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

Brown Thrashers, Sandhill Cranes, and Upland Sandpipers are calling on the Cameron Ranch while Horned Larks and Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes are nesting. Early Buttercup, Early Saxifrage, and Prairie Smoke are in bloom over this 3,000 acre parcel of land recently purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Up the road Yellow Rails, American Bitterns, Virginia Rails, Wilson's Snipe and American Woodcock can be heard at Sedge Wren Marsh.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION The Carden Field Naturalists are hosting a presentation on the Cameron Ranch purchase at their meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Carden Recreation Centre in Lake Dalrymple. Guest speakers will be John Lounds, President of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Gordon Moir, Major Gifts Officer in charge of the Cameron Ranch project. Michael Gordon, a member of the NCC's Ontario Board of Directors who lives in Orillia will also attend. The public is invited to attend.

Lake Dalrymple is on the Carden Alvar north of Kirkfield along Lake Dalrymple Road. Take County Road 6 (Kirkfield Road) north of Kirkfield to just before the bridge between north and south Dalrymple Lake and turn right on Lake Dalrymple Road. Proceed east through the community to the Carden Recreation Hall on the right.

Bob Bowles
Orillia, Ontario
rbowles@rogers.com

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