Simcoe county (west of Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe) offered some excellent birding for my team's annual Baillie Birdathon yesterday. We usually do our birdathon within the boundaries of York Region but decided we'd give Simcoe a try this year and it was excellent. We (Kevin Shackleton, Keith Dunn, Art Needles and I) observed 141 species. Highlights of the day included Golden-winged Warblers (and one Brewster's backcross) near Matchedash Bay, Piping Plover at Wasaga, Merlin in Midhurst (thanks, Scott, for your tip on this bird), SB Dowitchers and Dunlin in Minesing, Ravens and Purple Martins at Collingwood Harbour, BB Cuckoo at Stayner, plus Clay-coloured and Grasshopper Sparrows, Whip-poor-wills, Snipe and Cm. Nighthawk. Despite our decent species total we dipped on several target birds including Upland Sandpiper, Red-headed Woodpecker, and the Yellow Rail observed by Tyler Hoar at Matchedash Bay last weekend. With the right weather and good fortune it's clear that 150+ would not be out of the question in this area. Our team looks forward to birding Simcoe county again next year for the Baillie Birdathon. To those who sponsored us and/or graciously provided information, thanks sincerely. I will send you a fuller report later in the week. To others who'd still like to support this worthy endvour, it's not too late to do so! Please e-mail privately if you'd like to make a pledge. Ron Fleming, Newmarket _______________________________________________ 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/
