Up early this morning, I squeezed in some birding between 5:30-7:30. Despite the breezy, cool conditions (June 1st!?), I observed 14 warbler species east of Aurora in the public section of Pangman Springs Conservation Area. There were at least 7 Blackpoll Warblers (5 males and 2 females that I observed) and 5 Bay-breasted Warblers (1 male and 4 females) among them. These late migrants will likely be long gone northward by next week, but it was a pleasure to see them. Also present - and presumably on territory - were Mourning, Pine, Northern Waterthrush, Am. Redstart, B&W, Blackburnian, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Cm. Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped and Blk.thr. Green. Veery, Wood Thrush and Hermit Thrush were also singing.
A Red-shouldered Hawk was on its nest a few kms. southwest of this location, but due to its fragile status, the exact location is probably best left undescribed. Also observed were a pair of Wood Ducks on Vandorf Sdrd. just east of Hwy. 48 (Markham Road) and a pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds just north of Pangman Springs (first house past the Pangman gate on the west side of Kennedy). Most of the latter property is reserved for the Trails Youth Initiative camp, but there is a fairly decent public section that can be accessed from Kennedy Rd. by driving 1.5 km south of St. John's Sdrd. and parking at the old metal gate that marks the small lane running west (through a cedar stand, if that helps). The limit of the public section is clearly marked by a sign on the main trail. Ron Fleming, Newmarket Aurora is about halfway between Toronto and Barrie. The areas described above are east of Hwy. 404. "Ronald J. Fleming" <[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.
