This morning, catching up on being away from the Hamilton area this past weekend, I made a quick trip out to Dundas Marsh from 8-9:00 a.m.. On my way out I went into Paradise Pond which is the large dried up pond on the right hand side of the trail about half way out to the main marsh. While I was watching the gulls fly over here a single Snow Goose flew over my head in the mist. Along the edge of the pond there were many Swamp and Song Sparrows but I had excellent looks at 1 Nelson's Sharp-tail and I believe there was a second one with it. I did not have to thrash through the reeds but just waited along the far end where all the low vegetation and Beggar's tick is and it popped up along the edge.
Out on the mud flat, I had 2 Franklin's Gulls feeding on the mud. Fortunately, I did not have to go out the entire trail but just scoped them from the first opening you see into the marsh not too far past the dried up pond. Wear rubber boots/rain clothing, its a bit saugy out there today. Cheers, Cheryl Edgecombe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dundas Marsh (The Willows) - Take Main St. (in Hamilton) West to Cootes Drive (at McMaster University), down hill (north) to a bridge over the creek. Watch the parking regulations - the best way is to continue 200 m. to Olympic Drive, then u-turn back to the bridge on the south side of Cootes Drive. Take the trail on the side of the bridge closest to McMaster, as the old bridge has been removed. Walk along the creek which goes out to what is called the Willows. If you follow this trail, the creek is on your LEFT side. Half way down the trail, there is a dried up pond on the right, continue on the trail and at the end of the Willows, there are extensive mudflats. Please take caution as there is poison ivy along the trail, stumps/trees to step over and the mud may be a bit sticky in places out on the mudflat. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
