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26 NORTH LEEDS LANTERN BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Marg Hendrick Many birdwatchers look forward to the month of May as a child does to Christmas. There is an excitement in the returning of the birds; there is the hope that this will be the year that a much wanted bird will be added to their life list. For those with an already high list, this is not easily accomplished unless another area, province or country is visited. The North Leeds Birdwatchers (NLB) hoping to see something a little different, decided to visit Prince Edward Point (close to Picton) and PreSqu'ile Park (near Brighton) on their annual spring birding trip. Both these areas are noted migration points, where migrating birds tend to be concentrated, and one‘s Chances of seeing a variety is better than average. In the three days the NLB were away they never had less than 90 species per day, and on one day tallied 100. But the number of migrating warblers was disappointing and the group wished for THE BIRD that would make the trip outstanding. At last it happened. "Look at this hawk", cried Bill Cutfield. "No, it’s not a hawk", he continued, "it's a, it's a, a, a LONG-TAILED JAEGERI" Christmas had arrivedl There was jumping up and down and excitement all around as all added a new bird to their life list. Long-tailed Jaegers are gull-like ocean birds that spend most of the year at sea. It is difficult to find them inland, even over large bodies of water such as Lake Ontario, for they usually only leave the ocean to nest on the arctic tundra. Even then they generally migrate far offshore, so this species was a lucky find for the NLB. The Longâ€"tailed Jaeger is so called because of its elongated tail formed by two long central feathers which project far beyond the rest of the tail. Like other jaegers it harasses gulls, forcing them to disgorge food which it snaps up for itself. It also catches its own fish and while on land eats the eggs and young of other birds as well as insects and lemmings. Members of the NLB have been active in other ways. Several of them prepared an illustrated talk on birds and their place in ecology which was designed for children. This was presented in 5 schools and was favourably received. It is hoped that similar presentations will be made next year. The May bird counts are over and NLB members have participated in several: The Rideau Valley Field Naturalists (RVFN) Spring Bird Count, held within a 35 km radius circle with its centre in Perth; the Grenadier Island Spring Count, held within the Thousand Island Park area of Grenadier Island; the Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) Spring Roundup, held within a 35 km radius circle the centre of which is MacDonald Park in Kingston. The final totals for these counts are not yet available, but the approximate number of species found are as follows: RVFN, 146 species; Grenadier Island, 86 species; KFN, 206 species. Those who participated in the above counts had a great time and enjoyed both the challenge of the counts and the fellowship of others as they worked toward a common goal. On Apr. ll, while working at Sand Lake, Frank Taylor noticed a pair of Mallards,the female of which was unusually light coloured. Then, on Apr. 16, his wife Eleanor watched 18 Turkey Vultures as they wheeled and circled on tilted wings near Jones Falls. Later, on Apr. 18, Eleanor discovered 2 Common Ravens close to California. Veita Willows noticed a large hawk, probably a Red -tailed Hawk, constructing a nest not far from her home, and Harrison Peters saw a hawk on the nest near Chantry. On Apr. 25 a Red -shouldered Hawk sat quietly on the nest in the Chaffey's Lock area as. its mate circled and called noisily above. As mentioned earlier in this column, new birds may be found by exploring a new area. Of course, feeder buffs can enjoy the same results when they move from one place to another. Jana Mailow, whose former home was in southwestern Ontario, had never seen an Evening Grosbeak. Imagine how excited she was when a flock of these impressive looking birds arrived at her feeder: imagine her consternation when they decided to make a prolonged visit! Evening Grosbeaks, with their voracious appetite for sunflower seeds, tend to put many of us in the poorhousel Rubyâ€"throated Hummingbirds were first reported by Leorene Hayes who said that this species appeared at Connie Hayes' feeder on May 9. The following day Judy Rogers, who lives near Plum Hollow, had one at her feeder. So you can see that these tiny birds arrive early, making it a good idea to have your feeder up by May 1. Don't make your sugar solution too concentrated, 1 part sugar to 4 parts water brought to a boil is sufficient. Replace the syrup often and keep the feeder squeaky clean! Miriam Ondra has had a good selection of birds coming to her yard all winter including the Red-breasted Nuthatch and Brown Creeper Grosbeaks were still present on May 20 and her Purple Finches usually remain all summer. She has had a loon nesting platform erected in a suitable area. This is a relatively new idea and when it is used it does away with the problem of a flooded nest when water levels rise. Perhaps a problem Mary Dopson encountered will serve as a warning to others. After she bought a Purple Martin house she disc0vered the entrance holes were too small for the martins. When making or buying a birdhouse for a particular species do a little research first as to the requirements of the bird you wish to attract. Just because a nest box is advertised for a certain species does not mean that the builder knew anything about birds! Marjorie Jackson was delighted to see Eastern Bluebirds investigating her bluebird house, and Elsie and John Goodman have a pair interested in theirs. On May 15 Jansje Keates spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker by the Chaffey's Lock Road. This black and white woodpecker with its all read head, is not often seen here and usually impresses those who are lucky enough to find one. Janet Allen has a Killdeer nesting in the centre of the road leading to her 'home. So far the bird leaves the nest with the approach of a car and returns when it is gone. If the nest survives the young will be born "ready to go" and will move off to a safer place with their parents. On the date of writing (May 20) many species have an “2.. r» -.-.____l__..:s.. The Goodman feeder still returned' Northern OriOIGS: entertains flocks of Pine Scarlet Tanagersy Rose -breasted Grosbeaks and : ' O ' Goldfinches :15: lnsinfrigengihler species. Other songsters are baCk. - - ’ The warbler migration seems Their most interesting bird . _ slow, but perhaps I just have is an aberrahr}: 5151;: gig: not braved the inclement face is w 1 e, mottled with black and white “bile-“he? enough to fm_d them. ost birds W111 nest in June, with a semblance of a blaCk then quieten dcwn during cap and the bill is Yenow- the summer. Enjoy them The neck is ringed with white While you can. and the underparts are Whiz: The number to call with streaked With brown- your sightings is 359-5178 it flies it flashes the usual and until neXt month yellow in wings and tail, . GOOD BIRDING! but displays a pure white rump. A strange looking bird‘. I. ()8 the co-opeiatozs Jim Stedman Sales Representative Insurance Semces . M. No. l 3 Life, Auto, H me. Elfin. 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