Dorscht Birding

If you'll believe it, a Tropical Kingbird showed up yesterday and put on a show! This is a very rare bird for Ontario and has never been recorded within the Algoma District. Read more about the sighting here: http://www.dorschtbirding.com//tropical-kingbird-in-thessa Photo: Tropical Kingbird in Thessalon, Ontario on November 7, 2020.

The next Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas starts up on January 1st. Read the article below to find out what is project is all about and how you can get involved. We are still in great need of volunteers for the Sault Ste. Marie region!

October continues to be a great month for birding. Finches are on the move, Bohemian Waxwings have started showing up, waterfowl numbers are picking up, and it's a good time of the year to find a rarity or two. I have availabilities both days this weekend if you're interested in getting out to take part in fall migration: http://www.dorschtbirding.com/p/guided-tours.html. Photo: Ruffed Grouse taken in Desbarats, Ontario on October 21, 2020

The first snowfall of the season coincided with my first Snow Bunting sighting of the season! Despite the poor weather, it was fairly birdy for this morning's tour. It was funny to see species like Greater Yellowlegs and Savannah Sparrows standing in the snow. Photo: Pumpkin Point Viewing Platform on October 16, 2020.

This white American Crow has been hanging around for about a week now and has caught the attraction of the local birding community. I was able to get my best looks yet at the bird this morning! Photo: American Crow in Laird Township, Ontario on October 11, 2020

A small but fun group today for the OFO - Ontario Field Ornithologists field trip the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary! We recorded nine species of raptors, hundreds of migrating passerines, and a few waterbirds went by as well. It was a beautiful fall day as well, making it even better! Read the outing report from the trip here: http://www.dorschtbirding.com//ofo-field-trip-to-st-joseph

I am available for private birding tours for an extended period coming up soon, from October 11th to 18th. Mid-October birding can be full of surprises, so book your tour now: http://www.dorschtbirding.com/p/guided-tours.html Photo: Red-throated Loon in Haviland Bay, Ontario on October 18, 2019.

Join me on October 10th for an OFO - Ontario Field Ornithologists field trip to the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary! Registration is required. Learn more here: http://www.dorschtbirding.com/p/guided-tours.html Photo: Cooper's Hawk at the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ontario on October 9, 2019.

Fall migration is in full swing! Lots of birds are being seen locally, including some rare ones like Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Long-billed Dowitcher. Photo: Red-headed Woodpecker at the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ontario on september 26, 2020.

The 2020/2021 Winter Finch Forecast is out. I was happy to have been asked to provide some data for this and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future!

As we enter Stage 3 of the Reopening Ontario plan today, outdoor guided tours can full resume, as long as gathering limits and social distancing practices are in effect. Fall migration is right around the corner, so book your tour now: http://www.dorschtbirding.com/p/guided-tours.html. Photo: Black Tern on St. Joseph Island, Ontario on July 4, 2020.

Check out these great photos that Renee took on our tour this past weekend!

Successful couple hour tour this morning, my first one since before the COVID-19 pandemic began, which felt like forever ago! Lots of locally breeding birds were observed and heard, such as Winter Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwings, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. None of my bird photos from the tour are worth posting, so here's a butterfly instead. Photo: Canadian Tiger Swallowtail taken in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on June 13, 2020.

One of the great things about birding during the late spring and summer is the vast variety of flora and fauna that's around to see in addition to the birds. I personally really enjoy finding as many butterflies, dragonflies, and bumblebees as I can! Photos: Mourning Cloak, Four-spotted Skimmer, and Tricoloured Bumble Bee taken in the Central Algoma area, Ontario in June 2020.

A handful of Northern Mockingbirds are seen within the Algoma District each year. I was happy to be able to see this one this evening! Photo: Northern Mockingbird near Desbarats, Ontario on June 9, 2020.

Good news! Stage 2 of Ontario's plan to reopen the economy states that tour and guide services can resume operation starting June 12th. Therefore, I will once again be available for private birding tours, starting this weekend. My full availability, and more details, can be found here: www.dorschtbirding.com/p/guided-tours.html. While spring migration may be over, there are still a lot of birds that breed locally here in the Algoma District for us to enjoy! Photo: Merlin in Echo Bay, Ontario on May 6, 2020.