Greetings: A beautiful sunny day here in Brighton. The wetland is abuzz with
noise and activity. The Osprey returned several weeks ago and are now
incubating a future offspring(s). As I passed under the nest she began
screaming and the male appeared. He kept a very close eye on me as I scurried
to clear the area as quickly as possible. I think it would be best to stay
away from the nesting pole. He pursued 2 Canada Geese and the flew over the
trees. Common Morhens could be seen and heard in several different parts of the
wetland. They are proving, yet again, the wetland must be a good place to
start a family. I saw several Blue and Green-wing teal, Mallard, Wood Duck,
Canada Geese and even a Northern Shoveler. I will remind everyone that for the
past number of years a Shoveler hen has been seen with her brood of little
ones. There was also Tree Swallows, a Song Sparrow, Red-winged blackbirds,
Commom Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Mourning Doves and Turkey Vulture and
Killdeer. Our smallest resident (Marsh Wren) was calling but was doing a great
job of not being seen. Speaking of being shy - I called and received a
response from a Virginia Rail. It "kiddicked" to my "kiddick". Did it show
itself - yah, right. Anyway, I predict that it is highly likely that anyone
with a permit will get a chance to see little black puffy critters running
amost the cattails when the adults get down to business again. There is also
three sets of Mute Swans. The wetland is located at #11 County Road 64 as you
head out of Brighton. Maureen
_______________________________________________
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/
