Ontbirders and Jackson Hudeki represent!
Howdy folks!
I've copied this post from our local listserve. I had a Fox Sparrow today in
Highland Woods. Fox Sparrows are tough to come by in Middlesex County, and are
certainly very rare in the Highland Woods area. In my 5 years of record keeping
for the area, I only have a few records, usually in spring as
well.........thus, a notable sighting. Good luck all!
On my morning walk through the open area off Commissioner's Road, just east of
the little creek, I had a FOX SPARROW in a mixed flock of birds feeding on the
open
pathway. Other birds on the ground here were DARK EYED JUNCO, WHITE THROATED
SPARROW, and WHITE CROWNED SPARROW. All of the white crowns were first year
birds.
This fox sparrow is my first of fall and first of year as well. They are very
rare coming through Highland Woods, so it is a great sighting for me.
Other birds of the day were RUBY CROWNED KINGLET, GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET, SONG
SPARROW, both NUTHATCHES, BROWN CREEPER, and DOWNY WOODPECKER, amongst some
other regulars.
Fox Sparrows don't occur here often, but when they do, I always find them in an
open pathway feeding on the ground, usually with other birds. So keep an eye out
for this bird if you are around, and look ahead of you in the pathways.
We must have had a major influx of birds last night because I've had no kinglets
and very few white throated sparrows lately, and today there were easily 40+
white throateds and dozens of golden crowned, with a few ruby crowned.
Directions: Highland Woods is a small but important gem in south London. From
wharncliffe and commissioner's road, head east on commisioner's. Take a right
into the small plaza about a half block east here, and park. Walk east from the
lot, past the apartment building, and to your right is the path leading to the
open area and a ravine. This is where the fox sparrow was. Best of luck to all
Ontbirders.
Happy birding!!!
Len Manning III, Esq.
PS- Jackson Hudeki, you betta' come birding with me or else!
_______________________________________________
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/
