Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the SEPTEMBER 12 - SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 period.
A lone RED-NECKED GREBE was seen in the Lake off the Second Marsh on the 25th.Within the Second Marsh a GREAT EGRET continues to be seen daily. GREEN HERONS (1-2) and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS (5-10) are also being seen daily in the Marsh, and a solitary AMERICAN BITTERN was reported on the 14th and 17th. Raptor sightings have been unusually low this fall. One MERLIN still maintains a territory in the area between the nw corner of the Marsh and the sewage treatment plant, much to the chagrin of the local Kestrels. 1 to 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS have also set up foraging routes between Oshawa Harbour and Darlington Provincial Park. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen roosting in the willows at the south end of the Second Marsh Thursday evening (25th) Small numbers of migrating SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and AMERICAN KESTRELS have been seen this week. Waterfowl numbers continue to grow in the Second Marsh. Most species have increased with the exception of BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Large numbers of MALLARD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL, BLUE and GREEN-WINGED TEAL can been seen daily. NORTHERN PINTAIL (66 on the 17th), AMERICAN WIGEON ( 64 on the 23rd) and AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (19 on the 24th) are also increasing. Also being seen in the 2nd Marsh are REDHEAD(1 on the 24th), LESSER SCAUP (1-4 daily), and HOODED MERGANSER (1-3 daily). HUDSONIAN GODWITS were reported on the 17th and the 25th. On the 17th, two birds were foraging on the algae mat at the west end of the barrier beach within the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. The next day these birds were replaced by 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. However by the 19th the extensive algae mat was washed away. On the 25th there was one Godwit feeding on the mudflat in the Second Marsh. There were 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 7 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 2 Dowitcher spp., and small numbers of PECTORAL and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, both species of yellowlegs and some unidentified peeps foraging in the marsh also on the 25th. The remnants of Hurricane Isabel brought no visible rarities. The best birds being a flyby WHIMBREL on the evening of the 18th and 14 SANDERLINGS and a DUNLIN on the barrier beach in Darlington Provincial Park on the 19th. 6 Sanderlings still remained at the Park on the 25th. BLUEJAYS have been passing through heavily. Between 9:25 and 10 am on the 20th, 1189 Bluejays were observed migrating westward. Another 700+ bird were counted between 10:30 and 11:30 that same day. Other passerines recorded during this period were SEDGE and MARSH WREN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-RUMPED, PALM and CONNECTICUT WARBLERS. The resident NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD remains easily seen around the Dogwood Pond the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Our thanks to contributors: Brian Brasier, Durham Rare Bird Line, Susan Hall, 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.
