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CANCELLED – North Shore of Lake Ontario
Saturday, December 5, 2020 @ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
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COVID Walks to North Shore of Lake Ontario
The series of COVID walks we have so far conducted have been fully “booked” and enjoyed by enthusiastic participants. I am already being urged to do more, so I propose the following dates for a trip along Lake Ontario to see waterfowl and other species. On an outing of this nature, where we will not be peering into bushes looking for songbirds, we can increase the limit to ten members plus Miriam and me, still well below the provincial guidelines for outdoor gatherings.
As always, registration is required – first come, first served!
Dates: Thursday 3 December, Saturday 5 December and Monday 7 December.
Time: 8:30 am
Leader: David Gascoigne email: theospreynest@sympatico.ca Phone: 519 725-0866 Cell: 226 747-7299
Location: Meet at the commuter parking lot on Highway 6 just south of Highway 401 and follow me.
Duration: All day
Description: First stop will be at the DesJardins Canal in Dundas, ON where a wide range of waterfowl is possible, including close views of Hooded Merganser. A few Double-crested Cormorants general persevere here through the winter. The vegetation should yield a variety of species including American Tree Sparrow, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers – and who knows what else?
After leaving DesJardins we will head to LaSalle Park in Burlington where the largest concentration of Trumpeter Swans in Ontario will be present, in addition to a whole range of gulls and large numbers of many species of waterfowl. A walk along the boardwalk through the wooded area might yield Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird, woodpeckers, sparrows and, for those who enjoy doing it, the chance to hand feed Black-capped Chickadees. Many other common passerines should be seen.
Our next stop will be at Sioux Lookout Park, which for many years has been the most reliable location for Long-tailed Ducks at close range. The water is very clear and the ducks can be seen “flying” underwater. Large rafts of Common Goldeneye are usually present by mid November. All three scoters are possible, as are Red-breasted and Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, Mute Swans and others. A few Common Loons spend the winter on Lake Ontario so that too is a possibility. We will proceed eastward along the lake, stopping at various points (e.g. Paletta Park, Bronte Harbour, Lakeshore Promenade) being guided by recent reports, and the time of day. There is no shortage of washroom stops along this route and we will stop somewhere to have lunch together.
This is a full day's outing so be sure to pack a lunch and snacks if you need them. Dress according to the weather, bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, a field guide and lots of enthusiasm.
Prior registration is required. Please contact David to register.