Report Bird Sightings—2019


Pine Grosbeak - Carter Dorscht

 

If you have a sighting that you would like to report, please contact Carter at carterdorscht@hotmail.com. Please include the date, location, a photo (if possible) and any other relevant information about the sighting. If you would like additional information about any of these sightings, you can contact Carter as well.

 

All sightings are within the Sault Birding Area, which is a circle with a 50 mile radius, centred at the middle of the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, unless otherwise noted. Please be aware that this a not comprehensive list of all notable sightings within the area, but we will try to add as many as possible.

 

2019 Bird Sightings

 

 

July 21, 2019 - A Mississippi Kite was observed flying over by Elizabeth Fantham at a residence in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario near the city landfill. It was observed again the following day as well. This marks the first record of the species for the Algoma District.

 

 

July 19, 2019 - A White-winged Dove was photographed in Batchawana Bay, Ontario, marking the first record of this species for the Algoma District. See the photos here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58324870.

 

May 22, 2019 - A Western Tanager showed up to the oranges that were out for the orioles in Carter Dorscht's yard in Echo Bay, Ontario. It continued for five days. Photo taken by Carter Dorscht.

 

 

May 14, 2019 - A Painted Bunting turned up in a backyard in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on May 14th. A handful of birders were able to see the bird on the 15th. Photo taken by Carter Dorscht.

 

 

May 11, 2019 - A Black Vulture was photographed by Carter Dorscht, flying over his house in Echo Bay, Ontario. The bird disappeared into the sky shortly afterwards. This represents the second record of the species for the Algoma District.

 

 

April 7, 2019 - A Greater White-fronted Goose was found by Carter Dorscht among hundreds of Canada Geese at the corner of Government Road and Rydall Mill Road in Laird Township, Ontario.

 

March 28, 2019 - A Western Meadowlark was observed on a farm on Government Road in Tarbutt Township, Ontario. Photo taken April 1, 2019 by Carter Dorscht. It continued at this location for about a week.

 

 

February 7, 2019 - A Barrow's Goldeneye was found in the St. Marys River from Whitefish Island in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. View the eBird report here. This is likely the same individual that spent time on both sides of the border last winter. The last confirmed report of it was late-April in the St. Marys River.

 

January 25, 2019 - A Great Gray Owl was photographed just before dark on the Huron Line on St. Joseph Island, Ontario, near the intersection with Mariners Cove Road. No sign of this bird since. Photos were posted to the Algoma District Birding Facebook page here.

 

January 12, 2019 - A Gyrfalcon was found feeding on a Herring Gull on Riverside Drive, between 12 Mile and 13 Mile, just south of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was relocated the following day a bit further north on Riverside Drive, between 10 Mile and 11 Mile. A photo and more details can be found in the Mich Listers Facebook group here.

 

January 5, 2019 - A Great Gray Owl was photographed on 13 Mile Road, which is just south of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This bird was last seen January 11, 2019. Photos and detailed can be found in the Mich Listers Facebook group here.

 

January 5, 2019 - The long-staying Echo Lake, Ontario Black-billed Magpie was found again for the first time in 2019 by Carter Dorscht. This bird was first discovered by birders in the fall of 2015 but has been present since 2013. 

 

January 1, 2019 - A Northern Hawk Owl continues in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was first found on December 26th, 2018 on Mackinac Trail, just south of 3 Mile. It continued until mid-March. 

 

January 1, 2019 - A Varied Thrush has been frequenting a feeder on St. Joseph Island, Ontario since likely sometime in November 2018. However, it was only identified as a Varied Thrush on December 31st. This photo was taken by Ron Dorscht on January 1st. This bird was last seen in mid-April.