Today's field trip to the Carden Alvar drew 33 birders in pursuit of
grassland and scrubland specialties. It rained before the trip when a cold
front went through so it was pleasantly cool and dry in the morning while
we walked along Wylie Road to the Sedge Wren Marsh. We saw a Loggerhead
Shrike at the usual spot behind bluebird box 10. One of this pair, which
has five young in its nest, is a captive bred bird released last summer on
the Bruce Peninsula. Remarkably, it has relocated to the most famous shrike
viewing spot in Canada - the hawthorn pasture behind bluebird box 10 along
Carden's Wylie Road. This event demonstrates the vital importance of the
captive breeding and release program in supplementing this endangered
species, which continues to decline. We also had excellent views of several
singing Sedge Wrens at the Sedge Wren Marsh. Alvar wildflowers such as
Prairie Smoke and Indian Paintbrush were at peak adding much colour to the
meadows. Butterflies seen included a Silvery Blue.
Highlights: We tallied 77 species including Osprey (several at nests),
Vesper Sparrow (seen and heard well), Virginia Rail (seen and heard well),
Upland Sandpiper (seen well and heard), Alder Flycatcher (heard),
Loggerhead Shrike (excellent views through scopes), Sedge Wren (seen and
heard well), Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Golden-winged Warbler (heard
well by all and seen by some), Eastern Towhee (heard), Bobolink (dozens),
Grasshopper Sparrow (heard).
I especially thank Ron Tozer for co-leading the trip and Bob Falconer, OFO
Vice President, for assisting new birders.
The Carden Alvar is 1.5 hours drive (125 km or 75 mi) northeast of Toronto.
Directions: For description and birding map of the area see
http://www.ofo.ca/CardenAlvar/
Ron Pittaway
Ontario Field Ornithologists
Minden and Toronto
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
