These two sunny mornings produced hundreds of swallows along the East Shore Road, between Hobarts and Hibou. They were actively feeding on emerging insects in the warming sunshine. Five species observed were: Tree Swallow (1500+), Barn Swallow (200+), Rough-winged Swallow (20 - 30), Cliff Swallow (5), Purple Martin (1). There were also several Horned Grebe, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Redhead and all three mergansers on the water.

At Hibou, opposite the water pumping station, Common Snipe were in full territorial flight display. In the conifers along the shoreline, there were small flocks of Kinglet and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Peter Middleton.

The Owen Sound inner harbour had a group of waterbirds sheltering from the gale force winds.

One Red-throated Loon, two Pied-billed Grebe, one high plumage male Ruddy Duck and one Double crested Cormorant, provided nice close quarters viewing. It is always good to check the inner harbour for birds. The shelter often attracts birds that would normally be on the open bay.

Peter Middleton.

A Boreal Owl spent the afternoon in the grape arbor behind 480 4th Avenue West, Owen Sound. Several OSFN members had the opportunity to observe the bird. At about four-thirty in the afternoon, it caught a female House Finch, successfully picking it off the feeder. It then returned to the arbor where it proceeded to pluck and devour its meal. The bird remained till dark. There was no further sighting

Peter Middleton.

Huron Fringe Birding Festival   May 24 - 27 & May 30 - June 2, 2013