Today, at 3:00 and in flurries and relatively high winds, 18 of us from
the G.T.A. and Hamilton area explored the Stoney Creek Mountain area for
winter birds. (We had canceled our usual Haldimand hike area due to two
days of very poor scouting results and did better in a shorter amount of
time in the Vinemount Swamp area.)
Today's result began with a Northern Harrier fest with at least nine
along the way, five of them being in the Vinemount Quarry (10th Road
East between Green Mountain Road and Ridge [Mountain brow] Roads).
We started the day off with a flock of at least 48 Wild Turkeys on First
Road West north of Green Mountain Road and several of the group noticed
a Ring-necked Pheasant just north of Green Mt. Rd. but it hid when we
tried to re-find it.
We went on the search for Northern Shrikes, two of which had been seen
on 10th Road earlier today two concessions apart. After finding some
Horned Larks and Starlings and an American Kestrel, we headed back to
Tim Horton's for our snack and washroom break when Angie and her Mom,
Chris, saw a Shrike between 3rd and 4th Rds. east of Hwy. 20 on Mud
Street. We stopped and found that there were two of them! From all
reports, it would seem that there are about four of this species in the
area bounded by Hwy. 20 and mountain edge out to 11th rd. to the east
and Highland road to the south.
Back at 10th Road east at early dusk, after hot coffee, we found three
Short-eared Owls hunting on both sides of the road. Everyone was happy
and we moved on to 8th Road East to try for an Eastern Screech Owl and
got a pair there. We tried to find the pair of Great-horned Owls at
First Road West after that but the wind was not our friend.
I had a wonderful time with some new and old friends today. Some lifers
and year birds were had by all = a good time. Any comments or follow up
can be directed to us at [email protected] .
Directions: this area is most easily accessed from the Q.E.W. going
south from the Fifty Road exit in Grimsby. After you go up the
escarpment, Fifty Road becomes 11th Road East. Turn right onto Ridge
Road and then left onto 10th Road and go just across the railroad tracks
and park. Never walk through the fields or bush to look for Short-eared
Owls...you'll just scare them away. You can see plenty of them clearly
and easily just as the sun sets here and other places as they come out
to hunt.
Thanks All!
Ken and Angie Williams
905 547 8580
Hamilton, Ont.
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
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/
