I checked out the Rusty Blackbirds posted by Cory Jenkins yesterday and found them at a different nearby location at about 4:30 PM on Saturday. There was a mixed flock of 100-200 RWBBs and RUBBs foraging right along the north side of the roadway, on Concession 2, east of Hwy 10, at Brentwood, just north of Angus. This would be at the SW corner of the Minesing Wetlands.
Later Saturday, near dusk, I was at the South Monticello Pond at Luther Marsh where I had a Hermit Thrush, a Great Horned owl sitting on a nest (in the heron colony there), two pairs of Trumpeter Swans and several Sandhill Cranes (some seen, others just heard). The owl, trumpeters and sandhills were also seen there at dawn on Thursday (9 April). Directions: Rusty BBs - From Angus, go north on Hwy 10. At Brentwood, go right (east) on Concession 2. Immediately past Kearnan Rd, which intersects from the right, watch for blackbirds feeding at the edge of the water/flooded swamp on your left. Thdre will be a turnaround at the end of Conc. 2. South Monticello Pond - From Grand Valley, go north on Hwy 25, turn left (west) at either Concession 6-7 or 8-9, then go right (north) on Sideroad 21-22. You will shortly pass the main entrance & kiosk for the Luther Marsh Cons. Area on your left; a little farther down the sideroad, you will cross over a small concrete bridge. O.6 km farther down the road, on your left, will be a treeline marking the end of a coniferous woodlot of small (<10' tall) pine trees. Park along the side of the road, walk along the treeline for 200-300m until you are overlooking the South Pond, which will be directly in front of you. This is also the Pond where we have had over 400 egrets roosting in the late summer.....but there are none there now (yet !). There is a charge for use of the CA facilities; check at the kiosk. Cheers, Chip _______________________________________________ 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
