From: Paul Martin <pm45@queensu.ca> Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2023 13:19:55 -0500 Subject: Townsend's Solitaire, Kingston Hi Everyone, A Townsend's Solitaire was feeding on red juniper berries and perching in nearby aspen trees behind our house (Kingston) at ~8:30am this morning. It wasn't associating with other birds (lots of robins around) and was alternating between perching up in aspens and flying down to feed near the tops of juniper. The bird isn't visible from a road, but there is a trail on private property (our house), and my wife has kindly given the green light for birders to come and visit. You can see photos of the bird here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S154200560. I've pasted directions and large dog information below. I'll update on eBird if it sticks around (or just email me to ask). all the best, Paul Directions: Take the 401 to Kingston - take the Division Street/Perth Road (route 10) exit and go north. Pass Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area and continue to Bur Brook Road (just past the Car Medics) and turn left. Go up the hill to 1726 Bur Brook (right/north side) and park on the grass on the side of the road just west (beyond) the driveway. Walk along the driveway towards the barn with the basketball net, and continue past the barn on the left side, continuing straight along the trail to the pond with 4 green chairs. Take the trail along the left shoreline of the pond (going north) - the trail will go through silver maple forest, curve right through white spruce, and will cross two small bridges before coming to a T junction. Turn left. The bird was on both sides of the trail from the T junction to the stand of Scott's Pine, foraging on the red juniper on the right hand side of the trail. The trail makes a figure 8, so you shouldn't get lost and will eventually end up back at the pond/barn. Note that we have two large dogs (black German Shepherd named Feni and white Pyrenees/St Bernard mix named Georgie) that are regularly loose on the property and back trails. They are intimidating but friendly - they also might jump up on you. If you're not into dogs, just send me an email to tell me when you're coming, and I can keep them indoors. **************************************************** Paul R. Martin, PhD Associate Professor Department of Biology Queen's University Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Canada email: pm45@queensu.ca phone: +001 613-533-6598 https://www.paulmartinlab.com/ ****************************************************