Today's outing was OFO's 25th annual field trip to the Carden Alvar. Ron Pittaway led the first Carden field trip in 1992. Today's group of 37 birders tallied 76 species. We saw many of the target birds including superb views of Loggerhead Shrike, Sedge Wren, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow. We also found Wilson's Snipe, Black-billed Cuckoo, Alder and Willow Flycatchers, Golden-winged Warbler (heard), Marsh Wren, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee and Eastern Bluebird. Two spectacular wildflowers, Prairie Smoke and Indian Paintbrush, carpeted the alvar meadows.
Alvars are globally rare habitats of limestone or dolomite bedrock at the surface (pavement) or covered with thin soils and a sparse vegetation of lichens, mosses, herbs/forbs, shrubs and sometimes trees. Vegetation is restricted by shallow soils and extremes of spring wetness and summer drought. The Carden Alvar formed near the end of the last Ice Age when huge torrents of glacial meltwater washed away much of the sand and gravel (overburden) covering the bedrock. A large portion of the alvar is now protected by Carden Alvar Provincial Park (includes Cameron and Windmill Ranches) and other protected properties owned by The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Couchiching Conservancy. Directions: Carden Alvar Birding Site Guide with printable guide/map for use in the field. http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.cardenalvar I thank Ron Tozer, Eleanor Beagan, Ron Pittaway and others for helping everyone to see and enjoy the birds. Jean Iron Toronto ON _______________________________________________ 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
