Hi, Dec 17 i was out locatiing hawks and owls just north/west of Barrie, Ontario, near the Minesing swamp when I came across this GBH. It was feeding in a creek that was not frozen over and I was able to snap a few images before it flew off. I though it was quite unusual to see a GBH still in the area and considering we have had overnight temperatures of -25c (-13f) last week. Possibly it was extremely far off course and was only stopping for a rest, however today, same GBH, same creek.
In the photos the GBH is surrounded by over 3ft of snow on the creek banks, and i have seen it poke it's head into the snow forging for meals, unusual behaviour at the least.
Is this a rare and unusual sighting in Dec in our region?
Len - most of the GBHs have left Ontario by this time but there are always a few stragglers as long as there is open water in which they can feed. I have seen them in your area several times this late in the season. If you get a hard frost that freezes the water surface it will take off.
Dan
Len as Dan says, some of them stay late...we still have one here in Ottawa as of today....the important bird you have down your way, the Harris Sparrow is a great bird for Ontario..hopefully he'll stick around til I can drive down Monday....