I was walking along the side of the Avon River at 8:30 AM this morning pursuing
a Wilson's Warbler when I saw a large brown bird at my feet, in the grass. I
froze but it flew to a nearby tree. I had a good look at it when it flew to
another nearby tree. It was obviously a nightjar; but it was huge with a 2+
foot wingspan, long tail, big head and a reddy-brown top side. At first I
thought Whipporwill but this bird was too large, was distinctly red-brown and
had very little white anywhere. My heart was beating fast as I realised this
was a Chuck-will's widow.
Steve Thorpe
Stratford
To access the spot where the bird was last seen take road 111 north from Hwy
7/8 on the east saide of Stratford. Travel about 0.5 km to the first bridge
(Sebbon Bridge) and walk about 200 - 300 m west towards Stratford. The bird
was in the trees on the south side of the river.
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
