Acting on an OntBirds report from John Schmelefske (re: Happy Valley/Palgrave OFO Field Trip), Phil Lameira and I headed up to the Happy Valley Forest in King Township to look for the reported Acadian Flycatcher. With step by step instructions from John (via our friend Terry Whittam), we had absolutely no problem in finding this little gem. He was heard and then seen flying from tree branch to tree branch directly in front of us. The Acadian is part of the Empidonax group of Flycatchers so sadly he's nothing too spectacular to look at but he is a nice 'Lifer' all the same.
While heading north on Highway 400 - Happy Valley Forest can be reached by taking the King Road cut-off and proceeding west toward Nobleton. Go past Weston Road and turn right (North) onto the 7th Concession. When you reach the 16th Sideroad the road veers to the right. Keep going for about ½ a kilometre to where it dead ends. Park on the west side of the road and walk past the barrier going north. Go down the hill and up the other side. You will come to a clearing with a large Nature Conservancy sign on the west side. To the left of the sign is the entrance to a trail. Follow this trail for about 300 metres. You will come to a tiny stream on the left hand side of the trail. This wet valley floor is where the bird hangs out. As you walk down the trail you will see on the left a wooden walkway across the stream. This is pretty much the end of the area where the Acadian hangs out.
Walter
