Hi there, After carefully looking over BT, (aka Bandid), and noticing definite feather growth, and a full covering of fine down, we decided to release it this morning. It has been in a cold garage for some time now, so it is already quite hardened to the weather. We sat the cage on the ground facing the tall roost spruces. After a few seconds of open door, it flew well and directly to the favoured roost tree, where it looked down at us, apparently pleased with itself for having escaped from these strange mammals(us). It dropped out of sight and out of wind, soon after. The feeders were full, but we don't know if it came down, as we had no one to watch for the whole day. It had eaten in the morning before we let it go. Late in the afternoon, just before dark, it was seen in its roost tree. I will post in the next day or so, if the bird stays in the area, and continues to use the feeders(and survives the cold and the hawks). I am doing bird counts and getting ready for the big day(Christmas), so I won't be there regularly. I do have people checking though, who will let me know if they see BT. If you come to see it, you could contact me if you see it. Unfortunately at this point the neighbours who have been allowing us to use their backyard to watch for the bird are away, so I couldn't ask if we could continue...however, my guess is that they will be ok with it...I will contact them tomorrow. Otherwise, one could watch from the road, as the bird can be seen, albiet rarely, sitting in the large spruce trees, and with long vigil, one might see it come down to the feeder. I am posting directions now, but as I say, we don't know what will become of BT over the next few days. The visitor book is not in the box until at least Tuesday, but there will be paper in the container near the tarp...so please put your name in and we will add it to the list.
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.
