Happy New year to all.
I guess everyone knows about the Boreal Owl by now. This is my first chance
to post it as I went on the fruitless trip to Col. Sam Park for the Great
Gra(e)y Owl and it took me until now to get home.
I found the Owl thanks to a Great Horned Owl that I didn't want to flush
so I circled around through the brush and bumped into the Boreal on the back
of a tree. The Boreal completely ignored me as I took some photos (no I
didn't approach it). It was so intent on watching the Great horned Owl that
I don't think I existed for it as the Great horned was only 50 feet away. I
took pictures of the Boreal then turned around and took pictures of the
Great horned.
Other birds seen on the spit were 4 Great horned Owls, 1 Barred Owl, 1
adult male Northern Goshawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, and 1 Lapland Longspur
that landed in front of me briefly before flying into the snow/ice pellets
falling at the time. All the other birds were the expected species to be
found at this time except for a male N. Cardinal out near the end of the
road. Cardinals are not common on the spit at any time.
One other big surprise for me was the carcass of a large White-tailed Deer
near the end of the road and in the woods. The Coyotes have found it but
this is an unusual animal for the spit. I also saw 16 Cottontail Rabbits.
Lots of food for the Great horned and Barred Owls. Hopefully a Great Gre(a)y
will show up out there for me to see.
If you go out then be aware that the road is ice covered and the snow has a
crust on it. Old guys like me get tired legs in those conditions.
DIRECTIONS
LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO
To get to "The Spit" from Queen & Yonge Streets. Take the Queen Street Car
#501 east to Leslie Street and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can
go on Leslie Street to Unwin Avenue and you will see the gate and signage.
By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie Street.
If before 9 am you can park either on Leslie Street or Unwin Avenue, after
9 am the parking lot inside the gate is open, be sure to note the closing
time as your car will be locked in at that time.
Pipit Point is the extreme left hand (southwest) point. When walking out
towards the lighthouse you will come to a road going off to the left (at the
Quonset hut or tin shed). Follow this road along the outer arm as far as it
goes and at the T junction where the paved road goes off to the right
continue straight onto the dirt road and you will end up on Pipit Point.
NOTE- This is a dead end road and also you are not allowed onto it during
nesting season.
ANOTHER NOTE:- The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at
other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive,
7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that. There is a van
available after 9 am from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving Day weekend
that will take you out or back. The "SPIT" is only open on the weekend as
they are still building it.
ONE MORE NOTE:- From now until after New Years (Jan 3) the spit is not
officially open but it is also not closed.
Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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