We just had a phone call from Erwin Meissner of Massey west of
Sudbury along the TransCanada Highway. He reports that Common
Redpolls are abundant there with many coming to feeders. Among the
Commons are many Hoary Redpolls in the area. Erwin has two or three
Hoarys at his feeder in Massey. He reports that Pine Grosbeaks are
common in the area with 20 at his feeders. Evening Grosbeaks are also
numerous. Erwin is seeing a few Red Crossbills in Massey usually in
twos and threes. Pine Siskins and Purple Finches have departed.
Bohemian Waxwings are common around Massey too.
Erwin's observations suggest that we can expect many more redpolls
including good numbers of Hoarys and more Pine and Evening Grosbeaks
in southern Ontario soon. The big pulse has yet to come. Today we had
a nice flock of 35 Common Redpolls feeding on aster seeds in a weedy
field in Ajax east of Toronto. When we left Toronto this morning
there were 10 redpolls in the white birch next door. No Hoarys.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we birded the Carden Alvar via Norland to
Minden. We had three large flocks of Bohemian Waxwings. One flock was
along Wylie Road north of the Sedge Wren Marsh. About 25 Bohemians
were eating Common Juniper berries. Later we saw over 200 Bohemians
along Kawartha Road 45 west of Head Lake. They were swarming low to
the ground eating juniper berries and some bittersweet higher up. On
our return trip yesterday we saw another huge Bohemian flock also
eating juniper berries near Uphill. This flock was also budding on
deciduous trees which Bohemians often do in winter when berries are
scarce. We also had scattered Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks,
redpolls and two large flocks of Snow Buntings.
Good birding,
Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway
Toronto & Minden ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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