As of 6:30a.m. on Mar.23 the numbers of GGOs seems to have dwindled to 2, one being our 2/3 size "for-the-nonce resident", often noted in a tree alongside either Hall's or Lakeridge Rd. People are reporting a larger one either in the morning or at dusk. Migratory American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds have been moving in. The Barred Owl has been a regular for some time-- often he shows complete "distaste" for a harassing Red Squirrel; I have seen him fly at the RS twice; I have a photo from a person who witnessed the owl pounce on a RS. Other birds seen along the north pathway or at roadside --Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, both Nuthatches, Goldfinch, N.Shrike, Swamp Sparrow (2), Song Sp. (VERY FEW TREE SPARROWS!!!), R-n Pheasant (as many as 3 male and 4 female have been seen). Our resident Mink shows itself periodically opposite the north path entry. I have not sen the Pileated Woodp. since last Wenesday, after he spent 8 hours constructing a tentative nesting site. In Whitby Harbour-- Glaucous Gull, Ring-necked Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, C.Merganser.
HAS ANYONE SEEN THE WELCOME Hawk Owl LATELY? For Hall's Rd.--exit 401 at #404(Salem Rd. in Ajax), south to Bayly, east through 3 traffic signals (the 3rd being Lakeridge Rd.), to the next street-Hall's Rd. For Whitby harbour--exit 401 at Brock St. (Whitby), south right to the waterfront parking lot. Doug Lockrey, WEhitby www.pickeringnaturalists.org
