[Ontbirds]OFO Field Trip - Tiny Marsh

[RON FLEMING]

Today's OFO trip to Tiny Marsh northwest of Barrie took place under sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures.  These conditions brought out a hatch of midges and/or gnats that formed some pretty impressive clouds of insect life as we walked the 8 km dike trail.  For some people the heat and the bugs were a little overwhelming, so what started off as a group of about 35 people was whittled down to about 15 participants by lunchtime.  
   
  Species total for the day was 61 species, about average for this hike.  Highlights of the collective list were: PEREGRINE FALCON, SANDHILL CRANE, AMERICAN BITTERN, OSPREY, CASPIAN TERN, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, YELLOW-RUMPED and PINE WARBLER, WILD TURKEY, WOOD DUCK, WHITE-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, BROWN CREEPER, NORTHERN HARRIER, PIED-BILLED GREBE and AMERICAN COOT.  We observed 13 ducks species as well.   
   
  I'd like to thank all of those who came out for this annual trip, especially the dozen or so sun-reddened souls who were able to do the full day.  I thoroughly enjoyed your company and the good camaraderie - to me that's more than half the fun of such trips.  
   
  If any OFO members would like to consider sponsoring me for the Baillie Birdathon in May, let me know.  I will be birding York region with a team of West Humber Naturalists.
   
  Ron Fleming, Newmarket