2004 Annual Report
– Bird Records
In 2004 a total of 249 species were reported from Thunder Bay District by members and friends of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. This is about average, and is lower than 2003's record total of 257 species. One new species was added to the list, the Cackling Goose, which is the result of a split from the Canada Goose: The Cackling Goose is the small form, formerly known as Richardson's Canada Goose. It is added to our list as a regular species, bringing our total for the District to 347 species.New Checlist
In 2004 the fourth edition of the Checklist was published. It incorporates all the changes that have been made to the names and taxonomic order of the birds of North America by the American Ornithologists' Union, except for one: the Cackling Goose split was announced just after the Checklist had gone to the printers. Several changes have been made to the status codes in the list, based on the cumulative records of the past 10 years. Some previously regular species have become rare, and vice versa. The status codes are explained in the back of the checklist. The Checklist Committee was made up of myself, Allan Harris, Brian Moore and Brian Ratcliff. Checklists are available at a cost of $2 each at TBFN meetings.Regular Species
Based on the new 2004 list, we now have 235 regular species, of which 230 were reported in 2004. The five species missed were Ruddy Duck, Upland Sandpiper, Red Knot, Long-billed Dowitcher and Wilson's Phalarope. If anyone saw any of these species in 2004, please inform the writer..Rare Species
Nineteen rare species were recorded in Thunder Bay District in 2004, a marked drop from the 34 the year prior. Part of this difference is due to the reclassification of several previously rare species, such as House Finch and Northern Cardinal, as regular now. A list of these rarities is to be found below.Exotic Species
Several exotics were spotted in 2004, more than usual. Chukars and Ring-necked Pheasants spread out from local releases, while Wild Turkeys strayed from their home farms. A European Goldfinch was seen by several people as it worked its way down the Sibley Peninsula last spring; it was ultimately caught and banded at Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. Around the same time a Chaffinch was at a Silver Islet feeder. The origin of these European birds remains a mystery; many others were seen in Southern Ontario and the midwest US this past spring. Finally, a Zebra Finch was seen briefly this fall at Thunder Bay's Marina Park.I wish to extend my thanks to those who submit their bird records. Without these sightings the current compilation would be incomplete. Any interesting or unusual bird sightings can be transmitted to me by either mail, or, preferably, e-mail at ngescott@shaw.ca
Respectfully submitted,
Nick Escott, Bird Records Chairman
650 Alice Avenue, R.R. #14, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E5List of Rare Species Observed in Thunder Bay District in 2004
Mute Swan, December 6, immature at Pool 7B elevator slip
Eurasian Wigeon, May 9, male at the Provincial Mill
Harlequin Duck, September 4, female at Thunder Cape
Yellow Rail, May 27, Wolf River mouth
Willet, May 21, Chippewa
Red-necked Phalarope, September 2, Mission Island
Great Black-backe Gull, July 2 and 8, adult at Caribou Island Lighthouse
White-winged Dove, May 22, McGregor St., Fort William
Rufous Hummingbird, August 9, adult male at Marathon
Red-headed Woodpecker, June 21, Lawrence Ave.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, February 23-29, male at Amethyst Harbour
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, October 28, Arby's, Red River Road
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, November 19, Hanna Road farm
White-eyed Vireo, October 21, banded at Thunder Cape
Golden-winged Warbler, May 19, 3 at Thunder Cape
Pine Warbler, July 16, singing male at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Summer Tanager, May 1-13, 1st year male at Vickers Heights
Eastern Towhee, January 1-6, female at John St. Road, Murillo
Bullock's Oriole, May 27-30, male at Pearl
