Due to the sensitivity associated with the following information, this posting
was deliberately delayed and, I trust, will not cause any harm to the
inhabitants of Luther Marsh. Most species noted below are breeding, so if you
are planning a trip to Luther please consider OFO's birding code of ethics and
the Luther Marsh User Guide (http://www.grandriver.ca/parks/luther_2008.pdf).
Please be advised that non-motorized boats are permitted on the lake July 31 to
Sept. 1 with an access permit. Motorized boats are permitted on the lake after
Sept. 1.
The following observations were made Friday, June 12 on the main lake:
American White Pelican - 17 birds in 3-4 groups near Windmill Island; though
recorded historically at Luther, this is considered unusual for the local area
and possibly southern Ontario
Black Tern - at least 8 birds foraging, some agitated; a regular breeder
Caspian Tern - 11 on mud flats off Windmill Island; possibly breeding
Trumpeter Swan - 4 birds swimming close to the pelicans; breeding confirmed
Bald Eagle - 2 adults perching and soaring close to a nest on Big Island;
possibly breeding
Osprey - several pairs defending nests; at least 10 nests appear active; 1
nest had 2 eggs
Common Loon - pair with 2 chicks close to floating platform near dam
Great Blue Heron - 31 active nests; 13 nests within the traditional rookery on
the north end of the lake are apparently inactive
Sora - East Bay, single bird calling close to MNR boat house
Marsh Wren - several singing males in cattail marshes
Pied-billed Grebe - several calling
Wood Duck - 2 birds flushed near mouth of Drain 40
Also noteworthy were full choruses of Mink Frog, which were noted at all survey
stations.
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area is located along Side Road 21 & 22, south
of County Road 15, just northwest of the Town of Grand Valley.
Tony Zammit,
Cambridge, ON
_______________________________________________
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/
