34 Whip-poor-will, 4 Common Nighthawk, 1 Barred Owl
By stopping every 1/3 km. between 9:30 & 10:45 pm last night Stephanie & I tallied 34 Whips (excluding overlaps) on Muskoka Road 13 between Torrance (km.0.0) & Southwood (km. 12) At most stops 3-4 Whips were heard. None were heard after km 9.5 where deep forest takes over. The four Nighthawks were all at one stop, the ascent to the barrens at km 6.5. During the first few stops, 5-10 calling and singing Veeries (my guess ~25 individuals) drowned out most other noise. Early on we heard five Wilson's Snipes by swamps. No birds or eye shine were seen except km. 13 where a fledged Barred Owl mantling prey was astride the yellow centre line. The din of frogs (Bull, Green, Mink and Grey Tree) on the barrens proper (between kms. 6.0 and 9.0) was deafening. It was hot (26oC) which brought four Massasaugas and two Garter Snakes onto the asphalt. Mosquitoes were delightfully few-dark skies superb. Geo. Bryant _______________________________________________ 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/
