Good morning Ontbirders Yesterday, Friday, April 18, 2003 Stan Bajurny and I did another run down to the Long Point area and again did well but it is too late at night to list the Long Point part of our outing as it is (12:45am) and I just got home but below are a few of our sightings at Townsend sewage lagoons on the way home.
The number of Canada Geese are down to about 1000+ and only a couple hundred ducks but the Richardson's Geese are up to 7 from 5 last Saturday. Also there was an increase in Snow Geese with 25 birds flying into the lagoons in the evening (14 White and 11 Blue Phase). We hoped to see a few Tundra Swans but were surprised with a noisy 133 birds coming in, down from last weekends 600+ birds. We didn't see any Ross's Geese this time, dead or alive ! Other birds seen in the hour we were there were 31 Pectoral Sandpipers passing only feet above us, 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 3 Purple Martins and 100+ Herring Gulls flying south.. Okay - A quick list of birds seen at long Point Provincial Park in no particular order. 4 Sandhill Cranes, 6 Wilson Snipe, 1 Com. Loon overhead, 1 Pine Warbler, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 16 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 8 Chipping Sparrows, 2 E. Phoebe, 1 Carolina Wren, & 7 Hermit Thrush and at Old Cut Woods we counted 14 Ruby-crowned and 37 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Winter Wrens, 1 House Wren, and 1 Carolina Wren . Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOWNSEND SEWAGE LAGOONS On the way down to Long Point on Hwy 6 you will pass through Hagersville and drive towards Jarvis. Just as you approach the town you will see a sign indicating "TOWNSEND" at Nanticoke Creek Parkway #69. Turn right here and drive to the intersection with the stop signs, turn left on Keith Richardson Parkway and drive past some park ponds on your right. Drive ahead until you see a small children's shelter with an air conditioner on it's side (really). Turn right here on County Rd 14. This is just before you reach the abandoned railway line (tracks removed) and it is on your right. Turn right here and drive a few hundred yards and you will see a gate and sign indicating that this is a waste treatment area.. Park well to the side of the road or across the road and do not block the gate. If the gate is open (they are on some weekends) then do not park directly across from the gate as the larger "Honey Trucks" need the area to swing into and out of the entrance road. These lagoons are only accessible on the weekend except maybe after 6pm during the week. ============================================================================ = 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. If the park is closed for the season (and it is) then park here being sure not to block road and walk into the park. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). ============================================================================ ===== 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 and walk across the road to the woods. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). NCM "Norm Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
