A Willow Ptarmigan was found on Wednesday 8 June 2011 at the Darlington Nuclear Station on Lake Ontario east of Oshawa. It was seen again this (Friday) morning. Ontario Power Generation has kindly made available an opportunity to visit the site on Sunday morning 12 June. Birders should meet at the Darlington Nuclear Visitor Information Centre at 8:45 a.m. They will be bussed to the location where the ptarmigan was last seen. Birders will be escorted by OPG staff, and must follow all instructions and stay together as a group. To be allowed in you must have government issued photo identification such as a driver's licence or passport and you must wear sturdy close-toed shoes. Please read instructions carefully and do not arrive without proper photo ID and footwear. NOTE: 401 eastbound all lanes closed from Simcoe Street to Ritson Road in Oshawa from midnight to 8:00 a.m. on 12 June. Check MTO website and listen to radio for latest information.
Last winter there was a very large irruption of Willow Ptarmigan and even a few Rock Ptarmigan into south-central Quebec. The Darlington Willow Ptarmigan is likely an extreme overshoot from last winter's irruption. Remarkably, there was a specimen taken near Whitby, which is close to Darlington, on 15 May 1897 following a large irruption in the winter of 1886-1887. Directions: http://www.jeaniron.ca/2011/Directions%20to%20Darlington%20Nuclear.pdf >From Toronto: Take Hwy 401 east to Courtice Road (exit #425). Travel east (straight) from the off ramp along South Service Road. At the OPG Information Centre sign, turn right (south) on Park Road to visit the Darlington Waterfront Trail and Information Centre. >From Kingston: Take Hwy 401 west to Waverly Road South (exit #431). Turn left (south) on Waverly Road, over the 401, then immediately right (west) on to South Service Road. To visit the Waterfront Trail and Information Centre, continue west on South Service Road and turn left (south) on Park Road, at the OPG Information Centre sign. Please note: there is a Security-controlled access gate located at Holt Road. The public entrance is located further west along South Service Road. We thank Susan Bragg in the Environment Department and staff at Ontario Power Generation - Darlington Nuclear for their utmost cooperation and organization. Brian Henshaw facilitated this opportunity. Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway Toronto and Minden ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
