[Ontbirds]spring time at Rattray Marsh

[Wayne Renaud]

Well what a difference a day makes.
   David Hallett and I birded Rattray Marsh for about two hours just before
dawn last night.  The big wind storm the other day has effective pushed the
gravel beach-ridge back in place (after being open for most of last summer
and through the winter) and dammed outflow from the south end of marsh to
Lake Ontario creating once more a large body of water.
   The small flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds everywhere, most vigorously
singing;  one flock of 35 Brown-headed Cowbirds and one Common Grackle.  We
also got one each of Song Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow; also American Tree
Sparrow (lots).  

Directions:
Park at the bottom of Bexhill Rd. which runs south of Lakeshore 5 long
blocks east of Erin Mills parkway.

Wayne Renaud