Hi all!
More than 20 stalwart birders met George Pond at the icy St.Williams
Forestry station parking lot. It was raining/sleeting as George went over
the days plans. Barry Jones and Jim Heslop had seen a flock of Wild Turkey
on their way, so we first drove around the corner, north on Cty. Rd.#16, but
could not relocate these.
The caravan then headed to Hwy #59, where we stopped to observe a
large mixed flock of blackbirds made up of Common Grackle, Red-winged
Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird and European Starling. Horned Lark and
Mourning Dove were also seen here. There were at least 4 Rusty Blackbirds
at the marsh on Conc.A. and a Song Sparrow and Downy Woodpecker.
On both sides of the West 1/4 Line, south of Conc.A. we encountered
many Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, Northern Pintail and other "puddle" ducks.
A highlight was seeing 13/15 Sandhill Granes a pair of which eventually
landed close to our position.
We next stopped at Lee Brown's on Cty. Rd.#42 and watched many
American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal, some Wood Duck and Kildeer. At the
Port Rowan lagoon, we added Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead
and then drove down to the bay. Here we saw many Am.Coot, Redhead and more.
On the causeway we had at least 6 Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded and
Common Merganser, Canvasback and C. Goldeneye and a Bald Eagle way out on
the ice. We made a welcome lunch stop at the LPBO Old Cut banding station,
which gave us a chance to dry out and warm up. Two Eastern Meadowlark
obligingly flew into a tree across the road for all to admire.
On the return trip over the causeway a Bald Eagle was seen in flight
and everyone was able to see this adult bird well, when it landed in a tree
out in the Big Creek marsh, in spite of the raw wind and rain.
We headed east towards Turkey Point, stopping once or twice to view
waterfowl. At TP we saw another Bald Eagle at a great distance and a Mink
crossing the marina ice. Just west of Fisher's Glen, George spotted an
Eastern Bluebird, but in the driving rain we could not re-locate it, however
there were many Am. Robins trying to shelter from the weather here.
Our last stop was at Port Ryerse, where a fourth Bald Eagle was seen by
some and here we bid each other our farewells. Another successfull field
trip in somewhat challenging weather conditions and enjoyed by all.
Please excuse inaccuracies as I was not keeping a complete list -
George asked me to do the report as he and Shirley were leaving for Florida
at 4am - smart move!!
Cheers! Maris
Maris Apse - OFO SALES
511 Chamberlain Lane
Oakville ON L6J 6A2
905-338-0318
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