Ontbirders, Ross Snider and I observed a dark morph Gyrfalcon along Haldimand Road 53, west of Fisherville. Although the bird initially gave us a few lazy circles, it quickly bee-lined [at some rate of knots] to the south, probably to the lake shore where there is an abundance of waterfowl and gulls.
In terms of plumage, it was very dark overall with little discernible facial pattern, blackish wing linings boldly spangled with white and contrastingly paler, more uniform flight feathers with dark primary tips. The body plumage was densely streaked with sooty grey. The size of the bird suggested to us that it was a male. Directions -From Port Dover, take Hwy 6 north-east to Hwy 3, then 3 east to HR 53. There is little point in looking for the bird here, as it was long gone moments after our observations. Perhaps looking in the vicinity of the US Steel plant or Nanticoke power plant, along the immediate lake shore would be more fruitful, as these areas would seem to offer better opportunities for a hunting Gyr. Cheers, James Holdsworth and Ross Snider. James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 [519]535-8760 [cell] [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
