It has been a productive weekend for atlassing here in northern Muskoka. Highlights were a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and 2 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS near Aspdin. Searches for Spruce Grouse and Gray Jays were unsuccessful, despite being in suitable habitat for several hours.
The woodpecker was on Old Aspdin Road about 500 m SW of its east junction with Muskoka Road 3. Road 3 intersects Hwy. 11 at the south end of Huntsville. Old Aspdin Road is 8 km W of Hwy. 11. The flycatchers are best reached with a high clearance vehicle. From Old Aspdin Road, return to Road 3 and travel W 3 km to Aspdin. Here, go N on Muskoka Road 31 and follow it about 6 km to Stitsted Landfill Road. Take this road west for 1 km to the landfill gate. Here, continue W on the trail through the large Tamarack - Black Spruce swamp, listening for the flycatchers along the way. ********** Burke Korol Huntsville, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Burke Korol" <[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.
