A 5am start at the Sedge Marsh at Carden did not turn up a hoped-for Yellow Rail, but among the 60 species seen on the day, were the following highlights:
Loggerhead Shrike. (In its usual area near Bluebird box #10, but it also spent time on the other side of the road). Clay-coloured Sparrow (near the windmill) Other sparrows: Vesper, Field, Chipping Savannah, Song, House, Swamp, White-throated, Eastern Towhee. American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Sora, Great Horned Owl on nest (thanks, Gerry Ball). Osprey, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe Horned Lark, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Meadowlark Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe. There were an estimated 2,000+ ducks on Dalrymple Lake (mainly Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks and Common Mergansers). Wood Ducks and both Blue and Green-winged Teal were seen elsewhere. There were a couple of Greater Yellowlegs in casual water. Most of the birds were seen on Wylie Road, but the rails and owl were seen on Prospect Road. To reach Wylie, turn left off Highway 48 (if coming from Toronto) onto Regional Road 6, in Kirkfield. Drive 5.5 kms, (passing the Kirkfield Lift Lock), until you reach McNamee Road. Turn right onto McNamee and then almost immediately, turn left onto Wylie. Prospect Road is back on Highway 48, 4.2 kms kilometres before you reach Regional Road 6. Ian Cannell Concord, Ontario.
