Hi there, A few birders met today to watch for hawks at Westmeath Lookout. Among the raptor highlights, we observed 5 Rough-legs (including one adult dark morph) and 1 Golden Eagle.
At around 10:20 AM, we observed a massive flock, and many sub-flocks, of Sandhill Cranes heading SE, roughly 1-1.5 km NE of the lookout site. We counted independently of one another and then shared our tally: 300-350! All the flocks were circling lower and lower as they headed SE, so it's quite possible they landed in a suitable field in the immediate area. Later on, I checked for raptors along Snake River Line, just N of Cobden. I specifically checked from Poff Rd to the N, and Waterview Rd to the S. Northern Harrier (3), Rough-legged (1 light) and Sandhill Crane (88) were the highlights. Westmeath Lookout is located on the E side of Lookout Rd., roughly 2 km E of Westmeath PP. There is a small, nondescript sign at the base of the lookout hill. The gazebo atop the hill is visible from Lookout Rd. Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ 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
