This afternoon from 2:40 to 7:00 pm I birded Rattray Marsh
Conservation area and adjacent Turtle Creek Marsh which is located
along east edge of the Conservation area. While less know by most
birder, Turtle Creek Marsh offers a habitat slight different from
Conservation area. Two Sedge Wrens were feeding along the east edge
of the marsh and the Olive-side Flycatcher was perched on the branches
of a large Willow that had toppled into the marsh. I also heard the
'kiddick' call of at least one Virginia Rail about 100 m upstream.
Other records of note: two pair of Surf Scoters on the lake and 2 male
and one female Northern Shovelers on the west portion of the marsh.
The gray phase Eastern Screech-Owl was on its usual perch, the large
pine just west of the pumping station at the bottom the hill from the
south end of the Bexhill.
Directions: Rattray Marsh Conservation Area is best accessed from the
south end of Bexhill which runs south off Lakeshore Boulevard between
Erin Mills Parkway and Mississauga Road. Turtle Creek is shown on
maps of Conservation area at all entrances to the RMCA, but can also
be accessed from the southern-most parking lot of Jack Darling
Memorial Park which located directly east of the Conservation area
(follow the walkway heading west along the shoreline and the bridge
over Turtle Creek is the east entrance to the Conservation area). The
marsh runs along the west edge of the large lawn area with gazebo,
tables and benches.
Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043)
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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/
