I got a call from Harold Morrin, who asked me if I'd be interested in going with him to Toronto, Ontario to see a Eurasian Siskin. Harold is a great birder from Lancaster County whom I'd met and spent days with atop Hawk Mountain's North Lookout. He has co-written a book called "A Guide to the Birds of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" and has mentored Ted Parker III, a fantastic young birder who has been conducting invaluable research in South America. I had been increasingly venturing outside Pennsylvania to see 'life birds', so I jumped at the chance when he asked.
The bird was coming to the feeder of Toronto birder Ron Scovell. The 430-mile drive to there was about seven hours, so we left around midnight. The weather did not cooperate as we ran into periods of sleet and snow, making the roads pretty slippery in spots, but we eventually got to the house located in the Rexdale suburb of Toronto. Ron, the homeowner, welcomed us into his house and we set up at one of his living room windows where the feeders were located. It wasn't that long after when the Eurasian Siskin showed up at a thistle feeder, allowing us great looks. While there, a Hoary Redpoll, a frosty-looking bird with a stubby bill and no markings on the undertail coverts, came in to feed among several Common Redpolls. It was another bonus 'lifer' for me! After an hour or so, we thanked Ron for opening his house up to us and started the long drive back home.
Tuesday, March 1, 1988
Sunday, January 3, 1988
Ontario Trip for Northern Hawk-Owl ~ January 1-2, 1988
January 1, 1988
I had heard about a Northern Hawk-Owl that had been staying in an area near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and thought it would be a great way to start off the New Year. I drove up into Canada and got there in the afternoon of January 1st. The bird was being seen along Cedarview Road, west of Nepean, which is a suburb of Ottawa. It took a lot of searching until I finally found the bird late in the day in a woodlot along the edge of Cedarview Road, south of Base Line Road. It was a cloudy day and I didn't get any chances for a good photo, so I got a motel in Ottawa and planned to return the next day.
January 2, 1988
I went back to the area and, soon after, found the bird in the same general area. This time, the bird was very cooperative for photos.
Northern Hawk-Owl near Nepean, a suburb of Ottawa, in Ontario, Canada.
I decided to spend the rest of the day checking some parks in Ottawa for Bohemian Waxwing, but I only managed to find some Evening Grosbeaks.
Evening Grosbeak in a park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
I drove across the river into Hull, Quebec. It was weird, because all of a sudden, all the signs were in French. I took a little drive along the river and then returned into Ontario. The long drive back home didn't seem so far after finding the owl.
I had heard about a Northern Hawk-Owl that had been staying in an area near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and thought it would be a great way to start off the New Year. I drove up into Canada and got there in the afternoon of January 1st. The bird was being seen along Cedarview Road, west of Nepean, which is a suburb of Ottawa. It took a lot of searching until I finally found the bird late in the day in a woodlot along the edge of Cedarview Road, south of Base Line Road. It was a cloudy day and I didn't get any chances for a good photo, so I got a motel in Ottawa and planned to return the next day.
January 2, 1988
I went back to the area and, soon after, found the bird in the same general area. This time, the bird was very cooperative for photos.
I decided to spend the rest of the day checking some parks in Ottawa for Bohemian Waxwing, but I only managed to find some Evening Grosbeaks.
I drove across the river into Hull, Quebec. It was weird, because all of a sudden, all the signs were in French. I took a little drive along the river and then returned into Ontario. The long drive back home didn't seem so far after finding the owl.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)