Long Point Basin Land Trust is co-hosting its second annual "Autumn Eco-Fest & Hawkwatch" this weekend at Long Point Eco-Adventures, overlooking Turkey Point Marsh on the Lake Erie shore. Among other events, the Land Trust conducts all-day hawkwatching and introductory birding and wildlife hikes. Under largely sub-optimal weather conditions, the day's tally comprised 203 raptors of 11 species. This included 6 Merlin, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Osprey, 3 Broad-winged Hawks, and 10 Bald Eagles. Eight of the eagles were in a single group, with several putting on an incredible talon-locking display. The best bird of the day was a Common Raven seen by Kevin Kavanagh, Adam Timpf and several visitors.
Long Point Basin Land Trust's website hosts a regional bird sightings and nature board and full details for the day are posted there. Click on the Rose-breasted Grosbeak icon from the group's home page (www.longpointlandtrust.ca) and follow the links to Bird Sightings. The sightings board is a great place to post and check for bird and other nature observations for the central Carolinian Region, including Haldimand, Norfolk and Elgin Counties. Autumn Eco-Fest & Hawkwatch continues on Sunday, October 2, 2011. The event schedule can be viewed at: www.longpointlandtrust.ca/pdf/ecofest2011.pdf Directions: Turkey Point Marsh and Long Point Eco-Adventures' site can be found by driving south on regional highway 24 from Simcoe, Ontario. Continue on highway 24 as it veers west, then turn south on Turkey Point Road. Turn west on Front Road and continue 1.5km. The Eco-Fest & Hawkwatch event takes place at Long Point Eco-Adventures (1730 Front Road). Gregor Beck St. Williams, Ontario Long Point Basin Land Trust Website: www.longpointlandtrust.ca _______________________________________________ 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/
