Chuck-wills Widow Posted on June 20, 2010 at 05:32:22 PM by Ron Reid
Last night between 9:00 and 9:30 pm, we had an extended listen to the Chuck-wills Widow singing persistently on Doyle Road, found the night before by Dan Bone and his team on the Carden Challenge. The bird has a rich, loud voice, contrasting with the Whip-poor-wills that sometimes overlap calls with it. It seemed to be moving several times along the hydro right of way north of the road. What a great bird for this part of Ontario! It was still singing strongly when we left, though from a slightly more distant spot.
From dusk onwards, it is easy to find - from Kirkfield, take Hwy 48 east for about 3 km, turn left onto Victoria Road (aka City Road 35), go about 3 km north then right onto Doyle Road. After about 1 km, start listening for the bird; if you get to the sharp left bend in the road, you have gone too far. Come prepared for mosquitoes - there are lots!
Good luck to everyone who makes the trip for this special bird.