On Saturday afternoon in "downtown" Wilberforce I had a dark phase
Gyrfalcon fly over the Foodland parking lot approximately 70 feet above and
head in a southward direction. There are very few doves and pigeons in
eastern Halliburton county, so if this bird is staying in the area and not a
transient the abundant jay population will probably be its primary food
source. Sorry for the delay in reporting but my cottage doesn't have
internet or even running water in the winter.
Direction to Wilberforce
Situated midway between Halliburton and Bancroft, Wilberforce is located on
county road 648 which runs north off highway 118.
Saturday highlights/lowlights
I spent several hours from dawn to early afternoon covering the area between
Bancroft, Apsley and the Algonquin panhandle. I was looking in locations
which have previously given me Golden Eagles and Great Grays Owls. I missed
both species. However did turn up 3 Gray Jays, small numbers of Snow
Buntings, Common Redpolls, White-winged Crossbills and large numbers of Pine
siskins and Blue Jays. Mammal wise found a Pine Marten, some moose, deer
and elk. Snowshoes are mandatory for travel offroad due to the deep snow.
Sunday
Algonquin P.P.
Opeongo Road at the gate there was 2 Gray Jays, Common Redpolls, 2
White-winged Crossbills and a female Black-backed Woodpecker among the horde
of Blue jays and Black-capped chickadees. Opeongo road north of Costello
creek was silent
Visitor Center
LOTS of Blue Jays!!. I had 43 in view at one time. Also seen 40+ Pine
Siskins a few redpolls and goldfinches, and 5 Pine Grosbeaks. I apparently
missed a Pine Marten and 3 Evening Grosbeaks that were there before 2pm.
Spruce Bog Trail........... only 2 Black-capped Chickadees seen in the
parking lot. Nothing seen or heard on the trail.
Mew lake Campground... 30+ Blue Jays and few Pine Siskins and a relatively
tame Ruffed Grouse.
We Stopped in Whitney looking for fruiting shrubs and possibly Bohemian
waxwings but found neither.
Tyler Hoar
Oshawa/Eels Lake
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