Late Summer Birding in Waterloo
by Stewart MacDonald
On Saturday August 31, 2024, an enthusiastic group of 14 joined the Author for a Successful and Fun day of Birding in Waterloo. The outing was in 3 parts. The day started off overcast and muggy, changing to sunshine and very warm temperatures by late morning.
In total, over 40 Species of Birds were identified by the group!
The outing started at the Stork Family Y, where a late Osprey was seen on it’s nest. Possibly the same bird was spotted at Columbia Lake later. A Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk conveniently perched on a telephone pole, providing us with good views…our outing was off to a good start!
We walked west and stopped at a storm drainage pond, where Red-Eyed Vireo and a fast moving Wilson’s Warbler in Fall plumage was spotted by the author. The first of several Great Blue Herons on the day was observed.
Moving on, we walked to a local pond, where the Author had received permission from a homeowner to take the group on his property, so that a Spotting Scope could be set up. From the author’s experience, this is the only place that a clear view of the pond was possible. We were not disappointed!
Clear views of an Adult Black-Crowned Night Heron, 2 Green Herons and 2 Great Egrets resulted. These were the 3 target birds of the outing and all were within 50 yards of each other! The Night Heron was a Life bird for some of the participants.
Moving north to the bridge at Laurel Lake, a # of Pied-Billed Grebes were spotted, as well as a flyover of a Common Merganser, and a Common Gallinule was a surprise find…another Lifer for some group members. Moving off road to the viewing platform, Cedar Waxwings and a mini flock of Warblers were spotted, including a Canada Warbler and an American Redstart!
The group then trekked back to the meeting place and drove to Columbia Lake. A # of shorebirds had been seen by the author the previous day, but alas, they had all departed, except for a group of Killdeers. However, a Bald Eagle, Caspian Terns, Blue-Winger Teal and a # of Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons were visible. A Red-Tailed Hawk, a Juvenile Broad-Winged Hawk and several Turkey Vultures were also observed by the group soaring above us in the blue sky.
We finished the day driving to the Waterloo Rec Center and walking in Waterloo Park. The highlight of our walk was a flock of Warblers that we came across, led by a # of Black-Capped Chickadees. Pine, Black-Throated Blue, and Black and White Warblers were observed.
In conclusion. an exciting and fulfilling day of birding in the City of Waterloo was enjoyed on this late summer day. Thank you to all of the group members for their participation.
