A late morning birding walk around Rattray Marsh in Mississauga was very quiet today but on our way back to the waterfront parking lot at Jack Darling we spotted and had extended good views of a small group of approximately a dozen Red-necked Grebes just off the beach. Referencing Kaufman's Field Guide, we wondered if perhaps this was an unusual bird for this area?
The field markings of the yellow on the bottom of a long bill along with a red throat, white patch on the head with a slight ruff on top and a darker back were very prominent from were we stood on a rock outcrop. The birds were floating along in small groups heading roughly eastward; some diving for food, others running across the water as though to take off in flight but not quite managing as they eventually tumbled back into the water without becoming air born. We wondered whether this was a group of juveniles just learning to fly? Vicki & Rich Deakin Jack Darling Memorial Park and Rattray Marsh are located at 1180 Lakeshore Road West in Mississauga. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
