OFO Happy Valley/Palgrave Trip, June 25, 2011:
On Sunday 25 birders spent a rewarding day exploring Happy Valley and Palgrave Conservation areas, tallying 62 species, a respectable number considering the weather. The morning started at Happy Valley Forest with great scope viewing of a pair of young Red-shouldered Hawks in their nest. The resident Acadian Flycatcher was heard singing by all group members but, perhaps due to the steady drizzle, it would not come out of the dense foliage for a viewing. The rain did not let up for most of the morning, but in spite of the lack of bird song we were able see or hear a good number of species and had satisfying looks at Scarlet Tanager, as well as Blue-winged (seen off the southern Happy Valley trail ), Blackburnian and Black-throated Green Warblers. In transit to Palgrave we had excellent views of Eastern Bluebirds which seemed fairly common on the 16th concession just west of Happy Valley. Thankfully the rain abated in the afternoon. Near Palgrave we checked out some grassland species and then explored the conservation area. At Palgrave we picked up Pine Warbler, White-throated and Swamp Sparrows. We ended the day at a small swamp nearby where we had excellent looks at Green Herons and calling Pileated Woodpecker. A small subgroup of insect and flora lovers kept the group informed between bird sightings regarding the non-bird aspects of nature including plants, beetles and butterflies. Highlights: Elderberry Borer, Red-spotted Purple/White Admiral Intergrade a rather large Millipede and Lady’s-Slipper. Special thanks to Becky Flook for her digital recordings and a note of acknowledgement that the person holding the audio equipment often doesn’t get as good a look! Also, thanks to Dave Worthington, Rob MacIver, and Hugh Currie for pre-trip reconnaissance and advice. Also thanks to “the Flower Guy” and Dave Milsom for reaching out from Alaska with timely information. John Schmelefske -- John Schmelefske # 7360 RR # 4 Alliston, Ontario,Canada, L9R 1V4 Email: [email protected] Watercolour Gallery: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001214&id=1051632050&l=ea990bf4ce _______________________________________________ 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/
