There has been a male Acadian Flycatcher in the Ganaraska Forest for the past week (at least). It is very vocal and territorial. At this same location you can still hear red crossbills flying around every so often but it is a far cry from the hundreds that were there for the winter and spring. Also remember that this is a species at risk and we are still in the breeding season, or it may be planning for next year, so be respectful of it. Many adult birds with their fledged young are also in the dogwoods at this location.
>From the west take highway 35/115 north to Durham Concession 7 at Kirby. Follow east about 18km to Cold Springs Camp Road. Head north on Cold Springs Camp Road. Stop in at the Ganaraska Forest Centre to purchase your day pass. During business hours you can go to the gatehouse or main building but outside of business hours you can purchase the day pass using self-serve envelopes ($6.00/adult). Park at the forest centre and follow the road that you came in on (Cold Springs Camp Road) north into the forest where it becomes non-paved. Follow until you are in a big sandy opening and take the first road to the left. Follow around the 90 degree right hand turn and at the 90 degree left hand turn you will see an overgrown trail blocked by the crown of a downed poplar. Follow this "trail" into the wet deciduous arae and you should hear him. This deciduous area is sandwiched by pine plantation and the trail to take is not the opening into the plantation that is covered by poison ivy. Again don't forget to go pay your permit fee. >From the east follow highway 28 up from Port Hope to County road 9/Ganaraska Road and follow this west for about 15km to Cold Springs Camp Road. From there follow directions as above. Good birding, Ben Walters _______________________________________________ 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/
