Hello Ontbirders, Yesterday morning 23 birders were on hand for a tour of the Long Point region. Starting at 6:30 am we spent most of the morning birding the trails of Backus Woods, with stops later in the day at the Bird Studies Canada (BSC) property, Big Creek Marsh and Hastings Drive. Despite the scattered showers and overcast conditions we managed a tally of 85 species.
Species highlights included: Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Hooded Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Orchard Oriole, a juvenile Bald Eagle (based on the date it presumably fledged from further south in the states) and 3 species of tern (Black, Caspian, Forster's). The view of Long Point Bay from the BSC property produced several late duck species including: Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Lesser and Greater Scaup, Canvasback and Redhead. Thanks to all those who attended for a great outing. Good Birding. Jody Allair Directions (taken from *A Birding Guide to the Long Point Area - Ron Ridout* ): Backus Woods can be accessed from three main locations. The access trails on the 4th Conc. are 2 km east on the 4th from HWY 59. The 4th Conc. is the first road south of HWY 24 on HWY 59. The BSC headquarters property is on Front Rd. 500 m east of HWY 59, on the western edge of Port Rowan. Big Creek Marsh National Wildlife Area is on the HWY 59 causeway, 2.5 km south of the intersection of Front Rd. and HWY 59. The parking area is on the west side of the Causeway. Hastings Drive begins at the southern terminus of the Causeway as it turns east along Long Point (approx. 4.4 km from the intersection of Front Rd and HWY 59). Look for the restaurant on the SW corner of Hastings and HWY 59 and turn west (right). _______________________________________________ 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/
