This afternoon, Wednesday, January 7, 2004, at 2 pm, I located a male EASTERN TOWHEE along Linear Trail in Preston, Cambridge. Klaus Mohn and Ruth Kroft indicate that this bird has been sighted intermittently since late December. (Last winter, a Spotted Towhee was observed [by many observers] and photographed immediately across the Grand River from this location within Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve.)
The EASTERN TOWHEE was observed today at two separate locations, approximately 400 m apart, along the Linear Trail consistent with earlier independent sightings by Ruth and Klaus. DIRECTIONS: From the 401 Highway, take Exit #278 -- Hwy 8/King Street through Preston, Cambridge. Continue through the business section until you reach Bishop Street (Zehrs plaza on one corner; Tim Horton's on other). Turn right on Bishop, go two blocks to Hamilton Street (L-shaped intersection). Turn right on Hamilton Street and proceed two blocks along Hamilton to the intersection of Montrose Street. Turn left on Montrose Street, proceed for two blocks (Montrose becomes Rose Street) until you see the playground and open area on the left just beyond the T-intersection with Bernhardt Street. Park and walk to the right-hand end of the swings where you should see a trail that descends the treed slope. At the base of the slope, turn sharply to the left and proceed along the trail at the base of the slope (same location as the Pine Warbler reported by me in January 2002). Locate 2 black compost barrels at the back of one of the properties that abuts the slope. The towhee has been observed in the brush and stiff-stemmed vegetation along this slope. There are feeders in the backyards abutting the slope that attract a variety of birds. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is observed most days. Alternately, return to the trail at the base of the slope and walk south toward the river until you reach the main trail along the river (Linear Trail). Proceed upriver on the trail. The towhee has also been observed scratching and feeding at the base of the shrubbery (e.g. nine-bark) along this portion of the trail. It may be anywhere within this narrow strip of vegetation adjacent to the trail. Once you reach the log bench on the river's bank you have walked beyond where the towhee has been seen. This afternoon I observed the towhee approximately 80 m downstream of the log bench. As well, Bald Eagles are being reported fairly regularly along this reach of the river. Bill Wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cambridge, ON "Bill and Heather Wilson" <[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.
