Québec: Winter 2016-2017

Grebes through Vultures

Always rare in winter, single Pied-billed Grebes showed up at Magog 7-14 Jan (B. Turgeon et al.), Sherbrooke 15-22 Jan (C & A. Turcotte-van de Rydt) and Laval 25-28 Jan (D. Tétreault). A Red-necked Grebe  successfully overwintered at Laval (m. ob.). Still rare in Québec, an Eurasian Collared-Dove accompanied Mourning Doves at a feeder at Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu 11 Dec onwards (E. Landa, P. Bergeron, m.ob.). Single Killdeers at Dundee (AQ) and at Saint-Jude 25 Feb (C. Dion, M. Bouchard) were most probably early migrants. During the course of an aerial survey made by the Canadian Wildlife Service, a record 1,975 wintering Purple Sandpipers were tallied at l’Îlet aux Alouettes (Charlevoix-Est) 21 Feb (C. Marcotte, F. Bolduc, S. Orichefsky). A young Black-headed Gull at Sainte-Pétronille 2 Dec was unexpected (J. Bernier, M. Raymond). At least half a dozen Double-crested Cormorants continued in southern Québec after mid-Jan. An injured American Bittern  was found at Baie-du-Febvre 13-14 Dec, providing a record late date for the province (HC, m. ob.). A Great Egret straggled to 4 Dec at Cap Tourmente, a first in the winter season for the Quebec City area (m.ob.). A late Turkey Vulture flew over Bécancour 19 Jan (ph. HC). The first migrant Turkey Vultures reached the province by 23 Feb, notably one at Saint-Armand (N. Oborne, C. Muir-Norrie), one at Saint-Hyacinthe (R. Buteau) and three at Saint-Pie-de-Bagot (Y. Daigle). They were already numerous on 25 Feb, totalling 16 at Saint-Armand (E. Tremblay) and 14 at Granby (R. Guénette).

Owls through Pipits

A live Barn Owl was a surprising discovery in a barn at Saint-Jean-des-Piles 5 Jan. The owner of the barn was able to pick up the bird and release it outside. As the news spread, a few observers soon arrived  at the site but found the bird dead in a nearby cedar edge (H. Chevalier, P. Filion, Y. Dugré). This provided a new record late date for the species.  A total of 57 Great Gray Owls was reported in s. Québec this winter. According to a four year cycle, this irruption was expected.

Rare in winter, an immature Red-headed Woodpecker was also out of range at Godbout 4 Dec onwards (D. Saint-Laurent, JPB). For a second consecutive year, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made it through mid-winter with one at Saint-Romuald 10-21 Jan (C. Labbé). An Eastern Phoebe at Mirabel 19 Jan was quite a surprise for an insectivorous species at this record late date (FX & T. Grandmont). A chaseable Say’s Phoebe at Baie-du-Febvre 11-16 Dec survived temperature below -10 degrees Celsius during several days before vanishing at a record late date (MP, m. ob.). A Tree Swallow, misled by the mild weather, was a record early arrival by 12 days at Pointe-aux-Trembles 26 Feb (Y. Gauthier). A Marsh Wren was singing until 3 Dec at Cap Tourmente (m.ob.). A Carolina Wren at Rouyn-Noranda 5 Jan was a good find for Abitibi (C. Dion). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Angrignon Park (Montréal) 4-14 Dec was a record late date (O. Renaud, m.ob.). Probably also misled by the mild weather, several Eastern Bluebirds were reported from eight localities in Feb. Again, with five individuals tallied for the season, the Townsend’s Solitaire can be considered as the most regular vagrant from western North America in the Region. Amazingly, a Veery was photographed again this year in Dec, this time in La Baie 4 December (GS). An American Pipit at Baie-du-Febvre 26 Dec (ph, MP, E. Demers, K. Barry) provided a record late date for the Region.

Sparrows through Cardinalids

A continuing Lark Sparrow was last seen at Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé 16 Dec (A. Couture, Y. Cyr). Vesper Sparrows were found at Grand-Saint-Esprit 1 Jan (Y. Dugré) and Saint-Blaise 9-18 Feb (L. Lemay, S. Cardinal, m. ob.). A Spotted Towhee visited a feeder and was enjoyed by hundreds at Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux from 2 Dec though the end of winter. (LD, m.ob.). Eastern Towhees were reported as far north as Chutes-aux-Outardes from late Dec to 15 Jan (JPB) and at Baie Johan Beetz from 21 Dec-17 Jan (F. Cyr). An adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird at Contrecoeur 21 Jan (M. Surprenant) and another one at Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval 19 Feb (ME Boudreault) were the only ones of the season. An Eastern Meadowlark at Mirabel 28 Feb (P. Marinier) was probably an early migrant. A group of 10 Rusty Blackbirds at Stanbridge Station 13 Jan was notable (PB, SL). A Northern Parula lingered at Sainte-Catherine up to 4 Dec (SD, m. ob.). Extremely rare in winter, an Indigo Bunting was also record late at Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux 18 Dec (LD, D. Riou).