About two dozen participants attended a windy but enjoyable half-day outing that produced about 85 species. About half the attendees were visitors from the Muskoka Field Naturalists club. We had 17 species of warbler and most were at the first stop of the day, which was the Britannia Conservation area (Mud Lake). Among the warblers present were 4 Wilson's Warblers, at least a dozen Blackpoll Warblers, 3 Tennessee Warblers, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, and the leader heard a Canada warbler. Other highlights included a Northern Mockingbird, a nicely perched Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a lingering Dark-eyed Junco, and 2 migrant Alder Flycatchers. Stops at Shirley's Bay and the edge of the Carp Ridge (just outside the proposed expanded IBA) produced little, except for a view of Bald Eagles on the nest. From there it was off to Constance Bay (at the western extreme of the proposed expanded IBA) where we had the highlight of the day: stunning views of a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers. We were winded out at Constance Creek but finished well on March Valley Road. Here we had 4 Northern Shovelers, a Great Egret, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, a Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 25 Least Sandpipers, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, a Whiter-rumped Sandpiper, and Bobolink. Thanks to all who participated, especially to Bob Cermak for driving and assisting me with this field trip. Bernie Ladouceur _______________________________________________ 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/
