The well-known Wylie Road Carden Alvar Sedge Wren Marsh has expanded this year as a result of beaver-created high water levels. This morning for the first time I heard a Least Bittern (only a 10-day display period, cf. Atlas) in the south-west corner along with ~3-4 Marsh Wrens which I do not recall recording here before. An American Bittern was bogpumping in the same spot. Sedge Wrens seemed fewer (~3-4 singing) and were mainly in the traditional shrubby northern half. I also heard Sora and Virginia Rail in the marsh. The new Conservancy trail from the south-west provides super viewing opportunities for these marsh birds.
Despite hearing innumerable Song, Savannah, Field, Chipping, White-throated, Swamp and a few Grasshopper Sparrows I failed to hear any Vesper Sparrows along Wylie Road. Wrong time of day or a declining species or both? George Bryant _______________________________________________ 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/
