It seemed like the Great Blue Heron at the McKenzie Marsh was not having a good time finding a fishing spot. Upon a short lived landing on one side of the marsh, probably annoyed of being attacked, the Heron was forced to leave. Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles (Common Grackle) stirred up so much locomotion that after a few seconds after landing, the Great Blue Heron spread his wings again and left. One Grackle even continued after the Heron across the marsh. Landing on the other side of the marsh, it seemed like the same birds were not happy upon the arrival of the big bird but were more tolerant and let the Great Blue Heron stay.
McKenzie Marsh is starting to fill up with juvenile birds and parents obviously doing their job. I can’t imagine the Great Blue Heron harming any of the young ones. To cause so much activity, who knows, perhaps the big bird just landed on one of the nests.
This is also a time of the year when juvenile birds are making appearances. I am not good at identifying juvenile birds; in the above photo, I assume that’s a young Red-winged Blackbird.
Well I must say it was a rewarding walk to the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk on St. John’s Sideroad, as I didn’t have to wait long for the action. In addition, other birds made small appearances to make my day.
Other surprises.
“I like to be in big open spaces with high skies.”
Bruce Grobbelaar
Morning Dove (on the left) and Northern Rough-winged Swallow (on the right) sharing tree spaces.
Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, Ontario
