March 22/09 Yesterday I spotted an adult Bald Eagle perched in a large tree right on the northeast shoreline where the Holland River enters Cook's Bay, Lake Simcoe. I returned there today and saw a pair of eagles perched in the same tree. When they took off, they headed to the heronry which is just north of Ravenshoe Road where it ends at the river. The heronry is in at tamarack swamp, the nests being visible with binoculars/scope from Ravenshoe or at the end of the 13th Line of Bradford-West Gwillimbury, where I was watching. One eagle landed on a nest which was much bulkier than the nearby Great Blue Heron nests. It might be possible that the eagles had added to one of the heron nests. No herons are back there yet. The other adult perched on the top of a nearby tamarack. This would be special to have Bald Eagles nesting here and might represent the first eagle nest in York Region in a long time.Maybe someone could correct me on this. I'm sure the local population of Ospreys will not be impressed! Peter Wukasch Bradford, Ont
Go north on Yonge St /Hwy.11 to the lights in downtown Bradford. Turn right on County Road 11 and drive north to the 13th Line of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Turn right and proceed to the end of the 13th past the storage/farm sheds to the pumphouse and large power shovel. Park there and look ahead to the trees east of the river. A scope would really help. Or, go north on Leslie St. to Ravenshoe rd. and turn left. keep heading west until you notice the tamarack swamp in the distance on your right. A private road might get you closer, but you'll need to check with the landowner. This spot has been a location where we have had eagles on our Bird Count. The 13th is also the road where there were courting Sandhill Cranes last year. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
