Ontbirders represent! Middlesex county comin' at ya!
This excerpt was taken from a post I just made to our local listserve.
Hopefully the sighting is "Ontbirds worthy" and I apologize in advance if it is
not, but I am fairly excited about this.
"Hey folks.
I just about soiled myself this morning when I happened upon 2 RED CROSSBILLS
atop a pine tree bordering Highland Woods.
Following some AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES about in their crazy ways, I noticed a bird
perched atop a pine. I assumed a HOUSE FINCH (which I had heard earlier), and
that's where I normally see them, and as I put my bins on this bird it was most
certainlty not a house finch, but rather a largeish finch, and certainly a
crossbill due to the bill. Getting a little closer, I noted it was all dull or
drab red, with no wingbars at all on the darker wings. I double checked for any
wingbars and there were none. The bird then "fell down" a few branches before
taking off, and when this happened, another bird joined it. They both flew off
southwest making their contact calls, which I have listened to since getting in,
and matched it to Red Crossbill. This is quite exciting for me as this a a new
bird for me, and I don't see many reports of this bird overall.
Could we be getting an irruption after all? Seems some northern birds are
definitely moving south.
Happy Birding
Len"
Highland Woods is located in south London. It is a small but special place.
the birds were spotted in some pines in the "open area" of the woods.
To access this area, from Wharncliffe and Commissioner's, travel east on
Commissioner's. Parking is in a small plaza on the right hand side, only half a
block east of Commissioner's. Walk east past the appartment building on the
right, and you will see a path here. Head down the path and you'll see it comes
to a fork. Head east on the forked path and you will cross a small creek and to
the left of this is a backyard with many tall pines. This is where the birds
were.
Obviously this species is highly irregular with their movements, but keep an
eye out if you're in the area.
Middlesex baby, Middlesex!
Happy birding ya'll!
Len Manning III, Esq.
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