Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 period.
A first year BALD EAGLE seems to have been trying to join the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flock. It has been observed sitting in the Second Marsh barrier beach willows with Cormorants. On the 5th is was perched on a stump on the west side of the marsh. On a nearby adjacent stump several cormorants perched oblivious to, or now accepting the eagle. 2 MERLINS (5th and 9th) have set up temporary territories around the marsh. They can been seen chasing shorebirds or making dashes from their perches to catch dragonflies. Other Raptors seen this week around the marsh include OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and COOPER'S HAWK. Some mudflats have now emerged between the islands of new growth cattails in the central and northern areas of the marsh. Species seen this week include both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, AND SOLITARY SANDPIPER. An extensive band of rotting algae has washed up on the shore of Lake Ontario. It extends from the eastern side of McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve to the middle of the barrier beach in Darlington Provincial Park. Shorebirds numbers and diversity have fluctuated daily. On Sept 9 there were 7 species there including 9 SANDERLING, 4 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, and a immature RUDDY TURNSTONE. On Sept 11 there was one 1 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and 2 LEAST SANDPIPERS. Waterfowl numbers have soared this week in the Second Marsh. On the 5th there were approx. 700 birds, rising to 2500 on the 9th, and then down to 850 on the 11th. On the 9th 1065 MALLARDS, 411 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 278 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 244 GADWALL, and 208 NORTHERN SHOVELERS were counted among 14 species of waterfowl. Also observed this week were small but increasing numbers of AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, AND AMERICAN BLACK DUCK. There were single RUDDY DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER and 2 LESSER SCAUP observed there on the 5th. One COMMON LOON was seen in Lake Ontario off the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve on the 11th. A lone PIED-BILLED GREBE continues to been seen in the marsh. AMERICAN COOTS (9 on the 11th) and COMMON MOORHENS (3 on the 5th) are becoming more visible. The post breeding dispersal of herons is evident in the marsh, with GREAT BLUE HERONS (25-11th), BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS (26-5th), GREEN HERON (4 -5th) and a GREAT EGRET which has been seen daily in the Second Marsh. Several large flocks of westward bound BLUE JAYS were observed passing over the area on the 11th. Our thanks to contributors: Brian Brasier, Tyler Hoar, Jim Richards, and Wioletta Walancik. Please send sightings reports to the attention of Tyler Hoar, (e-mail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> < mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > no later than Thursday morning each week. For a trail map of Second Marsh visit www.secondmarsh.com <http://www.secondmarsh.com> < http://www.secondmarsh.com <http://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.
