Wasaga Beach and a Nearby Marsh: Late May 2020

The town of Wasaga Beach has a forlorn look these days as there are few tourists, the beach is closed and most of the shops are shuttered.

Blue Mountain in the distance
Nottawasaga River

Tourists are clearly discouraged as all parking spots are not available:

Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Herring Gull

When my parents came here long ago, you could drive and park on the beach as this image shows:

I visited Tiny Marsh just a few days ago for the post: https://mileshearn.com/2020/05/24/love-in-the-marsh-may-2020/

At that time, I was unable to go into the marsh as the gate was locked. However, there is a way to get there which involves a considerable walk. That was my agenda on this day.

Spatterdock (Nuphar lutea)
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)
Star-flowered False Solomon-seal (Maianthemum stellatum)
Cuckoo-flower (Cardamine pratensis)
Sedge
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

I was able to photograph four Flycatcher species:

Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe

There are many goslings here:

Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Goose chick
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese

I have seen Black Terns here in the past but not today. When I saw this, I hoped it was a Tern but clearly it is not:

Other Birds:

American Redstart (male)
American Redstart (male)
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Yellow Warbler (female)
Yellow Warbler (male)
Yellow Warbler (male)
Nashville Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Cedar Waxwing
Osprey Platform with Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey Platform with Osprey
Purple Martin house with resident Tree Swallow
Purple Martin house with resident Tree Swallow

NATURE POETRY

When elm leaves are as big as a shilling,
Plant kidney beans, if to plant ’em you’re willing;
When elm leaves are as big as a penny,
You must plant kidney beans, if you mean to have any.   – T. F. Thiselton-Dyer (1848–1928)

Miles Hearn

2 thoughts on “Wasaga Beach and a Nearby Marsh: Late May 2020

  1. George

    Did you see any evidence of Piping Plovers?
    There were six (6) fledged Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) chicks in 2019 at Wasaga Beach. Maybe this year even with high water levels again there will be more chicks with reduced human activity.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Volkov

    I never got to see Wasaga Beach, before or after it burned down. Thanks you for the pics of it! And thanks for the other pictures of nature, Miles. Wonderful!

    Reply

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