All;
Just wanted to say that three of us from North Bay managed to find the
Golden-crowned Sparrow and Rufous Hummingbird during one quick trip down
south this past week-end.
If anyone has not see these birds - you should do so!
The sparrow near Ajax is surprisingly attractive, very easy to identify
when it comes out on a path for its few seconds now and again. It is a large
sparrow - one of the largest; and the gold on the crown is quite easy to see
especially in good light. We saw it after but ten minutes of watching. A
female Northern Cardinal, White-throated, Song and Tree Sparrows all popped
out now and again among some House Finches and juncos to keep our watching
time fully busy.
And someone from the Cranberry group may well be around to ensure that
you go to the right place - which is now the northern trail; and the trail
is only about 50 straight yards long - so it is not easy to get lost! - and
there are only two such short trails anyhow, both leading directly off the
access road, going towards the marsh (where the trails end!).
Then that Rufous Hummingbird, in Niagara Falls, just one and a half
hours south-west from the sparrow was just stunning! So accommodating, so
pretty, so lively, coming out every ten minutes or so - at least it did for
us in the late afternoon.
Two great little birds that you won't be disappointed by - unless you
put it off too long, as we almost did!
We were so much better looked after - than related to that darn
Smiths's Longspur of was it two years ago which, in a large field, never
showed up for us until one-half hour after we left the area, after a
week-end of searching.
Much thanks to all who kept us advised and up-dated through Ontbirds and
who are looking after the needs of these birds while in their neighbourhood!
Hopefully when you come up here this winter to find a Northern Hawk Owl
and Great Gray Owl, which are showing up almost daily, you will be as
pleased to find them as we were for the western Golden-crown Sparrow and
Rufous Hummingbird - life or Ontario list birds for most of us.
Yours etc. Dick Tafel, North Bay (Gateway to Nature).
Directions:
Rufous Hummingbird:
Take the QEW to the Thorold Stone Road exit in Niagara Falls. Now turn left
(east) to Dorchester Road, then right (south) one block to Pettit Avenue.
Take a left here and continue for about 1/2 km to Sherwood Road (directly
across from First Baptist Church on the right hand side). Turn left and
proceed one block to Peach Avenue to 4579, the second or third house on
your right.
Golden-crowned sparrow:
>From the west exit 401 at Salem Rd.(in Ajax), south to Bayly, east through
LakeRidge to the first street (Hall's Rd.), south to the FIRST roadside
parking area. Just remember that if he is not on the north pathway he could
be over on the south one.
>From the east exit 401 at Brock St. (in Whitby), south to Victoria, west to
Hall's Rd.
