Hello All - We took a trek up to Ontario despite the snowy weather and were
easily able to spot the NORTHERN HAWK OWL, a lifer for both Melissa and
I! I did not think the view would be so well, probably 50 feet in some
cases. He was not fazed at all by the crowd gathered - he continued
hunting the whole time and even caught a mouse in our presence. If you
have a chance, and this bird continues to be reported, I strongly recommend
taking the trip to see it (perhaps 1 1/2 hours from the Buffalo area, in
decent weather). This was 11am to noon time.
DIRECTIONS: The Guelph Line exit from the 401 Expwy. Immediately south of
the exit there's a car pool parking lot on the West side of the
road. There should be a good crowd there, and most of the time while he
was hunting, the owl was perched on the wires between this lot and Reid
Sideroad, which runs west immediately south of the exit. Great experience,
and thanks to birders from both sides of the border for their help and
useful directions!
No sign of the Red-Shouldered Hawk reported nearby. On the way back
stopped at the Pier 26 area in Hamilton - No Snowy Owl though the open
water had a variety of waterfowl, most interesting to us being the NORTHERN
SHOVELERS and HOODED MERGANSER, lots of SCAUP and BUFFLEHEADS also among
the mallards and geese. We must have just missed the snow buntings that
were reported, left just before 3. Also a BALD EAGLE was spooted in the
Cootes Paradise area over the frozen lake, while driving along the 403 W of
downtown Hamilton.
Thanks for all your help!
Greg Coniglio / Melissa Mance
Cheektowaga, New York
Greg Coniglio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
