Friday, December 28,2007:
I started out my day at 8:30am walking the Dunlap Observatory in search of the Barred Owl and Pine Grosbeaks. The birds were plentiful along the main driveway, mostly black-capped chickadees and still high in the trees. I followed the "path" behind the main building and stayed right of the Radio Tower which was not too bad a walk. It was quiet, I made it to the tree stands at the end of the trail and thru the bush to the open field facing Hillsview. No Owl. I turned back as it was far to difficult to walk the deep snow in the open field. On the way back Crows had arrived in the middle of the stand clearly upset. Sure enough they flushed the Barred Owl. The Owl flew back towards the Radio Tower, by the time I arrived back at the tower, he was flushed again headed just east of the main driveway. I lost him at that point. No Pine Grosbeaks, perhaps too early. Directions to the Observatory: 404 to Major Mackenzie, West to Bayview, South a couple blocks on Bayview to Hillsview (on West side of Bayview) take Hillsview to the end of the field where you can park on the street near the main driveway. By 1pm I was downtown at the ROM, and noticed what appeared to be a Peregrine Falcon keeping the Pigeons in check. This fellow was sticking high in the sky 1 block directly due north of the main entrance of the ROM on Bloor Street just west of Avenue Rd/ Queens Park. If anyone is in the area, keep your eyes in the sky. My bird feeder in Richmond Hill (Major Mac and Leslie) was turning up Black-eyed Juncos and still does. I changed the seeds to sunflowers and now I am attracting Gold Finches (Pale Yellow Head, beige back, black and white wings, light brown belly). I thought these little guys went south for the winter. With that, I have now peaked the curiosity of the local Merlin, or sharp-shinned, I haven't been able to get a good luck to identify, I am now careful opening the blinds in the morning, with camera in hand. Regards, Glenn Richmond Hill _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
