrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 19 Jun L1 TSHardy Rd at rail trail, Brantford 1 10 Jul F2 BLrare Charitable Research Reserve 1 15 Jul TSMt. Pleasant, Dundas 2 23 Jul ISUrquhart Butterfly Garden 1 6 Aug JR

Arctic Skipper *Valens C.A. 1 27 May F BVRBritton Tract, south entrance 1 10 Jun WM,IM

Least Skipper #Valens C.A. 2 27 May F1 BVRRuthven Park 1 3 Jul L1 NP,MPRuthven Park 5 6 Aug F2 MP,NPGlenorchy C.A. 3 6 Aug F2 BVRWindermere Basin 2 5 Sep L2 RD,CE,DD

European Skipper #

16 Mile Creek, Milton 5 10 Jun F GHT Kelso C.A. 2 12 Aug L BVR

(butterfly summary - continued from page 207)

Northern Pearly-Eye at Crieff Bog (left) 5 July 2015 - photo Ian Smith. Common Wood-Nymph near Puslinch Lake (right) 5 July 2015 - photo

Bruce Mackenzie.

Juvenal’s Duskywing at Hyde Tract (left) 17 May 2015 - photo Ian Smith. Wild Indigo Duskywing at UBG (right) on 18 July 2015 - photo Michelle

Sharp. This individual has a broad white fringe to the hindwing that fooled “yours truly” into believing it was a stray Funereal Duskywing. However,

others demurred - it is just an atypical Wild Indigo.

The Wood Duck - May, 2016 Page 215

Leonardus Skipper *Beverly Swamp Reserve 1 20 Sep KM et al.

Indian Skipper *Beverly Swamp Reserve 2 6 Jun BL et al.

Peck’s Skipper #Urquhart Butterfly Garden 1 27 May F1 MShayfield, Cooper Rd, N of Hwy 8 70+ 5 Jul BLUrquhart Butterfly Garden 1 14 Sep L2 MS

Tawny-edged Skipper #Sunrise Cres, Dundas 1 4 Jun F1 RD RR @ 401 near Campbellville 1 13 Jul F2 AWLorne Park, Brantford 1 8 Oct L2 BL

Crossline Skipper #Hamilton Butterfly Count 10 5 Jul m.obs.

Long Dash #U of Guelph Arboretum 1 9 Jun F RCaHamilton Butterfly Count 5 5 Jul L m.obs.

Northern Broken-Dash #Hamilton Butterfly Count 31 5 Jul m.obs.

Little Glassywing *Lower Baseline Rd, Milton 5 26 Jun F GHTFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 5 Jul KM et al.rare Charitable Research Reserve 2 11 Jul GRDundas St @ Neyagawa Blvd 1 23 Jul BVR

Delaware Skipper #Hamilton Butterfly Count 20 5 Jul m.obs.

Mulberry Wing *sedge swamp N of Hyde Tract 6 5 Jul BLHardy Rd, Grand River trail 2 10 Jul BLSudden Tract forest 3 22 Jul RCaFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul RCa

Hobomok Skipper #Kelso C.A. 1 20 May F BVR Lower Base Line Rd, Milton 80 10 Jun GHTHamilton Butterfly Count 5 5 Jul L m.obs.

Broad-winged Skipper *

8th Concession at Westover Road 9 20 Jul ISSudden Tract forest 10 22 Jul RCaFletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 2 24 Jul RCaRegeneration area CH office 1 24 Jul BVRKelso C.A. 1 11 Aug L BVR

Dion Skipper *Valens C.A. 1 2 Jul F BVR

Black Dash *Spencer Creek S of Hwy 5 1 5 Jul F RD et al.4

Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve 1 24 Jul RCa

Dun Skipper #Urquhart Butterfly Garden 1 23 Jun F MSHamilton Butterfly Count 30 5 Jul m.obs.168 Norfolk Ave, Cambridge 1 20 Aug L BVR

Ocola Skipper * +

Windermere Basin 1 7 Oct SR,Dd’E

HSA resident species not reported in 2015: Spicebush Swallowtail, Harvester, Bog Copper*,

Edwards’ Hairstreak, Cherry Gall Azure,

Aphrodite*, Tawny Crescent*, Sleepy Duskywing*, Mottled Duskywing, Two-spotted Skipper, Roadside Skipper*.*Some of these species have not been reported in several years and may be extirpated from the HSA.

Observers: Glenn Barrett, Susan Blayney, Rick Cavasin, Barb Charlton, Chris Cheatle, Robert Curry, Patrick Deacon, Rob Dobos, Dave Don, David d’Entremont, Cheryl Edgecombe, Walter Fisher, Marion Fletcher, Tom Ford, Nick Godfrey, Diane Green, Slobodan Halavanja, Brandon Holden, Peter Hurrell, Bonnie Kinder, Mark Jennings, Joyce Litster, Marc Johnson, Bill Lamond, Bruce Mackenzie, Laurie Mackenzie, Len Manning, Reuven Martin, Irene McIlveen, William McIlveen, Kevin McLaughlin, Ken Morrison, George Naylor, Rose Peterson, Paul Philp, Mary Pomfret, Norm Pomfret, Rob Porter, Joanne Redwood, Julie Reid, Glen Richardson, Sarah Richer, Brenda Van Ryswyk, Elaine Serena, Michelle Sharp, Tim Skuse, Glenda Slessor, Ian Smith, Paul Smith, Gail Howe Trenholm, Rob Waldhuber, Alan Wormington. I would like to thank everyone who submitted records for this 2015 summary.Literature Cited:Lamond, B. 2015. 2014 Hamilton Study Area Butterfly Summary. Wood Duck 68: 176-178, 184, 191 (a complete bibliography of Hamilton area butterflies is given at the end of this 2015 article).

Common Sootywing at Urquhart Butterfly Garden, 6 August 2015 (left) - photo Joanne Redwood. Broad-winged Skipper (right) at 8th Concession

& Westover Rd, 20 July 2015 - photo Ian Smith.

Ocola Skipper at Windermere Basin, 7 October 2015 - photo David d’Entremont. Second record for Hamilton.

Affix Label Here

40048074Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Hamilton Naturalists’ ClubWestdale P.O. Box 89052Hamilton, ON L8S 4R5

Snowy Owl at Burlington Beachstrip on 15 December 2015 - photo Bob Curry. This year was another good year for Snowy Owls in the HSA. Read about all the Snowy Owl records and other winter bird records in the NBR summary on page 196 within.

Sheraton Hamilton Peregrines – Breaking News (We Hope)HNC members will recall that 2015 was a very busy year at the Sheraton Hamilton Peregrine Falcon nest. First our long-time male, Surge, was found injured and taken into care. While he was being treated another male showed up and was eventually allowed to visit the nest by our even longer-term female, Madame X. Soon after, Surge died suddenly during treatment, then one day Madame X was gone and a new female was on the nest. The new male, “Ossie”, was banded in 2012 in the nest at the William Osler Hospital in Etobicoke. The new female, “Lily” hatched in 2010 at the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power plant, in Michigan. Lily and Ossie produced two feisty female chicks, McMaster and Barton, who both fledged well and were possibly the best fliers ever hatched at the Sheraton. From 1995-2015 inclusive a total of fifty-eight (58) chicks have been fledged from the Sheraton; fifty-four (54) were hatched in the nest and four (4) were foster chicks placed there due to partial or complete egg failure.Lily laid the first egg of the 2016 season on March 20 - seen here on the nest on 26 March. This is early. As the Wood Duck is going to press, it appears that there are at least two and possibly more eggs in the scrape, which is now at the east end of the ledge and out of sight of our TV camera lenses. If all goes well, new chicks should emerge from the eggs in the last week of April. Volunteers are again needed to help with the on-street Falconwatch early in June when first flights are imminent. If you are interested in volunteering for Falconwatch, or want more information, please email or call Mike Street at <mikestreet1@gmail.com> or 905-648-3737 – Mike Street.