Ontbirders: This morning and early this afternoon birders searched for the Glossy Ibis reported yesterday. I spent several hours myself viewing Cranberry marsh from a willow near the location described in yesterday's post, with no luck. When I left the immediate area there was to no word of any sightings of the Ibis.
While having a late lunch in my vehicle I realized I had lost my baseball cap during the beach walk and, because I like the hat, decided to head back and look for it. Once again I scanned for the Ibis in several spots without success. I reached the spot again at 2:30 p.m. and to my great relief found my hat on the ground under the willow. I put my cap on, looked again, and the Ibis had come into view! Location - same as yesterday, in the south east corner of the marsh, viewed from the open area just east of a damaged white buoy laying on the beach. I would HIGHLY recommend boots for this walk if you don't want to get your feet wet. Cheers, Barb Charlton Directions: per Norm Murr CRANBERRY MARSH IN WHITBY If 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. There is a parking area here but again To access the eastern side of the marsh you could walk along the lake end of the marsh 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 down the dirt road to the viewing platform at the northeast corner of the marsh or continue to the lake and the south eastern corner of the marsh (no tower here). Again be sure to put any valuables out of site or in your trunk. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
