On Sunday, February 27th, I took the trek north to Chelmsford to see the rosy finch. On a very cold -29 degree Celsius morning the finch was, very active, coming repeatedly to the feeders. In its company were a dozen pine grosbeaks and at least two dozen common redpolls. All these birds were present from daybreak (7:00 a.m.) until they all scattered at about 8:30 a.m. . . . The reason being, a northern shrike perched itself on one of the feeders. It remained in the yard for about fifteen minutes before leaving. I stayed there another hour but the birds were spooked and kept their distance from the feeders. Speaking to John Somerset (the very accommodating home owner) the finch seems more active on cold days and especially very early in the morning. Such was the case on Sunday. Returning home I took a side trip to Killarney Provincial Park. The only bird of note was a Great-Grey Owl on hwy# 638, 20 km's off of hwy#69.
Bernard Beneteau McGregor, O N
