[Ontbirds]York Region Update

[RON FLEMING]

Snowy Owls are continuing to be seen along Ravenshoe Road in southwest Keswick.  Keith Dunn had two on Monday afternoon: one of them on top of the orange barn near the west end of Ravenshoe Rd. and another on the west side of Yonge Street near the white trailer about a km south of Ravenshoe.  There are at least three Snowies wintering in this area but they do not always sit right out in the open (though you may luck into a conspicuously perched bird from time to time).  Birders who bring spotting scopes and some patience have a higher chance of seeing them.  
   
  Snow Buntings are being observed regularly along Ravenshoe Rd., though often in smaller groups.  West of Newmarket a large flock (approx. 100 birds) has shown up sporadically on the south side of Hwy. 9 at the horse ranch between Jane Street and Hwy. 400, especially when there is fresh hay and manure in the field.  Note, however, that this latter location is NOT the safest of places to stop since traffic is almost always busy along Hwy. 9.  By turning north on Jane Street and driving toward the T-intersection at Woodchopper's Lane it of often possible to find smaller groups of Snow Buntings in the fields in a safer, more leisurely fashion.  Horned Larks have not shown up yet in this area but should be returning soon to give their tinkly spring vocalizations.  Something to watch and listen for - They are usually the first "spring" arrivals.
   
  Northern Shrikes have established winter hunting territories in several places across the region.  Regular sightings (i.e. birds occurring for at least 3 weeks in the same location) of "local" individuals are being made at Phyllis Rawlinson Park on Leslie Street in northeast Richmond Hill, Bond Lake Arena in Oak Ridges, Tornado Drive in the Bradford Marsh, and George Richardson Park in northeast Newmarket.  This has been a good winter for Northern Shrike with many other observations being made across York Region.  
   
  Pine Grosbeaks continue to show up in many locations, especially in yards and parks with fruit-bearing trees.  A pair of Bohemian Waxwings has been travelling with a flock of Cedar Waxwings for at least a week in the general vicinity of Major McKenzie Drive and Islington Avenue in Kleinburg.  A much larger flock seems to come and go randomly in Keswick.
   
  This morning I observed three Trumpeter Swans flying west across Bathurst Street in Aurora, likely individuals from around Harry Lumsden's pond just north of Wellington Road.
  Harry has been actively involved in the tagging and reintroduction of Trumpeters to this area for many years.
   
  Ron Fleming, Newmarket
   
  York Region is directly north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe.