Hi there, The bird was back today, seemed to come in from the west though and not from its regular roost site. It had difficulty landing in the yard, at #120, due to the wind, I think. It was gusty from the east. After arriving at 8 am, by 8:15 it was feeding at the new feeder with the squirrel guard, and ate 58 sunflower seeds. It flew up to roost in the deciduous tree above and back of the feeder, one of its usual roosting sites. It did not remain in the open due to the wind and dropped out of sight. About 9 am, a lovely squirrel chased it out of its hiding spot and it went up higher and in the open for the birders to view. Then it flew down to the new feeder and ate 110 sunflower seeds. Now it was really fed up, so it again perched above for a while, only to drop down out of sight again. I left for lunch about 11:40 am, with it not in sight, but someone left a note saying it came up higher in the trees for "1 minute", and then flew to its night roosting spruce trees over at #112. Probably a sweet squirrel chased it up so the birder got to see it. Large female sharpie seen only once today. Large adult sharpie just 2 blocks away. Oh bother. I arrived back at 3 pm, and filled the feeders (all birds ate a lot today, even a robin in the yard, feeding on buckthorn berries) The BT pigeon dropped down to the feeder at 4:15 and after eating 146 sunflower seeds, it flew back into the normal roost site in the spruce at #112. Best time then to see BT, is between 8 and 8:30, but be there just before 8 to be sure. Since it only stays 5 minutes and often roosts out of sight, you will need patience, luck and squirrels to see it during the day. However, last feeding has often been between 3:15 and 4:30 pm, and every day for the last week except one, it has been seen flying into the spruce at the end of the block between 3 and 5pm. I will be there to check feeders and help throughout the weekend. Please sign guestbook in pail at back.
Pete Directions to access the area... If from Toronto...come west on 401, and take the 402 towards Sarnia, exiting very soon at the Wonderland exit (100) to London, and head north. About 3-4km north on Wonderland is the Westmount Mall, a large sprawling mall on the west side of the road. Keep going north just past the mall to a streetlight indicating Village Green Avenue (one light before Commissioners Road). Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, #116, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS. Coming from west, come east on 401 to Highway 4, and head north to the 402, then east to Wonderland exit (100), turning north . About 3-4km north on Wonderland is the Westmount Mall, a large sprawling mall. Keep going north just past the mall to a streetlight indicating Village Green Avenue(one light before Commissioners road). Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, #116, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS. >From London, Village Green is one light south of intersection of Commissioners and Wonderland. Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl ). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS "Peter Read" <[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.
