Just returned with a group from an Owl Survey in the Flinton area where there were some good bird sightings around the region. At the north end of Old Flinton Road where there is a vast Pine Plantation we found 8 RED CROSSBILLS which were getting grit off the road. They were quite approachable and made for some fine photographs. All of the crossbills were paired up which could suggest breeding. On Flinton Road at the north end of town there was a flock of 40 EVENING GROSBEAKS at one of the bird feeders along with 3 PURPLE FINCHES. Last night along Old Flinton Road we found 4 BARRED OWLS which were quite vocal. At Pine Lake just south of Ardoch we heard 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS and at this same location there was 1 territorial MERLIN the next morning. Just north of Roblin on Hwy. 41 was a flock of 25 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Other good sightings on the trip include 2 VESPER SPARROWS, 1 SAVANNAH SPARROW, 1 FIELD SPARROW, 2 EASTERN TOWHEES, 3 PINE WARBLERS, 1 AMERICAN BITTERN, 5 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 10 AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, 1 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, 1 PURPLE MARTIN and 8 COMMON RAVENS. Spring Peepers, Western Chorus Frogs, Leopard Frogs and Wood Frogs were vocalizing at every wetland and 1 Compton Tortoiseshell and Mourning Cloak were seen. There is a large area just north of Hwy. 7 near Sharbot Lake and Flinton which is not birded very much. Birds which can be seen on occasion in this area include both crossbills and other winter finches, Black-Backed Woodpeckers and Gray Jays.
Good Birding Bruce Ripley Amherstview 613-384-6392 Directions to Old Flinton Road Old Flinton Road runs south from the town of Flinton and connects to Hwy. 7. Flinton is about a one hour drive north of Hwy. 401 from Napanee (exit 579).
