This afternoon Sue and I went out with Carol and Doug to look for the Mountain Bluebird that was reported from near Shetland a number of weeks ago, taking a chance that it might still be there, as nothing had been posted for a week or so. It was still there, with a female E. Bluebird along Kerry Rd. As we watched the two feeding on berries from red cedar trees along the road, we saw an immature Golden Eagle alight in a tree nearby. Just as I was getting the scope on it to study it, it flew up and joined two other immature Golden Eagles in flight over the field near the road, just above us. Quite a sight to see them together. I find it hard enough to find one in the winter, let alone three together. We drove back to Bentpath Line and followed it westward to where we had seen a Snowy Owl a few weeks ago. It was still there but not on a telephone post, but rather out on the field on the south side.
Directions.. Coming from the west, Bentpath Line begins at St Clair Parkway south of Sarnia near Sombra and heads east. Just follow along until just past the Shetland Conservation Area, to Kerry and go south on it. If you are coming along the 402 a number of exits will go south to Bentpath, the closest one being Rd 8, Forest Rd, exit 34, which turns a bit as you head south but hooks up to Bentpath near Shetland. Then go east two roads to Kerry and then south. Coming from the east, Bentpath begins at Watterworth Rd. north of Newbury. >From the 401, take the Furnival Rd, at exit 129, Rd 103 north and follow it as it bends around and ends up in Wardsville. It becomes Rd 1, Haggerty Rd, as it goes through Wardsville. Follow it northward and it will eventually turn west onto Bentpath. The Mountain Bluebird is on Kerry Rd, not far north of the intersection with Bilton LIne. The bluebirds feed fairly regularly in the cedars or grapes, and then fly across to the grassy field to the east. Wait patiently beside the cedars. The Golden Eagles were flying over the corn field to the east, and headed up over our heads and soared higher, and we left before they settled. One was reported from that area by other birders who had gone out looking for the bluebirds but no one I know has reported more than one. The Snowy Owl likes sitting on the telephone poles on the north side of Bentpath Line, or on the ground, especially out on the field on the south side, over where there is an orangey grassy unplowed area. This field is west of Kerry, a few kms, just west of the intersection of Bentpath Line and Naylor Rd. Pete and Sue Read Carol and Doug Apperson _______________________________________________ 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/
