[Ontbirds]Snowy Owl, Pine Grosbeaks, Snow Buntings (York Region)

[Steve LaForest]

Ontbirders:
Friday afternoon, John Foster and I traveled to York Region in search of good winter birds, and were not disappointed.  We saw a female or perhaps a light immature SNOWY OWL on Ravenshoe Road just east of where it ends at Holland River.  The bird was sitting on the ground a couple of hundred metres north of the road, just east of house #282 (number on mailbox post).  As reported previously by Ron Fleming, this individual may have been present since Jan. 5.  It was clearly visible in binoculars, but the scope gave us an excellent view.  We also saw a flock of perhaps 200 SNOW BUNTINGS there.
 
We proceeded to David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill, where we saw a flock of 8 PINE GROSBEAKS.  There was also a flock of 8 AMERICAN ROBINS as well as 2 deer.  We were NOT successful in finding the Bohemian Waxwings that have been reported intermittently for some time, or the Barred Owl seen recently.
 
Directions (based on Ron Fleming’s information):
For Snowy Owl and Snow Buntings – from Highway 401, Toronto, take hwy 404 north to its end at interchange 53, go east ~ 1 km on Green Lane to Woodbine Avenue (York Regional Road 8), turn left and go north ~13 km to Ravenshoe Road (Reg. Road 32), turn left and go west ~ 6 km to end of road near Holland River, turn around and backtrack ~0.8 km to house with #282 on mailbox post.
 
For David Dunlap Observatory – from hwy 404, take exit 31 and go west 3 km on Major Mackenzie Drive (Reg. Road 25) to Bayview Ave. (Reg. Road 34), turn right and go north ~1 km to Hillsview Drive, turn left and go ~1 km west to observatory entrance, turn left and go to parking lot.  The Pine Grosbeaks were in tall spruces along the entrance road just west of the observatory.  The robins were northeast of the observatory.
 
Good birding!
Steve LaForest
Oshawa, ON
stevelaforest at hotmail.com
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