This morning, my son William and I drove up to the Luther Marsh area to try and see some of the Sandhill Cranes that were reported. Along the way we saw a Snowy Owl NE of Metz (along 5th LIne, north of the York Soaring Association). Also at that location was a female Northern Harrier hunting low over the fields.
Then, in a flooded field just southeast of Luther Marsh, near the south end of Sideroad 21 & 22, we saw 2 Sandhill Cranes, along with a variety of waterfowl species (amongst others including Northern Pintail, American WIgeon, Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead and a pair of Ring-necked ducks). Further up the road opposite the NE end of the reservoir, we heard many Dark-eyed Juncos singing from amongst the pines. Included with them was a Fox Sparrow, our first Chipping Sparrow this spring, several Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers, as well as our first Pine Warbler. Further north an Osprey flew west across the road. A short time later, driving west through the boggy wetland along Wellington Road fifteen, we stopped to listen to several American Tree Sparrows singing. While stopped, we also heard a winnowing Wilson's Snipe and saw a Rough-legged Hawk circling and cruising overhead (getting a bit late). As we watched it to make sure it wasn't a Golden Eagle, a Merlin flew by and briefly harassed the hawk. On our way back home towards Guelph, we encountered another Sandhill Crane on the west side of Luther Marsh, NE of Eighth Line and 16. Further south still, we came across yet another Snowy Owl, this one east of Side Road 15, perhaps 300 m south of Second Line. While we were stopped looking at it with our scope, a flock of Snow Buntings flew by. My son watched them do a very wide circle around us, zipping low down over the fields and then up and back down. Try as he might, he wasn't able to spot any Lapland Longspurs amongst them. I am sure I must have missed some other noteworthy observations (e.g. several Northern Ravens), but that's all for now. Best wishes, Karl Konze Guelph, Ontario Directions: Luther Marsh is approximately 12 km northeast of Arthur, Ontario _______________________________________________ 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
