Today's outing was OFO's 28th annual field trip to the Carden Alvar. In great weather, our group of 50 tallied 99 species by walking Wylie Road from the cabin to north of Sedge Wren Marsh in the morning and visiting other birding sites in the afternoon. We saw and/or heard many of the target birds including: Loggerhead Shrike, Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Eastern Towhee (lots), Brown Thrasher, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, Alder and Willow Flycatchers, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Least Bittern, Wilson's Snipe, Virginia Rail, Golden-winged Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow. We saw and heard Soras in several locations, possibly favoured by high water levels. An American Bittern flushed from beside the main road. From the parking area at Bluebird Box 10 we watched a Groundhog climb a tree to eat the buds. Butterflies were active, including many Red Admirals, Spring Azures and Black Swallowtails. Prairie Smoke, Carden Alvar's signature wildflower, was just starting to bloom on the alvar meadows. A large portion of the alvar is now protected by Carden Alvar Provincial Park (includes Cameron and Windmill Ranches) and other 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 co-leaders, Ron Tozer and Eleanor Beagan. Also, Gray Carlin, Eric Baldo, Andrew Don, Laura Tozer, Jessica and Heather Brousseau, Bob Falconer and others helped everyone to see and enjoy the birds, and those with scopes generously shared them. Thank you everyone for coming to the Carden Alvar and joining in our fine birding day. Jean Iron Toronto _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
