Hello, Thanks to Dave Martin for posting the details of our Townsend's Solitaire sighting so promptly. A bit more info.on the observation. We found the bird at about 8.30 am, on the west side of Macpherson, perched well up, along the creek valley. It proceeded to tree-hop to the south until it reached Hwy 3 [Talbot Trail] and then flew about 200 m east, to an [apparently] abandoned house, on the north side of Hwy 3 [911# 19936]. The Solitaire was observed foraging on the roof and eves of this house, as well as feeding on Red Cedar berries in the front yard. We had business elsewhere, so couldn't linger and only returned to check again at about 1.30 pm. Although we didn't see the bird at this location again, our time was short and it could well have been still nearby. For those looking for the bird, I would suggest checking the abandoned house in the morning [as the Solitaire seemed to fly to this location as if it had done so repeatedly]. Alternately, there is a lowland area, just north of Hwy 3, along the east side of Macpherson, that has an abundance of Red Cedar, Wild Grape and Sumac. The bird could spend much of it's time in this site as it has the food and cover to sustain it for some time, I would think. For County listers, the bird was observed in both Elgin and Chatham-Kent, as the county line is Macpherson. Directions [from Dave Martin's previous post]: If coming from the east exit Hwy 401 at the Rodney exit (exit # 129) and drive south on Furnival Road to Hwy # 3. Drive west on Hwy # 3 about 7 km to the intersection.
If coming from the west, follow Hwy # 3, or, if coming along the 401, exit the 401 at exit # 117 and follow Bury Road through Highgate to Hwy # 3. Turn east on Hwy # 3 and drive about 8 km east to the intersection. Cheers, James Holdsworth and Ross Snider. _______________________________________________ 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
