Good morning Yesterday, Sat. March 1, 2003 Stan Bajurny and I headed on down to the Long Point area and despite the fog shortened day we did okay and following are some of the hi-lites.
Along 14th Concession Rd (runs west from Townsend to Simcoe) we found a Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, and 2 beautiful male Eastern Bluebirds and then it was off to the Turkey point area. At the Turkey Point Marsh overlook we found 1 dark phase Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Wild Turkey, and 1 Northern Flicker and at Turkey Point itself wee 18 Brown-headed Cowbirds. We next stopped at Old Cut Woods where we came up with a Carolina Wren at the end of Old Cut Road and at the woods area were 50+ Red-winged Blackbirds and 50+ Brown-headed Cowbirds and overhead was a surprise American Pipit heading south (I don't blame it !). Next it was on to the Triple Bridge area on A Concession Road but as we drove along Lakeshore Road at Port Royal Stan spotted a Northern Shrike, the first of 3 for the day. At the Triple Bridge area we found another Cooper's Hawk, another Carolina Wren and 2 White-throated Sparrows. The Downy Woodpeckers here were feeling their oats as we had 4 drumming and calling at once. We now decided to head for the Jarvis area (after 3pm) and this was the best and most exciting part of the day. Along the Concession Roads south of Hwy 3 (Jarvis-Nelles Corners-Selkirk-Nanticoke square) we found a total of 45 Short-eared Owls, 2 Northern Shrikes, 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 adult Northern Goshawk many Red-tailed Hawks, a Northern Mockingbird, 2 Northern Shrikes and lots of Horned Larks and A. Tree Sparrows and Robins. SOME OF THE DAYS TOTALS Red-tailed Hawk - 61 Cooper's Hawk -3 N. Goshawk - 1 Rough-legged Hawk - 4 N. Harrier - 1 A. Kestrel - 11 Great horned Owl - 1 Short-eared Owl - 45 Northern Shrike - 3 American Crow - 93 Horned Lark - 81 Song Sparrow - 5 Dark-eyed Junco - 73 - as well as you can count these and the Tree Sparrows A. Tree Sparrow - 121 A nice outing in the winter. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] TURKEY POINT MARSH OVERLOOK To get to the Turkey Point Marsh overlook from Brantford, drive straight south down Hwy 24 through Simcoe ((following Hwy 24 as it curves west towards Long Point. About 8 km you will come to county road 10, turn left (south), (there are signs here as you approach this road indicating Turkey Point Prov. Park) and drive straight ahead for about 4 km until you reach Lakeshore Road, turn right (west), drive through the ravine and continue west until you see the chain link fence and pull off on your left (south) side. Park here and check the fields and trees. >From Hamilton drive south on Hwy 6 through Hagersville to Jarvis. In Jarvis turn right (west) on Hwy 24 and drive to Simcoe. In Simcoe turn left (south) on Hwy 24 and follow the directions in double brackets above. OLD CUT WOODS AT LONG POINT Old Cut Woods 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 until you come to Old Cut Road. Turn left and drive a couple of hundred yards down this road (you will see the entrance to the banding area on your right) this is the entrance to Old Cut Woods. Drive another 100 feet or so and you will see a parking area on your left. Park here (parking lots are snow covered) and walk across the road to the woods. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). TRIPLE BRIDGE AT PORT ROYAL / PORT ROWAN ON A CONCESSION To reach the triple bridge area you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right (west) in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive west to Simcoe and turn left (south) on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, turn left (south) on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 7 km to A Concession Road (just before the golf coarse on your right and just south of the OPP station on your left. Turn right (west) here and follow the road to Big Creek. You will come to 3 bridges only a couple hundred yards apart. Or you can drive past A Concession Road to Lakeshore Rd at the putting coarse. Turn right (west) here and drive past Lee Brown Conservation Area to the next road which is West 1/4 Line EXT. Turn right (north here and drive about 2km to A Concession Road. Turn right (east) and drive about 1 km to the bridges. NCM "Norm Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
