Hi Ontbirders,
Recalling that egrets were reported roosting at Minesing Swamp, NE of Angus, last year, I went up there this evening to see if they could be re-located. I drove north on McKinnon Road and just before reaching Concession 2, there were 5 egrets (including a blue wing-tagged bird, 97Y) on the right in a slightly flooded field. I checked a few other spots along the roads and returned to the field to find that the egrets had left. A fisherman said they had flown west. Just about this time, 7:15 PM, 2 egrets flew over going NW...they set their wings and glided into a woodlot on the north side of Concession 2. I went to check them out and sure enough, 6 egrets were perched in a stand of fairly mature trees 100m north of Conc. 2. By 8:15, 6 other egrets arrived, including 2 more blue wing-tagged birds and had joined the group...but I could not read the tag numbers. Bird 97Y was banded by us on 26 June 2014 at Nottawasaga Island, near Collingwood; it was too young to fly when banded. Ontbirders are reminded to check Great Egrets for wing-tags (orange, green or blue) or red plastic leg bands. They are all marked with number-number-letter combinations. Also, I am looking for a volunteer, who might live near Minesing Swamp, to monitor egret numbers at the roost once a week...please contact me privately. Cheers, Chip Weseloh Directions: From Barrie, take Hwy 90 west towards Angus. Just before reaching Angus, turn right (north) on McKinnon Rd. Stay on this road for approx. 2.7 km until Concession 2 joins it from the left (west). Turn left onto Conc.. 2 and go down about 0.4 km...search the trees to the right. Tonight, some of the egrets were in the roost at 7:20 PM, about an hour before official sunset but it was quite overcast. As the evening progressed from 7:20 to sunset, many of the egrets moved back farther into the woodlot and were more difficult to see. Also, there is water slowly flowing over Conc. 2 in2-3 spots but the road is navigable. Good luck. Try to read the tag numbers if you see any. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
