Hello Ontbirders It was an ideal morning with warm & calm conditions. While doing a quick scan over Shirley's Bay (from the boat launch at the end of Rifle Road), an immature Peregrine Falcon put up most of the waterfowl - mainly scaup, goldeneye, mergansers and Bufflehead. Also present were 3 Horned Grebes, 4 Red-necked Grebes, 8 Common Loons, and all three scoters including 8 Black. Directions courtesy Neily World: http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/orwo20.htm At the trail off Kerwin Road we had flyovers of 5 Purple Finch and 6 Red Crossbill. Most impressive were 2 adult male White-winged Crossbills that came down to feed in the top of a White Spruce. Also present was a Ruffed Grouse and dozens of small flocks of American Goldfinch. Nearby, a Black-backed Woodpecker flew across Kerwin Road, just north of the trail entrance (across from #800). The bird was uncharacteristically elusive. Directions courtesy Neily World: http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/dun4.htm Yesterday (Sunday), we were challenged by blowing snow. However, after a hardy brunch, we managed to see up to 27 Sandhill Cranes in the field west of the corner of Milton Road and Perrault Road. The birds were difficult to count as they fed in the tall grass. Small numbers of Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks (all plumages) were hunting in the open fields throughout the area. Directions courtesy Neily World: http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/merblu8.htm Cheerio Tony Beck 158-B Woodridge Cr., Ottawa, Ont. K2B 7S9 (613)-828-5936 website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/