Yesterday, (April 1) late afternoon I saw a Gyrfalcon (white phase bird)
perched on the branch of a large maple tree overlooking the Vivian creek
valley and surrounding farmfields and woodlots south of the hamlet of
Mount Albert, in the Town of East Gwillimbury. Myself, and fellow birder
Ian Hilton watched the bird with binoculars and scope for some time. We
then drove around to the (9th line) line road to the east and watched
again from that side. We observed the bird from 5:00 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
The bird was relaxed and surveying slowly across the snowy fields. The
area is
inaccessble private farms by foot or car, but due to the low undulating
glacial hills can be viewed well from a distance. It was about 10
degrees celcius temperature, and a light cooling N.W. wind blue sky and
good light. There was a storm looking cloud bank blowing up to the west.
The best way to view across the open farm field to the valley where the
bird frequented, is to drive south on Centre Street at Mount Albert Road
in Mount Albert about 1/4 km. past the last farm house and barn (dark
gray painted) on the east side at the edge of town houses. Scan to the
east along the valley top trees.
Paul Harpley
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