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200 Lapland Longspurs, 100 Snow Buntings, 75 Horned Larks - Oro-Medonte 5/6 Sideroad Posted on March 12, 2016 at 02:57:08 AM by Christopher Evans
Dear Spring Migration Birders,
200 Lapland Longspurs, 100 Snow Buntings, 75? Horned Larks and more ... Thank You Phyllis Tremblay for the tip!
The Longspurs, Buntings and Larks were flying and landing in the plowed fields south of Oro-Medonte 5/6 Sideroad and the closely cut hay field north of 5/6 just east of Line 1 S. Very exciting! Be very careful as the 5/6 is a very busy sideroad! The shoulders are fairly wide, so pull well off the road and use extreme caution. (Also note the Gore Road is closed for bridge replacement) The light was terrible, so my photos are too poor to post, but some are diagnostic for these three species. I'll return tomorrow to try for some decent photos to post, hoping the birds are still there.
Phyllis also spotted a Great Horned Owl nesting in the lowest Great Blue Heron nest west of Line 1 S on the south side of 5/6 Sideroad. It does have "great horns" blowing in the wind ...
Here's a list of my observations on my "long way home" from Barrie to Midhurst via 5/6 Sideroad and Line 1 S. this afternoon.
Barrie To Midhurst Via Oro-Medonte
1.3 hours starting Mar 9, 2016 @ 4:45 PM and ending Mar 9, 2016 @ 6:05 PM
Bird:
American Black Duck x2
Canada Goose x45
Common Raven x1
Great Horned Owl x1
Horned Lark x75
Lapland Longspur x200
Mallard x120
Mourning Dove x2
Northern Harrier x1, male near Longspurs
Pileated Woodpecker x1
Red-winged Blackbird x21
Snow Bunting x100
Wild Turkey x38