[Ontbirds]Northern Hawk Owl Port Weller St. Catharines.

[john black]

Greetings 

	A Northern Hawk Owl was found early this afternoon about 50 meters south of the yellow barrier on Seaway Haulage Road in St. Catharines. The Seaway Haulage Road goes out to the Port Weller East Pier. The bird was spotted by Manley Baarda who was accompanied by Scott Martin and Brian Ahara. It perched on several different trees, both east and west of the road, and did not seem bothered by the small number of people who were looking at it.  It also perched on top of a pole on the west side of the road.

	The bird was last seen at 1525 hours and was not refound by the one or two people who looked for it subsequently.  Still it may not be far from the original site and if you are visiting Niagara tomorrow you might want to have a look for it along the road that goes out to the tip of the pier or in the trees to the south and east of the Yellow Barrier.  This is the first Hawk Owl record for the Niagara Region to the best of my knowledge.  



Directions - Queen Elizabeth Highway to Niagara Street exit in St. Catharines.  Go north to end of street at Lakeshore Road, turn right, cross over Lock One of the Welland Canal, turn left on Broadway, left on Seaway Haulage Road and park near yellow barrier.  

Good luck,
John Black