GLEN MORRIS AND NORTHERN BRANT COUNTY OUTING
DATE: THURSDAY MAY 22, 2025
LEADER: STEWART MACDONALD
On Thursday May 22, 2025, 10 determined participants braved the constant rain and cool temperatures with Stewart for a very rewarding day of birding. The outing was divided into 4 parts, which will be outlined below.
The outing commenced at the Glen Morris Trailhead where the group walked north along the trailhead to observe the colony of Cliff Swallows nesting underneath the Glen Morris bridge. During this short walk, 2 Ospreys were observed and numerous other swallows, including Bank and Barn Swallows, were identified.
We then car pooled to a pond, where Stewart was graciously given private property access by the owners, to park our vehicles and to bird along the pond adjacent to their properties.
We were rewarded with excellent sightings of Common Gallinule and American Coot. The Bird of the Day was the Virginia Rail and we sighted two different ones on the pond. We were provided with several different and very clear looks at this shy and reclusive wading bird. There were many happy faces once we departed.
The chilled group then proceeded to the lovely home of Jerry and Ellen Horak of Glen Morris who allowed us some shelter and opportunities to use their washroom. We enjoyed looking at the flora and fauna on their property and wish to THANK them for their generosity in sharing their home with us.
We then proceeded to Grass Lake and observed a pair of Sandhill Cranes. Walking alongside an unplowed field in a couple of different places, we observed both male and female Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlark, numerous vocalizing Savannah Sparrows and Eastern Bluebird.
The day wrapped up at F.W.R. Dickson Wilderness Area, where we identified some species of Warblers including Pine, Black-Throated Green and Blackburnian. In addition, Eastern Kingbird, Swamp Sparrow and Great-Crested Flycatcher were observed.
On the day, over 50 Species of Birds were identified, despite the difficult conditions. A big THANK YOU for everyone who braved the weather and were rewarded with some nice birding on this outing!
