Again this morning there were excellent views of the Great Grey Owl at Holland Landing. The bird, looking much warmer than the birders, was hunting in the field immediately across from #20820 North Bathurst from 7:30 at least until I left at 8:30. Although there is broken ice in the moat, suggesting that someone has recently crossed it, this morning's observers were well-behaved and the bird seemed comfortable. Ron Fleming's directions, previously posted, led readily to today's sighting:
Holland Landing is in York Region, which is directly north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe. Bathurst Street runs uninterrupted from Lake Ontario all the way up to Newmarket but then ends a few kms north of Green Lane. To access the northern extension of Bathurst you have to jog east to Yonge Street and follow it north of Newmarket toward Bradford. Drive past the lights at the main Holland Landing turnoff (there is a Brooklin Concrete property on the east side of the road as well as the Newmarket Inn) and continue down a long grade approx. 3.5 kms. to the next set of lights near Bradford. Turn right onto Bathurst St. N. and be prepared to come to a stop. Take a quick left at the stop sign, then you will see that Bathurst bends north again. Cross the RR tracks, then follow Bathurst steadily northward. Once you get past Queensville Sdrd. (which runs east into Holland Landing) start looking for big shapes in the trees. The GGOW has been seen most often across from house #20820, which has an Irish clover or shamrock sign. Skip Shand _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
