Tonight, from approximately 700-830 PM, Linda McLaren and I recorded 10 Great Egrets come in to roost at the South Monticello Pond in the NE corner of the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area. They came in in groups of 1-4 birds from the north and settled in their normal roosting area among small dead trees and bushes in the middle of the Pond. Luther Marsh usually has 300-400 egrets roosting there in the autumn but the most we have ever seen roosting there in the spring is 11. Their spring roosting habits are very poorly known.
Ontbirders are encouraged to report spring roosts of Great Egrets to me personally. Thanks J Chip Directions: From Grand Valley take Hwy 25 (Main St.) north for 2-3 km to the Conservation Authority sign (a large greenish "C"), go left, follow it until you must turn right (Sideroad 21-22). Continue on this road past the main entrance and kiosk for Luther Marsh (on your left), go over a small bridge, continue for less than a km until you see a locked gate on your left with signed parking for 3 vehicles. Park on the road, walk past the gate following a rough trail that eventually leads to a berm that goes between two ponds, both containing dead bushes and small dead trees. The roost pond is on your left. There is a $5.00 daily fee for accessing Luther Marsh facilities. _______________________________________________ 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/
