Hi Ontbirders, Last night from 1928 to 2026 hrs, I observed 8 egrets foraging at Cranberry Marsh and then depart eastward toward their roost site, less than 1 km away, on Lynde Creek. I was not able to watch them arrive at Lynde Creek but have done so many times in the past and that is always where they end up. The first egret flew off to the east, from Cranberry Marsh, at 1956; the second left 7 minutes later. Five more left in ones and twos between 2015 and 2019, all flying eastward. The last one departed at 2026. There were no tagged egrets present. Sunset at Whitby was shown to be (Google: Sunset Whitby ON) at 2008 hrs. Last evening was warm and clear and the egrets demonstrated that, given the right weather conditions, they may forage until well after sunset before heading to roost.
This morning, I was present at the Ellacott Lookout overlooking the Speed River at Hespeler where 7 egrets were roosting directly out from the Lookout; one was a blue-tagged bird but I was not able to read the tag number. The first bird left the roost at 0615 hrs (sunrise = 0638) and all the rest left during 0624 - 0628. Three of the 7 birds alighted nearby and began actively feeding; the other 4 flew out of sight, upriver. I would appreciate any help in reading the tag number, please. Cheers, Chip Directions: Cranberry Marsh: From Toronto, take Hwy 401 east to Salem Rd. (Exit 404), go south to Victoria (Bayly) St. and go left. Follow it to Halls Rd. (if you get to the parking lot for the Lynde Shores Conservation Area, you have gone too far). Turn right on to Halls Rd. and drive until you come to a noticeable pull-off on the left with a noticeable sign denoting access to the Marsh; there is a 2nd pull off about 200m farther along the road. Walk east on the trail and you'll come to an observation platform overlooking the marsh. Ellacott Lookout: From Toronto, take Hwy 401 west to Exit 282 for Hespeler; turn right and follow the signs for Queen St., turn right onto it. Continue through the village and to 235 Queen St., which is the address for the Lookout. There is a sheltered rest area there. The egrets roost directly out from the Lookout, usually beyond the tall grasses in the shallow water with surface vegetation. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
