Up on the King Ridge...

Photos by Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

End of ice fishing season on Holland Marsh

 

                                                                 Photo by Barry Wallace

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King Township's Official Bird...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Black-capped chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

King Township has declared the Black-capped Chickadee as the official bird of the York Region township.   The choice was made in 2023 after 230 voters chose it over four other local birds.   Several events in 2024 will recognize the choice during the year.

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BarrytheBirder  

Turkey Vulture over Aurora...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

It's been two weeks since I saw my first Turkey Vulture of 2024, but a second one has now appeared over the forests of the Oak Ridges Moraine, in south Aurora.   This is a bird that has expanded both its summer and winter ranges northward.  It feeds mainly on carrion and refuse.   It has a length of 25" (69 cm) and a wingspan of 69" (175 cm) and is noticeably smaller than a Bald Eagle. This sighting was on the west side of Yonge Street, opposite the Aurora Cemetery.

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BarrytheBirder

Instant urban legend...

Photo by Barry the Birder

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

A Swainson's Hawk has been spotted many times recently in Aurora.   Go to my BarrytheBirder blogsite to see photos and more information on this rare sighting.

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BarrytheBirder

St. Patrick's Day at Delmanor in Aurora

 Photo by Barry Wallace

Aquarium and fish turn green

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Barry Wallace

GO Expansion ~ Barrie Corridor Vegetation Removals...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Between Vaughan and Aurora

Updated Timeline: September 2023 to March 2025

METROLINX HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT WORK IS UNDERWAY TO DELIVER THE GO EXPANSION PROGRAM AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE ELECTRIFICATION OF GO SERVICE.

METROLINX will need to clear, remove and prune designated trees and vegetation  located within and along the Barrie rail corridor between Kirby Sideroad Road in Vaughan and Dufferin Street (including at King City GO), and between Bathurst Street and Engelhard Drive in Aurora.   Residents and business can expect to hear noise from trucks, chainsaws and woodchippers and other equipment related to this work, which will done quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Once cleared, growth control zones will be established to manage vegetation inside the corridors over the long term.   Trees removed within King, Vaughan and Aurora will be replaced through a tree restoration program.   This work will take place from 7.00 AM to 5.00 PM, Sunday to Saturday.

Questions or concerns can be directed anytime to YorkRegion@metrolinx.com.

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Barry Wallace

Aurora's McKenzie Marsh springs alive...

19C - warm sun - ice gone - critters galore

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comment 

if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Prime Minister Mulroney remembered...

 

I only met former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney once, many years ago, when he was electioneering and as a local newspaper publisher in York Region I got to meet him in a gentlemanly show of support.   I was a Liberal way back then, but the ownership of the newspaper was held by the 'Conservative' Bassett family, of the day.   My editor at the time wrote an editorial in support of the Conservatives, who were easily victorious on election day.   Nevertheless I recall the man being very friendly, outgoing and gentlemanly and he had a colourful past, throughout his careers. 

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Barry Wallace

Camera on King revisited...

 Photo by Barry Wallace

Winter storm 49 years ago - King Road and Hwy. 400

I took this photo 49 years ago of the house, my late wife Linda and I were living in near Laskay, in King Township, and owned by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Len Glass.   Linda was very pregnant with our second child, Auralee, and we were snowed in with about 5 feet of snow!   There was some panic, but Linda's uncle, Bob Glass, who lived on a farm, a mile or so away in Strange, came to the rescue with his huge tractor and big snow blower.   The long farm laneway  was plugged with snow, but Bob prevailed and Linda gave birth by Caesarean Section at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, a few hours later, on April 8th.   All was well that ended well...thank God!   Happy birthday Auralee.   Luv ya.   Thinking of you Linda.

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Barry Wallace