The Carden Alvar was hopping with bird activity and songs yesterday afternoon between 1 - 5 p.m. The highlight was a family of at least four Loggerhead Shrikes about 100 metres east of bluebird box 10 on Wylie Road about 1.8 km north of McNamee Road. Look east from bluebird box 14. An adult was feeding three fully grown juveniles near a brush pile and along the east/west fence line. This is exactly where the OFO field trip saw a pair of shrikes on May 27. The juveniles were noisy at times presumably calling for food. I met Mark Chojnacki and Linda Nuttall and we watched the shrikes from the roadside about 3 p.m. One shrike was still there at 5 p.m. This is the best spot to see Loggerhead Shrikes in Ontario.
Other Birds: Birds were surprisingly active and vocal probably because it wasn't hot and the humidity was low - meadowlarks, thrashers, towhees, orioles, Grasshopper Sparrows, etc. Get out to hear birds before daily singing soon drops off. Bobolinks were singing and displaying in many fields, but in three weeks they'll be silent until next year. Other Observations: Prairie Smoke has gone to seed and is now in full "smoke". I saw a patch of Showy Lady's Slippers in full bloom along Victoria Road. Tip: The short walking trail leaving from the parking lot at the Sedge Wren Marsh is excellent for birds, butterflies and dragonflies, but watch for poison ivy. Wash your clothes and shower with lots of soap after your field trip. We heard a Golden-winged Warbler along the trail and Marsh Wrens (Sedge Wrens seem absent this year). Directions: OFO birding site guide and map. Print a copy for use in the field. http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cardenalvar.php Ron Pittaway Minden ON _______________________________________________ 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/
