Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the APRIL 1 - APRIL 8, 2004 period
The LITTLE GULLS have arrived back at the Oshawa Second Marsh. The first 2 arrived April 6th with 85 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. On April 8th there were 3 LITTLE GULLS and 116 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Other gulls seen this week include both immature GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS. An EARED GREBE was reported in Lake Ontario off the Second Marsh on the 3rd. Small numbers of PIED-BILLED GREBES can been seen daily in the Second Marsh. There were approximately 600 waterfowl present in the Second Marsh from 23 species. The most common species seen include: RING-NECKED DUCK GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN SHOVELER and CANADA GEESE. Small numbers of REDHEAD, CANVASBACK and NORTHERN PINTAIL have also been reported. One blue phase SNOW GOOSE was also seen flying North over the Marsh in a flock of CANADA GEESE. There are currently 3 species of swan present in the Marsh consisting of 35-40 MUTE SWANS, 3 TRUMPETER SWANS( #838, R39, and an unbanded bird) and one late TUNDRA SWAN. Small numbers of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 1 imm male HARLEQUIN DUCK ( 2nd ) were seen among the many LONG-TAILED DUCKS, and COMMON GOLDENEYES in Lake Ontario. On April 8th there was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS in the Second Marsh. Several WINTER WRENS, EASTERN PHOEBES, SWAMP SPARROWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and HERMIT THRUSHES have been reported in the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park. The resident NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS are currently using the western side of the provincial park as their primary territory. Our thanks to contributors: Margaret Bain, Brian Brasier, Durham Rare Bird Line, Susan Hall, and Tyler Hoar, for their sightings reports. Please send sightings reports to the attention of Tyler Hoar, (e-mail) to [EMAIL PROTECTED] no later than Thursday morning each week. For a trail map of Second Marsh visit 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.
