Oshawa Second Marsh and vicinity birding report, for the JULY 4 - JULY 31, 2003 period.
The big news this month is the confirmed breeding of TRUMPETER SWANS in the Second Marsh. Neck collared swan R39 and unbanded mate have been very aggressive since early spring at the marsh. They have kept most of the MUTE SWANS out of the northern part of the marsh. Suspected breeding became a reality when on July 9th, R39 and mate brought out 5 very young cygnets (less than 2 days old) on. However these first time parents showed their inexperience in dealing with possible predators. Sadly by July 16 only 1 cygnet still remained. The family is still intact and the cygnet now is larger than the adjacent mallards. The family feeds primarily in the central to northern areas of the marsh in the abundant new growth of vegetation. The summering TUNDRA SWAN returned to the marsh from July 14 - 23. This bird when not in the marsh probably is out in Lake Ontario with the Mute Swan flock off McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Hundreds of waterfowl are now using the Second Marsh as a staging area. These species (from most abundant to least) include, MALLARD, GADWALL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and WOOD DUCK. Other species being seen include REDHEAD ( 3 drakes, 1 hen July ), HOODED MERGANSER(female daily), 1-2 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS and SCAUP sp. A PIED-BILLED GREBE was in the Marsh July 31. This species is rarely seen in the marsh during the summer. The DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT numbers are building daily. As in the last decade, several hundred birds start to loaf on the gravel island in the sw corner of the marsh and in trees along the barrier beach. CASPIAN and COMMON TERNS numbers are decreasing quickly (COMMON TERNS 115 July 21, and 23 July 31). CASPIAN TERNS (2 pairs) nested for the first time in Second Marsh this year, but were unsuccessful. Post breeding Ospreys are now being seen several times a week around the marsh, with 2 birds present July and eating Brown Bullheads (mudcats). Four species of heron are being seen almost daily, including LEAST BITTERN . The Migrant shorebird numbers have decreased in the last few weeks however their diversity has increased. On July 14 there were 36 LESSER YELLOW LEGS, 25 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. This evening (July 31) there were 5 species (10 birds) including the SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER (2) and LEAST SANDPIPER (3). On July 21 and 23, a STILT SANDPIPER was foraging with the yellowlegs. Along McLaughlin Bay barrier beach, washed up algae is building in the western end and near the log cabin In Darlington Provincial Park. However, only a few LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS. have been observed there. On the Lake, offshore COMMON LOONS are being seen daily with 3 reported July 16 Passerines have been very quiet for most of the month. Now, EASTERN KINGBIRDS and YELLOW WARBLERS appear to be in the initial stages of migration. Fall warbler migration should be starting within the next week. In previous years good results were found in Darlington Provincial Park, just listen for the BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES as migrant warblers forage with these flocks. Our thanks to contributors: Brian Brasier, Daniel Denov, Durham Rare Bird Line, Tyler Hoar, Bill and Nancy Logan, Rayfield Pye, Jim Richards, and Wioletta Walancik. Please send sightings reports to the attention of Tyler Hoar, (e-mail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] no later than Thursday morning each week. For a trail map of Second Marsh visit www.secondmarsh.com There is a link on that site that will take you to a trail map for McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit (419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. to Colonel Sam Drive. Go east on Colonel Sam Drive to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east platform is located here. To see the Lake Ontario waterbirds proceed along the path from the parking lot south to the lakeshore. "Tyler Hoar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
