Hi everyone, Just to follow up on Jacques Bouvier's post, I have now had an opportunity to compare the photos he took of the bird at the Laflèche landfill site with the individual that my team observed 7 km to the north along Desnoyers. Incredibly, although both are distinctly white phase Gyrfalcons, they are two different birds! The one observed at the landfill is relatively dark, heavily streaked across the breast, while the one I watched is mostly white below. With the snowstorm that began yesterday afternoon and today's substantial coating of freezing rain, there's no telling whether either of the birds hung around or cleared out as the system moved in, and it's probably not a good day to be on the roads searching for them today. However, with two individuals, chances at least seem better of some further sightings. I'll copy below the directions provided by Jacques, although of course the birds could be anywhere in the region - aside from the landfill, there are lots of suitable perches (silos, isolated trees) and prey (pigeons associated with the farms), so they could certainly stick around. And for those searchers who are unsuccessful, there should at least be a consolation prize in the form of Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks if you search the sideroads.
Marcel Gahbauer Ottawa ON DIRECTIONS: The Laflèche Rd landfill site is located at the dead end of Laflèche Road. >From HWY 417 take HWY 138 south (exit 58), turning right on Laflèche road >which is the first road south of the 417. The dump is at the end of the dead >end road, however, the public is not allowed past the main gate. The road is >fairly busy so it is best to park in one of the loading zones on the right, if >possible. Look for the Gyrfalcon chasing the numerous starlings or gulls at >the site; not always visible from the road. A trip to the Ste-Rose area may >be necessary to increase the chances of finding it ... the other individual >was off Desnoyers Road, which can be reached by heading north on Hwy 138 >across Hwy 417, following the road as it turns west and becomes County Road 8, >and then turning north on the first road (Desnoyers), following it for ~1.5 >km. GOOD LUCK!!! _______________________________________________ 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
