Hi Folks: Today Paul Pratt, Bob Hall-Brooks, Allen Chartier and myself had a fly over Demoiselle Crane at Holiday Beach Conservation Area in soutwestern Essex County. Initially, the bird was identified as a Sandhill Crane (due to the great height at which it was soaring), but it quickly became clear that the trailing edge of the wing was jet black, and that the neck was also extensively black. Paul managed to get the bird in the scope and clearly observed the extensive black on the neck and chest and the white patch on the side of the head. There was also a consensus that the bird was quite small for a crane and short necked - again characters consistent with Demoiselle. No doubt this is an escapee, but still an interesting sighting.
It should be noted that this bird could easily have been called a Common Crane without a scope view to confirm observations (which of course, would have been a much more exciting experience!!). As an aside, today was also our big sit. As of 2PM we were up to 80 species for the top of the hawk tower (as opposed to 83 total for the day last year). Most of us had to leave early for dinner arrangements but Bob was staying a few more hours and may add some more to the total. Good birding! Tom Hince Wild Rose Guest House On the web at: http://www.netcore.ca/~peleetom RR#1 (21298 Harbour Rd.) Wheatley, ONT. (gateway to Point Pelee National Park) N0P 2P0 Canada (519) 825-9070 (phone/voice) (519) 825-9169 (fax) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Tom Hince" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
