Birding the Carden Alvar was excellent today. We found Loggerhead Shrikes at five locations including two colour banded individuals. One of the banded shrikes is presumably the same bird photographed in Hamilton a week ago. See links. We will be making a full report to Wildlife Preservation Canada.
Carden shrike photographed today. http://www.jeaniron.ca/CardenAlvar/loggerheads2012.htm Hamilton shrike last week by Peter Tamas. http://www.naturesbestcreations.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6885&p=35846 &sid=2633bb0332061df38db528f7ad366f82#p35846 We didn't see shrikes at the traditional bluebird box 10 location along Wylie Road. Two spots we saw them were (1) west of bluebird box 1 just north of the cabin on Wylie Road and (2) the south side of McNamee Road just west of the closed road to the quarry. Typical shrike habitat is pastureland dotted with hawthorns. Scan the tops of shrubs with binoculars. A scope is essential for distant birds. The vole or small mammal population must be high in Carden because we saw 12 American Kestrels, 7-8 Rough-legged Hawks, 5 Northern Harriers and about 9 Red-tailed Hawks. Backroads are in much better condition than usual for this date but there are potholes and areas with frost heaves so drive carefully. The water level in the Sedge Wren Marsh is lower than last spring so the habitat may be ideal for the arrival of Yellow Rails in late April or earlier this year. Directions: Carden Alvar site guide including map. http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cardenalvar.php Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway Toronto ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
