Hi Ontbirders:
Saw and photographed a Hoary Redpoll at the Hilda
Road feeders on Saturday, February 7th. A flock of 4 to 5 dozen Redpolls
were feeding along with a few Pine Siskins. More Pine Siskins joined in
later. Although the bird I saw looked like a Hoary, there had been reports
of "frosty" looking Common Redpolls at the same feeder in the past week.
Thanks to Jean Iron for confirming that the one I photographed is indeed a
Hoary Redpoll. The leader of a birding group dropped by and mentioned
seeing 2 Hoary Redpolls at the feeder.
Although not always reliable (can be seen for
several days in a row and then not seen for a couple of days.....wasn't seen
Friday or Saturday at its usual spot), a Great Gray Owl put in an appearance
at the corner of Greenland and Thomas A. Dolan this afternoon. I just
missed it but heard from many who were there. Further up the road another
Great Gray Owl put in an appearance, plunging into the snow several times to
catch rodents.
A Hawk Owl was seen at the corner of Carling and
Grandview. This could be the same Hawk Owl that had been seen regularly at
Grandview and Hastings. It spent much of the day on the south side of
Carling on the Nortel property. A photographer mentioned having seen 2 Hawk
Owls today (one smaller than the other) at the same location briefly until
several crows came by. I wasn't there so only going by what this person
told me.
If you are visiting the Hilda Road feeders, bring
some seeds for the birds like I and a few others do. Sunflower, niger,
safflower, peanuts, etc. I also keep a few suet cakes handy just in case
some of the suet cages become empty. The suet is being consumed by a
variety of birds including the many woodpeckers that frequent the feeder
area. Thanks.
W. Hum
www.pbase.com/golfpic
Hawk Owl doing a wing stretch.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/109017341/original
Great Gray Owl back from one of its hunts.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/109015257/original
Hoary Redpoll.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/108977831/original
Directions:
Hawk owl: Take Carling west bound past Moodie until Grandview.
Hoary Redpoll: Take Carling west bound and go past Grandview, continue
until Rifle Road. Turn Right on Rifle Road and right on Lois and left on
Hilda.
Great Gray owl: Take 417 west bound and take Eagleson/March exit. Keep
right and follow March Road until Dunrobin Road. Turn right on Dunrobin and
continue until Thomas A Dolan. Turn right on Thomas A Dolan. Left on
Greenland/Fifth Line.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
