[Ontbirds]Black-throated Gray Warbler present Dec 14 a.m.

[Dave Martin]

The Port Burwell female Black-throated Gray 
Warbler showed well several times from about 1015 
to 1045 while we were present but wasn't seen 
over the next 15 minutes until we left at 1100. 
The bird was very active and appeared to be in 
good shape. Another round of birders showed up 
just as we left so hopefully they re-located the 
bird. The bird is frequenting the same areas described by Ron Allensen.

When we first arrived, Ken and Mike Burrell were 
watching the bird which had just gone down into 
the grasses about 20 metres to the west of the 
parking lot.  Shortly after we arrived it flew 
about 50 metres to the north to a grove of about 
30 Scots Pine chipping a couple of times as it 
flew. By the time we walked that distance it had 
come out to the edge of the pines where we had a 
decent look and then down base of a red-osier 
dogwood right at the edge of the parking lot less 
than 5 metres from where we were standing.  After 
a few seconds it flew to its "favourite" tree, 
the Red Cedar on the east side of the parking lot 
where Ron and his gang have set up a visitor's 
sign-in book. We had another good look at it at 
the top of the Red Cedar. Then it flew back to 
the west side of the parking lot, landing briefly 
in one of the small sapling cottonwoods at the 
edge of the parking lot and then back down into 
the grasses where it had been when we first 
arrived. Then, all the birders started chatting 
and lost track of the bird, everyone having had 4 
or 5 brief but very good looks at the bird.

Not surprisingly, this is a new species for Elgin County.


Directions to the site as per Ron Allensen.
DIRECTIONS:  From the EAST... Take 401 cutoff 
highway 19 south to Tillsonburg, follow highway 
19 through Tillsonburg.  This turns into VIENNA 
RD at Highway 3.  Continue on Vienna Rd ­ 26km to 
Port Burwell.  Coming into Port Burwell you go up 
a hill veer to the right on ROBINSON ST, three or 
4 blocks to the bridge turn right, go over the 
bridge and up the hill to CHATHAM ST on your 
left.  WHEN IN PORT BURWELL... **FOLLOW CHATHAM 
STREET down the hill towards the provincial park. 
At the bottom of the hill, just before the 
entrance to the provincial park there is a gravel 
road. Turn left. A few hundred yards ahead is the 
parking lot near where the warbler hangs 
out.  PLEASE BE ON your best birder behaviour and 
allow the warbler to forage in the grass.  We are 
trying to get her to take meal-worms and suet 
from a tray-feeder but so far no luck.  Any 
suggestions on getting her to take food offerings 
would be most welcome.  Thank you, and good 
birding.  Ron Allensen (519) 874-1343 OR  bjbird9 at hotmail.com

DIRECTIONS: From the WEST... Take Highway 3 or 
401 to highway 73 south to Aylmer, through Aylmer 
south to Copehagen, turn left in Copenhagen onto 
Nova Scotia Line, follow to Port Burwell.  After 
passing the Port Burwell sign, merge right onto 
Chatham Street.  See instructions above from “**FOLLOW CHATHAM STREET”.

  Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski and Ross Snider
Harrietsville and Ingersoll
damartin at xplornet.com