Good morning birders I know it's old news but I didn't get home until 11 last night after 24 hrs of birding and I don't bounce back like I used to.
Yesterday Sat., Feb.28, 2004 Stan Bajurny and I birded the Cayuga, Fisherville and Long Point areas and the following are some of the highlights. We started out after midnight checking back roads around Cayuga for Owls and came up with 5 E. Screech and 11 Great horned Owls and we were not even looking for those 2 species. From here it was off to Simcoe to the necessary Tim Horton's at dawn. We now went off to the Long Point area and in the Long Point Provincial Park (closed so no fee, but you have to walk in) and there to the right of the gate in the maintenance building area we found C. Redpoll, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, C. Grackle, Rusty Blackbird, B-h Cowbird, P. Siskin, and lots of common winter species. In the Port Rowan area we found H. Lark, Bald Eagle, 10 Tundra Swans together overhead, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shined Hawk and N. Goshawk along with 2 E. Bluebirds (1 male checking a nest box). In the afternoon we headed back towards the Fisherville area stopping at the Nanticoke hydro plant area and here we found 2 N. Shrike and a nice adult Bald Eagle. (Note- As we walked towards the bluff to view the waterfowl we were stopped by security and told that we were on private property, so be aware because he was right and you may be stopped also). It was now off to the road areas bound by Regional Rd 53, Conc.6 Rd, Reg. Rd 20 and Conc. Rd 4 at Fisherville and in this area we found many Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, N. Harriers, Horned Larks and 1 Short-eared Owl roosting and hunting at dusk. Here are some of our totals-Tundra Swan 10, Bald Eagle 2, N. Harrier 6, Sharp-shinned Hawk 2, N/ Goshawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 28, Rough-legged Hawk 21, American Kestrel 7, N. Shrike 2, Owls - see above, Horned Lark 32, Common Redpoll 8, N. Cardinal 13, Re-winged Blkbird 57, C. Grackle 2, Rusty Blkbird 7, Brn-h Cowbird - 62 plus there lots of waterfowl on Lake Erie west of Peacock Point and at the Hydro plant area (south of Hagersville east and west of the foot of Sandusk Rd). We now headed home and thanks to Stan we received a bonus along Lakeshore Rd just west of the bridge at Bronte an E. Screech Owl was spotted as it flew across the road in front of us. PS - In about 2 weeks time the Long Point area should be teeming with Swans and other waterfowl (do not quote me). Norm DIRECTIONS LONG POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (FEE IN SEASON) The Provincial Park at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, ( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the causeway. Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left through the cottage / retail business area. Continue driving along this road passing Old Cut Road and you will come to the park entrance. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). CAYUGA and FISHERVILLE RAPTOR or OWL SANCTUARY ON 6th CONCESSION IN HALDIMAND-NORFOLK On the way down to Long Point on Hwy 6 to the centre of Hagersville, turn left on Hwy 20 (King Street). Drive along Hwy 20 past the junction with Hwy 9 to Selkirk Road (Road 53) and turn right (south). Drive down Selkirk Road past Hwy 3 and turn LEFT (east) at the 3rd road (Concession 6) south of this highway. Drive along here about ½ to 3/4 km and you will see a sign on your right with a picture of an owl on it. This is the sanctuary. (NOTE) After passing south of Hwy 3 you will notice Concession 6 on your right, continue on about ½ km as the Concession 6 you want is on your left. HWY 20 S.E. OF HAGERSVILLE Use the above directions, but instead of turning right at Selkirk road continue on down towards Lake Erie. There are many wood lots in the area as this is the Fisherville area made famous by John Miles with his Christmas counts and annual February OFO outings. CAYUGA Return to Hwy 3 from the Owl Sanctuary area and drive east for about 10km and your there. If you are coming from Hagersville just drive southeast down Regional Rd 20 to Hwy 3 at Nelles Corners and turn left (east. If coming from Toronto and the QEW an alternate route could be that you exit at Exit 88 (Centennial Pkwy) and drive south). This is Regional Rd 20 that becomes Reg, Rd 56. Drive straight down 56 to Hwy 3 and turn right (west) for about 8km and you will bump into Cayuga. A good alternate route from above is to turn right (west) on Indiana Rd E just below Empire Corners and drive to the Grand River at Hwy 64 and turn left to Cayuga checking for Owls all along the way except at the OPP station. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net "Norm Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
