Hoping to spur an increase in the amount of postings for this area of Ontario!
Sorry for the lateness; went to Snyder's (Snider's?) Flats early Saturday evening, parked by the gate and took the trail as far as it would take me, around the ponds close to the Grand River. There is an OSPREY nest on a pole where the trail forks (with an individual spotted perched on it, calling upon the approach of the numerous dog walkers before flying away), you can't miss it. As this was my first time there I am unsure how many years the nest has been occupied or when its users returned for the year. A BALD EAGLE was spotted flying high in the distance towards the north of the city, not sure where the nearest nest is. Several EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were singing, flying from the ground to the telephone wires up ahead. Also singing were Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches, American Robins, Song Sparrows, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, a Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker. Three Slate-coloured Juncos were also hanging about. A single FOX SPARROW was spotted low by a stand of cedars. Within the ponds keeping company with the Canada Geese and Mallards were a pair of BUFFLEHEAD, several COMMON MERGANSERS (1 female, 6 male), a pair of RING-NECKED DUCKS A flock of 14 TUNDRA SWANS flew overhead calling as I was leaving, though it was beginning to get dark so I do not know where they landed. No neck collars on any. Last week, on an April 2 (Thursday) trek to Thamesville for a work project, I heard my first EASTERN PHOEBE of the season, I presume it won't be long before they're heard further north as well. Snyder's (Snider's?) Flats is located on the northeastern corner of Kitchener-Waterloo. If coming from the 401, take the King Street exit north to the Conestoga Parkway and head west (about 10 min or 13 km); Take the Bridgeport Road exit and go east (left) for 0.7 km; Turn left at Lancaster Street West and go 0.6 km; Turn right at Bridge Street West and go 0.4 km; Turn left at Bloomingdale Road North (turns into Sawmill) and drive 4.7 km; Turn left at Snyder's Flats Road and drive for just under 1.0 km until you reach a gate that seals the gravel trail off from cars, parking spaces are on your left. You can googlemap it, it is across the Grand River from RIM Park. Wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty, it appears to be a popular off-leash dog-walking area and not everyone cleans up after their pet! Sarah Richer Ecologist AECOM 702-101 Frederick Street, The Galleria Kitchener, ON, Canada N2H6R2 [email protected] T (519) 570-4886 F (519) 570-3379 www.aecom.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
