Hello Birders Today Sat., Jan..18, 2003 Stan Bajurny and I headed down to the Long Point / Fisherville area and I guess we kind of did a reverse of Geoff Carpenter, et all's trip today. We started with the Gray Partridge and ended at the Owl Sanctuary near Fisherville.
After talking with Geoff and party at Old Cut Woods we went over to try and find the Pine Warbler at the entrance to Long Point Provincial Park, no luck but at the entrance area we found 1 female and 4 male Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Carolina Wren, and 2 Brown Creepers and overhead a Great Blue Heron. From here it was off to the Owl Sanctuary area and that turned out to be a very productive move. A small aside maybe worth mentioning - Between the Yuiil Rd area and the Long Point area (including both areas) we counted 204 Dark-eyed Juncos (as if you could really count them accurately!!). In the Owl Sanctuary area on Concession 6 near Fisherville we counted over one field west of the sanctuary 7 Northern Harriers ( at one time we had 5 Harriers and 1 Red-tailed hawk right in front of us, some as close as 100ft), including 2 males and 2 Red-tailed Hawks, this was as the light was fading. East of the sanctuary as we waited for the light to get dimmer we found 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 American Kestrels and 2 Red-tailed Hawks along with a very fast and high jumping Virginia White-tailed Deer. At the sanctuary itself we waited a short time and watched as 4 Short-eared Owls bucked the usual Ontario wind and hunted at times very close. After this display we decide to head for Hwy 20 and home but as we approached Hwy 20 at Concession 6 I decided to play my Eastern Screech Owl tape. I played once and immediately got a response and within 1 minute a Screech Owl was perched on a limb softly calling not 20 ft from us. A pleasant end to a good outing. DIRECTIONS OWL SANCTUARY The Owl Sanctuary is on Haldimand Concession Rd 6 northeast of Fisherville. From the centre of Hagersville drive southeast down County (Regional) Rd 20 thru Nelles Corners to the County (Regional) Rd 53, turn right (south) and drive 2 roads down to Concession Rd 6, turn left (east) on 6 and drive about 1 1/2 to 2 km and you will see the sign on your right telling you that this is the Owl Sanctuary. Best times of coarse are at dawn and dusk. LONG POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (FEE IN SEASON) The Provincial Park at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, ( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the causeway. Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left through the cottage / retail business area. Continue driving along this road passing Old Cut Road and you will come to the park entrance. The park is closed for the season so park here being sure not to block road. Just before you get to this park and only about 500 yards back is Old Cut Rd and a couple of hundred yards down this road is Old Cut Woods on your right. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). "Norm Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
