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A Summary of our trips in 2011
Twenty-four hardy birders
braved the cold and wet on May 3, our first Probus birding field trip to
Minesing Swamp. We were rewarded by seeing 54 different bird species. High
water levels in Minesing Swamp resulted in the observation of many ducks
species including Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead,
Green and Blue-winged Teal as well as a large number of Northern Pintails.
The marsh was alive with Red-winged Black Birds, Rusty Blackbirds,
Pied-billed Grebes and other common wetland birds, as well as a Baltimore
Oriole. Shore birds included Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a lone Spotted
Sandpiper and Killdeer. Warbler species included Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, and Yellow Warbler. The sparrows we observed included Swamp,
White-crowned, White-throated, Chipping, American Tree, and Song. Although
we didn't observe any birds, the sweeping view of the Minesing Swamp on a
section of the Ganaraska Trail was a good end to our day.
On Tuesday, May 17th, the
second birding outing was in the words of our leader, Lynne Richardson, "a
good day". We had the good fortune to see three Scarlet Tanagers at close
range on the trail to the east of the visitors' centre at Tiny Marsh. The
observation tower on the east trail and the one over the visitors' centre
were good for seeing the Black Terns, American Coot, Pied Bill Grebe and an
Osprey with a fish. After eating our lunch at the picnic shelter, we walked
the dike trail and had the opportunity to see the Black Tern up close and
observe their behaviour. On the back section of the marsh, we heard and saw
in flight both an American Bittern and a Least Bittern. Several species of
warblers were migrating through--Blackpoll, Yellow Rumped, and Yellow.
On the way home, we stopped at Wasaga Beach and had close up looks at the
endangered Piping Plover on two nests. We saw a total of three Piping
Plovers and were fortunate to see the male and female exchange brooding
duties at the one nest.
The total number of species for the outing was 55
On Friday October 14
the Probus Birders took a last minute trip to Strongville Rd south of
Stayner. The wet weather didn't deter the six car loads of keen birders from
joining leader Lynne Richardson to witness one of natures great spectacles,
the migration of Sandhill Cranes.
We located the Cranes shortly after
turning onto Strongville Rd off Hwy 26. Everyone enjoyed watching the flock
feeding in the harvested corn fields as they vocalized their soothing calls
to each other and some birds displayed their courtship dance (just
practicing for spring) . Periodically new flocks would arrive making their
loud bugle like flight calls. Approximately 600 cranes were seen in all. We
couldn't have asked for more. In the same field we did see several American
Pipits fly over but didn't have any land where we could get better looks.
Heavy rain finally ended our adventure and we all headed home feeling quite
elated about what we had witnessed.
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