Thirteen members and guests of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists observed wildlife at a pond and wetland area on private property near Roseneath. Rain held off for an hour to allow for some birding which produced a list of 26 species identified by sight and/or sound: Wood Duck, Mourning Dove, Virginia Rail, Common Gallinule, Killdeer, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Marsh Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole. Highlights for several members were listening to the Common Gallinule, observing the Green Heron and chuckling at the antics of numerous Red-winged Blackbirds in full territorial dispute. Herptile sounds were identified to Gray Tree Frog and Spring Peeper. A Beaver was observed. Like many in attendance I was in awe of the incredible evening light and cloud transition. Being chased back to our cars by a cloudburst was a small price to pay for that experience. Many thanks to Brian Maxwell for selecting Webb View Marsh for the President's Walk, and to Roger Frost for leading the outing and acquiring permission from the owner of this beautiful wetland.
(Photographed May 26, 2017 on private property near Roseneath, Ontario, Canada - Photos by Don McLeod)