A dark-coloured Ibis flew out of Rattray marsh this evening at about 8:55 PM (about half an hour after sunset). It appeared to take a large circle over Lake Ontario, returning towards the shore north of Rattray Marsh and then disappearing in the dim light just after 9:00 PM. While the bird flew by at fairly close distance there wasn’t enough light to secure a definite ID. However, this was most likely a Glossy/White-faced Ibis.
The bird hadn’t returned by 9:15 PM, after which I left the area. It may be worthwhile searching the marsh again for anybody who lives nearby. With some luck, the bird may return.
There were also a good number of shorebirds in the marsh. The water level was low, with lots of mudflats visible, so in other words very good conditions for shorebirds. These observations are from 7:30 PM until sunset:
1 Blue-winged Teal
1 Green-winged Teal
9 Semipalmated Plover
>5 Killdeer
2 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Semipalmated Sandpiper
20 Least Sandpiper
9 Dunlin
1 Short-billed Dowitcher
2 Caspian Tern
1 Eastern Kingbird
Rattray Marsh is located along the shoreline of Lake Ontario in Mississauga, at the base of Bexhill Rd, running south-east from Lakeshore Rd. West. It can be reached by public transit taking the GO train to Clarkson GO station from which the marsh can be reached by a 15 minute bike ride towards the east (or by car).
