I took a lunch break stroll on the Darlington Provincial Park barrier beach
today at 1 pm. The shorebirds were scattered from the east end of the beach
to the pond in the middle of the beach.
Highlights:
1
Baird's Sandpiper. The second shorebird who lost its way this week. I
have not seen or heard about the Willet since Sunday.
other Shorebirds:
3 Red Knots
25 Ruddy Turnstones
2 Sanderling
159 Dunlin
77 Semipalmated Sandpipers
11 White-rumped Sandpipers
12 Least Sandpipers
7 Spotted Sandpipers
4 Killdeer
4 Semipalmated Plovers
Offshore visibility was greatly impaired by the heat shimmers, However the
waterbird numbers appear to be down.
Between the beach and the park office a few Blackpoll and Mourning Warblers,
and several Indigo Buntings observed.
Direction:The McLaughlin Bay Barrier beach can be accessed from either Oshawa Second
marsh (west access point) or Darlington provincial park (east access point)
Oshawa Second Marsh
Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on
Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow
to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot
close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of
the lot.
To the Barrier Beach head south to the lake and then east along the
shoreline
For a trail map of the Oshawa Second Marsh area visit
www.secondmarsh.com and check the link for a trail map of
the area
Darlington Provincial Park
borders the east side Oshawa Second Marsh/McLaughlin Bay Nature Reserve.
To access the campground and park store area from the east.Take the Courtice
road exit from the 401 and follow the park signs. There is a small parking
lot at the gatehouse. Park here and walk the trail to the south. This will
take you into the campground area. The park store is just south of the main
office past the main gate.
For the Barrier Beach park at the beach parking lot and head west along the
maintained beach.
