Bill Balkwill takes daily walks on his Lands, reporting the wildlife sightings in conversations with friends.
During the first week of the New Year, both Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill reported large flocks of Snow Buntings in the vicinity of their Lands gravel entrance lane which has agricultural lands to both the east and west. Several dark birds within the flocks were thought to be Lapland Longspurs.
On January 6, 2008 the first Black-capped Chickadee was seen for the New Year. A Purple Finch has been observed feeding on the patio.
The local Cooper's Hawk appears to be moving from feeder to feeder within the Balkwill Lands neighborhood. Bill Balkwill reports that the raptor is fond of Dark-eyed Juncos which it carries to the Balkwill compost heap were the Cooper's Hawk plucks the birds, then enjoys consuming its catches.
Of note this winter are the Northern Harriers which are being observed on a daily basis about the Balkwill Lands. Bill Balkwill feels that there must be an unmowed alfalfa crop nearby which is providing habitat for voles which are particularly abundant this winter. In contrast the past summer had few reports of a vole population.
Patrolling Ontario Provincial Police report six accidents between motor vehicles and White-tailed Deer on the nearby Arner Town Line within the last few weeks.