The past few weeks have been marked by the rapid growth of cattails in the wetlands of Cranberry marsh in southwest Whitby, ON. The result is the difficulty in seeing the birdlife from the west side platforms. BUT, patient waiting on the north platform will possibly reward you with a cacophany of singing from the likes of Marsh Wrens, Soras and Virginia Rails. The great number of American Coots are tending to families, rather than persistently calling out.
A stroll to the beachside marshes may bring you any of Moorhen, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Blue-winged Teal, Coot, and Ruddy Duck. A botanical aside-- the north pathway has Flax, Sweet William Catchfly, Houndstongue and Hard-stemmed Bulrush in flower The marsh regeneration programme has been immensely successful insofaras as breeding birds is concerned. ON AUG. 14 YOU ARE INVITED TO MEET RAYFIELD PYE AT 3PM AT THE SOUTHWEST PLATFORM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME, AS WELL AS GET IN SOME BIRDING. To birders who enjoy walking visit the Lynde Shores C.A. parking lot to the east of Hall's Rd. on Victoria St.-- walk into the woods to the south end, looking for the path that leads south down to Cranberry. You will most certainly appreciate the great numbers of Bank Swallows (from their lakeside haunt), Bobolinks et al. Hall's Rd. leads south off Victoria St., 1 block east of LakeRidge Rd. in southwest Whitby. Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON
