[Ontbirds]York Region Report

[RON FLEMING]

Warm temps and some southerly winds helped to propel more migrants north of Lake Ontario this week. On Tuesday I took a circuitous drive from Richmond Hill back to Newmarket and located my first EASTERN MEADOWLARK of the spring along King-Vaughan Line just west of Hwy. 400. (It turned out to be the first of four I would see during my drive.)  There was also an AMERICAN COOT in the slough NW of 15th Sdrd. and Weston Rd. (NW of King City), a passing OSPREY at the same location, and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at the trailhead beside 7th Concession (King) near 16th Sdrd.  Along the 8th Concession of King north of 16th there were two more Meadowlarks, several Tree Swallows, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER "kwirring" loudly near house #15045.
   
  At the north end of Bathurst St. (above Queensville Sdrd. near Holland Landing), Chris Dunn counted approx. 1500 ducks still on the fields Tuesday.  Among the many ducks in the area there was a N. SHOVELER and another AMERICAN COOT.  The big, totally flooded section on the west side of Bathurst held 2 breeding plumage HORNED GREBES.  There were 4 OSPREYS present in this large wetland area, as well as three SANDHILL CRANES which dropped in for 10 minutes then headed off to the north.
   
  On Wednesday evening Chris checked the the west side of the Holland River north of Bradford and found several good birds.  At the Provincial Wildlife Area on the10th Line (east of Hwy. 11/Yonge) there were many Icterids - mostly Red-wings and 
Grackles but a few RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were mixed in. Swallows gradually 
accumulated toward sunset and in the end at least 500 TREE SWALLOWS 
sagged the hydro lines near the end of the road. Among them a single BARN SWALLOW was observed. A group of 7 BONAPARTES GULLS was seen flying north along the river, as well as two more SANDHILL CRANES.  Keith Dunn checked that same area today and observed a RUFFED GROUSE, plus his first SWAMP SPARROW of the spring.
   
  A male EASTERN BLUEBIRD that arrived at the Cawthra Mulock reserve in Newmarket on Sunday was joined by a female on Wednesday.  Efforts to find this pair today were unsuccessful, though the presence of an American Kestrel may have had something to do with their absence.  Raoul Hendricks had a N. FLICKER and a BROWN CREEPER at the reserve Tuesday.  Both were heard calling today, as well as a PILEATED WOODPECKER.  There were numerous Golden-crowned Kinglets present today as well as one early RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET observed by Allan Roitner.  I had a male N. HARRIER, a RUFFED GROUSE, and one FOX SPARROW in the late afternoon.  While waiting for the lights to change at Bathurst and Green Lane I was entertained by the sight of four WILD TURKEYS making a short, ungainly-looking flight over the car-tops on the east side of the intersection.
   
  In south Keswick there are currently some good flooded fields for waterfowl along Ravenshoe Rd., the best one being just north of Ravenshoe on the west side of the laneway into Best Asian Farms (property currently for sale).  Keith Dunn had several duck species there today, including N. PINTAIL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, and N. SHOVELER.  Also observed there was a late flock of about 30 SNOW BUNTINGS, at least three OSPREY, and numerous GB HERONS in the heronry that is easily visible on the north horizon. 
   
  Ron Fleming, Newmarket
   
  DIRECTIONS:   York Region is just north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe.  The north end of Bathurst Street is accessed by taking Yonge St. north from Newmarket. About halfway between Newmarket and Bradford there is a stoplight indicating Bathurst St. North.  Turn right, then a quick left.  Bathurst crosses the RR tracks then runs straight north.  Take it to all the way up to the flooded fields north of Queensville Sdrd. and Albert's marina.  Hochreiter Rd. is directly west of the road into Albert's Marina but a vehicle could easily get stuck along this quagmire of a lane.  Walking in from Bathurst would be safer.  
   
  To get to the PWA on the other side of the river, drive back down Bathurst to Hwy. 11, turn west toward Bradford, go past (or through) the Tim Horton's, then take a right at the stoplights.  This road skirts the busier part of Bradford and eventually bends around to reconnect with Hwy. 11 where it runs north toward Barrie.  Take it north to the 10th Line, then turn right (east) and follow that all the way to where it bends crosses the tracks then bends north.  You will soon come to the sign for the Provincial Wildlife Area.  Park and walk in.  You eventually come to boardwalk and the western edge of the Holland Marsh.
   
  Ravenshoe Road runs east-west along the southern border of Keswick.  Drive to the agricultural flats west of Leslie Street (also called Queensway when it gets to Keswick).