In late summer I roamed around the Luther marsh area sampling the cone crops for Ron Pittaway. In the Luther marsh area there is a relatively good tamarack crop.
This morning I was in the area and decided to drive a loop around marsh and see what was present. The weather was windy and sunny over snowless fields, as opposed to 20 km to the east with 6-8 inches of snow on the ground by 8am. Highlights Winter Finches : Evening Grosbeak 9 , Pine Grosbeak 10, Common Redpoll 191, Pine Siskin 5, White-winged Crossbills 3, American Goldfinch and Purple finches were absent. Other Highlights Bohemian Waxwings 53 Cedar Waxwings 31 Snow Buntings several flocks totaling 1838 (including one flock of 1200 birds) Lapland Longspurs 26 Horned Lark 160 Sandhill Cranes 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Wild Turkeys 51 Common Raven 2 Several raptors hunting the fields including 2 Rough-legged Hawks (1 dark, 1 light) Lots of hunters out today so most waterfowl on the marsh were in the northeast corner beside the dam. Highlights were minimal only a late cormorant and 150 Redheads were significant. Luther Marsh is located west of Shelburne/Orangeville. The warbler, waxwings, and most grosbeaks were observed by walking along the roads in the Tamarack bog at the south end of the marsh. From regional road 109 ( old hwy 9 between Arthur and Orangeville) turn North onto East Luther-West Luther townline Just before this road turns left to become Line 4 you enter the tamarack bog. I parked here and just walked the road through the bog listening for activity. Tyler Hoar _______________________________________________ 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/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
