Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the APRIL 17 - APRIL 22, 2004 period
This morning an EARED GREBE was seen foraging close to shore in Lake Ontario just west of the Second Marsh. . Small numbers of COMMON LOONS, HORNED GREBES, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and larger numbers of COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, and LONG-TAILED DUCK can also be seen in Lake Ontario. COMMON LOON numbers are rising in the area with several dozen seen flying northward each morning. Currently there are approximately 900 waterfowl consisting of 17 species using the Second Marsh. The most common species is the GREEN-WINGED TEAL with 403 individuals present today. For the last week there has been a partial albino GREEN-WINGED TEAL present as well. This bird has normal plumage except for a white head that only has a few small flecks of colour. Other common waterfowl species reported in the Marsh this week include: CANADA GEESE, MALLARD, GADWALL, LESSER SCAUP and NORTHERN SHOVELER. Small numbers of RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP, WOOD DUCK and BLACK DUCK are also still being reported. Today, there were 5 RUDDY DUCKS present in McLaughlin Bay. 2 GREAT EGRETS were reported in the Second Marsh on the 19th. One was still present in the NW corner today. LITTLE and BONAPARTE'S GULL numbers continue to grow. 22 LITTLE GULLS and 1053 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were observed on the 21st. This morning there were 21 LITTLE GULLS and 1069 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Additional species being seen include: immature GLAUCOUS, ICELAND and THAYER'S on the 21st. Small numbers of CASPIAN and COMMON TERNS were observed feeding in the Second Marsh on the 21st and 22nd. A SORA and several VIRGINIA RAILS were heard calling in the Second Marsh this morning. Shorebird numbers and diversity are both rising. Today there were 15 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 5 DUNLIN, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 4 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and 3 KILLDEER present. SPOTTED SANDPIPERS were reported on the 20th and 21st. A pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS harassed to Bonaparte's gull on the morning of the 17th. One bird was seen the next day as well. An Osprey was reported on the 17th. AMERICAN KESTRELS, RED-TAILED HAWKS, NORTHERN HARRIERS, COOPER'S HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and TURKEY VULTURES are being seen daily. Today two Vultures were feeding on a Carp carcass on the beach just west of the Second Marsh. Newly arriving species this week include: BROWN THRASHER, ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, MARSH WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, FIELD SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. On April 20th 4 PURPLE FINCHES were reported on the Dogwood trail in the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. A late flock of 25 COMMON REDPOLLS were seen this morning. Our thanks to contributors: Brian Brasier, Durham Rare Bird Line, Susan Hall, Tyler Hoar, M Corkett Johnston, and Jay VanderGaast 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.
