I have spent three evenings observing a scarlet tanager pair calling territorially at 5pm-6pm on the north end of the old McKenny Road allowance. This area makes for an absolutely excellent evening birding walk that traverses several different habitats. An access road to an array of radio towers and nearby path along a stream make for an easy (and very quiet) walking loop with a great deal of visibility. This evening, horned larks and wood thrushes were also present, as well as a red-tailed hawk pair nesting in one of the radio tower. Turn onto the McKenny Road allowance at N 43 2.453 W 079 9.835 and park at the end of the gravel hard-pack (N 43 2.160 W 079 9.837). This evening, the male tanager was calling from a perch at N 43 2.115 W 079 9.840 . The red-tailed hawk radio tower is here: N 43 2.125 W 079 10.008 . The male tanager moves around the area but is easily identifiable by the prominent call. Listen online first and it can be found quite easily: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/sounds/mp3/SCATAN.mp3 Driving directions:Exit the QEW at Lyon's Creek Road and head west. Cross through the stoplights at Montrose and Lyon's Creek becomes Biggar Road. Continue west until Biggar meets Moyer Road and turn north on Moyer. The first right-hand turn is Grassy Brook Road. Travel 1.8 km to the McKenny Road allowance on the south side of Grassy Brook Road. _______________________________________________ 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/
