From: Tim Mccarthy via Ontbirds If you thought the past week of weather was unbearable imagine sitting out in the sun all day trying to see something that wasn't there. I've been defending myself for years saying that I'm not crazy but now after a week, with the extra heat and humidity frying my addled brain every day, I'm not so sure.
Today was a welcome retreat from the norm, with bearable weather and some passing raptors. Many thanks to my old comrades who came out when they saw the weather forecast with NorthWest winds. But I'm especially grateful for the new folks who heard about us, came out , learned, had a fun time and stayed on and in the end were very happy. I might take the opportunity to throw in a plug - if you would like to learn how to spot raptors I will teach you. Even if you don't own binoculars I will loan you a really good pair for the day. All it takes is your interest and presence any weekday between now and the end of November, from 9:30 am or so, until late afternoon. Even if you have never done this before, I can almost guaranty that by the end of a single day, you will be a pretty good Hawk Spotter. Now here is what we spotted today: 8 Turkey Vultures 1 Northern Harrier 16 Sharpshins 4 Redtails 8 Am. Kestrels 3 Merlins 1 Unidentified Falcon For a day's total of 41birds. The total to date from Sept.1st is 192 The small Raptors are bird hunters and they are beginning to pass through following their prey, the dickybirds like warblers, sparrows and their ilk. Today was a real pleasure. See you on the Hill, Tim Hawk hill is just a step north of High Park's Grenadier Restaurant. Its one of birding's comfortable spots, with parking right next to the Hill, a restaurant nearby for convenience and any day of the week, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon or later, expert birders who are more than happy to spend as much time with you as you like. Our aim as a group is to record the species seen flying overhead, of course, for that is part of the short term goal of Raptor conservation. But my particular aim is to see that as many of the "general Public" as possible learn about Raptors and have a good time doing it. That leads to conservation for the Long Term. T _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
