Oshawa Second Marsh: The Second Marsh has been partially drawn down revealing extensive mudflats in the central and northern areas of the marsh. 9 species of shorebirds have been seen this week including SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, RED KNOT, RUDDY TURNSTONE, and WHIMBREL.
12 species of waterfowl in the Second Marsh includes 5 RUDDY DUCKS, a pair of REDHEADS, 3 TRUMPETER SWANS (R39 and 2 unbanded birds), and 84 MUTE SWANS.There are several lingering waterfowl including TUNDRA SWAN, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP within the marsh. A large gravel bar that has emerged in the sw area of the marsh is attracting large numbers of loafing gulls and terns including 1 immature ICELAND GULL; BONAPARTE'S AND LITTLE GULLS are still found in small numbers. In the evening of May 22 there were 3 LITTLE GULLS (1 adult, 2 immature) and 12 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (all immatures) foraging around the marsh. BLACK TERN numbers are building with 6 seen there on 22nd. McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve: The flowering shrubs along the south sides GM office parking lots are attracting a lot of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. Along the Dogwood Trail a pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS have established a territory. Darlington Provincial Park: Three pairs of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS appear to have established nesting territories in Darlington Prov. Park. The most reliable area is the spruce grove around the campground shower building. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS have set up territories through out the area, from the footbridge over Farewell Creek just south of Colonel Sam Drive at Second Marsh to the upper campground in the Park. Please send sighting reports to the attention of Tyler Hoar, (e-mail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] no later than Thursday morning each week. For a trail map of Second Marsh visit www.secondmarsh.com There is a link on that site that will take you to a trail map for McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. to Colonel Sam Drive. Go east on Colonel Sam Drive to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east platform is located here. To see the Lake Ontario waterbirds proceed along the path from the parking lot south to the lakeshore. "Tyler Hoar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
