Hello dere Saturday April 17, 2004 Stan Bajurny and I arrived late at Old Cut Woods but we did find a few interesting birds including Cooper's Hawk, Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers, 14 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 7 Hermit Thrushes, Purple Finch, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers overhead as well as Barn Swallow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, 6 Y-B Sapsuckers and P. Martin. In Long Point Provincial Park we came up with White-throated, White-crowned, Chipping and Field Sparrows and lots of Song Sparrows, 11 Yellow-rumped Warblers, Pine Warbler, 37 N. Flickers, 19 Y-B Sapsuckers, P. Martins, 19 Hermit Thrushes and a Carolina Wren. At the Turkey point Overlook we found another Red-bellied Woodpecker and at the Lake side of the marsh we could again see the Bald Eagle on it's nest. From here we went on to the Townsend sewage lagoons via Concession Rd 14. Along 14 we found another Red-bellied Woodpecker and Wild Turkey. The sewage lagoons have quieted down somewhat but we did see 500+ Canada Geese, 173 N. Pintails, 164 Ruddy Ducks, 75+ G. Scaup, 50+ Ring-necked Ducks, 25+ Buffleheads, 1 Merlin being dive bombed by the resident A. Kestrel (quite a show), 6 Barn Swallows, 8 P. Martins and a fly by at arms length and eye level of 152 Bonaparte's Gulls. We did a quick stop at the Owl Sanctuary near Fisherville but arrived quite late but did see 1 Short-eared Owl and listened to 2 A. Woodcock and 2 W. Snipe before we started for home after finding 83 species.
Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] DIRECTIONS OLD CUT WOODS AT LONG POINT Old Cut Woods at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, ( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the causeway. Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left through the cottage / retail business area. Continue driving until you come to Old Cut Road. Turn left and drive a couple of hundred yards down this road (you will see the entrance to the banding area on your right) this is the entrance to Old Cut Woods. Drive another 100 feet or so and you will see a parking area on your left. Park here and walk across the road to the woods. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). LONG POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (FEE IN SEASON) The Provincial Park at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, ( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the causeway. Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left through the cottage / retail business area. Continue driving along this road passing Old Cut Road and you will come to the park entrance. If the park is closed for the season then park here being sure not to block road and walk into the park. We find it just as easy to walk over from Old Cut Woods and start birding behind the Maintenance buildings through the pines on your right as you approach the gate. TURKEY POINT MARSH OVERLOOK To get to the Turkey Point Marsh overlook from Brantford, drive straight south down Hwy 24 through Simcoe ((following Hwy 24 as it curves west towards Long Point. About 8 km you will come to county road 10, turn left (south), (there are signs here as you approach this road indicating Turkey Point Prov. Park) and drive straight ahead for about 4 km until you reach Lakeshore Road, turn right (west), drive through the ravine and continue west until you see the chain link fence and pull off on your left (south) side. Park here and you will have a great view of the marsh. You should have a scope for this area for best viewing. )) >From Hamilton drive south on Hwy 6 through Hagersville to Jarvis. In Jarvis turn right (west) on Hwy 24 and drive to Simcoe. In Simcoe turn left (south) on Hwy 24 and follow the directions in double brackets above. 14th CONCESSION ROAD (Between Townsend and Simcoe, Simcoe County, south of Hagersville at Jarvis. The 14th Concession Rd runs (for concern here) in the east from Keith Richardson Blvd at Townsend for about 6.2 km to Hwy 24 on the north side of Simcoe. Along the way you will pass the Townsend sewage lagoons (just a few hundred yards west of Keith Richardson Blvd), Catfish Creek (about 600 yards past (west of) the sewage lagoons), and a farm pond on your left (south side of 14th) west of Cockshutt Rd (County Rd 5). TOWNSEND SEWAGE LAGOONS On the way down to Long Point on Hwy 6 you will pass through Hagersville and drive towards Jarvis. Just as you approach the town you will see a sign indicating "TOWNSEND" at Nanticoke Creek Parkway #69. Turn right here and drive to the intersection with the stop signs, turn left on Keith Richardson Parkway and drive past some park ponds on your right. Drive ahead until you see a small children's shelter with an air conditioner on it's side (really). Turn right here on County Rd 14. This is just before you reach the abandoned railway line (tracks removed) and it is on your right. Turn right here and drive a few hundred yards and you will see a gate and sign indicating that this is a waste treatment area.. Park well to the side of the road or across the road and do not block the gate. If the gate is open (they are on some weekends) then do not park directly across from the gate as the larger "Honey Trucks" need the area to swing into and out of the entrance road. These lagoons are only accessible on the weekend. RAPTOR or OWL SANCTUARY ON 6th CONCESSION IN HALDIMAND-NORFOLK On the way down to Long Point on Hwy 6 to the centre of Hagersville, turn left on Hwy 20 (King Street). Drive along Hwy 20 past the junction with Hwy 9 to Selkirk Road (Road 53) and turn right (south). Drive down Selkirk Road past Hwy 3 and turn LEFT (east) at the 3rd road (Concession 6) south of this highway. Drive along here about ½ to 3/4 km and you will see a sign on your right with a picture of an owl on it. This is the sanctuary. (NOTE) After passing south of Hwy 3 you will notice Concession 6 on your right, continue on about ½ km as the Concession 6 you want is on your left. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net
