Hi all!
About 30 stalwart souls in about 18 vehicles braved the raw weather of
to-day and were able to keep their spirits and good humour intact to enjoy
some interesting bird sightings. From the Angus Tim Horton's we followed
Dave Milsom's route(OFO NEWS - Feb 2003). Dave was delayed on a Quest trip
in Spain, so leading duties fell to myself with the able asistance of Jean
Iron and Don Barnett and several other experienced members.
On the north side of #90 west of Sunnidale Rd. we had a dozen or more
Wild Turkey, including at least 3 toms. Some saw 5 Evening Grosbeak and an
E. Phoebe en route and at the McKinnon Road/2nd.Concession "big wet" we
counted over 100 N.Pintail, 30+ Ring-necked Duck, N. Shoveller, Bufflehead,
Green and Blue-wingesd Teal, Mallard,A. Coot Pied-billed Grebe and a flyover
of 7 Wood Duck. We had great views of more than 30 Greater Yellowlegs and
as we were leaving a flock of Pectoral Sandpiper lept out of hiding for an
exciting fly around. There were many Tree Swallows and a few Barn Swallows
hugging the water desperately seeking sustenance.
The feeders at the end of McKinnon had the usual feeder birds and we
carried on to our next stop at the end of Baldwick Lane. We had a Brown
Thrasher, Brown Creeper, R.C. Kinglet, Winter Wren and Rusty Blackbird en
route to where Barred Owls were located last year. We dipped on luring
these to within earshot, but did manage to upset a Porcupine, who trundled
off grumbling. A possible Ruffed Grouse was spotted by a few and we
returned to Angus T.H. to warm up and use the facilities.
Along Pine Grove Road, some sharp-eyed members spotted E. Bluebiord,
E. Meadowlark and Belted Kingfisher. We walked the Old Rail trail to the
overlook adding N.Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee and Hermit Thrush to our
day list. The trail west from #28/George Johnson Rd. was even less
productive and the last 10 vehicles carried on.
At the north end of the village of Minesing we drove west to the end
of Ronald Road seeing 2 (Prairie) Horned Lark en route. We saw our first 2
Red-tailed Hawk of the day and walking down the lane to the flooded
Nottawasaga River, found a well scavenged Wild Turkey carcass, but no-one
wanted to make a wish. We had both Downy and Hairy Woodpecker in the wet
woodland and 4 Wilson's Snipe overhead.
Although the list for the day was just 57 species, this trip was a
success and I hope to see you at Rondeau P.P.V.C. next Saturday at 8 a.m to
celebrate May Day appropriately - with a wealth of wonderful warblers.
Cheers! Maris
Maris Apse - OFO SALES
511 Chamberlain Lane
Oakville ON L6J 6A2
905-338-0318
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