Has Spring sprung? The ice is melting in the Cranberry wetlands, and the south weir is overflowing into the lake. After the rains of Mar.26 I ventured "on the slow" toward the north platform-- in front of me were 3 Hooded Mergansers (2 male), 1 American Coot and several Mallards; the former are easily spooked. The eastern side was still frozen in, but I expect that birders may soon be delighted with an influx of waterfowl. For the third time in 5 days I have had a male Ring-necked Pheasant stride alongside me on either Hall's Rd. or along the north pathway. My first (for the year) Brown-headed Cowbird joined the feeding frenzy at the station near the roadside, being accompanied by many Red-winged Blackbirds, several Grackles, Tree Sparrows, 3 Song Sparrows, 15 Dark-eyed Juncos, 4 N.Cardinals, 3 Blue Jays, 2 House Finches, 5 Am.Goldfinches, several Chickadees, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch. Meanwhile an American Robin sang from a perch, not far from a tree topped with a Cooper's Hawk!!!
Exit Salem Rd. from the 401, to Bayly/Victoria, east through Lakeridge, then 1 block further, turning south onto Hall's Rd. Doug Lockrey, Whitby
