(Capitals below are for quick reference rather than high drama.)
This Easter weekend yielded some interesting birds in the Newmarket-Bradford
area. On Good Friday two HERMIT THRUSHES were foraging together between
snowflakes at the Cawthra Mulock reserve. On the same day, Mike Van den
Tillaart had a close enounter with a Wild Turkey and observed a late NORTHERN
SHRIKE along the Holland River trail in north Newmarket.
PILEATED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and AMERICAN WOODCOCK were
observed at both the Cawthra Mulock reserve and the Kortright Conservation Area
this weekend. The EASTERN BLUEBIRDS observed by Peter Wukasch north of Bradford
on Saturday were still there Sunday afternoon (20th Sdrd. just south of 13th
Line). I could not rediscover the OSPREY Peter observed on 13th Line, but one
was reported the next day just south of Cook's Bay in Keswick, only a few kms
east across the wide expanse of the Holland Marsh. One of the first WINTER
WRENs of the season was complaining about my dog and I using the boardwalk at
the Holland Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area on Sunday afternoon. At nearby
Scanlon Creek six TREE SWALLOWS were actively (desperately?) scavenging for
insects below the dam at the east end of the pond.
Another interesting bird observed on Sunday was a COMMON RAVEN that flew over
the Holland Landing lagoons. This big, bearded crow-cousin is showing up with
increasing regularity in York Region.
Keith Dunn had an early WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at his feeder in Keswick on
Saturday morning. There were several reports of other passerines including
Brown Creepers, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and
Northern Flickers in York region this weekend, as well as countless American
Robins (which seem to be literally everywhere). Dark-eyed Juncos are still
lingering in many bushes and thickets, as are American Tree Sparrows. Both
species will likely be gone in favour of more northern climes as soon as warm
weather arrives. They will soon be replaced by Chipping, Swamp and Savannah
Sparrows.
Some good waterfowl are continuing to show up in local ponds ...at least when
the ice is out. WOOD DUCKS and HOODED MERGANSERS - arguably our handsomest
ducks - were observed this weekend in at least four locations: the Holland
Landing lagoons, Scanlon Creek, the Holland River in Newmarket, and the
McKenzie Marsh in Aurora. The unfrozen sections of the latter locale also held
40+ Ring-necked Ducks, six Common Mergansers, a pair of understatedly elegant
GADWALL, and a PIED-BILLED GREBE today.
As for raptors, Turkey Vultures continue to stream through, even on overcast
days. Red-tailed Hawks are doing flight displays over many local woodlots and
Northern Harriers are on territory on both sides of Cook's Bay. Accipiters are
being seen with more regularity as migrant Cooper's and Sharp-shins return to
vie for territory with the stubborn males who stayed here all winter. Keith
Dunn had an interesting accipiter experience on Sunday: He had spread some bird
seed on the ground near Silver Lakes Golf Course in north Holland Landing to
coax Fox Sparrows out of the roadside brush for photos. Eventually a few
ventured forward and were soon joined by other passerines. Keith was happily
clicking away when suddenly all the birds scattered. He looked up to see what
all the fuss was about and saw the answer: a NORTHERN GOSHAWK moving low and
fast over the treetops.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
Newmarket and Bradford are halfway between Toronto and Barrie, just east of
Hwy. 400.
If you want more specific directions to the various locations mentioned
above, reply to sender.
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From: "Karl Egressy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ontbirds" <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 20:32:48 -0400
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Five Species of Grebes.
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Hi Birders,
It was relatively easy to find five species of Grebes today and it could =
be the same tomorrow.
With the help of Carol Horner we found the WESTERN GREBE at
West Street, close to Bronte Harbor, Oakville.
We found the HORNED GREBE and the RED-NECKED GREBE on our own at the =
same location.
At West River Street , closer to the harbor, we had a great close look =
at a COMMON LOON.
We drove over to Grimsby Sewage Lagoon and easily fount the EARED GREBE =
and PIED-BILLED GREBEs.
At Fifty Point C.A., very close to Grimsby Sewage Lagoon, we found two =
WINTER WRENs and one CAROLINA WREN.
Good luck and good birding.
Karl and Marienna Egressy
Direction to the above location as per Carol Horner's posting from today =
and Frank Pinilla's postings from
Saturday.
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