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Admirable Admirals on the Summit
When the birds aren’t showing there are usually other things to take the eye of the avid birder …
I think most of us are aware that eastern Canada is being overrun by Red Admirals–they even made CBC national news a little while ago! I was up at Summit Park before lunch. The birds weren’t particularly abundant–whether because of the time of day or the wind–so I had plenty of opportunity to watch the butterflies. I started to get frustrated because–with hundreds of trilliums blooming in the park and apparently hundreds of admirals fluttering through it–none of the latter were landing on the former, which I thought would make a nice photograph. They may not feed on trilliums, but they also don’t feed on asphalt, gravel, dead logs or plastic bags, none of which they hesitated to spend time on! They were also posing prettily on dandelions, but my heart was set on a trillium. In the end, by stationing myself near a sunny patch of trilliums, I managed to get the much-coveted shot of possibly the only trillium-loving Red Admiral on the Summit this morning.
Zofia Laubitz
Two Field trips – Saturday May 12 + Sunday May 13, 2012
Bioblitz au Parc Angrignon – Saturday May 12, 2012
Date: Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Parc Angrignon, bounded by Boulevard de la Verendrye, Boulevard des Trinitaires, and Boulevard Newman, between Verdun and La Salle, in southwest Montreal.
Directions: Metro Angrignon; or parking lots off Boulevard des Trinitaires ($) or Boulevard de la Verendrye (free).
** The precise meeting and departure points are shown on the map shown by clicking this link – http://g.co/maps/t6jgq
The general area of the park is shown in the map below:
Led by Nicholas Acheson, 514 485-3521, nicholas.acheson@mcgill.ca, and Chris Cloutier, chriscivic90@hotmail.com.
This birding trip has been organized in conjunction with Heritage Laurentien, and is part of “24 heures des sciences” (see http://www.science24heures.com/index.php), with activities throughout the province of Quebec. This is a regular Bird Protection Quebec field trip, but we will be joined by members of the public who wish to take part in the Bioblitz activities at Parc Angrignon. We will be carrying out a census of the bird species present in the park on that morning. We expect to see waterfowl and spring arrivals.
The tour begins at 8:00 am sharp. Please come a bit early so that we can organize the group; it may take 15 minutes to get to the meeting point. We have been told that signs placed in both parking lots will direct participants to the meeting point for the start of the tour, within the park. Both Nick and Chris will arrive at the parking lot off Boulevard de la Verendrye at 7:40 am.
Organisée en conjunction avec Héritage Laurentien, cette sortie fait partie des “24 heures des sciences” (voir http://www.science24heures.com/index.php), avec des activités partout au Québec. Bien qu’une sortie regulière du Protection des Oiseaux du Québec, des membres du public qui s’interessent aux activités du Bioblitz au Parc Angrignon sont encouragés à nous joindre. Nous ferons un recensement des oiseaux du parc; canards, hérons, et oiseaux migrateurs sont attendus.
Début 8:00 h. Veuillez venir un peu avant le début pour que nous puissions organiser le groupe; prévoir 15 minutes pour accéder au point de recontre. Des affiches dirigeant les participants vers le point de départ seront placées à l’entrée du parc depuis le métro ainsi que dans les stationnements. Nick et Chris arriveront au stationnement près du Boulevard de la Vérendrye vers 7h 40.
Sunday, May 13 – dimanche 13 mai
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard
Leader: Felix Hilton 514-631-3437 - hiltonfb@sympatico.ca
7:15 a.m. For directions, see April 19. Looking for shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating passerines. Half day.
7h15 For directions, voir la description de 19 avril. Espèces recherchées : limicoles, sauvagine et passereaux en migration. Demi-journée.
Rain stops play
The family bird watching trip to Ile Bizard has been cancelled tonight because of rain. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Erratum – two field trips this weekend
The 6 May field trip to Mont St-Hilaire was erroneously coupled to Saturday when posted on this news page yesterday and is, of course, on Sunday. Apologies
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The Saturday 5th May field trip is to Hudson and the details of this are below:
Leader: Barbara McDuff 514-457-2222 barb.macduff@sympatico.ca
8:00 a.m. Meet at the CPR station in Hudson. Hwy 40, exit 22 onto Côte St. Charles north, right on Main Street, left on Wharf Street. Looking for waterfowl, hawks and early spring arrivals. Half day.
8h00 Rassemblement à la gare C.P. sur la rue Wharf, Hudson. Prendre l’autoroute 40, sortie 22, et tourner à droite sur Côte St-Charles nord jusqu’à la rue Main. Tourner à droite et se rendre à la rue Wharf puis tourner à gauche sur celle-ci. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, buses et migrateurs précoces. Demi-journée.
Sunday 6 May – Field Trip – Gault Estate, Mont St-Hilaire
- Gault Estate, Mont St-Hilaire422 ch. Des Moulins, Mont-Saint-Hilaire (450) 467-4010 ext. 229
View Larger Map
Leaders: Christian Côté and David Maneli david.maneli@mcgill.ca
- 8.00 a.mMeet at the Pavillion Alice Johanssen (Please mention the BPQ field trip to the gatekeeper)Via Champlain Bridge: Autoroute 10 East then Autoroute 30 east. Take exit for route 116 (towards Beloeil) after crossing the Richelieu River. Turn right before the second light at Fortier Street. Then, turn left at chemin de la Montagne. Look for blue road signs for ‘Reserve Naturelle Gault.’ Consult the Internet for directions via Jacques Cartier Bridge or by Autoroute 20 (Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine tunnel).The Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University is a private reserve which protects 1,000 hectares of natural primeval forests of the St. Lawrence Valley. Situated at Mont-Saint-Hilaire approximately 40 km from Montreal, this panoramic natural landscape is ideal for discovering nature, teaching, and university research. The public sector, with 25 km of trail network, is open 365 days per year for visitors’ enjoyment. Looking for Common Loon, Turkey Vulture, Canada Goose, Peregrine Falcon, Pileated Woodpecker, a great variety of warblers, Scarlet Tanager, and many other species. For a complete list, please visit: https://secureweb.mcgill.ca/gault/sites/mcgill.ca.gault/files/oiseau2000eng.pdf
8h00 Rendez-vous au Pavillon Alice Johanssen (SVP, mentionnez au gardien que vous faites partie du groupe POQ)
Via le pont Champlain, Autoroute 10 Est, puis Autoroute 30 Est. Prendre la sortie pour la route 116 (vers Beloeil) après avoir traversé la rivière Richelieu. Tournez à droite avant le deuxième feu sur la rue Fortier. Ensuite, tournez à gauche sur le chemin de la montagne et suivez les panneaux bleus indiquant la ‘Réserve Naturelle Gault.’ Consultez l’internet pour obtenir des indications à partir du pont Jacques-Cartier ou par l’autoroute 20 (via le tunnel Louis-H. Lafontaine)
https://secureweb.mcgill.ca/gault/sites/mcgill.ca.gault/files/oiseau2000eng
Family Birdwatching Evening – Sortie ornithologique en famille
| Date: | Tuesday May 1, 2012 | |
| Time: | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | |
| Repeats: | This event repeats every week until Tuesday May 8, 2012. | |
| Location: | Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Ile Bizard | |
| Leaders: Frédéric Hareau 514-747-4904 fredhareau1@yahoo.ca Barbara McDuff 514-457-2222 barb.macduff@sympatico.ca In conjunction with the City of Montreal, BPQ will lead two evening field trips with the goal of promoting bird watching and nature conservation. We hope that many members will join us, and may be bring their family to these field trips designed for all ages! All are wecome. En collaboration avec la ville de Montréal, POQ organise 2 soirées ouvertes au grand public afin de promouvoir l’ornithologie et la conservation de la nature. Nous espérons que les membres viendront nombreux et pourquoi pas accompagnés de leur famille pour cette sortie ouverte à tous les âges. |
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AGM – put this in your diary
This is a reminder that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday, May 28, 2012, at the Knox Crescent Kensington & First Presbyterian Church, 6225 Godfrey Avenue, NDG.
The agenda for the AGM will include presentation of annual reports by the President and Treasurer respectively, presentation of awards, and the election of directors by members in good standing. Note that, immediately prior to the AGM, a short special meeting of members will take place in order for the membership to approve an amendment to Article 20 of the BPQ Bylaws. The biographies of candidates for election to the board, as well as the revised text of Article 20 of the Bylaws, will be distributed to members by e-mail at least two weeks prior to the AGM. Members wanting copies in advance of the meeting are advised to ensure that an e-mail address is registered with us. Printed copies will be available at the door on arrival at the meeting.
Two events for birders this Saturday 28th
Event One
Raptor day at Prévost
From 9am to 3 pm at the old rail station in Prévost.
Information stands from regional and local birding groups (including BPQ) and guided walks to the Prévost cliffs to view the nesting Peregrine Falcons and other raptors that inhabit the new Alf Kelly Nature reserve. A great chance to see some fabuous birds up close and to meet other birders.
Event two
BPQ Field Trip – Cooper Marsh
Date: Saturday April 28, 2012
Time: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Location: Cooper Marsh, ON.
Notes: Leader: Martin Bowman 613-347-1655
pict@riverlink.ca
8:00 a.m. Take Highway 20 (Ontario Highway 401) and exit at Lancaster, Ontario (exit 814). Follow Highway 2 west, and follow signs to Cooper Marsh. Park in the gravel parking area. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours travel time from Montreal. A walking trip. Looking for waterfowl, egrets, herons, hawks and passerines. Could be muddy. Half day.
8h00 À partir de l’autoroute 20 (Ontario 401), prendre la sortie pour Lancaster, Ontario (sortie 814). Prendre l’autoroute 2 ouest et suivre les indications pour le marais Cooper. Prévoir entre 1h et 1h30 de voyagement de Montréal.. Espèces recherchées : oiseaux aquatiques, de buses, de passereaux. Excursion à pied. Des chaussures imperméables sont recommandées. Demi-journée.
Warbler Walk on the Summit
| Date: | Tuesday April 24, 2012 | |
| Time: | 7:00 am – 9:00 am | |
| Repeats: | This event repeats every week until Tuesday May 29, 2012. | |
| Location: | Summit Woods Lookout, Westmount; Belvédère sur Summit Circle à Westmount | |
| Notes: | Jim Houghton Spring Warbler Walks on the Summit Les sorties printanières aux Parulines Jim Houghton au Bois Summit 7:00 a.m. Tuesdays, April 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 - Les sorties se tiendront les mardis 26 avril et 3, 10, 17 et 24 mai à 7h00. Meet at Summit Woods Lookout on Summit Circle in Westmount. If the birds are plentiful, we will stay until 9, not later. If there aren’t many birds most people will have left by8:30. We usually do the list about 8:30 and ask anyone who is staying later to call in additional sightings. To reach Summit Circle, head north on Côte-des-Neiges. Turn left on to The Boulevard. Proceed to Ch. Belvedere and turn right. Drive up the steep hill on Ch. Belvedere to Summit Circle. Summit Woods in Westmount is a wooded area transected by numerous footpaths. From mid-April to late May, spring migrants find the woods an attractive place in which to rest and feed. At least 33 warbler species have been seen over the years and at least 24 are seen each year. Come out and participate in one or all of the Jim Houghton Spring Warbler Walks with an informal group of BPQ members. It’s a perfect start to a spring day! Rassemblement au belvédère sur Summit Circle à Westmount. Pour vous rendre au Summit Circle, dirigez vous vers le nord sur Côte-des-Neiges. Tourner à gauche sur le Boulevard. Poursuivre jusqu’au Ch. Belvédère et tourner à droite. Monter la côte abrupte sur le Ch. Belvédère jusqu’à Summit Circle. Bois Summit offre un secteur boisé traversé par de nombreux sentiers. De la mi-avril à fin mai, les migrateurs printaniers trouvent cet endroit attrayant et s’y arrêtent pour se reposer et s’alimenter. Au fil des années, au moins 33 espèces de parulines ont été répertoriées et 24 espèces y sont observées chaque année. Vous êtes invités à vous joindre à l’une ou toutes les marches printanières Jim Houghton avec un groupe informel de membres de POQ. C’est une belle façon de commencer une journée du printemps. |
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