[Ontbirds]York Region Update

[RON FLEMING]

Winter doesn't appear ready to relinquish its icy grip quite yet, but a few spring migrants are still pushing their way through the snowflakes to get here.  Back on March 4th, Michael Biro had the first RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD of the spring in York Region (east Richmond Hill) while Al Johnston observed one on his property west of Stouffville on March 8th.  
   
  On Sunday, March 9th, Joan Love observed York's first two TURKEY VULTURES of the year as they tilted usteadily northward over the intersection of Hwys. 27 and 9 near Schomberg.  Two light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were observed by Jack and Connie Walker at Buttonville airport the same day.  Rough-legs have been scarce in York region this winter with only a few being seen before Christmas and none after that.  These two at Buttonville are likely moving through the region on their way north.  Another interesting raptor this week was a MERLIN observed (and photographed) by Keith Dunn along Ravenshoe Road in southwest Keswick Wednesday morning.  
   
  While some birds move in, others move out.  The last report of a SNOWY OWL that I have heard about was Monday.  It was seen by Keith Dunn along the same stretch of Ravenshoe as the Merlin (i.e. in the agricultural flats south of Cook's Bay). The two Snowies observed by Chris Dunn west of Newmarket last weekend have not been reported since.    
   
  SNOW BUNTINGS are still being observed here but they, too, appear to be moving out of the area.  Conversely, HORNED LARKS are showing up in many locations.  On King Road between Dufferin and Keele Streets (north of Hwy. 9) yesterday there were 70+ Horned Larks (praticola race with the paler faces) feeding near the roadside across from house #150.  There was a group of about 10 SNOW BUNTINGS with them.  At the north end of Bathurst Street above Queensville Sdrd. a group of 12 buntings and about 20 larks has been feeding together all week.  On Wednesday an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was still lingering in that same area (specifically along the roadway that runs east into the Holland River Marina).  The bird was putting on a nice display of hovering, looking for all the world like a little grey-&-white kestrel in action. 
   
  In this very good year for winter finches, some species are still around.  Keith Dunn has continued to happen upon groups of PINE GROSBEAKS in Keswick and Chris Dunn has done likewise in north-central Newmarket.  I had a small flock of 8 while XC skiing in the North Tract east of McCowan and north of Vivian Rd. last Sunday.
   
  COMMON REDPOLLS have been harder to find over the past month, but Frank Pinella had a flock of about 30 visiting his feeder this week.  BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS have been very hard to track in terms of reliable locations, but I had some dumb luck with them on two occasions this week.  On Monday morning while driving the backroads, I pulled over on Keele St. to let my dog have a short walk.  While getting out of the van I noticed a bird fly up from the bushes beside me.  It was a waxwing, by the look of it.  I got my binoculars out and realized that - by sheer coincidence - I had pulled over right next to a flock of 25 Bohemian Waxwings!  They were feeding on berries where Woodchopper's Lane meets Keele, just south of the bridge and north of the Maximum 80 kph sign.  Ironically, when I returned to the same location the next day I found a flock of 40 Cedar Waxwings - there was not a Bohemian among them.  On Wednesday afternoon I stopped along Bethesda Sdrd. to look at a large
 group of AMERICAN ROBINS (50+) drinking water from the ruts in the road near the entrance to the Lake St. George Outdoor Ed. Centre.  They were soon joined by a mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, coming down from the roadside conifers in twos and threes to sip water.  Some of the other waxwings were eating snow from the tree branches, presumably to hydrate as well.
   
  Since the ponds and lakes here are still mostly frozen there have been few waterfowl reported as of yet, but Keith Dunn observed five TRUMPETER SWANS in a small section of open water on the east side of Dufferin just south of Hwy. 9 Monday afternoon.  On Tuesday Al Johnston had 24 Black Ducks and a Mute Swan visiting an open patch of water at his pond on Bethesda Road west of McCowan.
   
  Ron Fleming, Newmarket
   
  York Region is north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe.  For more specific directions to any of the places listed mentioned above, please reply to sender.