Hi,
The Painted Bunting was seen at the feeder today at regular intervals,
it was not in the least spookish, and stayed feeding for up to five minutes
at a time, and since the feeder tended to turn slightly as the bird fed, we
were able to see the Bunting from various perspectives, and marveled at it's
array of colors.
Cheers........... Tom Thomas.
Directions as per Ron Ridout.
Directions to the Hidden Valley campground are: Highway 24 south through
Simcoe, bearing west around the curve at Young's Creek. Travel west on 24
to Regional Rd. 10. Turn south (left from the east, right from the west)
towards Turkey Pt. Travel south past 2 concessions and the entrance to
Turkey Pt Provincial Park (on the left). Just south of the entrance to the
provincial park, turn east (left) on the Front Rd. (I don't think it is
signed but I believe there is a sign pointing left to Normandale). Travel
2.2 kms. east as the Front Rd winds through the forest and then down the
hill into Normandale. Near the bottom of the hill you will come to a road
on the north (left) side (again unsigned I believe) that bears diagonally
back to the northwest. Turn left on this road and travel to the second
driveway on the right (200 metres). This is the well signed entrance to the
Hidden Valley campground. Drive down this long driveway to the main office
and park in the parking area on the left side of the office. Remember to
check in at the office and pay the parking fee.
To the left of the office and public parking is the main driveway into the
campground itself. After leaving the office, walk around the yellow traffic
gate. Walking up this driveway, you will come almost immediately to a brown
washroom building on the right. Just past this building, the driveway
splits. Bearing right at this split, the bird is coming to the hanging
feeder at the first trailer on the right past the washrooms. These feeders
are best viewed from the vicintiy of the washrooms. The bird is very
skittish and doesn't come in unless there is little activity in the vicinity
of the feeders. If you stand by he washrooms, you can easily see the feeder
and not disturb the bird.
The woman who owns the trailer (and the feeder) is very nice but it would
be best not to overwhelm her with numbers. I assured her at all birders are
great people and very courteous and would watch her feeders from a distance.
