Hi, everyone,
I have had a Fox Sparrow visiting my feeders in Rockwood for the last
couple of weeks. It is quite skittish and comes infrequently, but
everyday (or everyday that I am there to see it, anyway). As well, I
had 6 Brown-headed Cowbirds on Jan.1. I've never recorded these species
around here at this time of the year. Also, a Northern Shrike and adult
male Sharp-shinned Hawk are fairly frequent backyard visitors this
winter. Unfortunately, the house next door is to be demolished this
week which will disturb the birds and will make the best viewing spot
inaccessible. If the sparrow is still around after the demo (I hope so
- it's quite striking in the snow!), I will post directions.
I am also requesting video footage (digital would be best) of any owl
species. This is for owl workshops that I am teaching on Jan. 14 and
17. I have video that I took on Amherst Island a few years ago of
Boreal, Great Gray, Saw-whet and Snowy as well as Short-eareds in
Nelle's Corners area, but the tape seems to be wearing out! And I don't
have any footage of Great Horned, Long-eared or Barred. Any footage
(regular camcorders do an awesome job!) that you would like to donate
for use at The Arboretum, U of Guelph, would be greatly appreciated. No
compensation (sorry, funding is tight!) but I would give recognition at
each workshop! I may also be able to use the footage for a talk I am
doing on Hawks and Owls as a fund-raiser for Point Pelee National Park
in May. By the way, I would prefer that I only get footage that didn't
disturb the owls during filming - responsible birders only please!!!
Thanks and happy birding!
Cheers, Chris Earley :)
--
Chris Earley
Interpretive Biologist / Education Coordinator
The Arboretum, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
phone: (519)824-4120 ext. 52201
fax: (519)763-9598
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum
"The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but provocation."
- Freeman Tilden
