2005 Annual Report
– Bird Records

In 2005 a total of 248 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 Barn Owl! based on an injured bird that was found on a logging truck that traveled between Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay. Unfortunately, this bird died, and is being sent to the Royal Ontario Museum. It is only the second record for Northern Ontario. It is added to our list as a rare species, bringing our total for the district to 348 species.

Regular Species
We have 246 regular species, of which 225 were reported in 2005, down from 230 last year. The eleven species missed were Greater White-fronted Goose, 6 shorebirds (Hudsonian Godwit, Upland Sandpiper, Red Knot, White-rumped Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowicher and Wilson's Phalarope), Black Tern, Chimney Swift, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Sedge Wren. If anyone saw any of these species in 2005, please inform the writer..

Rare Species
Twenty-three rare species were recorded in Thunder Bay District in 2005, up from the 19 seen in 2004. A list of these rarities is found at the end of this report.

Exotic Species
Ieveral exotics were spotted in 2005. Chukars and Ring-necked Pheasants spread out from local releases, while Wild Turkeys strayed from their home farms in several areas, including the Kakabeka Falls area, and Mountain Road. A European Goldfinch visited a feeder in Geraldton.

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 5E5

List of Rare Species Observed in Thunder Bay District in 2005
Harlequin Duck, 2 females at Thunder Cape, Oct. 15
Pacific Loon, adult at Thunder Cape, Aug. 22
Cattle Egret, Slate River Valley, Nov. 10
Red-necked Phalarope, Mission Island, Sept. 3
Great Black-backed Gull, sub-adult at the John Street landfill, Jan. 26
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, banded at Thunder Cape, Sept. 13
Barn Owl, north shore, Nov. 11
Red-headed Woodpecker, Devon Road camp, May 22-23
Red-bellied Woodpecker, female at a feeder W. of Schreiber, May 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, adult male at Thunder Cape, Oct. 23-27
Carolina Wren, MacKenzie Beach, Dec. 1-6
Golden-winged Warbler, Thunder Cape, May 18
Pine Warbler, Thunder Cape, May 5
Kentucky Warbler, Thunder Cape, May 13
Hooded Warbler, female at Marks St. backyard, Apr. 22
Yellow-breasted Chat, dead on Thunder Cape trail, Apr. 23
Summer Tanager, female in Marathon, Nov. 1
Eastern Towhee, male in Geraldton, Nov. 14-21
Lark Sparrow, Lappe feeder, Apr. 20-23
Lark Bunting, male at Thunder Cape, May 23
Grasshopper Sparrow, banded at Thunder Cape, May 20
Dickcissel, female at Mission Island marsh, May 23
Eastern Meadowlark, Thunder Cape, May 12

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