Bird Protection Quebec's Field Trip Report - September 13th

Cooper Marsh - Lancaster, Ontario

The field trip to Cooper Marsh today could not have happened on a more beautiful mid-September day. The fog burned off around 10 and the rest of the morning was sunny and warm (up to around 21 degrees Celsius at least).

Fourteen birders found 43 species.

Birds of the Day were Virginia Rail and Northern Harrier. The Rail ranked first for most participants as it walked across an open bit of the marsh by the west boardwalk. This bird was so co-operative that it came out in full view a second time for those who had missed it the first time. As one participant said, it was great to see the whole bird all at once. This was a lifer for some. The Harrier in flight low over the marsh was wonderful to see, and we also saw it perched briefly onthe railing of the boardwalk in the eastern marsh.

Other great sightings included hundreds of Red-winged Blackbirds in thesnags in the west marsh as well as the extraordinary eyeful of five Green Herons at once.

The best birds of the day were in the western marsh so hats off to Felix who suggested that we break with tradition and begin there. Swamp Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats were legion (well, almost legion) and for a time we were in the middle of a duck airport as scores of Mallards took off as well as a few squeaking Woodies.

Other good sightings included an American Bittern in flight, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a snag, and a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the bushes on the far side of the marsh. Thanks to everyone who came out on this spectacular morning. - Martin

Species seen or heard: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, American Black Duck, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Northern Harrier, Virginia Rail, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch