Sorry for the late post. Yesterday, I observed a tiny black fledgling swimming in open water near cattail cover at Mer Bleue bog boardwalk. The general shape of this unexpected perhaps three to four inch long? bird was that of a tiny murre when seen from a distance. (It was tiny and not close. All blackish and with a pointy bill.) In doing some research, my guess is a possible Virginia rail or sora chick. If anyone has information of rails nesting at Mer Bleue bog, please email me your impressions of this sighting at [email protected]
Also, I visited Petrie Island. At the causeway marsh that enters the Island an adult black tern flew over, headed west. It had some food item in its bill and it called. I had heard this species once bred at Petrie Island. Is it still a breeder there? Directions to Mer Bleue boardwalk. Take the Queensway (417) to the Anderson Road exit and head north on Anderson Road. Take a right on Ridge Road to reach the boardwalk parking lot. (There is a sign.) The chick was seen from the beginning of the boardwalk, where there is open water rimmed with cattail, on the left. It was a little way out in the water. Directions to Petrie Island causeway. 174 to Petrie Island exit (Trim Road north) on left. The road dips down to the causeway marsh (you can park on the shoulder), before the island and park. -- Howard Youth [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
