2008 Annual Report
– Bird Records
In 2008, 259 species were reported from Thunder Bay District by members and friends of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. This total is higher than the last few years, and probably reflects the increasing number of birders and feeder watchers that are communicating with us via e-mail, not onl from Thunder Bay, but across the region. The Thunder Cape Bird Observatory (TCBO) continues to provide daily coverage spring and fall, and reports are coming in from new contacts made through Brian Ratcliff's popular birding column in the Chronicle-Journal. Brian Moore's comprehensive coverage of the Thunder Bay area also contributed to the good species total last year. Two new species were added to the list, bringing our total for the District to 357 species. These new species are listed below.Regular Species
We have 235 regular species, of which 232 were reported in 2008. The three species missed were Upland Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and Marsh Wren. If anyone saw any of these species in 2008, please inform the writer.Rare Species
Twenty-seven rare species were recorded in Thunder Bay District in 2008. These included the additions to our list: Trumpeter Swan and Townsend's Warbler. A list of these rarities is to be found in the separate table. As usual, many of them are from TCBO, with photographic documentation for those that were netted and banded. The highlight of the year was the nestinf of a pair of Trumpeter Swans at Arrow Lake, who hatched at least 2 cygnets. A pair of these swans, probably the same pair, nested in 2007 on Rose Lake in Minnesota, which is just south of Arrow Lake.Unusual Forms
This year two different subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco were reported: Oregon Junco, and a Pink-sided Junco in late April from Stepstone.Exotic Species
Once again in 2008 Ring-necked Pheasant was reported, this one on Candy Mountain Road. "Wild" Turkeys are still being seen in the Mountain Road area, where they are successfully nesting.I wish to extend my thanks to all 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 mail, or, preferably, e-mail at ngescott(at)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 2008
Brant, Pic River mouth, October 8
Trumpeter Swan, West end of Arrow Lake, October 16
Eurasian Wigeon, Mission Island, April 24
Harlequin Duck, Pukaskwa Park, May 22
Harlequin Duck, Thunder Cape, October 22
Pacific Loon, Hurkett, May 8
Willet, Penn Lake, Marathon, May 10
Lesser Black-backed Gull, John Street Dump, October 10
Great Black-backed Gull, Thunder Cape, August 23
White-winged Dove, Thunder Cape, May 27
Red-headed Woodpecker, Heron Bay, May 18
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pearl Harbour Estates, May 17-19
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Thunder Cape, October 20
Say's Phoebe, Terrace Bay, April 28
Rock Wren, Wolf Camp Lake Rd., Marathon, November 15
Mountain Bluebird, behind Lakehead Psych. Hospital, May 5
Wood Thrush, Thunder Cape, July 3
Blue-winged Warbler, Rainbow Falls Prov. Campground, Rossport, October 15
Townsend's Warbler, Thunder Cape, August 3
Yellow-throated Warbler, Mackenzie, May 18
Prairie Warbler, Mona St., Thunder Bay, May 25
Prairie Warbler, Thunder Cape, May 29
Summer Tanager, McVicar Creek, Thunder Bay, November 26
Summer Tanager, Scotland St., Thunder Bay, October 25
Summer Tanager, Thunder Cape, May 28
Western Tanager, Pass Lake, June
Western Tanager, Thunder Cape, May 5-7
Western Tanager, Hodder Ave., Thunder Bay, May 7-12
Western Tanager, Sunshine, May 16-18
Eastern Towhee, Rossport, November 6-14
Eastern Towhee, Nipigon
Eastern Towhee, Rossport, December 12-15
Field Sparrow, Thunder Cape, May 12
Lark Sparrow, Thunder Cape, May 13
Lark Sparrow, Thunder Cape, May 24-28
Grasshopper Sparrow, Thunder Cape, May 3
Blue Grosbeak, Pass Lake, May 12-18
Dickcissel, Pool 6 site, October 2
