The bird was present when I left the area at 6:30 p.m. For anyone trying to locate it on subsequent days here are a few tips.
If you are lucky, it will be on one of the posts at the back of the fenced area, easily viewed from the road with binoculars and very nice with scope. (the road can be busy at times and cars do not slow down from highway speed so watch your back). The bird ranges from this fence line as far back as the corn field, a considerable distance, where it is barely identifiable at full scope power. Positioning yourself midway along the fenced area on the west side of the road, scan hay bales in the distance and scrub with perches half way there. It spent time immediately to the left of the white plastic wrapped pile of hay bales at the end of the day and was often only a few inches above the grass on a low perch for extended periods of time. It is likely that you will need a scope to look for the bird if it is not at its closest point. It blends in well when not atop a stick or other open perch. If it is present but not visible it may remain low for 20-40 minutes before moving higher or closer. Plan to check for 60-90 minutes if not successful at first. In good light it is an attractive bird. Apparently the homeowner is not open to having people enter the property for a closer approach. A final note. It was possible to have both the Wheatear and several Sandhill Cranes in the same binocular or scope view. The cranes were along the edge of the corn. Brian Morin Directions : from Ottawa take hwy 417 east to exit 96 Carlsbad Springs and north to Russell Rd. Turn east on Russell and follow to Milton Rd. Turn north and follow to 4000 Milton Rd. Look for the horses in the fenced area beside the road. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
