This morning I checked out the area between the 11th and 14th Sideroads of Bradford-West Gwillimbury east of the 20th Line. The birding was excellent. I saw 5 Sandhill Cranes, a flock of 15 Tundra Swans "tootling" overhead, scattered groups of N. Pintail, Am. Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Am. Widgeon, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded and Common Mergansers peppering the surface of Cook's Bay, a pair of Marsh Harriers doing their courtship flight, one Bald Eagle, and many Great Blue herons (20) setting up house at their colony. The Bald eagles that I suspected might be nesting are around but the herons have taken up residence on the nest platform I thought the eagles might be taking over. The cranes may stay to breed (as did a pair last year), but it is still good to see that their numbers seem to be increasing here. I was especially impressed by the massing of waterfowl in the bay. A spectacular sight!! Peter Wukasch
To get to this area, go north on Hwy. 400 to County Road 88. Turn right and drive to the centre of Bradford. Turn Left on Hwy. 11 and go north to the 13th Line. Turn right and continue to the end where the pump house is located and a power shovel is parked. A trail is on the right which follows the edge of the river. There is also a trail on the left that follows a line of overturned stumps and debris. The heronry is across the river in the tamarack swamp. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
