The Tower Trail in MacGregor Point Provincial Park always has some surprises at this time of year. Walking this trail this morning (part of a natural flyway for migrating birds along the Huron Shore), I came across some good first year birds for myself. Starting at the south end of the Tower Trail, I heard and saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drumming on a tree about 50 feet south of the Tower. 2 ponds north of the Tower was a Winter Wren staying low in the shrubs that were found nearby. On the way back out about a 100 feet south of the tower was a Gray-cheeked Thrush.
Along the dike which parallels the Bruce-Saugeen Road (the southern border of the park) was probably the same Eastern Phoebe that has been hanging around for the last 3 weeks. Walking back to my car along the road was a Brown Creeper in the woods on the south side, and nearby were with some Golden-crowned Kinglets. The 6th Annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival takes advantage of this natural flyway for migrating birds and you can be part of the action. For information on the festival, check the Friends of MacGregor Provincial Park web site at http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org Directions to the Tower Trail: Drive south of Port Elgin on Hwy 21 to the Bruce Saugeen Road (Town Line Road) for approximately 7 K. Turn right (at the defunct By-Rite gas station driving towards the Lake. This road will turn into the southern boundary of the MacGregor Point Provincial Park which will be on your right. The Tower Trail can be accessed by parking near and walking over the wooden pedestrian bridge that can be seen for the road. Fred Jazvac Southampton Fred & Beth Jazvac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
