Oshawa Second Marsh, peeps and Bald Eagle, 5 June

[Andreas Jonsson]

I birded with Matthew Strimas-Mackey at Oshawa Second Marsh on Saturday afternoon. We took the GO train to Oshawa station and biked the 7 kilometers to Second Marsh. We started at the platform on the east side of the marsh, from which it was pretty far to see peeps on the mudflats on the other side of the marsh. We then walked the loop south down to the lake shore and around passing by McLaughlin Bay (which was dead empty, apart from a Mute swan). After this we walk north along the eastern side of the marsh cutting across the northern side, to end up on the gravel road down the western side of the marsh, where peeps could be viewed much closer up, and with the afternoon sun in our back.

Migration-wise it was pretty quiet. Except for 28 Semipalmated sandpipers and a sub-adult Bald eagle most birds are probably local residents. Yet, we had some good opportunities to practice on the songs of Marsh and Chipping sparrows and Marsh wrens, which was useful. There were lots of ducks; >50 Canada geese, >50 Mallards, and a Bufflehead, Green-winded teal, Blue-winged teal, Wigeons, Shovelers, Trumpeter swans, and >20 Great Blue herons.

Selected species from my notes:

50   Canada Goose   
2   Trumpeter Swan   
6   Wood Duck   
5   Gadwall   
2   American Wigeon   
50   Mallard   
1   Blue-winged Teal   
15   Northern Shoveler   
1   Green-winged Teal   
1   Bufflehead   
20   Great Blue Heron   
1   Turkey Vulture   
1   Bald Eagle   
10   Killdeer   
1   Spotted Sandpiper   
28   Semipalmated Sandpiper   
10   Caspian Tern   
5   Common Tern   
1   Belted Kingfisher   
2   Eastern Wood-Pewee   
1   Great Crested Flycatcher   
1   Warbling Vireo   
2   Red-eyed Vireo   
1   American Crow   
X   Tree Swallow   
20   Bank Swallow   
3   Barn Swallow   
1   House Wren   
2   Marsh Wren   
1   Gray Catbird   
X   Yellow Warbler   
1   American Redstart   
2   Common Yellowthroat   
X   Chipping Sparrow   
X   Song Sparrow   
5   Swamp Sparrow

[Tyler]

Hello Andreas

Glad you got out to visit the area.
Most birds you mentioned have taken up residence for the summer. Most of the waterfowl are loafing males. This morning we had 35 Wood Duck, 5 black Ducks and a few hundred mallards in addition to the species you mentioned. We missed the bufflehead, probably out on beaton's reef where loitering divers spend the summer.

The Immature Bald Eagle looks to be the local this summer. Every summer Durham shoreline between Ajax and Bowmanville plays home to 1-3 immature eagles.

The Caspian Terns are loafing in the marsh this year. The Common Terns and Herring Gulls (2nd and 3rd nests since 2000) are nesting.

With all the rain most of the mud flats are covered now. usually takes a few days to drain down. The western gravel road you mention is the Berm DU put in. and as you found out it is the better side to view in the afternoon.

northward shorebird migration here usually runs till the 10th-15th with the White-rumps being the last species to pass.

As you noticed Mclaughlin Bay is essentially empty, it usually is other than spring. Due to all the human use i.e. anglers, hunters, paddlers, wind surfers.

Next time down check the beach along the south side of the bay. It is where most GTA Piping plovers show up. Also Darlington provincial park has nesting orchard orioles, Mourning Warblers and indigo Buntings.

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

@Tyler: It seems like you really know your way around the area. Next time we go out there you'll have to give us some tips or maybe you could even join us.

[Andreas Jonsson]

Thanks for all the info Tyler! Looking forward to coming back. Would you happen to have some feel for when the fall shorebird migration in the marsh starts? Can't wait!