Thrushin'

Last weekend I got an email from my Grandma about a varied thrush near our cottage at Marten River, about 30 minutes north of North Bay. It was being seen at a private home at Tilden Lake, 15 minutes from the cottage, so Monday my Grandma, my cousin and I went to check it out. A varied thrush in Ontario is no Frigatebird, but definitely not a bird that you see everyday, and for me, NEVER.  This would be a lifer for me! Even though I have been to BC and saw many great birds, the varied thrush seemed to elude me, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to see a nemesis since I am staying up here for Christmas break anyways.

After waiting about 10 minutes I spotted a bird high in a cedar tree. Scoped it with the bins and Shazam! Varied thrush!  Didn't even have to leave the car!

Eventually, it swooped down to take a bite from some bread the house owner had out to eat and the camera snapped away. 

I was satisfied and had another bird for "the list".

I think I will go back on January 1st or 2nd so that I can add it to 2013 ontario list. 

Happy New Year!

New Gear!!!!

I meant to do this post a while ago but for whatever reason didn't get around to it. Anyways... A sweeeet box arrived on November 29 or something like that.
Inside the box:
Swarovski ATX 85mm scope
Manfrotto 190 aluminum tripod
Kowa case
I decided to split the cost of this scope with my Grandma because she kind of wanted it too and the wopping cost of $3700 would be cut in half. This might seem like a lot to spend on a scope but you get what you pay for and I got what I paid for!!!!This scope is KILLER. After openig it I played around with it for a bit but I really got to try it out on the OFO trip I blogged about on my last post.
I can honestly say that I dont think that it is possible for a scope to be any clearer! Im also a huge fan of the zoom and the focus ring beside each other!
This thing looks Beast too! I also got the Kowa stay on case with it for 30 bucks... not bad. Also, being swaro's newest scope, it can break down into two parts. I liked this for a couple of reasons.
1. Its cool
2.It really does break down quite a bit smaller.
3. It gave me twice the excitement when I opened it
4. It could allow me to swap out angled for a straight in different situations(not ideal but just another pro)
5.I can also swap out for a bigger or smaller objective lens if I want
Tripod's solid too!
I am also thinking of getting somesort of digiscoping adapter but after the wallet recovers a bit.
Because I am posting this on my Iphone the pictures insist on going at the end so here are some pictures of the BEAUT!(and the box)

Results for OFO trip Sunday

As expected, the Gull watch on sunday was pretty good, though the rain put a damper on things. A quick over view:
"Kumliens" Iceland Gull- 2 first cycles and 1 adult at Adam Beck, 1 first cycle above the falls.
Ring billed gull and
Herring gull-enough said
Bonapartes gull- thousands at the whirlpool and above the falls
Great black backed gull- a total of about 15
Little Gull- Whirlpool and above the falls.
Lesser black backed gull- 1 first cycle at Adam beck and multiple at the control gates.
Glaucous gull- I didnt see it but one flew down river at Adam Beck.
Thayers Gull: Was seen just before most of us Got there
Rare Stuff:
Black headed gull: above the falls. I followed it in the scope for about a minute
Probable "Greenland" Iceland gull-First found by Bruce Di labio above the falls. Pictures can be seen here on his blog
http://brucedilabio.blogspot.ca/?m=1

Other interesting stuff:
Black throated blue warbler: BEAUT male above the falls.
"myrtle" warbler: whirlpool
Merlin
Carolina wren

OFO trip tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be spending the morning with the Ontario Field Ornithologists group down at the Niagara River in hopes for a few gull species.
Things that have been seen there recently:
FRANKLIN'S GULL
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Thayers gull
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Little Gull
Bonapartes Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull

So we are almost guaranteed about 10 species of gulls.
Then again there is also the possibility of finding something super exciting...(ross's, ,slaty backed etc.)
Anyways, should be a good day.
I will post about what goes on tomorrow or monday.