It was a fine morning for birding, so I headed out to Earl Armstrong Road to see if I could relocate the grasshopper sparrow I had previously observed in the area last week (see archived post for more information). To my surprise, two CLIFF SWALLOWS were present perching on the telephone lines along the road near the quarry pond. There were also the typical selection of tree and barn swallows - I did not see any bank swallows, although I know they have been in the area before. The cliff swallows were easily identified from the similar barn swallows by the bright white patch on their forehead. Before I left the area, I could not relocate the swallows, since the large mixed flock had taken to the air to hunt insects along the surface of the quarry pond. Approximately 10 TURKEY VULTURES were roosting on the old barn across the street from the quarry pond. And I relocated the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW at the end High Road, where it had been earlier last week. I could distinctly hear a second sparrow somewhere in the field - apparently the two were talking to one another. Good birding! Pat _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
