I roamed around Matchedash Bay, Simcoe County today. It is a great birding
and natural history area to venture into. And it is approximately 20 minutes
nw of Orillia.
Yellow Rail
Quarry Road trail ( I forgot the actual name on the sign) exit from Hwy 400
at exit 149 Quarry Road turn left, and at approximately 700 m east there is
a small 2-3 car parking lot on the right hand (south) side of the road.
Follow the trail along the berm to the southeast end. Across the creek from
the berm is an area of sedges and grasses adjacent to the cattails. The
Yellow Rail was calling from there. I have had Yellow Rails in the same area
in previous springs but never in the summer.
Also seen from this area of the marsh were 1 Least Bittern, 2 Soras, 1
Common Moorhen, 3 Sandhill Cranes, 21 Trumpeter Swans including 1 nest, 2
Mute Swans (first ones I have seen here in 10 years), 15 Black Terns and of
course the nesting Ospreys on the pole adjacent to the trail berm.
Brewers Blackbird
Lawson Line south of Kinnear Sideroad I had the bird sitting on a fence
post adjacent to the fields just north of the North River. There was also an
Upland Sandpiper present as well.
Cowan Trail
Parking lot located on Kinnear side road adjacent to Matchedash Bay just
before the road takes a sharp right. Rubber boots are highly recommended for
the trail.
Highlights
9 Species of warblers including 7 Golden-winged Warblers
3 Blue Gray Gnatcatchers including a nest in a large Bur Oak just south of
the parking lot.
Vireos: Warbling, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated (2)
Great blue Heronry 11/13 nests active
Also Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker and
a Red-shouldered Hawk were present.
non birds
5 species of frogs and 3 species of turtles present
Directions
From the south exit hwy 400 at exit 141 or Hwy 12 from Orillia and travel
into Coldwater. Take the Upper big Chute road north from Coldwater the first
three left roads are Lawson Line, Kinnear sideroad, and Quarry rd/ Fell Line
Or exit at the north end of the marsh at exit 149 Quarry Road.
Tyler Hoar
Oshawa
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