Hello birders: This afternoon ( late Fri., Dec 19) I saw the "Gray" Flycatcher. I could NOT find it at the "metal" gate at the top of the hill, where three fences meet. I finally found it between the west end of the Cattail marsh and an old, large "gas" rusty Pump inside the fence. The bird came down to the flowing creek and fed closest to the water in the cattails. For some 20 minutes I observed the bird, with bins, at 20 to 40 m distance. It was 'fidgety' always diving into the cattails or flying into the shrubs. At 16:52, it disappeared ( perhaps to roost) in the shrubs closest to the SINGLE Large Roll of Hay that is visible at the far edge of the field, not too far from the open flowing water. After parking,When you enter the field veer left (west) at 45 degrees and you will see the large SINGLE roll of hay. Curiously, it was giving a call that sounded like 'Whhhoeet' and whenever it flew into the Hawthorn shrubs ( near 3 Morning Doves), it responded to my imitation of the 'Whhhoeet' and would fly by me into the cattails, always keeping low. On one occasion it slowly drooped its tail downward...like a Phoebe. It does have a "gray" look with a darker saddle-back and a rounded head. But its call was always the same. Some doubts remain in my mind as some of these characteristics do not necessarily eliminate Least Flycatcher. Try as I might, I did not get any good video of the bird; hopefully, others have better and more exhaustive notes or pictures than mine. With the cold front arriving tonight, it may have a hard time surviving. Let's hope for the best.
Luke Fazio Other Birds in the immediate area: GB Heron, Canada Geese, Wild Turkey, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawk, Am Kestrel, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Winter Wren, BC Chicadees, Blue Jays, Northern Shrike, YR Warbler; Song, White-throated & Am. Tree Sparrows. Two dead Racoons & a few "Rabbits". Beware of Hunters!! Directions for Gray Flycatcher: Follow highway 3 west of Cayuga crossing the Grand River. Turn north (right) on River Road. Follow a few kilometers to Indiana Road W. Turn left (west, the only choice) onto Indiana Road W. Drive 1.9 km and pull off on the north side of the road. Walk across the field to the north (enter the property at your own peril ) about 100 m. until you reach a line of trees. Veer LEFT or WEST to a Large SINGLE roll of hay, the creek is to the right just ahead. ******************** -- 2347 Nikanna Rd. Mississauga, Ontario CANADA, L5C2W8 905-2734596 BE at Peace with Nature __________________________________________________________________ New! Unlimited Access from the Netscape Internet Service. Beta test the new Netscape Internet Service for only $1.00 per month until 3/1/04. Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Act now to get a personalized email address! Netscape. Just the Net You Need. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Luc Fazio) Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
