For no obvious weather-related reasons, Thickson's Woods in Whitby was alive with birds all day today, Wednesday May 5th. At least 19 species of warblers were seen, including an incandescent early Canada, a Bay-breasted, and several Northern Parulas and Cape Mays. Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles were all singing and seen. The centre of the woods was full of thrushes, some lingering Hermit Thrushes, several Veerys, a couple of Wood Thrushes, and the first Swainson's. Red-eyed and Philadelphia joined the already present Blue-headed and Warbling Vireos (and with the Yellow-throated at Oshawa Second Marsh that gave me a 5-vireo day). Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching in the creek valley and Least Flycatchers were vocal. Winter Wrens were outsinging the House Wrens, and a Carolina Wren was loudest of all. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Gray Catbirds mewed in the willows. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo lurked in clifftop cedars in the early morning but was not seen later. No major rarities, but a great day's birding.
To reach the Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve, turn south off Hwy.401 at Thickson Road, Exit 412, in Whitby. Go south on Thickson Road, across the traffic lighta at Wentworth Street, until you see the Waterfront Trail sign. Please park on Thickson Road and enter the woods via the Waterfront Trail, running east off Thickson Road. The Woods themselves lie south of the Trail and the Meadow to the north - both areas provide good birding. Margaret Bain Cobourg [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
