A Townsend's Solitaire was well seen by Mike and Nancy Cowlard yesterday
[Oct 19] afternoon about 4 pm at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area [WMA].
Linda Wladarski and I joined them for three hours of searching this
morning [Oct 20] but were unable to refind the bird.
Even so, we are posting this sighting as a head's-up because the huge
bumper crop of fruit on the several acres of shrubs and trees has
attracted 1000s of starlings, robins and waxwings. Our failure to find
the Solitaire this morning may be due more to the sheer number of birds
present than to some indication it has moved on.
To start a search park at the main viewing stand and walk to the south
to the trail that heads south to Mockingbird Circle and eventually to
the back viewing stand.
Along the way, you will pass through acres of every conceivable kind of
fruiting shrub [mostly non-native].
Yesterday, the Solitaire was feeding on grapes from a vine growing on
the chain link fence beside the small, ground level viewing building.
Hopefully it is still around and someone else will refind it. Please
post if you do.
*Directions: *
Aylmer WMA is northeast of Aylmer in Elgin County. From Hwy 401 drive
south from Exit 203 on Elgin Road / Hwy 73 which becomes Imperial Road
once you are in Elgin County. Turn left/east on College Line. Turn
right/south on Hacienda Road and drive to the south end of the Ontario
Police College. Turn left/east and follow the laneway to the viewing
stands.
Dave Martin
[email protected]
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