Hello Ontbirders We had a very pleasant evening at Andrew Hayden Park. Viewing conditions were excellent, and birds many. The river continues to rise as waterfowl and gull numbers steadily increase.
The highlights include the following: 1 Red-throated Loon 50 Brant 14 Snow Geese (includes two Blue Morph and one white juvenile) 7 Surf Scoter (including one adult male close to shore) 2 female plumage Black Scoter A huge flock of Black Scoter was at a distance, between Andrew Hayden Park and Shirley's Bay - This is possibly the same group reported yesterday. >From Shirley's Bay Boat Launch, the following highlights were observed: 2 Red-throated Loons 25 Long-tailed Ducks (mostly adult males in winter plumage) Good Birding & Cheerio Tony http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/ Directions courtesy of Neily World: http://members.rogers.com/larry.neily/birding.htm Andrew Hayden Park: >From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 129 (Greenbank & Pinecrest Roads). If travelling west, the 0.3 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Pinecrest Road. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, where you will turn left or north onto Pinecrest Road and in 0.4 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Pinecrest Road north 1.0 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or west on Carling and go 2.0 km to the turnoff for the parking lot for Andrew Hayden Park on the right or north. Turn right into the lot. Shirley's Bay Boat Launch: >From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 134 (Moodie Drive). If travelling west, the 0.4 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Moodie. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Moodie Drive, where you will turn left or north onto it and in 0.5 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Moodie Drive north 1.3 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or northwest on Carling and go 2.2 km to Rifle (Range) Road. Turn right or north onto Rifle Road and travel 2.0 km to the boat launch parking lot.