2006 Annual Report
– Bird Records

In 2006 a total of 250 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. Amazingly, four new species were added to the list this year, all from the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory, bringing our total for the District to 352 species. These new species are listed below.

Regular Species
We have 246 regular species, of which 225 were reported in 2006. Of the ten species missed half of them were shorebirds (Hudsonian Godwit, Upland Sandpiper, Red Know, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Wilson's Phalarope), which is surprising, since Lake Superior eas at its lowest level in many years, and there were many exposed sandbars and mudflats along the lakeshore. The other regular species missed were Common Tern, Black Tern, Great Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird and Sedge Wren. It is interesting that seven of these ten species were not reported last year either. If anyone saw any of these species in 2006, please inform the writer..

Rare Species
Twenty-five rare species were recorded in Thunder Bay District in 2006. These included the additions to our list, which are Yellow-billed Loon, Sabine's Gull, Ash-throated Flycatcher and Green-tailed Towhee.

Exotic Species
Once again in 2006 Ring-necked Pheasants spread out from local releases and several were reported by TBFN members, usually along highways and roads in Slate River Valley. "Wild" turkeys have started nesting in the Mountain Road area, but still rely on people to feed them. The Ring-necked Pheasant is on our list as an extirpated species, and thus is considered an exotic now until it can be confirmed that they can survive the winter unaided by human intervention.

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 2006
Eurasian Wigeon, Chippewa, April 26
Harlequin Duck, Mission Island marsh, May 8
yellow-billed Loon, Thunder Cape, October 14
Western Grebe, Thunder Cape, September 5-6
Cattle Egret, Mission Island, April 12
American Avocet, NWP marsh, May 10
Willet, NWP marsh, May 4-6
Great Black-backed Gull, Pool 6 site, April 20
] Sabine's Gull, Thunder Cape, october 20
White-winged Dove, Maatta Road, Nipigon, July 17
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Thunder Cape, September 18
Rufous Hummingbird, Summit Avenue, P.A., May 7-8
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Jackfish Lake, Terrace Bay, January 28
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Thunder Cape, April 26
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Lake Marie Louise, SGPP, October 1
Carolina Wren, Current River feeder, December 10-31
Northern Wheatear, Lakehead University, September 6-11
Sage Thrasher, Chippewa Park, may 24
Pine Warbler, Hill St. backyard, May 10
Prairie Warbler, Thunder Cape, June 20
Green-tailed Towhee, Thunder Cape, June 10
Eastern Towhee, Nipigon feeder, January 10-22
Lark Bunting, Mountain Bay Road, May 18-19
Grasshopper Sparrow, Thunder Cape, May 29
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, NW of Murillo, December 31

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