HI there, The bird drove everyone crazy by not coming in until 11:00, but appeared to come from the spruce roost trees. A first feeding so late is amazing. Usual time is between 8 and 8:30. Sorry for no post this am but Sue had left by the time I could phone. It landed above the feeders in back of #120 in the deciduous trees, sat until the motivational squirrel chased it off, and it landed on the baffled feeder. It ate 78 sunflower seeds. Then flew up to roost at about 11:15, in the tall spruce, out of sight of course. About 12:45, a large female first winter sharp-shinned hawk started investigating those trees, and soon the pigeon flew out and headed east, quickly. I went for lunch and shopping and returned at 3pm. According to Ted and Tammy, owners of the house where we stand (116) for viewing, it was in the spruce trees, so we looked up and on top of one of the tallest, looking like the "Christmas Star" that it has become, was BT. It flew down to the trees above the feeder at 4 pm, for about 5 minutes until, you guessed it, the motivational pesky squirrel chased it down to the feeder. It ate 125 sunflower, but froze on the feeder when that sharpie appeared 2 yards over. All the birds froze while the hawk sat up high, but after a while it left for the east and everyone started moving around again, except the pigeon which continued to sit rather motionless, until 4:50 pm (on the feeder). It then ate 86 more sunflower and went up to roost in the fake Douglas Fir trees (the roost spruce) behind #112. After 211 sunflower, it should roost well. I noted a mourning dove today at one of the sunflower feeders, which ate 143 before flopping down to a nearby spruce to roost. Of course, it didn't shell the seeds but just gulped them down, as does the pigeon...the crop is so distended that the feathers on the chest don't lie flat. It was faced with the noise of a chainsaw, 2 yards away, while it was sitting up in the open in the spruce, and still sat there without moving. Is it used to that noise from out west? Let's face it, other than being pretty certain that the bird is still there, I can't predict when it will visit the feeder, how long it will feed, where it will sit when done, and etc. It usually comes down for first feed between 8 and 8:30 but plan to spend much of the day, to be sure to see it. I will update tomorrow, but less often during the week, although I will continue to make sure the feeders are full, to help Gerry out and keep the BT there, dare I hope for the new year?
Pete Directions to access the area... If from Toronto...come west on 401, and take the 402 towards Sarnia, exiting very soon at the Wonderland exit (100) to London, and head north. About 3-4km north on Wonderland is the Westmount Mall, a large sprawling mall on the west side of the road. Keep going north just past the mall to a streetlight indicating Village Green Avenue (one light before Commissioners Road). Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, #116, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS. Coming from west, come east on 401 to Highway 4, and head north to the 402, then east to Wonderland exit (100), turning north . About 3-4km north on Wonderland is the Westmount Mall, a large sprawling mall. Keep going north just past the mall to a streetlight indicating Village Green Avenue(one light before Commissioners road). Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, #116, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS. >From London, Village Green is one light south of intersection of Commissioners and Wonderland. Turn left, to the west and proceed for about 5 streets, some from left, some from right, till you get to Lynngate PLACE (Pl). There is also a Lynngate Ct but don't go up there. Do not park on this quiet street. Park on the north(right) side of Village Green. Walk up Lynngate Place to number 120. Go to the RIGHT side of the house, and walk up the driveway of the nextdoor neighbour's house, along the stone path to the large patio, at the back of that house. Try to shield yourself behind the tarp "blind" and the bird will be less skittish. PLEASE STAY OUT OF YARDS "Peter Read" <[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.
