Hey Birders,
My Dad and I checked out the back roads around Linwood today. We saw the Red-shouldered Hawk in Hawkesville. We've had this same bird every winter since December 2003. When we first observed the bird in 2003, it was an adult, making it 6+ years old, not too shabby. Other birds of interest were 25 Red-tail's, 14 Rough-legs, 2 Cooper's Hawks and 2 American Kestrels. We drove 65.5km, so the raptor density per 100km is quite high. Other birds seen, included 2 Pine Grosbeaks at Conestogo Lake. If anyone's free this Saturday, were conducting an "unofficial" CBC centred around Linwood and there is still room for others. This is a great raptor area, with good possibilities. Also, about 5 minutes ago I sighted my first "Greater" Common Redpolls. There are 2-4 birds amongst 5 "Southern" Common Redpolls visiting our feeder here in Heidelberg providing some good comparisons. Directions for the Red-shoulder: take Hwy 85 north and exit at the second King Street exit (where the stockyards are), follow King Street and the signs toward St. Jacobs until you come to Lobsinger Line. Turn right or west on Lobsinger and take this to the main intersection in St. Clements (about 8 km.) where you turn right onto Herrgot Road. Take Herrgot Road two concessions north to the intersection with flashing lights. Scan the area around the intersection, or the creek bed about 400 metres up Herrgot. Its pretty hard to get but with some luck and a thorough check of the area around Hawkesville you may get it. Good Birding. Ken Burrell Heidelberg, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
