Oshawa Second Marsh September 14, 2011 6:30 to 7:30pm While surveying the Great Egret roost visible from the GM platform, I had an interesting evening.
Highlights: 44 species from the platform 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper foraging on sharp tail point (small sand spit directly across the marsh from the GM platform). Initially I did not see it until one of the hunting Bald Eagles flushed it out from where it was. Other shorebirds present were lesser yellowlegs and killdeer. Herons: Great Egrets 13 at the roost, Great Blue Herons 51 and small number of Black-crowned Night Herons. Waterfowl 10 species including 41 Wood Ducks, 25 American Wigeon and small numbers of shovelers, pintails, gadwall,blacks and teal. Bald Eagles 2 When I first arrived there was an adult perched on a stump directly in front of the platform. After 30mins it got up and went after the increasing numbers of gulls, cormorants and Caspian Terns that had arrived in the marsh to roost on the habitat islands and gravel bar. With no luck there it then went after and killed a Great Blue Heron. At 7:20 second eagle came in off the lake following flocks of cormorants. It then made 3 attempts to get a cormorant/gull/ waterfowl. Unsuccessful it then flew low into ghost road woods (woodlot on north side of marsh) probably looking for a roost for the night. Other highlights include Shortly after 7pm I had several marsh birds vocalizing (Common Yellowthroat, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, and Swamp Sparrow) 1 Common Nighthawk, 1 Ruby-throated hummingbird, 2 Palm Warblers and a Blue-gray gnatcatcher 70+ swallows primarily Barns 5500+ Red-wing Blackbirds/grackles/ cowbirds/starlings coming into their usual roost in the cattails Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second marsh area visit www.secondmarsh.com and check the link for a trail map of the area. Tyler Hoar Oshawa _______________________________________________ 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/
