Waterfowl through Rails

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to become more and more regular in the province, with four reports this spring: 27 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Peter Veighey), 29–30 Apr in Holiday Beach, Essex Co (Bama Pelan), 3 May in Owen Sound, Grey Co (A. Nicholson), and an exceptional record on 26 May in Algonquin Provincial Park, Nipissing Dist (Quinten Wiegersma). A Pink-footed Goose was a one-day wonder on 1 Apr in Sarsfield, City of Ottawa (Vincent Fyson). A Barnacle Goose was also a one-day wonder on 10 Mar in Peterborough, Peterborough Co (Bev Long-Welch), although another was more cooperative from 10–13 Apr in the City of Ottawa (Susan Nagy). Eurasian Wigeon were plentiful this spring with reports from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Brant, Hastings, Huron, Middlesex, Elgin, Dufferin, and Frontenac Cos, Durham RM, and Cochrane Dist. Two Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrids were noted: 29 Mar–2 Apr near Long Point, Norfolk Co (Ryan Leys) and 10 Apr in Harrow, Essex Co (Michael McAllister, Harrison Priebe). A Gadwall x Northern Pintail hybrid was a good find in Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent Co from 19–21 Apr (Blake A. Mann). The returning Eurasian Green-winged Teal was reported again in the City of Toronto on 6 Mar (Peter Sproule); others were seen 15–16 Apr in Kemptville, City of Ottawa (Jon P. Ruddy) and 16 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Blake A. Mann). A Canvasback seen on 13 May in Timmins, Cochrane Dist was a good find for northeastern Ontario (Roxane Filion). Three Tufted Ducks were reported this spring: 21–26 Mar in Gananoque, Leeds and Grenville Co (Erwin Batalla), 3 Apr in Cumberland, City of Ottawa (Ron Dubois), and 29 Apr in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Michel Gauthier).

A number of Aythya hybrids were found this spring on Lake Ontario. A Ring-necked Duck x Greater Scaup was present from 8 Apr–4 May in the City of Toronto (Gavin Platt). A Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaup was seen from 24–26 Mar in Gananoque, Leeds and Grenville Co (Jon P. Ruddy). A Redhead x scaup sp. was in Mississauga, Peel RM on 20 Mar (Shey Smith). A Ring-necked Duck x scaup sp. was present in the City of Toronto from 13 Apr–5 May (Gray Carlin). Also at that location in the City of Toronto was a Tufted Duck x scaup sp. from 17 Mar–15 Apr (Gavin Platt). The continuing Harlequin Duck from November in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Dist was last seen on 25 Mar (m. ob.) and another, possibly the same bird, was seen on 5 May in Michipicoten, Algoma Dist (Vicki St Germaine). Two notable Barrow’s Goldeneye continued into the spring: from Nov–22 Mar in Owen Sound, Grey Co (m. ob.) and from Dec–5 Mar in Whitby, Durham RM (William Konze); a third notable individual was present from 29–30 Mar in Bath, Lennox and Addington Co (Chris Ellingwood). There were several reports of Eared Grebe this spring: the continuing bird from February in Kemble, Grey Co was last seen on 5 Mar (m. ob.), 29–30 Apr in Emo, Rainy River Dist (Michael Dawber), 5 May at Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), 6–9 May at Leamington and then Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), 8–20 May at Erieau, Chatham-Kent Co (George Prieksaitis), 17 May into June in Rainy River, Rainy River Dist (Michael Dawber), and 27 May in Emo, Rainy River Dist (William Gilmour, Peter Kyne).

Two Western Grebes were seen at the near-annual location of Port Credit, Peel RM from 5–16 Apr (Patricia Kluge) and another, possibly one of the Peel birds, was seen on 29 Apr in the City of Toronto (Margaret Hough). Returning Eurasian Collared-Doves were seen from 2 Mar–13 May in Shrewsbury, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau) and 30 Apr into June near Staples, Essex Co (Jeremy L. Hatt); an additional two observations were of flyover birds on 15 May at Point Pelee National Park (m. ob.) and 24 May on Pelee Island (Riley Walsh), both in Essex Co. White-winged Doves were seen on 3 May in Orillia, Simcoe Co (David Giannunzio), 9–10 May in Matachewan, Timiskaming Dist (Stevie-Rae Taman), and 11–17 May in Port Perry, Durham RM (Ed Stebbins). An early Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen on 22 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Peter Veighey, Aldo Bertucci). Also early was a Black-billed Cuckoo on 24 Apr in Windsor, Essex Co (Dwayne Murphy, David McNorton). A Common Nighthawk on 24 Apr in London, Middlesex Co was also unusually early (Zac Fedder). The only Chuck-will’s-widow of the spring was heard on 17 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Deane Atherton).

A Virginia Rail was notable for Smooth Rock Falls, Cochrane Dist from 27 May into June (Ken Williams, Angie Williams). A number of Yellow Rails were detected this spring: 7–19 May at the Carden Alvar, City of Kawartha Lakes (Alvan Buckley), 7–20 May at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (Jean-Pierre Guilbault), 9 May on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Scott Gillingwater), 11 May near Methuen, Peterborough Co (Tyler L. Hoar), 11 May in the City of Toronto (Monica Hofmann), 19 May in Peterborough, Peterborough Co (Luke Berg), 20 May near Kirkfield, City of Kawartha Lakes (Janice White), 31 May into June near Dawson, Rainy River Dist (Jeff H. Skevington et al.), and 31 May into June near Bar River, Algoma Dist (Sheri B. Minardi).

Shorebirds through Ibis

It was an excellent spring for Black-necked Stilts with several birds reported across southern Ontario: 12 Apr in London, Middlesex Co (Angelique Mori), 16 Apr in Strathroy, Middlesex Co (Lisa Den Besten, Susan Nagy, Jim Nagy, Linda Longman), 6–11 May near St. Williams, Norfolk Co (Eric Giles), 6 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau, Blake A. Mann, Craig Anderson), 11 May at Bright’s Grove, Lambton Co (Evan Abma), 11 May at Point Pelee National Park and Leamington, Essex Co (m. ob.), 11–12 May at Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Co (Chris Risley), 12 May into June at Strathroy, Middlesex Co (Bill Lindley), and 29 May near Scotland, Brant Co (Stephanie Dearing). American Avocets were also well-represented this spring: 21 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (m. ob.), 22 Apr on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Stuart A. Mackenzie), 23 Apr near Rondeau, Chatham-Kent Co (Dolan Bohnert), 24 Apr (m. ob.), 5 May (Delmar Doucette), and 7 May (George Prieksaitis) in Leamington, Essex Co, 18 May near Bradley, Chatham-Kent Co (Mike Frak), 21 May at Erieau, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau), and 31 May in Burlington, Halton RM (Rod MacDonald). Piping Plovers were widespread this spring with reports from Essex, Norfolk, Simcoe, Bruce, Chatham-Kent, and Northumberland Cos, Durham and Niagara RMs, and the City of Hamilton. A Ruff found on 31 May in Leamington, Essex Co continued into June (Brandon R. Holden). An early Sanderling was present on 20–23 Apr at Turkey Point, Norfolk Co (Timothy B. Lucas). Baird’s Sandpiper is a rare spring migrant in the region, but this year there were four reports: 20 May in Port Colborne, Niagara RM (Gina Turone), 22 May in Kemptville, City of Ottawa (Christian Artuso), 28 May at Tiverton, Bruce Co (Bob Taylor, Anne-Marie Taylor), and 29 May on North Watcher Island, Muskoka DM (Aaron Rusak, James Rusak, Cindy Rusak).

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper seen on 29 May at Turkey Point, Norfolk Co was an excellent spring record (Steve Moore). Two Western Sandpipers were present from 21–23 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Chris Gaffan, Jeremy M. Bensette). An exceptionally early Long-billed Dowitcher was seen on 5 Mar in the City of Toronto (Mitsuru Sasaki). Willets were widespread with reports from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Bruce, Leeds and Grenville, and Grey Cos, Cochrane, Thunder Bay, and Rainy River Dists, Halton, Niagara, and Durham RMs, and the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto. The bird of the spring, and quite possibly the bird of the year, a Marsh Sandpiper, was present from 30 Apr–9 May in Thedford, Lambton Co allowing many happy birders to see this first record for Ontario and Canada (James M. Holdsworth). Noteworthy in spring, a Parasitic Jaeger was a flyby in the City of Toronto on 25 May (m. ob.). One of the Razorbills from the winter was seen at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara RM on 30 Mar (Ryan Griffiths). Both reports of Black-headed Gull this spring were only present for a single day: 3 May in Pickering, Durham RM (Gloria Schwabe, Andy Schwabe) and 7 May along the Niagara River, Niagara RM (Ryan Griffiths). Laughing Gulls were seen 3 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (Evan Sinclair), 14 May in Leamington, Essex Co (Kip Daynard), possibly the same bird as before on 15–16 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), 20–24 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Kevin Gevaert), 30 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), and 31 May in Belleville, Hastings Co (fide iNaturalist).

Franklin’s Gulls were reported on 27 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Jacob Stasso), 29 May at Erieau, Chatham-Kent Co (Kevin Gevaert), 22 May in Mallorytown, Leeds and Grenville Co (Bruce M. Di Labio), 26 May near Long Point, Norfolk Co (Robert Baumander), 26–29 May in the City of Ottawa (Kiah R. Jasper), and 26 May in the City of Toronto (Jean Iron). Migrating Arctic Terns were reported from multiple locations: an astounding 8+ birds from 24–26 May near Mallorytown, Leeds and Grenville Co (Gerard Phillips), and singles 26–27 May in the City of Ottawa (m. ob.), and 30 May near Harris Hill, Rainy River Dist (Jeff H. Skevington et al.). A Forster’s Tern on 7 May was notable for Rainy River, Rainy River Dist (Michael Dawber). Reports of Pacific Loon were restricted to Lake Ontario: 20 Apr in Stoney Creek, City of Hamilton (Richard Poort), 6 May in the City of Toronto (Gavin Platt), and 8 May in Port Hope, Northumberland Co (Jon P. Ruddy, Samar Ruddy). Neotropic Cormorants were recorded on 27 Apr near Renwick, Chatham-Kent Co (Brandon R. Holden), 6 May near Demorestville, Prince Edward Co (Paul Jones), likely the same bird from 20–23 May at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co (Paul Jones), and 26 May in Leamington, Essex Co (Brandon R. Holden). Notable American White Pelican reports were: 6 May in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (Doug McRae), 11 May near Baltimore, Northumberland Co (Daniel Egan), 19–21 May near Kettle Point, Lambton Co (Allanah Vokes, Deryl Nethercott), 22 May at Mitchell’s Bay, Chatham-Kent Co (Blake A. Mann), 23 May near Britt, Parry Sound Dist (Chris Weekes), 26–27 May near Sombra, Lambton Co (Donald R. Lee), and 31 May in Pembroke, Renfrew Co (Jeremy Inglis).

A Great Egret on 21 May in Little Pigeon Bay, Thunder Bay Dist was notable for the northwestern Ontario (Allan Harris); what is likely the same bird was later seen 30 May into June in the Slate River Valley, Thunder Bay Dist (Lisa Loiselle). Snowy Egrets were seen from 15–16 Apr in Markham, York RM (Dinu Bandyopadhyay), 25 Apr in the City of Hamilton (Barry Cherriere), 2 May at Mitchell’s Bay, Chatham-Kent Co (Marvin Medelko, Janet Medelko), 3–8 May around Leamington, Essex Co (Dana Latour), 9 May at Port Bruce, Elgin Co (Ron Ridout), and 15–21 May at Long Point, Norfolk Co (Michael Runtz, Britta Gerwin). The only Little Blue Heron of the spring was a flyby adult on 17 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.). A Tricoloured Heron was a one-day wonder on 19 May near Miller Lake, Bruce Co (Zane Shantz). Cattle Egrets were reported on 26 Apr in Oakville, Halton RM (Dominik Halas), the same bird from 27–29 Apr in Burlington, Halton RM (Jeffrey Huang), and 5 May in Harrow, Essex Co (Jeremy L. Hatt). A Green Heron seen on 15 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist was a good find for northwestern Ontario (Troy Balec et al.).

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were seen from 21–23 May in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Co (Heather Lodge) and 23 May in Niagara Falls, Niagara RM (Missy Donelly). There were two reports of Glossy Ibis: 10 May on Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington Co (Paul Mackenzie, Gary Hillaby) and 12 May near Bluewater, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden). White-faced Ibis also had two reports this spring: 4–7 May near Erieau, Chatham-Kent Co (Jeff Tunstall) and 5 May in Leamington, Essex Co (Denise Potter). Unidentified Glossy/White-faced Ibises were reported 13 May near Angus, Simcoe Co (Mhairi McFarlane, Richard Simpson), 14 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (m. ob.), and 21 May in the City of Hamilton (Kayley Manning).

Vultures through Sparrows

There were widespread sightings of Black Vultures throughout the province this spring, with reports from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lanark, Prescott and Russell, Oxford, Lambton, Middlesex, Prince Edward, and Bruce Cos, Halton, Niagara, and Durham RMs, and the Cities of Hamilton and Ottawa. Multiple Mississippi Kites were spotted with records on 12 May in Pelee Island, Essex Co (m. ob.), 13 May in Windsor, Essex Co (Andrew Wiebe, Kara Wiebe), 13–17 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), 13 May in Ipperwash, Lambton Co (James M. Holdsworth), 18 May in Lakefield, Peterborough Co (Donald A. Sutherland), 19 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Rachel Sa), 21 May in both Leamington and Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (William Konze), and 21 May in Point Petre, Prince Edward Co (m. ob.). A Swainson’s Hawk made several appearances at different locations, showing up on 20 May in Cabot Head, Bruce Co (Stephane Menu), 21 May in Tobermory, Bruce Co (Kenneth G. D. Burrell), then making a final stop on 29 May at Cape Croker, Bruce Co (m. ob.). A hybrid Red-shouldered x Red-tailed Hawk that had been hanging around since December was last seen on 18 Mar in the City of Ottawa (Jon P. Ruddy).

An interesting Yellow-bellied x Red-naped Sapsucker hybrid was seen for one day on 7 Apr in St. Williams, Norfolk Co (Nathan Hood, Dana Latour). A Red-headed Woodpecker was also seen north of their regular range from 14–16 May in Red Lake, Kenora Dist (Derek Yutzy). An Acadian Flycatcher was banded and then seen on 31 May at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co (m. ob.). A Say’s Phoebe stuck around for two days of viewing from 30 Apr–1 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (James Barber, Douglas Tate, Troy Balec et al.). One of the more incredible spring finds was a Cassin’s Kingbird which was seen on 24 May in Tabor Cove, Algoma Dist (Derek Neufeld). It was a good spring for Western Kingbirds with records on 5 May in Kingston, Frontenac Co (Erwin Batalla), 14–15 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Zachary Oleksak), 24 May in Sable Island, Rainy River Dist (Bob Saunders), 25 May in Harris Hill, Rainy River Dist (Peter Kyne, William Gilmour), and 29 May in Pass Lake, Thunder Bay Dist (Jeff H. Skevington et al.). There was also an unidentified Yellow-bellied Kingbird species seen on 28 May in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist (Jeff Skevington et al.). The last flycatcher making the list was the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that stuck around for three days on 27–29 Apr at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (Doug Brummel, Karen Brummel).

This spring also marked widespread reports of White-eyed Vireo with birds showing up in Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Frontenac, Lambton, Perth, Bruce, and Prince Edward Cos, the Cities of Toronto and Hamilton, and Niagara, Durham, and Halton RMs. Another vireo also makes the list this spring, with a cooperative Bell’s Vireo seen all day on 12 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Han Zevenhuizen). Loggerhead Shrikes were seen in some unexpected places, with birds showing up on 20–23 May in Erie View, Norfolk Co (Steve Wilcox) and two very northerly records on 10 May in Echo Bay, Algoma Dist (Carter Dorscht) and 15–16 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (James Barber). The long-staying Black-billed Magpie in Echo Lake, Algoma Dist is still continuing and has been for several years. Additionally, widespread reports of Fish Crow away from western Lake Ontario were seen in Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Wellington, Bruce (first record), Prince Edward, Northumberland, and Frontenac Cos.

What appeared to be an unusual Mexican subspecies of Cliff Swallow was discovered on 3–4 Apr in the City of Toronto (Erik Sein). A Mountain Bluebird stuck around for an extended period of time, being seen from 5–23 Apr in Guelph, Wellington Co (Curtis Combdon). Another long-staying bird was a Townsend’s Solitaire, originally seen in February and continuing until 23 Mar in Washago, Simcoe Co (John Challis) with another being seen on 2 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (fide iNaturalist). There were also some lengthy stays by a few Varied Thrush with a bird first seen in December staying until 5 May in Blind River, Algoma Dist (Andy Penikett) and one first seen in January staying until 14 Apr in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Joan Stone), then a final record being seen in early April and staying until 18 Apr in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Dennis Orr). Multiple Eurasian Tree Sparrows were observed this spring, with records on 16–17 Apr in Long Point, Norfolk Co (Brett Fried), 22 Apr in Long Point, Norfolk Co (Ashlea Veldhoen), 14 May on St. Joseph Island, Algoma Dist (Carter Dorscht), 15 May in Longlac, Thunder Bay Dist (Fred J. Jennings), and 20–22 May in Bar River, Algoma Dist (Brianna Boudreau). Several continuing out of range House Finches that have been around for a while are continuing in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (m. ob.) with an additional bird showing up out of range on 18–26 May in Devlin, Rainy River Dist (Jeanna Faykes).

Our notable New World Sparrows for the spring start with an out of range Grasshopper Sparrow seen on 9 May in Black Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Aarre Ertolahti). Lark Sparrows were seen across the province with birds present on 13–17 Apr in Long Point, Norfolk Co (Sean M. Jenniskens), 23 Apr in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Blake A. Mann), 23 Apr in Eagle Harbour, Bruce Co (fide Ken Burrell), 24 Apr in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.) 26–27 Apr in Rondeau, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau), 30 Apr–1 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Troy Balec et al.), 2–3 May in the City of Ottawa (Kevin Hannah), 4 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.) 13 May in Nipigon, Thunder Bay Dist (Jake O’Flaherty, Holly Gallagher), 23 May in Rainy River, Rainy River Dist (Michael Dawber), and 25 May in Kenora, Kenora Dist (Mike Bieman). A Lark Bunting was also seen for several days on 13–17 Apr on Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington Co (Ken Edwards). Two Golden-crowned Sparrows continued from the winter with one sticking around from Nov 2021 to 20 Apr in the City of Toronto (m. ob.) and the other continuing from Jan 2022 to 22 Apr in Bannister Lake, Waterloo RM (m. ob.). Several Harris’s Sparrows were also observed, some continuing since the winter, with records from Nov 2021 to 16 Apr in Copetown, City of Hamilton (m. ob.), Jan until 1 May in Vanleek Hill, Prescott and Russell Co (m. ob.), Feb until 27 Apr in Charing Cross, Chatham-Kent Co (Dale Wurker), 28 Mar in Uxbridge, Durham RM (Karen Bochmann), 29 Apr until 6 May in Holiday Beach, Essex Co (Kory J. Renaud), and 7–8 May in Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton Co (Al Peters, Marni Peters). A Dark-eyed Junco x White-throated Sparrow hybrid was seen for only one day on 16 May in the City of Ottawa (Geoff Carter). There were also several reports of the at risk Henslow’s Sparrow with birds being recorded on 12 Apr in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Michael McAllister, Steve Pike), 1–2 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Craig Anderson), 5–8 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Kevin Gevaert), 9 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (Nate Badger, Bill Link, Carol Link), and 29 May in Clearville, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau). Finally, a Spotted Towhee continued through the winter from 1 Dec 2021 until 3 Mar in Terrace Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Craig R. Heibert).

Chat through Buntings

There were widespread reports of Yellow-breasted Chats throughout the province with reports coming in from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Oxford, and Prince Edward Cos, Nipissing Dist, and the Cities of Toronto, and Hamilton. Yellow-headed Blackbirds were also widespread across the province in spring with reports on 6 Mar in Grimsby, Niagara RM (Dave Don), 15–20 Apr in Elora, Wellington Co (Josh Price), 17 Apr in Long Point, Norfolk Co (Mark Conboy), 20 Apr in Leamington, Essex Co (Jeremy L. Hatt), 20 Apr in Sherkston Shores, Niagara RM (Anita Scott), 25 Apr in English River, Kenora Dist (Scott McAughey), 5–8 May in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist (Gordon Smith), 11 May in Bluewater, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden), 13 May in the City of Toronto (Gavin Platt), 17 May in Exton, Thunder Bay Dist (Jim Ryan), and 18–19 May in Hurkett, Thunder Bay Dist (Lynda Sisco, Susan Craig). There was a scattering of notable Western Meadowlarks present in the spring with reports on 24–29 April in Terrace Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (Pegg L. Campbell, Mark Campbell), 26 May in Webwood, Sudbury Dist (Jeff H. Skevington et al.), and 27 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Brandon R. Holden). A very northerly Orchard Oriole turned up on 22–27 May in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist (James Barber).

This year’s spring was very good for rare warblers, with Worm-eating Warblers showing up on 24 Apr in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Craig Anderson), 24 Apr in London, Middlesex Co (Lucas Foerster), 27 Apr in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Tristan Jobin), 29–30 Apr in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Owen Ridgen), 2 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (Joshua D. Vandermeulen), 4 May in Fonthill, Niagara RM (Viv Kinnaird), 4–10 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Rob Crawford), 13 May in Fort Erie, Niagara RM (Walter Parker), 17–20 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), and 28 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Mike Irwin). Prothonotary Warblers showed up in several locations outside of their usual breeding grounds, with reports on 5 May in the City of Toronto (Paul Foster), 15 May in Jordan, Niagara RM (Ryan Griffiths), 18 May in the City of Toronto (Mark Stevenson), and 29 May in Forest Park, Prescott and Russell Co (Gregory Zbitnew). Swainson’s Warblers were banded at two different locations, with one banded on 30 Apr at Long Point, Norfolk Co (Brendan Boyd) and one on 13 May at Pelee Island, Essex Co (Pelee Island Bird Observatory). Another rare warbler with widespread reports throughout the province was Kentucky Warbler, with reports in Chatham-Kent, Essex, Norfolk, and Lambton Cos and Halton and Niagara RMs. Several Kirtland’s Warblers were observed, with some days having several reports and even some birds that stuck around until breeding season, with reports on 2 May in Long Point, Norfolk Co (Stuart A. Mackenzie), 9 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Ron Ridout et al.), 9 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Gail Griffith), 9 May in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (fide Blake Mann), 10 May in Kettle Point, Lambton Co (Carshenan Lai, Matt Parsons), 11 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (m. ob.), 17 May in Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton Co (Paul Eagles), and 31 May carrying into the June breeding season in Barrie, Simcoe Co (Jim Forrest). Yellow-throated Warbler was another warbler species with widespread reporting in southern Ontario counties with Chatham-Kent, Essex, Wellington, Prince Edward and Norfolk Cos, Waterloo, York, and Peel RMs and the City of Toronto all seeing at least one report each. An unusual record of a Grace’s Warbler was recorded on a boat on 16 May offshore Point Pelee, Chatham-Kent Co (Geoff Carpentier)—if accepted by the OBRC, this would represent only the second record for the province. The last warbler rounding out our list is a spring report of a Black-throated Gray Warbler on 5 May in Mississauga, Peel RM (fide eBird).

Ontario’s first record of a Hepatic Tanager came this spring, with the bird sticking around for two days from 14–15 May in Oakville, Halton RM (Ben Oldfield, Markus Legzdins). Summer Tanagers were another rare species widely reported throughout Ontario, with reports coming in from Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Elgin, Bruce, Lambton, Middlesex, and Prince Edward Cos, the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto, Halton, Peel, and Waterloo RMs, and Algoma and Thunder Bay Dists. Several Western Tanagers were also seen, with observations on 22–27 Apr near Gauley Bay and subsequently on Parker Island, Bruce Co (Kim Tilmans, Sean Hennessey, and Deklan Hennessey), 17 May at Long Point, Norfolk Co (Dennis Mulvena), 23 May in Thunder Bay Dist (Steve Nash), and 29 May in the City of Toronto (Kai Sheffield)—this last bird identified by call notes from a cell phone video clip. Almost all the Blue Grosbeaks were seen in Essex County including on 10 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (m. ob.), 15 May on Pelee Island, Essex Co (Alvan Buckley), 15 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (fide Andrew Wiebe), 17 May in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Kiah R. Jasper), and the only non-Essex sighting on 27 May in Miller Lake, Bruce Co (Zane Shantz). Three Painted Buntings also made their appearance this spring, being seen quite early on 13 Mar until 8 Apr in Arnprior, Renfrew Co (Moira Sara), 8 May in Sunshine, Thunder Bay Dist (Dana Zellweger), and 21 May at Long Point, Norfolk Co (Brandon R. Holden). Finally, Dickcissels were again widely reported in Ontario, with sightings in Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Huron, Middlesex, and Haldimand Cos, the City of Toronto, and Thunder Bay Dist.

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 08 Nov 2022.