Rattray Marsh - Jul 28

[thouc]

Got a lifer today at Rattray Marsh, I had good looks at a Sora and there was at least one more moving around. Other birds of note: Virginia Rail (heard), Great Blue Heron, Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, White-breasted Nuthatch, Great Crested Flycatcher.

The bridge is now repaired.

[MEGHAN]

Thanks Thomas for a great list. I have been meaning to get out there lately. It's only a few minutes from my house and I haven't been there in months.   :roll:
Glad to hear there is a Sora around again this year.
No Green Heron sightings?

[thouc]

I've seen reports of Green Herons there, but haven't seen them myself.

[MEGHAN]

Thanks again Thomas. I appreciate the reply.

Meghan

[thouc]

The jewelweed is starting to come out, so hummingbirds might show up there soon.

[MEGHAN]

Thanks again Thomas. Your report prompted me to head out this morning. I was there from 6:30am-10:30am. I just walked straight down to the marsh entrance at the lake.
When I arrived there were 10 Great Blue Herons and 8 Egrets (no tags on any birds). A Muskrat who gave one of the Herons a pretty good scare.  :shock:
Lots of shorebirds, even though there were no mudflats. They were doing quite well along the edges. A few were even foraging at the water’s edge ,within 2  feet of where I was sitting. Quite bold. I do not know my shorebirds so I can’t tell you which ones were present. Just to say they were the butt bopping kind.
No Sora or Virginia Rail heard or seen. Many Swallows.
Red-Necked Grebes out on Lake Ontario calling.
A few Terns flew in and 3 passes, no diving, by an Osprey.
As you stated, the Jewel weed looks like it will be good this year. Just a few blooms starting, but nice big healthy plants.  So very promising for Hummingbirds.

All in all a good morning. Except for the Kingfisher constantly laughing at me as I try to take his picture.  :roll:

Meghan

[Irene]

Thanks again Thomas. Your report prompted me to head out this morning. I was there from 6:30am-10:30am. I just walked straight down to the marsh entrance at the lake.
When I arrived there were 10 Great Blue Herons and 8 Egrets (no tags on any birds). A Muskrat who gave one of the Herons a pretty good scare.  :shock:
Lots of shorebirds, even though there were no mudflats. They were doing quite well along the edges. A few were even foraging at the water’s edge ,within 2  feet of where I was sitting. Quite bold. I do not know my shorebirds so I can’t tell you which ones were present. Just to say they were the butt bopping kind.
No Sora or Virginia Rail heard or seen. Many Swallows.
Red-Necked Grebes out on Lake Ontario calling.
A few Terns flew in and 3 passes, no diving, by an Osprey.
As you stated, the Jewel weed looks like it will be good this year. Just a few blooms starting, but nice big healthy plants.  So very promising for Hummingbirds.

All in all a good morning. Except for the Kingfisher constantly laughing at me as I try to take his picture.  :roll:

Meghan

LOL Meghan, that Kingfisher remembers you from last year eh? but it sounds like a nice variety of birds.

[JW Mills]

The jewelweed is starting to come out, so hummingbirds might show up there soon.

I was at Rattray  this morning (Aug 4) and spotted 1 Hummer near the entrance from Jack Darling.
 
Thru the woods;
Robins, Waxwings, Baltimore Orioles, Am Goldfinches, Chickadees, BG Gnatcatchers, Song Sparrow, Downy.
 
At the Marsh;
1 Kingbird, 1 Kingfisher, 5 GB Herons, 1 Yellowlegs(?), 2 shorebirds of some kind, 2 Common Terns.
 
Also 3 deer, 1 mink, 1 rabbit.