Hello Birders, Today at Kortright Centre, on the trail near "The Sugar Bush Shop" which starts in the middle of three trail heads, where bird feeders are placed, I took my new scope for a run-through. It was the perfect day to compare DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, there were several individuals, many a time you could see both species opposite each other on a tree trunk. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were in abundance at the feeders. GREAT-HORNED OWLS were heard for a short time near the Wood Duck Box on the boardwalk. Also, when one finishes the boardwalk trail and crosses a small bridge, there is a steep incline. Once you reach the end of a small field, you will see a wooden building. You have the option of going left or straight to another incline through enormous Sugar Maples. Go straight (sometimes the trail isn't clearly visible) for PILEATED WOODPECKERS. There is a pair resident here and several times I have seen the birds, including today, in which I saw a female on an old snag, particularly close to the path, and got excellent views. Remember: Pileateds have huge territories and seeing them in a one area is never guaranteed. While I was exiting the park, just at the entrance, on the left side of the road in a tangle of bushes, I observed a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE. The bird was not intimidated at all and I got good, close views. Other birds included abundant BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, a NORTHERN CARDINAL and a RED-TAILED HAWK.
*Directions to Kortright:* The Kortright Centre is located three kilometers west of Highway 400 and one kilometer south of Major Mackenzie Drive at 9550 Pine Valley Drive in Woodbridge. Good Birding, Lev Frid _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org 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
