The Port Burwell female Black-throated Gray
Warbler showed well several times from about 1015
to 1045 while we were present but wasn't seen
over the next 15 minutes until we left at 1100.
The bird was very active and appeared to be in
good shape. Another round of birders showed up
just as we left so hopefully they re-located the
bird. The bird is frequenting the same areas described by Ron Allensen.
When we first arrived, Ken and Mike Burrell were
watching the bird which had just gone down into
the grasses about 20 metres to the west of the
parking lot. Shortly after we arrived it flew
about 50 metres to the north to a grove of about
30 Scots Pine chipping a couple of times as it
flew. By the time we walked that distance it had
come out to the edge of the pines where we had a
decent look and then down base of a red-osier
dogwood right at the edge of the parking lot less
than 5 metres from where we were standing. After
a few seconds it flew to its "favourite" tree,
the Red Cedar on the east side of the parking lot
where Ron and his gang have set up a visitor's
sign-in book. We had another good look at it at
the top of the Red Cedar. Then it flew back to
the west side of the parking lot, landing briefly
in one of the small sapling cottonwoods at the
edge of the parking lot and then back down into
the grasses where it had been when we first
arrived. Then, all the birders started chatting
and lost track of the bird, everyone having had 4
or 5 brief but very good looks at the bird.
Not surprisingly, this is a new species for Elgin County.
Directions to the site as per Ron Allensen.
DIRECTIONS: From the EAST... Take 401 cutoff
highway 19 south to Tillsonburg, follow highway
19 through Tillsonburg. This turns into VIENNA
RD at Highway 3. Continue on Vienna Rd 26km to
Port Burwell. Coming into Port Burwell you go up
a hill veer to the right on ROBINSON ST, three or
4 blocks to the bridge turn right, go over the
bridge and up the hill to CHATHAM ST on your
left. WHEN IN PORT BURWELL... **FOLLOW CHATHAM
STREET down the hill towards the provincial park.
At the bottom of the hill, just before the
entrance to the provincial park there is a gravel
road. Turn left. A few hundred yards ahead is the
parking lot near where the warbler hangs
out. PLEASE BE ON your best birder behaviour and
allow the warbler to forage in the grass. We are
trying to get her to take meal-worms and suet
from a tray-feeder but so far no luck. Any
suggestions on getting her to take food offerings
would be most welcome. Thank you, and good
birding. Ron Allensen (519) 874-1343 OR [EMAIL PROTECTED]
DIRECTIONS: From the WEST... Take Highway 3 or
401 to highway 73 south to Aylmer, through Aylmer
south to Copehagen, turn left in Copenhagen onto
Nova Scotia Line, follow to Port Burwell. After
passing the Port Burwell sign, merge right onto
Chatham Street. See instructions above from **FOLLOW CHATHAM STREET.
Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski and Ross Snider
Harrietsville and Ingersoll
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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