Hi All, hope that your Christmas and New Year has been a good one. Hope for the best for 2004! (i.e. many of the birds not on my life list!)
On January 1st, we ventured up to look for the Grey Flycatcher, with no luck. We searched for approximately 1 1/2 hours from 3:15 on with my parents. They arrived first and had heard that it had been last seen near 1:30 or so heading towards the pond and dam area. We did manage to see or hear Downey and Hairy Woodpeckers, a Northern Cardinal, several tree sparrows, and a Meadowlark in the field south from the road. Several large flocks of Canada Geese were moving north as it became darker. On the drive up, a large number of raptors were seen along the 401 from the London dump to the 403 bridge over the Grand River in Brantford. Mostly Red-tails and Kestrels, but a few nice Rough-legged Hawks as well. Today in our back yard, we watched a Great Blue Heron hack and stab a bullhead from the pond into submission, then take several minutes to swallow the 6" fish. The heron has since been enjoying the pond to digest his feast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Directions to the Flycatcher as per previous postings: More explicitly, after crossing over the downed gate , proceed forward and cross the creek, then turn right, (approx east), and follow the wooded edge past the cattail marsh towards the pond. The bird was first seen in a open glade closest to the north wood and wire fence, and it moved toward the pond. actively moving at both low and high elevations. Follow highway 3 west of Cayuga crossing the Grand River. Turn north (right) on River Road. Follow a few kilometres to Indiana Road W. Turn left (west, the only choice) onto Indiana Road W. Drive 1.8 km and pull off on the north side of the road. Walk across the field to the north (enter the property at your own peril ) about 100 m. until you reach a line of trees. Veer LEFT or WEST to a Large SINGLE roll of hay, continue up creek (left) to a downed wooden gate where you will see rusty machinery. carefully climb over the downed Gate Brett Groves Leamington, Ontario "Vicki & Brett's Email" <[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.
