Late this afternoon I had the opportunity to take some time and check
out the
Holland Marsh area for Snowy Owls and other winter birds.
At the horse ranch at the corner of Hwy.9 and Jane St. there were several
hundred Snow Buntings feeding on the snowy fields amongst the horses. They
were spread out in several large flocks with some birds very close to
the roadside
fences and on the driveway. 2 other large flocks were feeding in the
hilly fields
behind the barn. Of the several hundred birds in the foreground fields were
approximately 150 or so Horned Larks some mixed in with the Snow Buntings
but most in one big main group of about 100. I eyed the moving flocks for
almost an hour and was able to locate only one male Lapland Longspur among
all those Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. The Longspur was actually with
the Snow Buntings closest to the road and farm driveway.
From there I went north on Jane St. into the Holland Marsh veg. fields
area.
Just before Edwards St. I saw the first of 2 Snowy Owls- a very white
female-
fly low across the road in front of me. The 2nd one was near Strawberry Lane
sitting on small old tree way out in the field. It was heavily streaked
underneath.
Also in the last 2 weeks I have seen/found flocks of White-winged
Crossbills
on 3 occasions feeding on cones in the Spruce trees around our house in
Aurora.
Numbers ranged from 6 to 20. In my work travels I also found a large
flock of
35-40 in the Spruce trees at the entrance to the Lionhead Golf & Country
Club
in Brampton on Miss. Rd.
Good winter birding
Sigi Bodach
Aurora, On
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