Hello Birders, I was in North Bay this weekend visiting some friends before I leave for the winter and we saw some noteworthy birds around town.
On the 19th, Duncan Hill, Sonje Bols, Andrea Bols and Caroline Schmitz had an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER in downtown North Bay, close to the waterfront at the lawns near the bus terminal (just before I arrived!) On the 20th, we had a flock of 20+ SANDHILL CRANES near Verner off Highway 17. On the 21st, we had a BOREAL CHICKADEE with a rapidly-moving flock of Black-capped Chickadees close to Duchesnay Falls. These seem to be on the move, as just like the Algonquin birds, it was not in good breeding habitat. Look for them with migrant chickadee flocks down south. To reach the falls from North Bay head west on Hwy 17 for a couple of kilometers. There is a small road side park on the north side of the road. This is located just east of where Hwy 17 and 17B meet. The road size park has a paved parking lot. Well defined trails lead to the falls. This morning, Sonje Bols and I birded Laurier Woods. We had two flocks of over a dozen EVENING GROSBEAK fly over, a flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and, near the entrance, a mixed flocks of finches feeding on birch that contained mostly PINE SISKIN, but also a handful of COMMON REDPOLL and a single female exilipes ssp. HOARY REDPOLL. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was present there later, in full song, which was nice. This is an excellent birding location, with lots of alder and birch for finches to feed on. >From the HWY 11/17 junction near Seymour Street, head northwest on HWY 11/17 and take a left at Seymour Street. Turn right at Franklin Street, and then left onto Brule Street where you will find a parking area and new trail signage. Good Birding! Lev Frid thespruceblog.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ 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/
