![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HoodedMergansePaironNaturalCrooksDotCom.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe purpose of the Rattray is to give wildlife a chance. So although there are paths, there is a lot of territory that is safely distant from people where the birds and animals can live undisturbed. From the Knoll board walk, I watched this pair of Hooded Mergansers diving their way up one of the ‘arms’ of water and out into the main lagoon. I never got the kind of photo I want but I enjoyed watching them anyway.<\/p>\n
The female Hooded Merganser may not have the flashy white feathers but she still rocks a style of her own.<\/p>\n Male Hoodies can expand up their head feathers until that white patch is amost a circle. He was calm and busy diving today so his white patch was sleekly down.<\/p>\n There were other ducks at the marsh. The Mallards, Common Mergansers and Green-winged Teal, tlhough, were too far away to even try to photograph.<\/p>\n Like many people, I find Mute Swans pretty, especially when they puff out their wings and ‘sail’ around on Lake Ontario. An introduced non-native bird, though, they are aggressive, territorial and known to kill other ducks and geese. So I have mixed feelings when I see them nesting in the Rattray.<\/p>\n I also would not like to explain Mute Swan sex to a young child. The few times I’ve seen it, the male has ended up submerging the female under water and with all the flapping around to balance it looks like he is trying to drown her.<\/p>\n I’m not sure if Credit Valley Conservation does anything to remove or damage Mute Swan eggs. If they don’t, likely we will see some cygnets this summer.<\/p>\n Most of the birds I saw were the usual year-round residents. Some, though, are sporting new spring feathers.<\/p>\n If you look at this Mourning Dove’s neck, you may see a small yellow patch. In the sunlight, it was a shimmering patch of gold. I’ve never noticed one like it before.<\/p>\n The Downy Woodpeckers crests were catching the sun too.<\/p>\n White-breasted Nuthatches looked fresh.<\/p>\n Still not much change in the American Goldfinches that spent the winter here.<\/p>\n The Carolina Wrens looked as bold and brassy as the songs they were belting out.<\/p>\n From the Knoll, I could see some birds were on the Lake near where the shingle closed the outlet of the Marsh. They would appear and disappear as they rose and fell with the waves. After watching a minute, I recognized the Mickey Mouse ears and bright colouring of a Red-necked Grebe. I’m more used to seeing them at marinas that the Rattray, so it was an unexpected Bonus Bird.<\/p>\n Song Sparrows were singing at varous spots around the park.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nSex in the Marsh<\/h2>\n
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\n(Don’t avert your gaze, that’s just courtship.)<\/p>\nWinter Birds Spiff Up for Spring<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nLook Who Popped Up<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nOnly a Few Spring Arrivals So Far<\/h2>\n
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