This morning, 30 minutes before the published sunrise time (0611 hrs), Dave Andrews and I went to the egret roost area at Muddy Creek, south of Wheatley, Ontario, and found it occupied by 30 Great Egrets. Most egrets departed from the roost between 0608 and 0621 flying to the west, towards Hillman Marsh, under cloudy skies. We did not see any banded or tagged birds. Egrets had started congregating at the roost as early as 720 PM the previous evening.
Linda McClaren reports 31 egrets leaving the roost at the Monticello area of Luther Marsh this past Sunday (18 July)...between 0530 and 0600 hrs. The egrets have been coming to the roost, usually between 815 - 845 PM, regularly since late June. Ontbirders are encouraged to watch for other egret roosts developing now during the post-breeding season. Roost are suspected of existing in the Guelph, Waterloo and Chatham areas but their locations have not been pinpointed. Egrets have been marked with numbered red leg-bands or orange wing-tags (not both) during the last month. Please report any such markings. Great egret watching ! :-) Chip Weseloh Directions: Muddy Creek: In the town of Wheatley, take Erie St. (the southern continuation of Wheatley Road) south to just before Wheatley Harbour, turn right on Deer Run Road. Within 100m there will be a water body on your right; this is Muddy Creek. The egrets roost is in the trees on the north side of Muddy Creek directly across from the first left hand turn off Deer Run Rd. Luther Marsh: From the town of Grand Valley, take Hwy 25 north to Concession 10-11, go left. It makes a small dog-leg to the left but follow it to Sideroad 21-22, go right. Go past the (Main) entrance to Luther Marsh Conservation Area on your left, cross over a small bridge and turn left into a small treed visitors parking area about a 1/2 km after the bridge. From the parking area walk about a 1/2 km to the west-south-west to two water impoundments. The more southerly impoundment, with Great Blue Herons nests and a couple Osprey nest platforms, is where the egrets roost. Birders are reminder that a small fee must be paid when visiting this area. This can be paid at the entrance which you passed on Sideroad 21-22. _______________________________________________ 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/
