North Shore of Lake Ontario

North Shore of Lake Ontario

Date:     Saturday, 18 March, 2023

Time:     8:30 am

Duration:     All day

Location:    Meet at the commuter parking lot on Highway 6 just south of Highway 401 where we will carpool as much as possible.

Leader:    David Gascoigne
email:    davidmgascoigne@gmail.com
Phone: 519 725-0866 Cell: 226 747-7299

Description:    First stop will be at the DesJardins Canal in Dundas where a wide range of waterfowl is possible, including close views of Hooded Merganser. A few Double-crested Cormorants generally 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? Carolina Wren has been encountered on several recent visits. Early migrants will have arrived and Turkey Vultures are often seen overhead.

Next stop will be at Woodland Cemetery where we will check whether the resident Eastern Screech Owls are cooperating. Then we will go to Grindstone Creek for gulls and waterfowl. A short foray along the Hendrie Valley Trail has the possibility of numerous passerines and a chance to hand feed chickadees, nuthatches and possibly Downy Woodpecker.

After leaving Hendrie Valley we will head to LaSalle Park in Burlington where some Trumpeter Swans will probably still be present, in addition to a whole range of gulls and large numbers of many species of waterfowl including Common and Red-breasted Merganser, American Black Duck, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Redhead, Canvasback – and more. A walk along the boardwalk through the wooded area might yield Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird, woodpeckers, sparrows, kinglets and another chance to hand feed Black-capped Chickadees. Many other common passerines should be seen.

Our next stop will be at Paletta Park where warm, clean washrooms await and a chance for numerous waterfowl and passerines. We have seen Fish Crow at this location.

Our final stop will be at Bronte Harbour in Oakville for waterfowl, possible early Red-necked Grebes, gulls and the outside chance of a Snowy Owl.

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.