Hello birders, This morning (November 29), Julie Belliveau found and photographed a FIeldfare feeding in fruiting trees in Sturgeon Falls, between North Bay and Sudbury. The bird was seen several times visiting Mountain Ash trees in the vicinity this morning. There are just three previous reports for Ontario, the last being one that spent part of the winter in Toronto in 1981. Congratulations Julie!
The OFO Rare Bird Ambassador Program has been engaged to provide a viewing opportunity for birders that keeps the community in mind. Birders are welcome to try to see the bird and I will post any updates here from Julie if it is seen again. If you do visit please keep these considerations in mind: 1. This is a residential neighborhood, please be respectful! Under no circumstance are you permitted to enter people's private property. It does not sound like this would be necessary anyways. Walking the neighborhood searching the fruiting trees along the roads is your best bet for finding this exciting bird. 2. Please do not park on the residential streets. Instead, use the municipal parking lot at the municipal beach/tennis courts at the end of Main Street (https://maps.app.goo.gl/2fhgdWV5qCTaYJrW9). This is an approximately 5-10 minute walk from where the bird was seen this morning. If you have mobility challenges and must park closer, ensure you are not blocking driveways or snow clearing activities. If the bird remains for the weekend, weekend parking may be possible at the nearby schools. 3. The bird was seen around the intersection of Michaud St and North St ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/2fhgdWV5qCTaYJrW9). In addition to being respectful of private property, be aware there is a school across from this intersection so there will be significant traffic of kids to and from school. Do not impede their traffic. 4. If you report the bird to eBird, please use the "stakeout hotspot" that will appear nearby. Directions: From North Bay, travel west on Hwy 17 to the town of Sturgeon Falls. Turn right onto Main St (just after the Tim Hortons) and take that until the end of the road, which is the municipal beach/parking area. After parking, walk two blocks east on Ethel St to Church St and turn north. The bird could be anywhere in this neighbourhood to the northeast of this intersection. Good luck! Mike Burrell on behalf of the OFO Rare Bird Ambassador Program -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Ontbirds is reserved for sightings of provincially rare birds. To post a message on Ontbirds, send an email to: birdalert@ontbirds.ca. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Ontbirds Moderators by email at birdal...@ofo.ca. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
