Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the week ending June
12, 2003
Spring Migration appears to be almost over. Two flocks of late shorebirds
were observed this week. Monday evening (June 9) a flock of 2 RUDDY
TURNSTONES, 3
SANDERLINGS and 2 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPERS were foraging on the sandspit
directly west of the east viewing platform. Thursday evening (June 12)
there was
another small flock feeding on the sandspit. It consisted of 1 WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPER, 3 RUDDY TURNSTONES and 9 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPERS.
Waterfowl numbers are building in the marsh again with several bachelor
flocks. These flocks consist primarily of MALLARD, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN
SHOVELLER and GADWALLS. The swan flock numbers in the marsh can now vary
greatly; a few dozen birds are now foraging on Lake Ontario off the east
side of the McLaughlin Bay Reserve. Both the TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWAN
remain in the Second Marsh. Other species of waterfowl seen this week
include RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSER, REDHEAD, LESSER and GREATER
SCAUP.
The spawning run of Alewife into the nearshore areas of Lake Ontario has
brought 100s of gulls foraging off the Second Marsh, Darlington Provincial
Park and Oshawa Harbour. There were 2 immature BONAPARTE'S GULLS roosting
Wednesday evening (June 11) in the Second Marsh. Several COMMON TERN nests
are
now under way in the marsh and It appears CASPIAN TERNS may breed this year
as well. Daily courtship flights and even copulating birds have been
observed.
A GREAT EGRET is putting in an almost daily appearance in the marsh this
week.
Passerines observed on territory this week include GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER,
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, BROWN THRASHER ( with fledged young), NORTHERN
MOCKINGBIRD, MOURNING WARBLER, several BALTIMORE and ORCHARD ORIOLES.
Our thanks for this week's contributors: Brian Brasier, Tyler Hoar,
Rayfield Pye, Jim Richards, Keith Sharp, and Wioletta Walancik
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.
