Hello all, In a short afternoon jaunt onto Ravenshoe Road in Keswick today, I found the heavily barred SNOWY OWL (perhaps my last for the next few winters, which I'll be spending down South) at the end of the little road going south at the very west end of Ravenshoe road. It was very, VERY far out in the field and a scope was needed. It was mantling over what appeared to be a large rabbit or a muskrat. It seemed pretty happy with its prize, as it was bouncing around it in between eating - this is how I first noticed it.
There were also two NORTHERN SHRIKES along the road - a first-year bird near Best Asia Farms (scoping some nearby SNOW BUNTINGS) and an adult sitting near the Snowy Owl locale. They were both on wires. I find that this road almost never fails to produce at least one of the predatory passerines at this time of year. Also of note was an adult BALD EAGLE near Best Asia Farms. Larissa English, whose parents reside in the general area, has also noted a/the bird two weeks ago. It's probably one of the pair(s) that nest in Cook's Bay, so Bald Eagle aficionados, be on the lookout! Yesterday Kyle Holloway and I ventured into Algonquin Park. There weren't many birds, but the BOREAL CHICKADEES at Spruce Bog Boardwalk entertained with close, unobstructed views for nearly a half-hour, which we both decided was very well worth the trip. Both of us have an extensive history of visiting and working in the Park, but have never seen anything like this. It was exceptional. If anybody wants to really SEE a Boreal Chickadee the way they deserve to be seen - the time is now! As an example, here is (rather miraculously) a picture - http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/5439908910/ An exilipes race HOARY REDPOLL (perhaps two) was noted at the VC Feeders briefly as well as a single flyover RED CROSSBILL at Cameron Lake Road. Directions: >From Toronto take the 404 north to the end at Green Lane. Go east on Green Lane to Woodbine and the north on Woodbine to Ravenshoe Road. The birds which I saw were on the extreme western end of Ravenshoe. Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid at the gates. The Visitor Centre has bird sightings and feeders. Good Birding, Lev Frid Maple, ON http://spruceblog.jitjit.com/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
