[Ontbirds]Birding Rattray Marsh on the 1st day of spring

[Wayne Renaud]

   It was fairly obvious today and that spring migrants continue to trickle
in.  
   At least a dozen Red-winged Blackbirds were singing on territory.  There
were two Killdeers at the north end of a narrow band of mud and weeds in the
middle of the marsh (best seen the 'knoll' boardwalk.  There were 4 American
Woodcocks feeding exposed areas of mud and moss in the floodplain of
Sheridan Creek about 100 yds from the second bridge upstream on Sheridan
Creek and the north trail street exit to Silverbirch Trail (the brick pump
house in the corner).  Unfortunately the woodcocks were flushed by two big
dogs off their leashes ... and there were lot of people today that clearly
did not read the signs or chose to ignore the rule about dogs on leashed.
   The Tufted Titmouse was singing in the spruce trees near where I last saw
it ... it the large house with huge block retaining wall that fronts onto
Nautalix; they have huge bird feeder in the back yard.  This informal trail
runs close to north end of 'Knoll' trail and close to the last bridge
downstream  over Sheridan Creek.
   Good numbers of Dark-eyed Juncos, Song Sparrows and American Tree
Sparrows and one each of Carolina Wren and White-throated Sparrow.  A male
Pileated Woodpecker spent close to hour working in Paper Birch about 40 feet
from the boardwalk nearest the newly enlarge marsh tower.   About 50 people
had the opportunity to see the bird chipping away the tree and pulling out
grubs from the rotten wood  ...  and understand why it's important to
preserve native habit like Rattray Marsh.

Directions:
Go south down to the end Bexhill which runs south of Lakeshore about 5 long
blocks east Erin Mills Parkway; park at the metal gate  The marsh and knoll
trail start at the bottom of hill from the parking area.  This gets you
into, more or less, the middle of main area of the marsh.  Find a street map
to orient yourself and/or follow the the trail map inside the park.

Wayne Renaud