Birdathon (part 3)

I am sorry for taking so long with posts, the summer has been whizzing by.


After seeing some warblers at the boreal forest we came back to our house for supper then headed to Oak Hammock Marsh.

 As always we saw lots of pelicans at Lockport on the way to Oak Hammock Marsh

American White Pelicans

American White Pelicans

Cliff Swallow

Stopped to look at birds on the way to Oak Hammock Marsh

There were some pretty spectacular clouds

Oak Hammock Marsh

Like always there were numerous duck species at the ponds at Oak Hammock. Ruddy Duck in the center, others are Redhead and Lesser Scaup

Numerous duck species

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre 

Purple Martin

Purple Martin

Purple Martin

There were Great-horned Owls nesting in a duck tunnel and we saw one of the young in the nest.

Great-horned Owl

Red-winged Black Bird

Black Tern

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Richardson's Ground Squirrel hiding in grass

Barn Swallow

Tree Swallow

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Yellow-headed Blackbird

The clouds were pretty beautiful along with a rainbow and lighting flashing.

More clouds

Among the reeds we found a Muskrat munching on something

Muskrat 

Red-winged Blackbird

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Using an audo player we played the sound of a sora and we heard it respond but unfortunately we didn't se it. We also played a Virginia Rail sound, and we did have success with it. Out of the reeds came the elusive bird, right in view for excellent photos! It was quite an experience.

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

Clouds

On the way home from the marsh the sun was just setting in  bright orange.

Brilliant sunset

We stopped by Silver Springs Park before we went home to see if we could add any last minute birds to the list.
We added Osprey and Spotted Sandpiper, the last two birds of the birdathon.

Silver Springs Park

The total count was 127 species!
Ebird Checklists:

http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30075287
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30075537
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30075663
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30080182
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30080242
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S30080263

And that concludes the birdathon! A huge thank you to Christian Artuso for helping us on the birdathon and making it so much fun. Also thank you to everyone who donated to make the second part of the birdathon a success! There is still time to donate, you can go to my page HERE.