August Sightings of Interest

Nighthawk migration: On August 29, Tim Dyson & I counted migrating Common Nighthawks from Back Dam Park near Warsaw from 6-8pm. We tallied 133 birds, with one “flock”comprising at least 48. Quite a sight! Tim has already had several evenings in late August with more than 100 nighthawks. Nighthawks are designated as a Species of Special Concern in Canada (COSEWIC – 2018) Their population in southern Canada has declined by 68% since 1970, but the rate of decline has slowed appreciably over the past decade, and the species appears to be quite abundant in suitable boreal habitats.

A loose flock or “kettle” of about 48 nighthawks at Warsaw on August 29, 2019 – Drew Monkman

Nighthawk soaring over Back Dam Park – Drew Monkman

American Chestnut update: On my efforts to re-establish American Chestnut: Lots of good news. First, all of seedlings that I started in the Spring have survived and seem to be thriving. Of course, we still have Winter to get through. Second, for the first time, all three of my most mature trees produced catkins this Spring, although I only see developing Chestnuts on two of them. I’m hopeful that I will be able to harvest many more viable seeds this Autumn than last. Third, and maybe most important of all, I discovered an American Chestnut sapling that must be at least five years old only metres away from the three original trees that I planted. Given its height (about a metre and a half) I surmise that it was planted by squirrels in the first year that the trees produced nuts. I have attached a picture. This is the proof I needed that the trees could self-seed up there, much earlier than I expected to have it.

We have been surprised by the lack of deer on our property. They occasionally show up on our game cameras, but we haven’t seen one during daylight since early Spring. That’s highly unusual. One that we caught six weeks ago on a game camera looked emaciated and I’m hoping that Chronic Wasting Disease isn’t affecting the local herd. We’ve only seen one Indigo Bunting and no Scarlet Tanagers, even though I have spent a good part of the Summer up there building a wood shed.  Michael Doran

American Chestnut sapling – August 2019 – Michael Doran

Great Egret (American) (Ardea alba egretta) (1)
– Reported Aug 29, 2019 10:30 by Randy Smith
– Peterborough–Television Road pond, Peterborough, Ontario
– Map:
– Checklist:
– Media: 2 Photos
– Comments: “tv. rd. pond Peterborough , watched for 30 min feeding in center area of pond , observed large white heron type bird with yellow bill and black legs (Great Egret)”

Great Egret 2 – Carl Welbourn – Television Road – August 28, 2016

Great Egret – Karl Egressy

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (3)
– Reported Aug 11, 2019 13:00 by Matt Mair
– Trent University Nature Area, Peterborough, Ontario
– Map:
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58917525
– Comments: “Three individuals seen at once in the silver maple swamp off the blue trail. Unmistakable fully red head, black wings with white patch.”

Red-headed Woodpecker (Karl Egressy)