Hi Ontbirders
At about 8:30 this morning we had a Northern Hawk Owl near the
intersection of Innes Road and Frank Kenny Road.
The bird was first seen perched in a tree east of Frank Kenny Road and
stayed there for the duration of our observation. When we returned at
noon, the bird was in the next field east of this spot.
Also this morning, we spotted eleven Gray Partridge along Wall Road,
west of Trim Road, and west of the "S" curve.
Although viewing conditions were poor in the blowing snow, we found the
farm fields east of Cassleman to be fairly productive. A dark Snowy Owl
(different than the male found originally by Jacques Bouvier last week,
also present last Wednesday) was near the corner of Concession 20 and
Hwy 8.
Many flocks of Snow Buntings were feeding in the fields and on the
roads. A few smaller flocks of Horned Larks were also present. Most
interesting however, one American Pipit was heard and one Lapland
Longspur was seen, the later in with Snow Buntings.
Two Pine Grosbeaks were observed on top of a conifer beside a farm
house surrounded by wide open fields.
Directions for Northern Hawk Owl and Gray Partridge (courtesy in part
by NeilyWorld
http://ca.geocities.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/birding.htm ):
From Ottawa, Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 113, bear left to
get onto Regional Road 174 or old Highway 17. Proceed 13.6 km northeast
on 174 to Trim Road (Regional 57). Turn right or SSE onto Trim and
drive 3.7 km to Innes Road (Regional 30). Turn left or ENE on Innes
then right on Frank Kenny Road. The owl was in the east field just
south of the snake bend.
To locate the Gray Partridge, continue South on Frank Kenny, turn right
(West) on Wall Road and continue past Trim Road. The partridge were in
a field just past the snake bend on Wall Road.
Directions to the Snowy Owl and Lapland Longspur (courtesy in part by
Jacques Bouvier)
From Hwy 417 east of Casselman take exit 58 and proceed north on
Cty Rd 8 for about 1 km until you come to Concession 20 in the middle
of the
long curve. Turn right (east) on Concession 20. The owl seen today
was on the sixth utility pole along Concession 20 (On Wednesday, a
Snowy Owl was seen along Concession 19 running parallel
north of Conc. 20).
To find the Lapland Longspur, continue east along concession 20 to St.
Rose Road. Turn right on St. Rose, and continue north. The flock of
Snow Buntings with the longspur were two fields south of the corner of
St. Rose and Hwy 3.
Good Luck and Cheerio
Tony Beck
158-B Woodridge Cr.,
Ottawa, Ont.
K2B 7S9
(613)-828-5936
website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Nov 26 14:51:38 2005
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Sat, 26 Nov 2005 15:02:18 EST
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2005 15:02:18 -0500 (EST)
From: RON FLEMING <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: OFO Bird Sightings <ontbirds@hwcn.org>
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cc: Keith Dunn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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cc: Mike Van den Tillaart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Ontbirds]
Rough-legs, N. Harriers, S. Buntings, Fox Sparrow - Keswick
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Mike Van den Tillaart and I spent a two hours hiking around the snowmobile trails by the Ravenshoe flats in southwest Keswick this morning. The temperature was pleasant and the usually malevolent wind was content to merely blow big snowflakes lazily past us.
We did NOT turn up either of the two Snowy Owls seen here last Sunday (Keith &
Christopher Dunn's 9:30 a.m. bird turned out to be a subadult male while my
sighting at noon was of a pure white adult), but we were treated to excellent views
of 2 juvenile NORTHERN HARRIERS, 5 light-phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, several flocks
of SNOW BUNTINGS totalling no less than 200 birds, a few smaller flocks of HORNED
LARKS (approx. 20 in all), and - most surprisingly - a single FOX SPARROW that
flitted into view and perched nicely for us while we were checking out some
chickadees and tree sparrows. We also had six Greater Black-backed Gulls and a
flock of approx. 60 Common Mergansers that flew past heading southwest.
An interesting behavioural observation for us was watching three Rough-legged
Hawks cooperatively feeding on an animal carcass on the ice at Cook's Bay.
While one bird fed at the carcass, the other two stood on the ice within a few
feet of it, waiting their turn.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
Directions: Keswick is north of Newmarket (which, in turn, sits about halfway between Toronto and Barrie). To get there from Newmarket, take Leslie Street north to Ravenshoe Rd., turn west and follow Ravenshoe down the long grade to the flat, open area of agricultural fields. Keep your eyes peeled for Horned Larks and Snow Buntings on both sides of the road.
At the first laneway leading north (not driveable), park at the roadside and
walk north to Cook's Bay (about 1 km). This is a marked snowmobile trail in
winter. There was one very active N. Harrier here as well as 4 light-phase
Rough-legs(!), three of which were feeding on a carcass, as mentioned above.
We had the Fox Sparrow west of this, where the trail goes through a scrubby
area just before meeting the next north-south trail/laneway. Although we did
not get a Snowy Owl today, this area is a good place to check if you are trying
to locate that species.
Also recommended: follow Ravenshoe almost to its western terminus then turn
south on Yonge Street (a short and rather desolate line segment of that much
longer thoroughfare) and drive to its end (approx. 2 kms), keeping your eyes
peeled for buntings, larks and raptors. This is where both snowies were seen
last Sunday. Mike and I had another juvenile N. Harrier here today, plus a
juvenile light-phase Rough-leg.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
