Dear Ontbirders, Pyrrhuloxia:
At the request of the property owner and Reinhold Pokraka, the birder who discovered and identified this rarity, I am posting this rare bird alert. On Christmas Day, December 25th at 3pm in the afternoon, Reinhold was at a friend's house south of Eagle, Ontario in West Elgin when he noticed a "strange looking female Cardinal". Upon closer inspection, he felt that it was a female Pyrrhuloxia because of the colour of the bird (grey rather than brown), the shape of the crest (very pointed) and the colour and shape of the bill (yellow and shorter and more elongated along the head). The bird reappeared on December 26th and was seen again twice on December 27th, the day of the West Elgin Nature Club CBC. After satisfying himself that the bird would indeed return, he informed the West Elgin Club at their CBC dinner and over a dozen competent observers (including Heather Campbell, Chris & Ryan Leys, Sandra Eadie and Bev Galbraith) were able to confirm it this morning, December 28th and Tom Hayman again this afternoon. Although we are unsure about the quality of the photos, pictures were taken both this morning and again this afternoon (thanks to Tom Hayman for bringing out his video equipment). Although we are not positive, we believe that this may be a first for Canada. It was likely carried in the storm that dropped over 40cm of snow on this area and originated in southern Texas and New Mexico just before Christmas. Interestingly, a Varied Thrush also appeared on Christmas Day in Rodney, Ontario at a local feeder and has remained ever since as well. Perhaps the birds came together, who knows! Another interesting little fact - Reinhold also discovered Canada's first Phainopepla on the West Elgin CBC nearly 30 years ago to the day not 15 minutes from where the Pyrrhuloxia was located. Two great birds starting with the letter "P" and both found in western Elgin County. The property owner, Mr. Walter Wojek, has requested that people remain away from his house and off his driveway, however, he is willing to allow people to use the field beside his house to watch his backyard feeders from a distance. The neighbouring property owner, Brad and Joane Reive, members of the West Elgin Nature Club, are willing to allow people into their field as long as they stay on the snow-cleared path from the road that they kindly agreed to clear. Directions to Pyrrhuloxia: West Lorne is located southwest of London, Ontario and is between London and Chatham just off of Highway 401. The bird is located on Graham Road (formerly Highway 76) south of West Lorne, Ontario and just south of Highway 3. Take the West Lorne exit south off of the 401, proceed through West Lorne and continue south on Graham Road past the small hamlet of Eagle, Ontario. After you cross Highway 3, keep driving south past Swain's Greenhouses (where a restaurant is located), and look for the first house on the right hand side of the road (light brown or taupe coloured brick house). Go past the driveway and look for the cleared path into the field from the edge of Graham Road. You should be able to see the bird with either binoculars or a telescope. Please respect the privacy and property rights of both the Wojeks and the Reives and stay in the marked area. Do not approach the house directly. The bird usually approaches from the woods behind the house and comes to the tray feeder usually once every hour. Failure to respect these simple rules will result in the suspension of access privileges for everyone, which would be a shame. Direction to Varied Thrush: The Varied Thrush was discovered and identified by the property owners, Bill and Roxanne Nethercott, of Rodney, Ontario (who are also members of the West Elgin Nature Club and avid birdwatchers). Rodney is located just west of West Lorne as described above. The Thrush is located at 198 Harper Street, in Rodney. You can exit Highway 401 at the Furnival Road, Rodney exit and head south into the village of Rodney. As you enter the village, you will see a Royal Bank of Canada sign on the right hand side of Furnival Road. That street beside the sign is Harper Street. Bill and Roxanne's red brick house is located two blocks west of Furnival Road on Harper Street. Their house, which is on the corner with another short side street, has feeders in the backyard surrounded by spruce trees. The bird has been seen 2-3 times per day since December 25th and was seen as of this morning again. Please remain on the side road off of Harper where you can look into their backyard. If you are travelling from the Pyrrhuloxia, you can return to Highway 3 and turn left (west) and continue down Highway 3 to New Glasgow, where you can turn right (north) and proceed down Furnival Road into Rodney - look for the Royal Bank of Canada sign on the left hand side of the road inside the village for the turn onto Harper Street. Two great birds in one day - something good did come from this nasty weather after all!!! Happy New Year and best of luck with the birds!! Cheers, Bill, George & Marjorie Prieksaitis West Elgin Nature Club Rodney, Ontario (519)785-0176
