A good fallout of Passerines at The Oshawa Second marsh area this morning. A total of 127 species were located between 8am and 1pm
The best spots again for passerines were the Cool Hollow area of the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve (adjacent to the se corner of the Second marsh) and either side of Ghost Road Woods ( forest on north side of second marsh adjacent to Colonel Sam Drive) Highlights 18 species of warblers were present including: 1 female Hooded Warbler in Ghost Road woods. It was on the east side of the woods along the boardwalk just west of the beaver pond tower. 2 Northern Parulas Several Ovenbirds,Black-throated Blues, Bay-breasted, Tennessee, and Chestnut-sided Warblers 10 species of Sparrows including Field, Vesper and several Lincoln's Sparrows Both Orioles species, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Eastern Towhees and lots of Bobolinks were present around the marsh periphery. In the Marsh there was a Peregrine Falcon(for the 2nd day),2 Northern Pintails, 5 Ruddy Ducks, 3 Black Terns, 2 Least Bitterns, 1 American Bittern, 2 Green Herons, Several Coots, Moorhens, Soras, Virginia Rails, and Solitary Sandpipers. In Lake Ontario There were 4 Little Gulls and 10 Bonaparte's gulls still present. Friday afternoon a flock of 270 Bonaparte's Gulls and 17 Little Gulls lifted off and headed north just before the rain. This morning a flock of 246 Brant flew west along the lakeshore. Other species present included White-winged Scoters, both Scaup species, Common Goldeneyes and Common Loons. For a trail map of Second Marsh visit 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 marshland trail from the parking lot south to the lakeshore. Tyler Hoar Oshawa
