As with many other areas, White-winged Crossbills are beginning to show up throughout the Ganraska Forest (an 11 000 acre forest south of Peterborough). The first flock of White-wings showed up in early July and have been scattered throughout the forest since. Mostly in red pine stands. Yesterday was the first time I heard one singing this year.
We have had Red Crossbills scattered throughout the forest since April and some flocks have been reliably feeding in certain. They are favouring red pine and European larch. There were many juveniles, some still showing downy feathers and following their parents closely in April and May. Flocks seem to be breaking up now and birds are floating more singly. As well, we are starting to hear more Pine Siskin flying around and vocalizing over the forest which is the same timing we have seen for the past two years. There is a red pine cone crop throughout the forest but it is denser in some areas. There have been a good number of cones available for the past three of four years. The white spruce cone crop is just coming on in some areas and finishing in others. Some white pine cones are starting to open up although many are still green. The Ganraska Forest straddles Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria, and Durham counties. To get to the Ganraska Forest take highway 401 to the 115. Follow north to Durham Regional Road 9 at Kirby. Take regional road 9 east about 18km until you reach Cold Springs Camp Road. Follow Cold Springs Camp Road north for 4km and you will reach the Ganraska Forest Centre where a permit can be purchased and they will provide maps. Some of the better, reliable areas are northeast of Feathestone Rd. off Northumberland 10th Line and off Wilcox Rd in Durham County. Remember a permit is required to be in the forest and supports continued protection of this forest. Cheers, Ben Walters _______________________________________________ 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
