Among the birds seen yesterday, after Norm& Stan left, was a Hudsonian Godwit seen from the tip of the Willows trail/tac
"Good morning Ontbirders" Yesterday, Sat. Oct. 4, 2003 Stan Bajurny and I made one of our frequent trips South of Hamilton and on the way we stopped at Cootes Paradise and were rewarded for the second weekend in a row with Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Between us we saw 3 of the sparrows yesterday. Also of note were an American Bittern, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, 6 Cliff swallows flying west and the usual Marsh Wrens and Swamp sparrows. The same area last weekend produced 2 Sedge Wrens and 5 species of Woodpecker along with a good mix of Waterfowl and Passerines. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] DIRECTIONS:- COOTES PARADISE IN DUNDAS >From Toronto drive west on the QEW until you come to the Y intersection in Burlington of the QEW and Hwy 403. Take Hwy 403 to the Main Street exit in Hamilton and drive right to Main Street West. Turn left on Main Street and drive past the McMaster University Medical Centre to Cootes Drive on the right. Drive down Cootes Drive to the bottom of the hill where the road crosses a small bridge, continue on to York Rd (the 1st lights), turn around here and drive back towards the bridge and park just short of this bridge. The beginning of the trail is across Cootes Drive This is an extensive marsh and there are several trails. If you cross the small bridge just down the trail and go to your left after crossing this same small bridge you will come to a disused viewing tower. Go straight ahead and look for the Sparrows out in the marsh grasses ahead. BIG CREEK MARSH Big Creek Marsh 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 along the road until you see a graveled parking lot on your right. Park here and go up onto the dyke and the marsh is right in front of you. A viewing platform is to your left and if the gate on your right is open then you may want to walk the whole loop watching and listening. If this gate is closed then do not, I repeat do not go over or around it as you will be seen and fined ($100.00 +) the wildlife people take any trespassing very serious and you can be seen from their offices. The closure is for the good of the waterfowl. There is no hunting involved. Of course you will notice a brand new viewing platform right in front of the parking area and this gives a good overview of the marsh and you may choose to go no further. 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. 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 at all of the above locations. "Norm Murr" <[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. Thomas Allan Crooks 489 Forestwood Court Burlington. Ontario, Canada L7L 4K6 (905) 634-1178 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Thomas Crooks" <[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.
