Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: josullivan on October 07, 2010, 08:10:54 PM

Title: Nelson's Sparrows
Post by: josullivan on October 07, 2010, 08:10:54 PM

This is the time of year to see migrating Nelson's Sparrows---formerly called Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows--in southern Ontario.  Historically, the best place by far to find them is Coote's Paradise  (Dundas Marsh) in Hamilton.  However, so far this year I have seen no reports of these very attractive sparrows.  
         I was wondering if anybody out there has any information?

I'm off work tomorrow and may try my luck.  If I go I will post--positive or negative.  They should be there but can be very difficult to see.

Brendan O'Sullivan
Mississauga

Title:
Post by: GStuart on October 08, 2010, 12:02:17 PM

There is one report on eBird for the first of October.

Title:
Post by: josullivan on October 11, 2010, 07:59:41 PM

I went to the marsh yesterday (Sunday),

Despite an extensive search involving alot of fairly strenuous walking in the marsh---keeping as much as possible to the existing trails---I failed to find a Nelson's Sparrow.   In my almost annual visits to this area , I am successful about 90% of the time. I met a couple of other birders and they hadn't seen any either.

         The saving grace was I did see 5 Hudsonian Godwits at the end of the trail at the mudflats.

Brendan