I was originally planning to do weekly updates for June but never really around to it so I'm doing another month recap. In August, I'll try to get back into the routine of doing weekly updates.
In June, I added 5 new species to my 2023 HSA year list bringing me to 243. Although five new species does not sound like much, it was a crucial part of the big year to find the species that I missed earlier in migration and could be tough to find in fall. If you did not already know, I am in Michigan and will be for the next few weeks. This meant I had to get my two main target birds, Black-billed Cuckoo and Alder Flycatcher before the end of June.
Both these species had evaded me throughout May but thankfully they are local breeders here in the HSA. I had to leave for Michigan on the 23rd so I only had so many days to go out and look but at the same time manage with school work and upcoming exams. In the end, I somehow managed to do both of those.
On the 19th, I visited Rowan Keunen's yard, hoping to see the Alder Flycatcher(s) that he's had on his property for the past few weeks. Also viewed from is yard is a spectacular pond that has hosted several rarities within just the past year. Things like Little Blue Heron, King Rail, Red-necked Phalarope and many species of shorebirds. It shouldn't be long before another rarity is found there by Rowan!
Rowan kindly showed me around his property and it wasn't long before we spotted the pair of Alder Flycatchers. After that, my dad and I drove around the nearby roads and tracked some more down! These ones were chasing each other around and calling a whole bunch.
Alder Flycatcher
Black-billed Cuckoo was the other target bird I was hoping to get before I left. In the HSA, it seems like Yellow-billed Cuckoo is more abundant than Black-billed and in general Cuckoos are very difficult to find. I was lucky enough to see a Black-billed Cuckoo in the DVCA on the 17th but that's all thanks to the tip I received earlier that morning from Matt Mills.
Black-billed Cuckoo
Now onto a surprise bird, an Acadian Flycatcher! This was a bird that I had about a 50/50 chance of getting in the HSA this year. Surely ACFL occurs every year within the boundaries of the HSA its just that the ID can be a little tricky in the field if its not calling and they usually prefer dense forests which means they could go unnoticed fairly easily.
The one that was found at the end of May in the Cambridge area actually stuck around for a while and I was fortunate enough to get access to the area of woods near the Sudden Tract that the Acadian Flycatcher had been seen in. This male was on territory and trying to attract a mate with its beautiful songs and calls.
Acadian Flycatcher
Throughout June I've also been focused on birding along the lakeshore. Possibilities are just about endless on the lake even during the summer months. Of course now with the amount of people on the beaches and walking out on the piers, little is attracted to land and take a rest. But you never know what you're going to see unless you go out and look.
I spotted several northbound Common Loons, some late winter ducks like Common Goldeneye & Red-breasted Mergansers! What also felt rewarding was a group of 10 Sanderlings flying east past Oakville Harbor one fine day.
I also had some luck at Arkendo Park; finding a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a pair of Horned Grebes. Lots of gulls and terns gather on the large cement pier and I'm always hoping to find a Franklin's or Laughing Gull there.
On June 10, my mom and I went kayaking at Binbrook CA in Hamilton to see if maybe the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron found in late May had stuck around. We arrived in the early morning and paddled around for 3 hours covering a distance of 4 miles. No Yellow-crowned Night-Heron but I'd say it was still a very worthwhile trip.
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
On June 18 I went out with Nate Klassen looking for grassland birds in Bronte Provincial Park. We enjoyed the presence of all the Bobolinks and their interesting R2-D2 like song. Plenty of Savannah, Field, Song and Swamp Sparrows were also hanging around in the grassy fields.
Bobolink
Enjoy the rest of your summer and make sure to still get out as there is much to be found! ✌
End of June HSA year list: 243
Rare birds in the HSA throughout June:
Brant - Surprisingly a second bird appeared and joined the original Brant. Foraging on the grassy waterfront lawn with several other Canada Geese (Frances Maas)
Acadian Flycatcher - Singing male on territory on private land near Cambridge. Found at the end of May and continued until at least June 13 (Will Van Hemessen).
American White Pelican - Group of 4 flying east over Lake Ontario being viewed from Rattray Marsh in Mississauga (Tess Jackes; June 14).
Needs list for HSA
Stilt Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Parasitic Jaeger
Long-tailed Jaeger
Pomerine Jaeger
Barred Owl
American Pipit
Common Redpoll
Eurasian Wigeon
Eared Grebe
Ross's Goose
Barrow's Goldeneye
Piping Plover
Hudsonian Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Red Knot
Purple Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Willet
Red-necked Phalarope
Wilson's Phalarope
Red Phalarope
Sabine's Gull
Northern Gannet
Neotropic Cormorant
American White Pelican
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Golden Eagle
Nelson's Sparrow
Northern Goshawk
Cave Swallow
Pine Grosbeak
White-winged Crossbill
Red Crossbill
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Connecticut Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prarie Warbler
Summer Tanager
Dickcissel
Kirtland's Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
