Dear Ontbirders, I was driving @ approximately 100km/h (I know that claim may adversely affect the credibility of this sighting, but note the "approximately" qualifier.) northbound on Highway 400 at 3:15PM Wednesday May 18th, 2011 and observed a bird flying on a steep, quick descent from a point 50 to 75m above the highway in front of me and slightly away from me into the tall deciduous tree woodlot (Poplars/Aspen?) on the E side of the 400, S of King Road at approximately GPS coordinates 17T 615345mE 4863018mN (Google Earth), at the creek, (or perhaps woodlot just north of there at 17T 615320mE 4863217mN). I estimate the bird was 12 to 15" long with the tail being approximately 1.5 times the length of the body. The flight was reminiscent of a Shrike or Mockingbird, with 2 or 3 pumps, except the overall path was very steep and fast. The tail appeared to be dark, slender with a slight flare at the tip and the head was light, but the view was too fleeting for me to note any clear detail beyond general size and proportions. My view was essentially a lateral view towards dorsal slightly. I can state confidently that it was a bird I have never seen before, but I did not observe enough detail to identify it. I suspect it was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, but unless someone gets a positive ID, it will remain a cool bird with a very long tail.
Isn't birding fun? Cheers, Chris Evans - Midhurst _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
