Thunder Cape Bird Observatory
2007 Annual Report (to include 2006)

The Thunder Cape Committee met twice during each year 2006 and 2007. Continuing committee members are Nick Escott, Al Harris, Sue Bryan, George Holborn and Brian Ratcliff. Bruce Stonehouse resigned as TBFN executive representative; this position was taken over by Sue Bryan, who is now on the TBFN executive. Her place was taken by Brian Moore. Allan Gilbert joined the Committee last year to replace Mark Conboy, who moved away from Thunder Bay. Allan Gilbert was elected the new chair at the November 2007 meeting.

The TCBO Terms of Reference have been completed, and have been approved by the TBFN Executive. The Terms of Reference spell out the goals and objectives of TCBO, details on the TCBO Committee structure and its nomination and voting procedures, and financial relationship with TBFN.

John Woodcock, our Coordinator, was again in charge of the program in 2006 and 2007. Spring and fall migration coverage were as usual. During the summer John again participated in the MAPS program at Thunder Cape. In 2006 there were 11 volunteers in the spring and 12 in the fall. In 2007 29 volunteers contributed 464 hours of coverage. Volunteers came from as far as England, Wales, and California.

As usual, data were collected according to strict protocols developed by the Canadian Migration Monitorin Network, and were submitted to Bird Studies Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Detailed accounts of each migration monitorin season, including lists of volunteers, and financial supporters, are published in Thunder Cape News, which is distributed twice a year to TCBO members. Membership is $10 per year, and can be combined with TBFN memberships.

In 2006 a new cabin was built for the Coordinator. Materials were paid for through donations, and construction was by volunteers. In 2007 a new propane refrigerator was purchased. It was creatively transported to the Cape from Silver Islet on a tandem of canoes, a story which made the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal. Also in 2007 a new digital cell phone was obtained, since Rogers Wireless discontinued its analog service.

Unusual birds in 2006 were Thunder Bay District’s first Ash-throated Flycatcher banded April 26, and our first Green-tailed Towhee, which was banded June 10, and in December turned up to spend the winter at a bird feeder in SW Minnesota, making international news. On Oct. 14 a Yellow-billed Loon flew by, and on Oct. 20 a Sabine’s Gull was observed, both first records for Thunder Bay District. In 2007, a Bell’s Vireo was banded Sept. 7, another District first. A noteworthy recapture was a Sharp-shinned Hawk banded in the fall of 2006 which was caught in Regina SK a year later.

Respectfully submitted,
Nick Escott
Chairman, TCBO Committee