A Red-headed Woodpecker was seen between 5 and 5:30 p.m. today on various fenceposts along McNamee Road near the junction with Horncastle Road. It came as close as 15 feet of my parked car, and didn't startle when I started the engine and drove off. It tends to sit on a fencepost, then drop toward the ground and back up to the same post, as though it's hawking for insects. I have seen it (or at any rate one of the same species) several times last year and this, always on the fence that runs south from McNamee on a line with Horncastle. Today it was also on the fence along the south side of McNamee, a bit east of Horncastle. It is truly a spectacular bird, and seems not to mind, or notice, company.
McNamee Road runs east and west between "City" of Kawartha Lakes 6 and KL 35. The popular approach is to go north from Kirkfield on 6, under the liftlock, proceed several km. and as 6 bends to the left, turn right (east) onto McNamee, where you'll see the large Carden Plain Important Bird Area explanatory billboard on your left. Instead of making a quick left onto Wylie, continue on McNamee past Shrike Road. In another couple of km. you'll see a sign marking Horncastle Road. Look for the Red-headed Woodpecker on your right. Nathalie Rockhill Box 12, RR 4 Kirkfield, ON K0M 2B0 705-438-1301 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nathalie Rockhill <[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.
