Roger Clark and I visited the Kerwin Rd trail this morning. After hearing distant tantalizing calls that sounded like white-winged crossbills on several occasions, and seeing a promising-looking bird in flight, we eventually found a beautiful male perched on top of a medium-sized conifer. Another white-winged crossbill was calling nearby, but remained invisible till the two flew off. This was on the side trail that goes from the main trail over to Riddell Rd, emerging opposite the north-western end of March Valley Rd. The crossbills were near the junction of the side trail with the main trail. Despite hiking most of the "trail system", we were unable to find any northern woodpeckers.
Note: a stop at Britannia Yacht Club did not produce the Harlequin Duck, nor any Long-tailed Ducks. Perhaps they've all moved on. Directions to Kerwin Rd from Ottawa: Take 417 west and exit at Eagleson Rd north. Eagleson becomes March. Follow for several km and turn right onto Dunrobin Rd. After a km or so turn right on Kerwin Rd (used to be River Rd) and follow for a km or so. You will cross railway tracks, then after the road bears left, you will see on the right a yellow diamond sign indicating a school bus stop. The trailhead is here. Paul Matthews, Ottawa From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Dec 10 15:06:31 2006 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from mail.niagara.com (mail.niagara.com [209.5.56.12]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2BFD8634AC for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:06:30 -0500 (EST) Received: from KayoRoy (adsl-155.niagara.com [209.5.62.155]) by mail.niagara.com (8.13.6/8.13.4) with SMTP id kBAK6W7J031084 for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:06:32 -0500 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: "Diane and Kayo Roy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ontbirds" <[email protected]> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:06:28 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2869 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2962 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Content-Filtered-By: Mailman/MimeDel 2.1.1 Subject: [Ontbirds] Niagara Falls Slaty-backed Gull - YES: NOTL Razorbill - YES X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:06:32 -0000 Jean Iron just called me from the field, 10 minutes ago, their group relocated the third winter Slaty-backed Gull. The bird was resting at the north end (left end) of the breakwall, observed from the small pull-off on the north side of the control structure above the Falls in Chippawa. This area can be accessed off the Niagara Parkway. Drive past the Horseshoe Falls, continue past the old Toronto Hydro Building, go past Dufferin Island, and look for the pull-off just ahead on the left. Good luck to all that go. The Razorbill was observed initially at 0750 this morning, and was present for many to see throughout the rest of the morning. Everyone saw the bird from the elevated area of Queen's Royal Park on Front Street in Niagara-on-the Lake, ON. Kayo Kayo Roy 13 Kinsman Court Fonthill, ON L0S 1E3 [EMAIL PROTECTED] From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Dec 10 15:26:29 2006 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from tomts43-srv.bellnexxia.net (tomts43.bellnexxia.net [209.226.175.110]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 5341763480 for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:26:28 -0500 (EST) Received: from [192.168.0.100] ([64.229.121.201]) by tomts43-srv.bellnexxia.netESMTP <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:26:28 -0500 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:26:18 -0500 From: Siegmar Bodach <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.7 (Windows/20050923) X-Accept-Language: en-us, en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: [email protected] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailman-Approved-At: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:31:47 -0500 Subject: [Ontbirds] Re: Col.Sam Park in west Toronto_waterfront-Dec.8 waterfowl X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:26:29 -0000 On Thursday (Dec.8) between 3:00p.m. and 3:45p.m. I observed the following: 1 Red-necked Grebe (in winter plumage) and 2 Hooded Mergansers(1 male and 1 female) in the marina lagoon. On the open lake side(east side) just offshore there were rafts of other waterfowl including Greater Scaup, numerous Buffleheads, 1 female Common Goldeneye, several Gadwalls, numerous Red-breasted Mergansers, many Mallards and Canada Geese. It was quite cold(-8C with strong winds(25km+ out of the NW) but sunny. Good winter birding, Sigi Aurora/GTA From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Dec 10 16:23:38 2006 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from smtp108.rog.mail.re2.yahoo.com (smtp108.rog.mail.re2.yahoo.com [68.142.225.206]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with SMTP id DB4C663478 for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:23:37 -0500 (EST) Received: (qmail 5753 invoked from network); 10 Dec 2006 21:23:38 -0000 DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=rogers.com; h=Received:X-YMail-OSG:Message-ID:Date:From:User-Agent:MIME-Version:To:Subject:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding; b=k/e3RldH6vheJ5kCBYood5hhoBskuv0lqVoUKSi0TN9kytmt8xresLIN1I6KioMTQl17jubuw4lqPypzvFd5Z/4SJPpIioVNfRvv14+qEvLEPBJHZXDqJ4J1BfCAgs5yaGA+fn9UuMu8JnBe3DtwlHMyyBE41gXjbNRxvxNiuCQ ; Received: from unknown (HELO ?74.102.152.113?) ([EMAIL PROTECTED]@74.102.152.113 with plain) by smtp108.rog.mail.re2.yahoo.com with SMTP; 10 Dec 2006 21:23:37 -0000 X-YMail-OSG: IPLio1kVM1nwaclM73QhNXHdyJx9YLdN54VkabvdP5xFMIrLsdAQz_u0ctLWFKIMX.3Xl8gXcy.8YHm4dArKhUjJKWyHdupgSxYd9mgabxo55Uc1KEnK4g-- Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:23:45 -0500 From: Carol Horner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.8 (Windows/20061025) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Ontbirds <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Subject: [Ontbirds]Northern Shrike, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Whitby X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:23:39 -0000 Hello Ontbirders I spent an hour or so at Cranberry Marsh and Lynde Shores today, and saw a few interesting winter birds. About halfway down the north pathway at Cranberry Marsh I found a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. On Hall's Road between the north pathway and Victoria St. I had nice view of a NORTHERN SHRIKE as it hunted along the side of the road. Over at Lynde Shores a GREAT BLUE HERON sat on the railing of the boardwalk on the marsh, and the domestic Muscovy Duck that has been there for a few weeks was looking for handouts at the bridge. Directions to Lynde Shores Conservation Area and Cranberry Marsh. Exit the 401 at Salem Road in Ajax. Go south to Victoria Street and turn left (east). Go past Lakeridge Road. For Cranberry Marsh, turn right (south) on Hall's Road. For Lynde Shores continue past Hall's Road and the entrance to Lynde Shores in on the right (south)side. Good Winter Birding Carol -- Carol Horner Toronto, Ontario icterus AT rogers DOT com Photo Galleries at www.pbase.com/carolmhorner From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Dec 10 17:01:30 2006 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from ug-out-1314.google.com (unknown [66.249.92.170]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2EDA4634A1 for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:01:29 -0500 (EST) Received: by ug-out-1314.google.com with SMTP id o2so1204218uge for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:01:29 -0800 (PST) DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s¾ta; d=gmail.com; h=received:message-id:date:from:sender:to:subject:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding:content-disposition:x-google-sender-auth; b=fpO4Tb/3esKjQd543A61kmShcB5YFiP6vbBbiD17LvVXAZn3XFSPOYHp4Hj12mfR0AnCiTw+UcV5cUWq7itP3sI9cRBVltnVS85Yu83EuhiKnCHvSGWccuqFnH35qRTW0S+D2OpyYx+8zoq+bqJ4zcd6qiyZr5xISnQYCrk6CqAReceived: by 10.67.106.3 with SMTP id i3mr8861276ugm.1165788088409; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:01:28 -0800 (PST) Received: by 10.67.19.10 with HTTP; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:01:28 -0800 (PST) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:01:28 -0500 From: "Mike Street" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ONTBIRDS <[email protected]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline X-Google-Sender-Auth: 1ca36063ffb0f11a Subject: [Ontbirds]Bald Eagle @ Princeton & Golden Eagle @ Point Pelee X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 22:01:30 -0000 Near Princeton yesterday (Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006) a distant raptor circling over the westbound Hwy. 403 turned out to be an adult Bald Eagle. The bird was seen at 1:25PM right over the KM 14 marker, so that distance east of Hwy. 401 and Woodstock. Since there is no major water body for many miles I can only assume the bird was moving cross-country toward Windsor. At 9:00 this morning (Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006) an adult Golden Eagle heading south into very strong winds along the Point Pelee marsh decided discretion was the better part of valour and turned back just over the Deslaurier Trail area. Raptor watchers are aware that not all eagles migrate in the 'normal' September to November time frame. Some will stay north until things really freeze up. Significant flights - usually of Bald Eagles - have been seen in the Christmas - New Year's period in the Wisconsin corridor leading out of Minnesota and Northern Ontario. It appears that last week's cold snap may have persuaded a few more easterly birds that it was time to head south. Mike -- Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Dec 10 18:03:47 2006 Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Delivered-To: [email protected] Received: from bayc1-pasmtp01.bayc1.hotmail.com (bayc1-pasmtp01.bayc1.hotmail.com [65.54.191.161]) by king.hwcn.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id C332863489 for <[email protected]>; Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:03:46 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> X-Originating-IP: [65.93.207.171] X-Originating-Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Received: from VALUED7B9600FA ([65.93.207.171]) by bayc1-pasmtp01.bayc1.hotmail.com over TLS secured channel with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.1830); Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:03:45 -0800 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: "Norman Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "ONTBIRDS" <[email protected]> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:03:41 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2869 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2962 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 10 Dec 2006 23:03:46.0247 (UTC) FILETIME=[72196570:01C71CAF] Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Content-Filtered-By: Mailman/MimeDel 2.1.1 Subject: [Ontbirds]Northern Waterthrush at Humber River in Toronto X-BeenThere: [email protected] X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 23:03:47 -0000 Good evening folks. Today Alfred Adamo and I went to the Leslie Street Spit and found a Northern Waterthrush at the Old Mill Inn in west Toronto. The bird was on the west or right hand side of the entrance to the Old Mill Inn beneath a water sluice and waterwheel. We found the bird this afternoon and the bird was very active and feeding. On The Spit where a few good birds including 6 Lesser Scaup, 40+ Canvasbacks in one flock overhead, a juvenile Bald Eagle, 10 Great Blue Herons, Song and Swamp Sparrows along with plenty of the usual waterfowl species thru-out DIRECTIONS:- OLD MILL INN From Bloor Street just west of Jane Street turn right on Old Mill Drive, turn left at Catherine Drive and park in the public parking area on the right just before crossing the Old Mill Bridge. Cross the bridge and the Old Mill Inn is on your left and hard to miss. From the Bloor Subway - Exit at Old Mill station, exit the station and there are a set of stairs going down into the Humber River Valley on your left or the south side of the station.. After descending the stairs walk to your left or north to the Old Mill Inn (2 or 300 yards). The entrance to the Inn is on the north side of the building. LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO To get to "The Spit" from Queen & Yonge Sts. Take the Queen Street Car #501 east to Leslie St. and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can go on Leslie St. at Unwin Ave. and you will see the gate and signage. You may also catch the Jones Bus #83 at the Donlands Subway Station or transfer to it at Queen St. and Jones Ave. and take it to Leslie St. And Commissioner St. (on Saturday only). By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie St. then south to The Spit. You can park either on Leslie St. or Unwin Ave. You may also park in the parking lot inside the main gate after 9 am. Be sure to observe the parking lot closing time as if you are not out by then your auto will be locked in until the following day. THE PARKING LOT AND ALL GATES WILL BE LOCKED AT 4:30PM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE:- The official hours for The Spit are 9 am to 4:30 pm (weekends and holidays only of course) but the unofficial hours are sunup to sundown. To date no one has questioned any birder, jogger, cyclist, etc. about the use of The Spit from sunup to sundown. 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. The Spit is only open on the weekends and holidays because they are still building it. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON S'ils te mordent, mords les --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net
