[Ontbirds]Birding Rattray Marsh

[Wayne Renaud]

   While birding Rattray Marsh this afternoon David Hallet and I found some
noteworthy birds.  A male Red Crossbill, alerting us by its constant
calling, was first found feeding on spruce cones just east of junction of
Bexhill Rd. and Gatehouse Drive (about 4 house east of the intersection).
It flew to the evergreens along Nautalex Court (just across lower Bexhill)
and we lost track of it after that.   A Hermit Thrush was feeding in a
spruce at the first intersection right beside the entrance gate to the
marsh.   This particular intersection is virtually at the same location as
the parking area for the Rattray marsh access trail.
   A Song Sparrow was also found feeding under the boardwalk which overhangs
an open stretch of Sheridan Creek in the 'Knoll' loop that starts at bottom
of hill, a blocked-off road which is an southern extension of Bexhill.
   These were seen around 4:30 p.m.
   We also found an adult male Cooper's Hawk just south of the parking lot
of the Rhododendron Gardens on the western edge of Port Credit off Lakeshore
West.

Directions:
   Bexhill Road runs south off Lakeshore West six long block east of
Southdown Road. As most who know Rattray Marsh, the end of Bexhill brings
you just uphill from main marsh area.
   The Rhododendron Gardens are located south of Lakeshore West between
Godfrey's Lane and Crozier Court (about 8 blocks west of Mississauga Road).

Wayne Renaud