Hi Ontario birding community, I would like to report that the Mountain Bluebird found yesterday is still being seen at Snyder's Flats in Waterloo. It has been hanging out within 100m of Snyder's Flats Rd, about 50m before the last parking area all day today around the same spot it had been found yesterday. It has been flying from tree to tree and frequently perches on the highest tips of bushes and trees, crossing the road regularly. It seems to want to be on both sides of the road, back and forth, forever. Let's hope it sticks around for at least a few days so people can see it when the weather is not so poor!
Snyder's Flats Rd is off of Sawmill Rd at the northeast corner of Waterloo. Big year stuff below... This might get a bit mushy... This Mountain Bluebird marks a lifetime birding highlight for me... This is the 343rd bird species I have seen this year in our great beautiful province of Ontario, and therefore this sighting ties with Ontario's Big Year record, set in 2012 by Josh Vandermeulen. I want to make special note to thank Josh, one of my best friends, for being so unwaveringly supportive of this crazy journey. Josh has been so helpful and positive throughout this year and has been by far one of the greatest influences in my birding career. Thanks so much Josh for everything you do for me. I also want to take this opportunity to especially thank Tim Arthur, Sarah Lamond, and Bruce DiLabio for unconditional support, positivity, good company, and close friendship throughout this crazy year. These four, among many others (you know who you are but I will do my best to personally thank each of you) are some of the best friends I could ever ask for. There are also countless others who have supported and pushed me along to make this accomplishment possible. I am generally so appreciative for the support of all of my family, friends near and far, clubs like OFO and ECFNC, and the gang at Vortex Canada for collectively pushing me, rooting for me, and generally supporting me. This is something I could never have achieved alone and as cheesy as this email may read, I am really so grateful for all of you from the bottom of my heart. I cannot finish this email without thanking Alan Wormington. I would not be half the birder I am today if not for Alan being such a big part of my life. Again, thanks so much everyone for everything you've done to help along with this team accomplishment. I will not slow down until 2017 has finished, and I wish you all the best luck this fall and winter. Jere Jeremy Bensette - Leamington, ON I'm doing an Ontario Big Year in 2017! Mountain Bluebird makes 343 species! Now, back to the search... There are still six weeks left in the year!! > On Nov 19, 2017, at 8:17 AM, Ethan Gosnell via ONTBIRDS > <[email protected]> wrote: > > Just getting the word out that a female mountain bluebird was seen at > Snyder's Flats in Waterloo. A person was there two hours later and did not > find it, but recent weather suggests it should stay in the area! See > checklist for details: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40577554 > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 > Visit the OFO Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists > _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
