Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Birds

McKenzie Marsh Aurora Ontario Great Blue Herons Moved In, Cormorants Moved Out?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:16:43 +0000

For some time now I have stopped walking to the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk on the St. John’s sideroad. We never make it as Matthew prefers the community Arboretum, entrance on the intersection of Industrial Parkway and St. John’s. I don’t blame him – on the way home we visit three playgrounds – at the Optimist Park, Northern Lights Public School and Thompson Park.

However, that one day when we did go to McKenzie Marsh we encountered many Great Blue Herons. Firstly, they were flying around as something was about to happen. It was close to the lunch – so may be it was their hunger flight. They were setting themselves up, at least five of them.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

One heron flew very close to the boardwalk and stood on the dead tree roots, usually where the red-ear slider turtles are found. I took many pictures of the heron and he didn’t mind. I am assuming that with so many photographers now visiting the boardwalk and even the constant traffic noise from the road, herons are adapting.

Many other birds flew over the body of water, but that day the herons were definitely dominating the McKenzie Marsh. And I was glad. Sometimes it is nice to have one species around so I can observe them closely.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

In the past, we used to have an interesting crowd of the cormorants, but looks like the population of them declined over the years. They mainly occupied the landmark tree on the East side of the boardwalk. They are still around. I saw two on the tree the other day, but this is nothing compare to seeing about fifteen of them.

The cormorants are interesting birds, not to mention they are also invasive. I am sure that now with less of them hanging around the Great Blue Herons are having a blast. They can now hang out on the landmark tree.

However, on this side of the McKenzie Marsh I have never seen a cluster of them. Herons always like to sit by themselves scattered in all directions. One somewhere on the back of the marsh, one sitting on the landmark tree, the other one on the stump, then one hiding on the willow tree across and of course this one on the pictures fishing very near to the boardwalk.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Beside Great Blue Herons as always there were Canada Geese and ducks. Seagulls were flying over. Mind you I miss the Caspian Terns. They usually fish on the South side of the St. John’s (Atkinson Wetland). They can be mistaken for seagulls. Look for the distinct red beak and interesting fishing technique.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Doors Open Aurora 2012, Lumsden’s Trumpeter Swan Gardens & The Giant Thistle

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:53:39 +0000

That was my last one, favorite one and the most entertaining one visit to the Doors Open Aurora. Despite the heat I was glad to visit the Trumpeter Swan Gardens created by Harry Lumsden. This was my second visit.

I called up Mr. Lumsden back in May and was allowed to photograph the swans – Trumpeter Swans in Aurora, Visit To Harry Lumsden’s Pond.

This visit was different. The gardens were open to public so I knew that my pictures will be a lot more interesting and not just swans.

When I arrived I was greeted by volunteers. I was directed to go behind the house first and then if I am not mistaken to walk to the North side of the property. While walking I passed by couple of ladies with a child in the stroller. One of them briefly looked at me and then said to the other one ‘You better get your camera out may be we will see some birds‘. I smiled and I had to say something ‘Well you are definitely going to see swans‘. They nodded and we all laughed.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Since my last visit, this time gardens were a lot more green and beautifully over grown. First thing I noticed was this giant Scottish Thistle, probably close to two meters tall. Normally we would call thistle a weed, but in Mr. Lumsden’s garden obviously it is not.

Scottish Thistle, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

So things got much better after seeing the giant thistle. I took few nice pictures of the crowd with Mr. Lumsden. Not until later I noticed that I took pictures of someone I know.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Then I spotted someone in my peripheral vision either taking pictures of the thistle or the group of people with Mr. Lumsden. He looked familiar so I sneaked and took photo of him for further analysis later that day.

If turned out that was Matt Maddocks with his new toy. Matt and Deb were also visiting Trumpeter Swan gardens that day. I tell you it is always nice to be in the larger group. Conversation with Mr. Lumsden turned out far more interesting and entertaining, and all thanks to Deb.

Matt Maddocks Taking Pictures

I remember the days when I didn’t know Matt and how I used to read his intriguing Letters to the Editor in the Auroran. As of this year Matt took extra step and has now a regular column Point of Privilege on the community FOCUS site for the Town of Aurora.

Matt gathered lot of interesting information during his Doors Open Aurora experience and wrote a very intriguing and profound essay. If you curious you can read it for yourself, Doors Open Aurora – Of Swans and Freedom Fighters. Mr. Lumsden 6 acre property can be very adventurous. Before I met up with Matt and Deb again I walked alone around the pond in the shade of trees. I kept seeing visitors pouring in. Even thought it was getting close to four o’clock they just kept arriving.

Another incident. About four or five visitors arrived together, adults and youth. I overheard that one of the girls was scared of the birds and kept complaining about it. How can you be scared of the birds, I just don’t understand. But hey we all are scared of something.

At some point one of the ladies turned around and said to the girl ‘No worries dear, you will not find any birds here‘. Well, I just had to say something again, ‘but you will find swans just over there‘. She and the others looked in the direction of swans, and everyone laughed.

I guess since we don’t see swans flying on regular basis just like other small birds, many consider them something else. But what is that something else? Who knows.

Harry Lumsden Himself

Then later a small disappointment. During my first visit Harry Lumsden told me that there were six swan eggs in the nest. I came to the pond in mind that I will see all six of them.

I asked how come there was only one cygnet. He corrected me and said that there were actually seven eggs and explained that they didn’t hatch properly because disturbed female seeing disturbed male kept coming off the nest. Out of seven only two survived, but then turtle ate one of them.

That makes you think that their extinction wasn’t just our contribution.

Trumpeter Swans with Cygnet, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

If it wasn’t for Deb we would never know why this Trumpeter Swan has red feet (photo below). Harry Lumsden gave us this complex explanation, but all you need to know – recessive gene, or not very popular one. Apparently, there are three swans (not sure if in a whole Ontario or Canada) reported to have red feet and one of them is here in Aurora, Ontario at the Mr. Lumsden’s Swan Garden.

So this bring me to the end of my adventures during Doors Open Aurora. I am hoping again that for next year there will be no birthday parties or wedding parties scheduled for that day. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Red Feet Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Trumpeter Swans in Aurora, Visit To Harry Lumsden’s Pond

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 03:32:45 +0000

Sometimes I see Trumpeter Swans at the McKenzie Marsh and sometimes not. Once I was sitting with Matthew on the bench overlooking the marsh and when I looked up there was a slow flying swan above us.

What a spectacular view that was. Okay just one swan, but still – I never seen a flying swan before. A tip then – don’t ever forget to look up – you will never know what will pass above by you.