We spent several hours enjoying today's fine weather on the Carden Alvar.
Our best birds were a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes in the pasture west of
bluebird box 10 behind the sign for Art's Ranch along Wylie Road. This is
the best spot in Canada to see the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike
(subspecies migrans). One shrike was colour banded. Its right leg had a
reddish orange band and the left leg had a white band. We couldn't tell
whether the second shrike was banded. The shrikes perched mainly on
hawthorns and mullein stalks, often flying short distances to the ground to
catch mostly invertebrate prey.
We just learned today that the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike National Recovery
Team has stopped the banding of Loggerhead Shrikes in 2006 because of
concerns that banding was attracting predators to the nests and to assess
predation more thoroughly. Also, there were at least five cases of deaths
and injuries due to bands including two young shrikes found hanging by
their bands. We support this decision of the National Recovery Team.
The bird sounds in Carden were amazing along Wylie Road to the Sedge Wren
Marsh. We heard the loud rattling of Sandhill Cranes, Wilson's Snipes
winnowing, Wild Turkeys gobbling, Ruffed Grouse drumming, the curlew-like
whistle of Upland Sandpipers and the clear slurred whistles and trills of a
Vesper Sparrow. Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Meadowlarks were in full
song. In wet areas, Chorus Frogs and Spring Peepers were very vocal.
Directions: From the Liftlock in Kirkfield go north to the first road on
the right which is McNamee Road, go a short distance to Wylie Road and turn
left (north), follow Wylie Road about 1.5 km and watch for bluebird box 10
and Art's Ranch on your left. The Sedge Wren Marsh is a little farther
north. A scope is recommended to see the shrikes well from the road. Do not
go onto private property.
For a birding site guide to the Carden Alvar see http://www.ofo.ca/CardenAlvar/
Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway
Toronto & Minden ON
