Event Report – 2025-04-12 – Tiny Marsh
On Sat. Apr. 12 2025 the Midland-Penetanguishene Field Naturalists held an outing as part of the annual Tiny Marsh Waterfowl Day.
Here’s a report on the day’s activities from MPFN President and MTM (Marl Tiny Matchedash) Conservation Association Secretary Bob Codd:
Waterfowl Day at Tiny Marsh is an annual event. For me, that makes writing something new and fresh about it increasingly challenging. The obvious place to start is with the weather but that’s such a mundane approach. Nevertheless comparisons with the previous year’s event are inevitable and participants frequently commented on the difference. The contrast is astounding. Last year was overcast and gloomy. Strong winds whipped up spray from the abnormally high water levels in Tiny Marsh and threatened to overtop Trotter Dyke. The exposed dyke offers scant shelter from the winds blowing in from nearby Georgian Bay and participants took turns huddling behind the only windbreak available, the single event vehicle.
This year we were blessed with near perfect conditions. Calm winds and sunny skies heralded what may be the fairest day of 2025 so far. It was a bit short of shirt sleeve weather but the bright sunshine and gentle breezes provided a very welcome respite from a winter that seemed like it would never end.
Perhaps the very best sighting of the day appeared even as the preparations were just beginning. A Horned Grebe in full breeding plumage was diving and hunting very close to the Trotter Dyke gate. This was a really good omen. The date for Waterfowl Day 2025 had been set while Tiny Marsh was still locked in ice and concealed under a blanket of deep snow. I experienced some considerable anxiety, worried that we might not even have open water in the marsh. The weather cooperated though and Tiny Marsh was wide open, loaded with thousands of geese and ducks.
I could rhyme off the various species we identified but the link to our Ebird checklist has that covered. While I absolutely get a kick out of seeing these colourful visitors to Tiny Marsh they’re not the best part of Waterfowl Day. What I enjoy most is sharing my love for nature and birds in particular. It’s incredibly rewarding to see and hear people’s delight at seeing a duck species that they’d never had a close look at before. Helping visitors find a boldly coloured Wigeon or a black and white Bufflehead in the spotting scopes and seeing their reaction is the very essence of Waterfowl Day. It’s what keeps me coming back and organizing these events. It’s been said that people won’t love and protect what they don’t know. Our goal is to help people know and love the natural world. By that metric the teamwork of the Midland-Penetanguishene Field Naturalists and MTM Conservation Association accomplished what we set out to do.
Still there were some sightings that were notable. Two Common Loons were fishing in the East cell, were the first we’d seen in 2025. Pied-billed Grebes and the Horned Grebe also attracted some attention. A pair of Coots, looking very formal, all dressed in gray, made an appearance amongst the Canada Geese. A Savannah Sparrow made a surprising appearance almost at our feet. Not exactly keeping with the theme it still caused a stir amongst the birders in the crowd. Soaring Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures floated aloft while bugling Sandhill Cranes dropped out of the sky, their legs dangling beneath them. We heard more of these than we actually observed. They favour the northern reed beds where they’ve bred successfully for a number of years now.
Some of the more determined birders ventured further along Trotter Dyke searching for some of the rarer migrants. Persistence pays and this small group discovered a locally rare Greater White-fronted Goose. Similar in overall colour to the abundant Canada Geese they’re distinguished by an orange bill and legs and a bright white face mask. It’s like searching for a needle in a hay field. Kudos to the finders!
I’ll take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make Waterfowl Day a success. We had with us today a world champion wood carver, MTM director Wayne Simkin. Wayne’s keen eye, honed by his craft, was a definite asset in his first ever Tiny Marsh Waterfowl Day. Wayne helped us find many species that may have gone undetected in the throngs of ducks and geese.
Those who worked quietly, behind the scenes also deserve recognition. MTM volunteers placed signage to help guide visitors to Trotter Dyke and arranged to have a portable toilet available. Members of both MTM and MPFN brought their scopes, enthusiasm and birding knowledge to share with participants. These good people all deserve our gratitude but I’m most thankful for everyone who took time out of their Saturday morning to enjoy the experience with us. Sharing our love for nature and Tiny Marsh in particular is what this event is all about. I’m already looking forward to Waterfowl Day 2026!
Here is a link to our eBird checklist. https://ebird.org/checklist/S225078550
There is one more person that we should thank – my wife Sue who meticulously compiled our checklist as faithfully as possible.
Cheers
Bob Codd
President, MPFN
Secretary, MTM Conservation Association
Here’s a link to a Flickr photo album of the day’s sightings and activities. Thanks to our photographers Bob Codd, Ken MacDonald and Kate Harries.
Tiny Marsh Waterfowl Day Flickr Album