As a result of media releases in early December asking for Great Gray Owl reports along with an excellent photograph thanks to Marc Johnson that he took in November in Hurst we have now received 55 reports of Great Gray Owls in Simcoe County. They are moving around and I have plotted their movements on a map and feel that there are 9 owls involved but more reports and owls are coming in every day. The most reliable Great Gray is in Ramara township just south of Casino Rama at the corner of Mara/Rama Boundary Road and Sideroad 25. Another along Cambrian Road between Hampshire Mills Road and Telford Road and the third along hwy 12 between Mt. St. Louis and Moonstone Road. There are also over 700 Wild Turkeys in one flock in a corn field at this last location plus many other reports of smaller flocks around the area.
A European Goldfinch has been visiting the feeder of Jim and Ellen Graham in Lake Dalrymple for the last two weeks. This is in the circle for the Carden Alvar Christmas Bird Count which will be held on Sunday, January 2, 2005. Please contact me if you are interested in taking part in the Carden Alvar Count in the New Year. A good way to start off your 2005 bird list and maybe add Great Gray Owls and the goldfinch. Gulls at the Orillia landfill last Saturday included 500 Herring, 73 Great Black-backed, 7 Glaucous, 3 Iceland, and 3 Ring-billed Gulls. Also 3 Bald Eagles at the Orillia Narrows. Bob Bowles Orillia, Ontario
