Ontario: Fall 2018

Waterfowl through Shorebirds

Early reports of Ross’s Goose were 20 Aug in Kingsville, Essex Co (fide iNaturalist) and 8 Sep at Little Piskwamish Point, Cochrane Dist (Tyler Hoar). The continuing Mute Swan from the summer was last seen on 4 Nov in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (m. ob.). Eurasian Wigeons were present from 20–21 Aug in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (William Gilmour), and 3 Sep (Mark Patry) and 28 Sep–21 Oct (Jon P. Ruddy) on Long Sault, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Co. A Canvasback seen from 30 Oct–2 Nov in Timmins, Cochrane Dist was a good record for northeastern Ontario (Melanie Palik). Two hybrid Aythya were reported this fall: a Redhead x Scaup sp. on 2 Nov in Sarnia, Lambton Co (fide eBird) and a Tufted Duck x Scaup sp. on 28 Nov in the City of Toronto (Gavin Platt). King Eider is annual on Lake Ontario in late fall and winter, but a female seen from 12–19 Aug in the City of Toronto was out of character (m. ob.). A scarce vagrant to anywhere in Ontario away from the Arctic coastline, a Common Eider was an excellent find from 7–15 Nov in the City of Toronto (Theresa Dobko). Three Harlequin Ducks seen on 21 Sep in Wawa, Algoma Dist were notable for northern Ontario (Mark Jennings). The only notable Barrow’s Goldeneye record was of a long-staying bird from 7 Nov into December in Owen Sound, Grey Co (A. Nicholson). A Common x Barrow’s Goldeneye hybrid was present on 18 Nov in Stoney Creek, City of Hamilton (Jon P. Ruddy).

One of the most unexpected records of the fall was a White-crowned Pigeon seen by a single observer on 14 Nov in Pembroke, Renfrew Co (Mark E. Dojczman). A few ardent birders later searched unsuccessfully for this first for Canada record. This species does have a pattern of vagrancy with a few records up the east coast, but the Renfrew bird still represents an interesting outlier for being both inland and significantly farther north than the next most northerly record (coastal Virginia). It was a good fall for Eurasian Collared-Dove with several of the records visiting feeders: 12 Aug in Earlton, Timiskaming Dist (Serge Gendron), 3–20 Sep (Sarah Lamond, William G. Lamond), 17–20 Sep (Margaret Leonetti), and 19–29 Sep (Kayla Bezkorow, Kimberly Bezkorow) in Brantford, Brant Co, 10 Oct, in St. Joseph, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden), 20–22 Oct at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay Dist (fide Thunder Cape Bird Observatory), and 26 Oct in St. Joseph, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden). The continuing White-winged Doves from the summer were last reported on 31 Aug (m. ob.) and 15 Sep (m. ob.) in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co; another was seen on 8 Nov in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Troy Balec). A number of late Yellow-billed Cuckoos were seen: 2 Nov in London, Middlesex Co (Quinten Wiegersma), 4 Nov at Turkey Point, Norfolk Co (Gregor Beck, Kevin Kavanagh), 5 Nov in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Lucas Foerster, Stacie Foerster), and 5 Nov on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Peter C. Denyer, Michaela Berdougo, Sachi Snively). The continuing notable Black-billed Cuckoo from the summer at Longridge Point, Cochrane Dist was last seen on 11 Aug (Doug McRae).

A Calliope Hummingbird, the first record of this species for Ontario, was present at a private residence in Goderich, Huron Co from 18 Oct–29 Nov (Linda Straughan-Johnston). Fortunately the homeowner was extremely amenable to visiting birders and their hospitality, combined with the bird’s extensive stay meant that all who wanted to view this rare visitor were able to see it. A Purple Gallinule spent over a month in Oxley, Essex Co, from 18 Aug–28 Sep (Brad Oulette). The only American Avocets reported this fall were two on 7 Aug in Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward Co (Jon P. Ruddy). The continuing Piping Plovers from the summer were last reported on 4 Aug in Oshawa, Durham RM (m. ob.) and 10 Aug in the City of Toronto (m. ob.); another was seen on 16 Aug in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (William Gilmour). Red Phalaropes were present on 18 Sep in St. Joseph, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden), 26 Sep in Exeter, Huron Co (Richard Beardon), 12 Oct in the City of Hamilton (David I. Pryor), 21 Oct in MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Bruce Co (Derek Anderson, Karen Anderson), 21 Oct in Lakefield, Peterborough Co (Donald A. Sutherland), 27 Oct at Kettle Point, Lambton Co (Paul Pratt, Aileen Petrozzi), and 4–5 Nov in Owen Sound, Grey Co (Kiah R. Jasper, Alfred Raab). Willets were widespread with reports from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Huron, Norfolk, and Simcoe Cos and Niagara, Peel, and Durham RMs. Western Sandpipers were seen from 26–27 Aug in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (m. ob.), 7 Sep in Townsend, Haldimand Co (Rohan van Twest), and 18 Oct in Cobourg, Northumberland Co (Margaret Bain).

Alcids through Raptors

A Black Guillemot was seen from 14 Aug–9 Sep at Little Piskwamish Point, Cochrane Dist on James Bay where this species is irregular but expected (Tyler Hoar, Jeffrey Roth). Black-legged Kittiwakes were widespread with reports from Essex, Lambton, and Norfolk Cos, Niagara and Halton RMs, and the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto. Notable Sabine’s Gulls were reported on 21 Aug (m. ob.) and 25 Aug (m. ob.) at Longridge Point, Cochrane Dist, 18 Sep in Thessalon, Algoma Dist (Tony Ward), and 6–8 Oct in Barrie, Simcoe Co (John Schmelefske). All three notable Franklin’s Gull reports were from Sarnia, Lambton Co: 12 Aug (Deryl Nethercott, Sharon Nethercott), 4–5 Oct (Darrell Parsons, Scott Connop), and 17 Oct (Scott Connop). A California Gull was present from 9–12 Nov in Watford, Lambton Co (Brandon R. Holden). Rounding out the rare gulls, a Slaty-backed Gull was found in North Bay, Nipissing Dist on 24 Nov–Dec+ (Renee J. Levesque, Lori Anderson). Eared Grebes were recorded on 7 Aug in the City of Ottawa (Bruce M. Di Labio), 5 Oct in the City of Hamilton (m. ob.), and 13 Oct in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Paul Pratt, Michelle Mastellotto). The only Western Grebe of the fall was present from 4 Nov–Dec+ in Bright’s Grove, Lambton Co (Matt Parsons). Pacific Loons were widespread with reports from Lambton, Huron, Norfolk, Simcoe, Northumberland, Prince Edward, and Renfrew Cos, Halton RM, and the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto.

An extremely late Least Bittern was seen from 23–24 Nov in Waterloo, Waterloo RM (Baxter M. Naday). The continuing Yellow-crowned Night Heron from the summer was last seen on 12 Aug in the City of Hamilton (Barry Cherriere); other reports were 1–22 Aug in Cambridge, Waterloo RM (m. ob.), 28 Aug–5 Sep in Caledonia, Haldimand Co (Karen Petrie), and 17 Sep–1 Oct in Ajax, Durham RM (Patricia Cetinkaya). Little Blue Herons were reported from 9 Aug–3 Sep in Harrington, Oxford Co (Norman Holden) and 14–18 Sep in Preston, Waterloo RM (William G. Wilson, Brian R. Johnson, Donald J. Thomas). Another new species for Ontario’s bird list found this fall was a Reddish Egret which spent a number of days from 5–16 Aug in Oliphant, Bruce Co where it was easily viewed by hundreds of birders (Brian P. Robin, Sarah E. Taylor). The original finders were Kiah Jasper and Alfred Raab, while on a Bruce Birding Club outing. Snowy Egrets were present from 24 Aug–10 Sep in Rondeau, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau), 30 Aug in Amherstburg, Essex Co (Garry T. Sadler), and 8–21 Sep in Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent Co (Blake A. Mann). Western Cattle-Egrets were widespread with reports from Essex, Elgin, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Northumberland Cos, Algoma and Nipissing Dists, and the City of Greater Sudbury.

Notable American White Pelicans were reported on 18 Aug at Thousand Islands, Leeds and Grenville Co (Dave Croft, Pat Croft), 28 Aug in London, Middlesex Co (Corey Hayes), and 14 Sep in Kirkland Lake, Timiskaming Dist (Michael Leahy). Away from the Niagara River corridor, Black Vultures were seen on 6 Sep in Chaffey’s Lock, Leeds and Grenville Co (Ricki Hurst), 13 Sep in Miller Lake, Bruce Co (Zane Shantz), 29 Sep in the City of Hamilton (Matthew Mills), and 7 Nov–Dec+ in Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward Co (Jon P. Ruddy). Swallow-tailed Kites were reported from 25–29 Aug in Jack Lake, Simcoe Co (Matt D. Stuart, Steve Buccilli) and 29 Aug in Windsor, Essex Co (Jim Hunt). An early Golden Eagle was seen on 23 Aug in the City of Ottawa (Amy Lawes). Both reports of Swainson’s Hawk came from the hawk watch at Holiday Beach, Essex Co (Craig Evans): 8 Nov and 17 Nov. A Red-tailed x Rough-legged Hawk hybrid was a good find on 26 Oct in St. Joseph, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden).

Flycatchers through Thrushes

Say’s Phoebes were seen on 26 Sep in Erieau, Chatham-Kent Co (Keith J. Burk) and 27 Sep–1 Oct in Algonquin Provincial Park, Nipissing Dist (Ashley Baines, Nicole Baines). A first for both Ontario and Canada, a Great Kiskadee was a shocking discovery on 7 Sep in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Laura R. Dragon). To the delight of the entire provincial birding community, the bird remained throughout the rest of the fall and into December. Western Kingbirds were reported on 2 Sep in Laird, Algoma Dist (Robert D. Knudsen), 10 Sep in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist (Brian Ratcliff), 22–23 Sep at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co (Peter Hogenbirk), 26–27 Sep near Clear Creek, Norfolk Co (Stuart A. Mackenzie, Ron Ridout, Adam Timpf), and 3 Nov on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Peter C. Denyer). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was a one-day wonder on 20 Oct in Barry’s Bay, Renfrew Co (Giovanni P. Campanelli, Ann G. Campanelli). A number of White-eyed Vireos were seen across southern Ontario: 3 Sep in Wheatley, Chatham-Kent Co (James Scott), 28 Sep in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Blake A. Mann), 14 Oct on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Brett Fried), 18 Oct in London, Middlesex Co (Frank King, Don Webb), 25 Oct in Oshawa, Durham RM (Tim Logan), 28 Oct at two different locations in Mississauga, Peel RM (Reuven Martin, Samreen Munim and Reuven Martin), 30 Oct–7 Nov in the City of Ottawa (Roberta Kay), and 12 Nov in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau).

Away from their main breeding areas, a Loggerhead Shrike seen on 13 Sep at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co was notable (Tom Wheatley). The long-staying Echo Lake, Algoma Dist Black-billed Magpie was present throughout the fall. This fall saw the beginning of a significant Boreal Chickadee irruption which continued into the winter; all notable fall records were from the City of Toronto: 13–15 Nov (m. ob.), 17 Nov –Dec+ (m. ob.), and 27 Nov–Dec+ (Ian Sturdee). A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seen on 23 Sep in the Slate River Valley, Thunder Bay Dist was a good find for northern Ontario (Allan Gilbert). A Carolina Wren present from 27 Aug–7 Oct in South Porcupine, Cochrane Dist was also notable so far north (Roxane Filion). Townsend’s Solitaires were reported on 14 Oct on Long Point, Norfolk Co (m. ob.), 19 Oct at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay Dist (Laura Tabbakh), 24 Oct in London, Middlesex Co (Roy Geiger), 3 Nov in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (m. ob.), and 8 Nov–Dec+ in Red Lake, Kenora Dist (Merle Nisly). A Varied Thrush was seen at a feeder in Atikokan, Rainy River Dist from 8 Nov–Dec+ (David New), while another was unfortunately a window strike victim on 22 Nov in Port Stanton, Simcoe Co (Matt Thomson).

Wheatear through Buntings

There were two records of Northern Wheatear this fall, both from northern Ontario: 5–13 Oct in Manitowaning, Manitoulin Dist (Christopher Bell) and 13 Oct in Timmins, Cochrane Dist (Roxane Filion, Melanie Palik, Gary T. Dowe). A Eurasian Tree Sparrow visited a feeder in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist on 10 Sep (Gordon Smith, Joan Smith). A Smith’s Longspur was reported on 16 Oct in Fort Hope, Kenora Dist (Abuti Sechaba). Lark Sparrows were seen on 16 Aug at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co (Tom Wheatley), 3 Sep in Warren, Sudbury Dist (Renee J. Levesque), and 17 Nov–Dec+ in Eganville, Renfrew Co (m. ob.). Notable reports of Harris’s Sparrow were: 22–28 Sep in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Dist (fide Carter Dorscht), 3–4 Oct in Montreal River Harbour, Algoma Dist (John Grossa), 17 Oct in Smooth Rock Falls, Cochrane Dist (Angie Williams), and 20 Oct in Lurgan Beach, Bruce Co (James Turland). Hybrids of White-crowned x White-throated Sparrows were seen on 21 Oct in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Jeremy M. Bensette) and 14 Nov in Wanstead, Lambton Co (fide eBird).

Yellow-breasted Chats were restricted to the Lake Erie shoreline with birds present from 19–20 Aug in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Robert Gaucher), 29 Aug on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Joshua K. Pickering), and 6 Oct in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Michael Nelson). Notable Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen on 15 Aug in Port Rowan, Norfolk Co (m. ob.), 26 Sep–4 Oct in Heron Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Christopher Escott, Nicholas Escott), 29 Oct in Erie View, Norfolk Co (Brett Fried), 4 Nov in Port Rowan, Norfolk Co (Matthew Timpf), and 12 Nov–Dec+ in the City of Ottawa (m. ob.).

The only notable report of Western Meadowlark was from 2–3 Nov in Algonquin Provincial Park, Nipissing Dist (Jeff H. Skevington). A Kirtland’s Warbler, rarely seen in fall, was present on 7 Sep on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Peter C. Denyer). A Yellow-throated Warbler was seen on 14 Oct in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Ellen Smout). A Black-throated Gray Warbler was seen by many from 3–13 Nov in Burlington, Halton RM (Brete Griffin, Heather Blakelock). Ontario’s eighth Hermit Warbler, second fall record, and first in over a decade, was seen on 14 Nov in Huntsville, Muskoka DM, but was unfortunately not chaseable (Brenda J. Laking). The vast majority of Hermit Warbler records in the province were only present for a single day. A few Summer Tanagers turned up this fall: 5 Sep in Port Burwell, Elgin Co (Aaron Allensen), 11–15 Sep in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Troy Balec), 3–7 Nov in the City of Greater Sudbury (fide Chris Blomme), 5–13 Nov in Parry Sound, Parry Sound Dist (Elizabeth Sims), 15 Nov–Dec+ in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Dist (Jon Burns, Nancy Burns), and 24–25 Nov in Cobourg, Northumberland Co (Margaret Bain). A Western Tanager was present from 28 Oct–2 Nov in Mississauga, Peel RM (Reuven Martin, Samreen Munim). A Black-headed Grosbeak visited a feeder in Harty, Cochrane Dist from 18 Oct–1 Nov (Brian G. Couture). Dickcissels were widespread with reports from Norfolk, Lambton, Renfrew, and Haliburton Cos, Halton RM, Algoma Dist, and the City of Toronto.

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 22 Sep 2026.