A weekend at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington gave us some great birding.
Arriving in the afternoon of the 24th as showers sprinkled the Hendrie Valley, we descended towards Grindstone Creek. Almost instantly we found birds high in the tree tops. Against an ominous sky we identified a new bird for us .. the Baybreasted Warbler, several foraged high over head. As we continued to look the more we found. We had scarely gone 50 feet into the woods birds popped up above and around. A Yellow then a Blue Headed Vireo and then a BlackPoll (another new one for us !!!) , Blackburian, Black Throated Green, Black and White, all giving us great views. The BlackPoll was set off amazingly well as he posed in a dark green fir tree. At the same moment all the birding was going on I looked down the trail and waddling between ponds a beaver !!!! All very exciting to see since the weather was a bit gloomy driving in and my hopes for seeing much were low. But surprise this was great birding with variety and two new warblers for us. Another highlight was our first Solitary Sandpiper along Grindstone Creek. Sunday produced some great moments as well. Just off from the lookout at the Marsh Boardwalk a male Canada Warbler gave us a wonderful show, a lone Wilson's also passed thru in the same thicket. By the end of the weekend we had 60+ species and between us 5 new species had given us great viewings, particularly that beautiful male Canada Warbler. Royal Botanical Gardens Centre is located at 680 Plains Road West, on the border of Burlington and Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. Hendrie Valley is directly across from the main headquarters, the north side of Plains Road. Mark Conlon Lasalle "Mark Conlon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
