In spite of westerly and southwesterly winds a number of ardent observers were rewarded with good birds at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch on Oct.1. A small flock of 15 Rusty Blackbirds came across the marshlands at 0930. In the pathway area behind the platform we observed a male American Redstart, Nashville Warbler and several Sparrow species. A Wilson's Snipe entertained us several times.
This was the first day at the watch in which the Harriers were coming through in large numbers; indeed, one of them was busily feeding on the fly. A Sharp-shinned Hawk zoomed right through us and narrowly missed a sparrow. A Peregrine flew from behind,scattering all of the ducks from the wetland. The raptor count after 6 hours was--- 36 Turkey Vultures, 4 Osprey, 1 Bald Eagle (2-yr.old), 20 N.Harriers, 48 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 10 Broad-wingeds, 7 Red-taileds, 12 Kestrels, 2 Merlin and 1 Peregrine. Cranberry Marsh is at the south end of Hall's Rd. in southwest Whitby,ON, it being accessed from Victoria St. and is 1 block east of Lakeridge Rd. Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW "Doug Lockrey" <[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.
