On Tuesday there were NE winds in Hamilton which are good for lake watching. We need two Jaeger species and Sabine’s Gull so we planned to head in but made a stop in Dundas to see about getting a picture of a Nelson’s Sparrow. We only heard Nelson’s Sparrow in BC so it is on our list but we would like to see and photograph one. Nelson’s Sparrows are seldom seen in spring migration because they move through quickly but in the fall there are a number of traditional spots that they arrive and spend a few weeks before moving on in their migration. One spot is near along the Desjardins Canal and so we took the short walk through the tall goldenrod. Unfortunately, there were trucks and a crane working on the hydro towers so it was noisy. We stayed for a bit anyway but did not have these skulky birds pop up.

We headed to Van Wagners and set up for a lake watch. In the 3.5 hours we stayed we managed to see a few Parasitic Jaegers to add to our list. They were not close enough for a picture but close enough to identify. Well, to be fair, other birders confirmed their identity. We still have a tough time with Jaegers although we are getting better at it.

Wednesday morning was a repeat of Tuesday. First we checked for a Nelson’s Sparrow in Cambridge, then Desjardins Canal again and did not find them again so we headed to the lake again. The winds were stronger than the day before and it was chilly enough that I had long johns on and two layers of coats and gloves. There were quite a few birders there because the conditions were perfect for a Jaeger day but it was quiet. So much so that many birders left. Finally late in the day we saw 2 adult Parasitic Jaegers and had really nice scope views as they flew around out in the bay for an extended period of time. People with the big cameras managed to get decent pictures of them. We spent 6 hours there but did not have anything new. Such is lake watching…

Thursday the winds were from the East instead of Northeast which can still be good but the forecast was for light winds. I didn’t think it would be very good but at the same time I knew it would be the last day of favourable winds for a week so we dropped in to Van Wagners after seeing Babi and doing some errands. It was lovely and warm again and chatting with other birders made the time pass quickly. We only stayed a few hours as there were few birds around and birders that had been there longer had nothing to show for the time either. Hopefully we will get Sabine’s Gulls in October and maybe if we are lucky a late Long-tailed Jaeger. We spent a total of 11 hours this week lake watching to get one new species.

Friday I went to Vortex in Guelph to take my binoculars in for a repair. On day two of our East trip the focus wheel started acting up and it was an on and off problem for the whole month. I’ve had my Vortex Razor HD 8×42 binoculars since 2015 and they were fine for 6 years until the focus wheel first acted up in 2021. They had to be fixed again in 2022 and now again. They had me wait a few minutes and then brought me out a box with NEW BINOCULARS! Vortex has a life-time warranty and they stand behind that warranty. I bought Jerry a pair in 2017 and he has had them replaced twice after bad falls that broke the bins. I cannot understand why anyone would buy another brand without a life-time warranty. And they are an excellent binocular too! Vortex Rocks!

On Saturday we helped the Lions with the biyearly trash pickup along the major road in our community. When we got back home we started doing some gardening when the Discord chimes started going one after the other. Gray Kingbird, a Florida species, had been photographed at Princess Point in Hamilton in the morning but was not identified until 1:00 – we were in Hamilton at 1:57. There were 20 or so birders wandering around trying to refind the bird and more arrived while we were there. We covered the trails again and again all hoping to find a small gray bird catching insects. Unfortunately, it was not found. We stayed until after 5 and then headed home. There have been rarities this year but its been difficult to refind them. A bit frustrating for those of us doing big years. We did see and record other birds seen and Jerry took this very nice picture of a Night-Heron

Sunday we continued our discussions about the Caracara up near Timmins. Our calendar is quite full and there is little opportunity to go. I wanted to have it be a trip to get other species we still need but I don’t think we have a window for another few weeks with Thanksgiving coming up and the bird may leave soon as the weather cools down. It will be a very last minute decision if we go and a quick trip up and back.

Week 40 1 species added 420 on ebird and 421 on my list E&J