Good evening all Today Ian Cannell and I did a little tour of the subject areas and despite the strong SW wind we did find some interesting birds, especially of interest for some "Winter Birders".
At Cranberry Marsh though we did miss the present Rusty Blackbird we did find 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 4 White-throated Sparrows and a Northern Harrier. At Duffins Marsh was a nice little Cackling Goose among the much larger Canada Geese and at Corner Marsh we spotted a male Northern Pintail among the many Canada Geese and Mallards. We then birded our way to Oshawa stopping off at Lynde Shores feeder area ( no seeds in any feeders ) missing the Snow Geese and Eastern Towhee but finding a Cooper's Hawk, a male Red-winged Blackbird and a Great Blue Heron. On to Thickson Woods to see what else we could miss but this time we found the reported birds and added Northern Saw-whet-Owl, Fox Sparrow and on the lake beside Ross Point at Ronald C Deeth Park we found the female King Eider along with 43 American Wigeon, 38 Gadwall and the usual Waterfowl. Other birds we missed by inches were an Iceland Gull at Beachfront Park, Northern Goshawk along the Waterfront Trail west of Cranberry Marsh and the American Avocet at Duffins Marsh. We did get to see a Common Raven though as we drove along near Claremont. Good luck to you Winter Birders. Directions:- CRANBERRY MARSH AND LNDE SHORES FEEDERS AREA IN WHITBYIf driving east from Toronto on Hwy 401 then exit at Brock Street (Exit 410), drive south on Brock Street South, cross the bridge over the railway tracks and drive to Victoria Street West, turn right, west on Victoria Street west and drive past the marsh to Halls Road South and turn left, south here and drive to the marked trails that go to the viewing platforms on the west side of the marsh. There are two platforms here (one at the northwest corner of the marsh and one at the southwest corner of the marsh) , (this is the hawk watching area in the fall). You can also access the lake at the end of this road and from the south platform trail. To access the eastern side of the marsh you could walk along the lake end of the marsh (difficult at times) or you can do the following. Drive back to Victoria Street and turn right (east) and drive the short distance to the Lynde Shores Conservation parking lot (fee) on your right. Park here and walk across the small bridge and the feeder are entrance is immediately on your right. DUFFINS MARSH IN AJAX AND CORNER MARSHES IN PICKERING ( On the border of these two towns ) >From Bayly Street W drive down (south) Westney Rd to Lake Driveway W. Turn >right on Lake Driveway W and drive to Rotary Park. Enter the park and drive >straigh ahead to the parking area and Duffins Marsh is right there. To get to >Corner marsh walk across the foot bridge at the south end of the marsh and >keeping to your right you will come upon Corner marsh that is actually >opposite Montgomery Park Rd. THICKSON WOODS IN WHITBY If driving east from Toronto on Hwy 401 then exit at Thickson Road (Exit 412) and turn right (south). Drive along Thickson Road across Victoria Street E. and Wentworth Street W. At the next street (road) on your left past Wentworth Street (Waterfront Trail) turn left onto this road and you are there. Drive straight down the road and turn around, drive back and park on your right. (DO NOT BLOCK THE TRAIL AND BE SURE TO LOCK YOUR AUTO). The entrance to the woods is on the south side of the road and the entrance to the meadow is on the opposite side. ROSS POINT AT RONALD DEETH PARK The entrance and parking area is at the foot ( south end ) of Thickson Road ( beside Thickson Woods ). Park here and walk west along the Waterfront Trail and you will walk through an area called Thickson Point and the small path to Ross Point is only about 1/2 km past the Thickson Point sign or halfway to a gazebo you will see further west along the trail. The Eider etc. were on the east side of the rocky point. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON "Sils mordent, mords les" _______________________________________________ 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
