I observed an adult golden eagle at 8:15 am on Jan. 13, 2006 on Fingal Line in
Elgin County. It was observed at very close range.
The bird was feeding on a road-kill raccoon in the middle of the road
immediately adjacent to the Talbot Estate property. Due to the hilly road, I
was only 40 feet away when I spotted it and immediately pulled to the side of
the road. It continued feeding for a few moments before being frightened off
by a passing car. It flew a short distance and perched in tree in the ravine.
I left the area in the hopes it would return to its breakfast.
This is a relatively quiet road and the bird may still be in the area
provided road crews have not removed the racoon.
Excuse my hyperbole, but this is my first close-up encounter with this
species and I am still in awe. It was an absolutely magnificent bird! An
auspicious beginning to Friday the 13th!!
Melisse DeDobbeleer
Directions: From the 401, take Iona Road south to Fingal Line. Turn right
on Fingal Line and proceed approximately 5 county roads south west. You will
encounter a deep ravine with the Talbot Estate property on the opposite side.
The racoon is on the road.
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Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 10:15:26 -0500
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Thread-Topic: Ivory Gull at Wheatley, Friday January 13
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From: "Woodliffe, Allen (MNR)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ontbirds@hwcn.org>
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Ivory Gull at Wheatley, Friday January 13
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The Ivory Gull was found at Wheatley Harbour this morning. It had
apparently been there all night, as it was initially found by a birder
from New York at daybreak. I got there shortly after 8:00 a.m., along
with birders from the greater Detroit area and one from Tucson, Arizona.
The bird was sitting on the sand about 15 metres from the shoreline and
probably 20 metres or so east of the easternmost break wall to the
Wheatley Harbour. It remained there until at least 9:15 a.m. when I
left.
Directions:
>From the west: from Windsor take Hwy 3 east past Leamington and when it
ends at County Rd 34 (Talbot Trail) continue east on Talbot Trail to
Wheatley.=20
>From the east: from Hwy 401 get off at exit 63 and follow Queen's Line
(Chatham-Kent Rd 2) west to Tilbury. At the intersection of Queen's
Line/Mill Street East and Queen Street (Chatham-Kent Rd 1) in Tilbury
turn south on Queen Street to Wheatley.=20
>From the main intersection at the traffic light in the town of Wheatley
take Erie Street (Chatham-Kent Rd 1) south and follow it straight to the
lake. Park at the end of the road in the parking area on the left and
carefully walk over the sand and rocks to the beach.
Good birding!
Allen Woodliffe
Chatham
