Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Tricolored Heron at Spring Lake in Southwest Oxford
Wednesday, May 7

The Tricolored Heron was fishing along the open shoreline of Spring Lake 
from 3:30 to at least 6:00 p.m. today.  I neglected to mention in previous 
emails that this bird is an adult in full breeding (alternate) plumage and 
a gorgeous site when seen at close range.

It appears to have set up a fishing territory along the south shore at the 
east end of the lake. Both times when it has been seen for extended periods 
of time it has been seen working its way back and forth along this stretch 
of the lakeshore. The west end of the territory is a small peninsula that 
points to the only island in the lake.  The east end of the shoreline 
territory is a large clump of willows at the northeast corner of the lake. 
When present, the bird is very easy to see and one can get stunning looks 
from the comfort of your car.  It does not appear to be too bothered by 
onlookers and we could stand in full view of the bird on the shoulder of 
the road at the fence and watch it from 30 to 50 metres distance. It has 
also been reported twice at the far west end of the lake along the sandy beach.

There are three densely vegetated ponds on the south side of Prouse Lake 
all of which can be thoroughly scanned from the shoulder of Prouse 
Road.  Yesterday, the bird was standing at the west end of the middle of 
the three ponds in a patch of emergent, green grass from at least 2:00 to 
2:30 p.m. suggesting that when it has finished fishing at Spring Lake it 
flies over to the wet woods or one of the ponds on the south side of Prouse 
Road.

NOTE that Spring Lake and the ponds on the south side of the road are all 
clearly marked with new NO TRESPASSING signs.  You can scan the entire 
shoreline of Spring Lake and most of the three ponds from the shoulder of 
Prouse Road. Be careful, though, as this paved road is very busy.  There is 
a wide shoulder for safe parking.

Directions from Hwy 401 at Ingersoll:
 From Exit 216 on the 401 at Ingersoll go south 7 concessions on Culloden 
Line through the village of Verschoyle until you reach Prouse Road.  Turn 
right and Spring Lake is immediately on your right (north) and the three 
ponds are on the left (south) side.  Spring Lake is about 15 minutes south 
of Ingersoll and 10 minutes northwest of Tilsonburg in Oxford County.

Dave Martin & Linda Wladarski
Harrietsville, ON
dave.martin@odyssey.on.ca

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