The Pyrrhuloxia at Eagle was seen at least at 7:30, 8:40 and 10:10 this
morning. We were present for the 10:10 a.m. feeding and departed shortly
thereafter. The bird only comes to the feeders for 2 or 3 minutes per
feeding so you must be patient and vigilant. At the 10:10 feeding, it
used both the bluish-green platform feeder and the hanging plastic feeder.
Already this morning, one birder "broke the rules" that were clearly set
out in the email last night from members of the West Elgin Nature Club who
went to a great deal of trouble reassuring the property owners that the
birding crowd would respect the guidelines they set out. Even though this
birder had already seen the bird at the feeders he walked a couple of
hundred metres farther to the west which is where the bird moves to after
feeding. He located the bird in a grape tangle and signalled other
watchers [most of whom had also already seen the bird at the feeders] of
whom about 15 immediately ran off until they were called back. Both
property owners were present at the time and talking to the crowd of
watchers. One of the property owners was heard to comment that if this
happens again access WILL BE BLOCKED and birders will have to watch from
the road which is almost triple the distance from the feeders compared to
the watching area. As the West Elgin Club email explicitly states you can
clearly and easily see and identify the bird with binoculars from the
watching area and get frame filling views through your telescope. There is
no need to go chasing after the bird at all.
Please be patient and respectful of the watching guidelines so that those
birders who haven't had a chance to see the bird yet can have their turn.
In Rodney , the Varied Thrush was present for only a minute or two at about
11:00 a.m. As far as we could tell this was this the only sighting this
morning. The bird flew off to the northwest in the subdivision without
feeding. There are several other feeders in the area easily visible from
the roads so a walk around might bring you luck.
Watching guidelines and directions are below as per the West Elgin Nature
Club/Prieksaitis email.
Dave Martin
Harrietsville
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
****************
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
