Species like Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Belted Kingfisher don't typically raise eyebrows but when they are observed in the dead of winter their status climbs significantly. Doug Jagger had all three species in Newmarket over the past week, making for an impressive trio of winter birds that constitute "date rarities" for this area. The Chipping Sparrow (in basic plumage) was photographed at Doug's feeder, the RW Blackbird (a male) was observed at Fairy Lake Park in the middle of town, and the kingfisher was seen flying along the Holland River near Queen St. White-winged Crossbills are widespread in York Region; I observed flocks of them both Saturday and Sunday while XC skiing in regional forest tracts east of Newmarket and Aurora. On Jan 6th, Frank Pinella had 20+ WW Crossbills in northwest Richmond Hill (specifically along Beech Ave. which runs south off Jefferson Sdrd between Yonge & Bathurst). They were in the tops of the numerous white spruces in the area and moving from tree to tree quite a bit. This species has also been reported at Kortright Conservation Area near Maple (thanks, Lev), the Cawthra Mulock Reserve, and Holland Landing, to name but a few locations. Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins have been turning up at local feeders with increasing regularity since Christmas. Not surprisingly, accipiters are responding to this increase in feeder visitors. I have heard several reports of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks taking birds from the gathering flocks. Also out there hunting around fields and yards are Northern Shrikes. I observed one on the east side of Warden Avenue north of St. John's Sdrd. on Saturday afternoon while Mike Van den Tillaart had one show up (presumably to hunt passerines) in his suburban Newmarket yard the same day. Two Snowy Owls continue to be seen in the Bradford Marsh west of Newmarket but in lieu of recent reports about overly zealous owl chasers I will leave directions at that. As one naturalist noted on the Simcoe Nature Board, it is good for people to "earn their birds" by getting out there to look for them. Good birding. Ron Fleming, Newmarket _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
