Jay Peterson, David Mudd and I started the day at Normandale and saw the Painted Bunting at 6:15am at the feeder, for about 10 minutes. The owners of the feeder are EXTREMELY hospitable (chairs and coffee provided to us). They said that the bird typically doesn't show up until 8 to 8:30. We waited and sure enough it showed up again about 8:20.
Next we drove west on highway 24 to the 1/4 line west (?) and then north on it to Concession 6. Driving east on Conc. 6, we had a male Hooded Warbler and a Merlin. Next stop, the Townsend Lagoons, where the Red-necked Phalorope was easily found among the many other shorebirds. Finally we drove to Dunnville for the Cattle Egret which was clearly visible close to the road in proximity to the small herd of cattle. NB. A police officer suggested that we not stop at this spot as it was close to a curve, so Jim Watt's idea (see below) is probably best. On the way home, we had two Mockingbirds. Directions to Cattle Egret (per Jim Watt): Located at Haldimand-Norfolk Rd 3 (Lakeshore Rd.) at King Rd. This is located just east of Rock Pt PP. I parked on King Rd, which runs between Haldimand-Norfolk Rd 3 and Rymer -------------------------------------------- Directions to Townsend Lagoons (per Tom Thomas). The Lagoons can be found by exiting H6 at the sign for Townsend, which is south of Hagersville. Turn left at the four way stop sign (Keith Richardson Parkway), and continue to the second turn off on the right which is conc.14. The lagoons are just up the road on your right. -------------------------------------------- Directions to the Painted Bunting at the Hidden Valley campground (per Ron Ridout) Highway 24 south through Simcoe, bearing west around the curve at Young's Creek. Travel west on 24 to Regional Rd. 10. Turn south (left from the east, right from the west) towards Turkey Pt. Travel south past 2 concessions and the entrance to Turkey Pt Provincial Park (on the left). Just south of the entrance to the provincial park, turn east (left) on the Front Rd. (I don't think it is signed but I believe there is a sign pointing left to Normandale). Travel 2.2 kms. east as the Front Rd winds through the forest and then down the hill into Normandale. Near the bottom of the hill you will come to Moles Road on the north (left) side that bears diagonally back to the northwest. Turn left on this road and travel to the second driveway on the right (200 metres). This is the well signed entrance to the Hidden Valley campground. Drive down this long driveway to the main office and park in the parking area on the left side of the office. Remember to check in at the office and pay the parking fee. To the left of the office and public parking is the main driveway into the campground itself. After leaving the office, walk around the yellow traffic gate. Walking up this driveway, you will come almost immediately to a brown washroom building on the right. Just past this building, the driveway splits. Bearing right at this split, the bird is coming to the hanging feeder at the first trailer on the right past the washrooms. These feeders are best viewed from the vicintiy of the washrooms. Ian Cannell Concord, Ontario.
