Day 1 of the Annual Little Gull viewing weekend Highlights: 42 Little Gulls (41 adults) recorded in the marsh. Up to 24 birds were recorded at one time performing courtship flights over the marsh. Most of the morning there were 5-20 gulls courting 50-500ft above the marsh. 1859 Bonaparte's were observed coming into the marsh. As usual most went to the lake between 815 and 9am to feed on the emerging ghost midges.
Waterfowl (25 species) 6 Greater White-fronted Geese present in the marsh till shortly after 8am. Then they left with approximately 100 Canada Geese to forage in the nearby Courtice area cornfields. Shorebirds: 1 Spotted Sandpiper. The marsh rose 6-8 inches in the last week flooding what little shorebird habitat was present. The Mclaughlin Bay Barrier beach has some small sloughs on it this year which should provide good habitat in May. Other highlights 1 Sandhill Crane, 2 Virginia Rails, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and 100s of swallows Directions Little Gull viewing weekend April 26 & 27 (Saturday/Sunday) annual Little Gull viewing at Second Marsh, from dawn to 9:30 am. Viewing will occur from the 'GM' platform. Park in the west General Motors of Canada parking lot (off Colonel Sam Drive), enter the trail from the southwest corner of the lot, and follow directional signs to the platform. Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second marsh area visit http://secondmarsh.outdoorontario.ca/Recreation.html and check the link for a trail map of the area. Tyler Hoar Oshawa _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
