There have been repeated sightings of an mature bald eagle in Port Credit in the past few days.
There are some discussion of whether there are one or two eagles.
More as sightings are noticed.
Best viwing places are either Hiawatha Park, Hiawatha Parkway south off Lakeshore in the centre of the East Village or the Adamson Estate which is accessed by Enola Ave which is between the Beer Store and the Sunoco Station off Lakeshore in the east end of Port Credit.
In Reply to: Re: American Kestrel at Sam Smith posted by Tom Cudzilo on December 29, 2005 at 06:56:10:
Superb picture! Thanks for sending it to me.
In Reply to: American Kestrel at Sam Smith posted by John on December 28, 2005 at 16:05:53:
Yea the Kestrel was there... there actually is two of them there... and the Herons are still in that tree.. I think they will be staying there for a while.
Also there I saw a Northern Mockingbird and the usual water fowl. For photos see attached link.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/683390/8
In Reply to: Humber Bay.E. posted by BIGFRANK on December 28, 2005 at 03:10:57:
That's a pretty bleak place, especially when the wind's up ... any sign of a mocker? There was one in the area a few years back, and they usually hang on to winter territory and defend it.
Regards
In Reply to: Leslie Street Spit posted by Norm Murr on December 27, 2005 at 17:47:33:
LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO
To get to "The Spit" from Queen & Yonge Sts. Take the Queen Street Car #501 east to Leslie St. and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can go on Leslie St. at Unwin Ave. and you will see the gate and signage. You may also catch the Jones Bus #83 at the Donlands Subway Station or transfer to it at Queen St. and Jones Ave. and take it to Leslie St. And Commissioner St. (on Saturday only). By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie St. then south to The Spit.
You can park either on Leslie St. or Unwin Ave., the parking lot inside the gate is closed for the Winter it seems.
NOTE:- The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive, 7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that. The "SPIT" is only open on the weekend as they are still building it.
PS
This week and this week only The Spit is accesable until Jan.1st then it is back to the above schedule. It is not open on Monday, Jan. 2nd
Norm Murr
Always birding by car, while returning from christmas gift returns, my girlfriend pointed out a stoic coopers hawk perched tree-top behind Witsend restaraunt next to the intersection of Richmond and Fanshawe in London. Slaty back and light rufous chest, and I swear I caught a clean white rim of the folded tail in comparsion to the narrower dirtier terminal band of a sharpie. Good size, probably female.
Good birding to all,
Ethan Huner & Shannon Queen
Dave and I saw an American Kestrel (male), consuming a mouse (he started at the head) on Tuesday early afternoon Dec. 27. We saw him at Sam Smith in a small bare tree on the north side of the main trail that leads east from the cul-de-sac. He let us watch him as long as we cared to (1/3 of the mouse)
There was a harlequin duck this afternoon at approximately 4:00pm just off the northeastern-most point of the park today. It was approximately 30 feet offshore in the heavy waves. The head markings were obviously harlequin, but the white marks on the body were missing. I checked on the internet and saw a number of photos of immature birds and this was certainly it. I was able to follow and observe it for a couple of minutes, until it flew off. It was pretty cool!
I also saw two immature black crowned night herons. I saw one there in the same tree a couple of days ago, so it seems to be a regular roost for them. If any one is interested, here is the location:
1) west of Park Lawn on Lakeshore 2) Small plaza with a Rabba on north side, just across the Mimico creek 3) on south side of Lakeshore, directly acroos from Rabba there are several willows 4) night herons were in the easternmost tree, closest to the creek
Steve
In Reply to: Leslie Street Spit posted by Norm Murr on December 27, 2005 at 17:47:33:
I would like to know where is the Leslie Street Spit
In Reply to: Leslie Street Spit posted by Norm Murr on December 27, 2005 at 17:47:33:
Will this place be opened on Monday after the New Years ? It is a holyday of sorts :)
Anyone know?
In Reply to: Leslie Spit/ Humber Bay.E. posted by Ron Luft on December 27, 2005 at 16:23:59:
Same day also saw a Brown Creeper,Shovellors and a Horned Grebe,all 3 Mergansers.The Harlequin was seen yesterday,though not by me. It was near the mouth of the Humber,near the big white bridge beyond the newish condos(east of Humber Bay East Park.
Good evening birders.
Today Margaret Liubavicius and I went down to The Spit and for once it was a relatively windless day, a rarity lately and for you 905ers it was an almost snow free environment.
The day started off with close up fly past of a beautiful adult Northern Goshawk and further out we found 2 Common Loons and a Red-necked Grebe and then a close up in your face adult male Coyote that came within 30 feet of us before I let him know we were there. Further along we spotted some Horned Larks and with them was a Lapland Longspur and not far away an adult female Peregrine Falcon perched on a stump.
We checked the bays for waterfowl and came up with 14 species with nothing special but there was a noticeable lack of Gulls (for this time of year) on or around The Spit.
Later Margaret spotted some Common Redpolls in a Birch tree and to our delight a Hoary Redpoll was one of them.
Not many birds but quality.
Walked the base and and first half of Spit. Were rewarded with a Great Horned Owl, Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Tree Sparrows. Lake produced usual suspects of Scaups (both), Long Tails, Buffles, Red Br. Mergs, C.Goldeneye. Humber area added Wood Duck, Red-Headed Duck, Hooded Merg., Trumpeter Swans, N. Shrike. No Harlequin found.
For those keeping track of this duck, it is at the mouth of the Humber river, feeding along the east shore where the river opens into the lake. It tends to be around a small group of buffleheads, though does go off on its own. Last year the duck (? same one) fed regularly in this location.
In Reply to: Re: 3 Peregrines, no Harlequin - Humber Bay East posted by Norm Bates on December 26, 2005 at 07:33:18:
hey norm, would aunt margaret be Marge Kelvin?
neo
In Reply to: 3 Peregrines, no Harlequin - Humber Bay East posted by Iain Fleming on December 25, 2005 at 11:47:53:
Interesting you should bring that up .... I remember dropping by that spot about 10 years ago, to see a Gyrfalcon (my son, who's good, but still can't get the tonals like the old guy--pretty good with the 'noises,'still --, accompanied me on 31 Dec 119?). There were a number of avian enthusiasts at the site (Bathurst & Lake Ontario, and they politely let us view the dingy, immature creature rigidly positioned against the stairwell/wall,it being evening and all ...
I'm (obviously) a fairly old fellow now, but I still remember racing to Rodney, ON to see my first Fulvous Whistling-duck, and racing from Pelee to catch a glimpse of the Spotted Redshank with "Big Al" Wormington out near Peterborough.
Now I'm a bit old for all that ... Aunt Margaret takes care of me now.
Happy Holidays!
In Reply to: Re: RFI Humber Bay Park-Night Heron posted by Steve on December 25, 2005 at 08:56:31:
No the hawk I did not see. However today there were two herons roosting on that tree. My God that looks so out of place and funny hehehe :)
Went out to find the Harlequin in Humber Bay East park on a dreary Christmas day and instead found a trio of squabbling Peregrines. The Falcons came flying over the eastern-most point of the park (from east to west). Two continued west while one broke off from the aerial wrestling match and perched on a cable tower over the Gardiner. Plenty of the usual winter ducks around.
PS. If anyone locates a Harlequin in the GTA, I would greatly appreciate an email about it.
Happy Holidays
In Reply to: Just a question? posted by Jean-Francois on December 25, 2005 at 08:58:16:
Your downy was probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had a bluejay that met the same fate.
Al
In Reply to: Re: RFI is this bird I've seen an Eastern Blue Bird posted by BIGFRANK on December 25, 2005 at 00:44:01:
Thankyou BIGFRANK.. Shouldn't these little guys be long gone..It has been quite consistently cold since the middle of November..Yet they they are still here. I did notice today with the above zero temp's that the activity level at my feeder has increased from 0 in two weeks to an abundace of a variety of birds. Napper..
Hello. I would like to know a bit more about birds of prey. I had in my garden 4 Downy Woodpeckers and a Sharp-shinned hawk in the neighbourhood. The result is 1-0. Are Downy Woodpeckers the easiest prey around or am I (are they) unlucky!!!
In Reply to: Re: RFI Humber Bay Park-Night Heron posted by Tom Cudzilo on December 25, 2005 at 08:19:31:
Thanks for the photo! This looks exactly like what I saw. Did you happen to see/identify the hawk that was across the creek?
In Reply to: RFI Humber Bay Park-Night Heron posted by Steve on December 24, 2005 at 18:48:49:
I saw that guy as well. Only a juvenile.
In Reply to: Re: RFI is this bird I've seen an Eastern Blue Bird posted by Napper on December 24, 2005 at 20:44:33:
You got it napper. Thats an Eastern Bluebird.
In Reply to: Re: RFI is this bird I've seen an Eastern Blue Bird posted by Napper on December 24, 2005 at 20:42:02:
here is another
Thanx in advance..
In Reply to: RFI is this bird I've seen an Eastern Blue Bird posted by Napper on December 24, 2005 at 20:38:18:
Here it is. Taken 3:30 ish Port Colborne, Ontario, Cement rd. The colour blue does not show well in this image..napper
Was visiting my parents today Dec 24, Took My Camera out to look for some Redtails. I Snapped four shots of a colourful little bird. I like to use the site below as a comparison to what I see and sometimes image. "http://ontfin.com/SpeciesTable.htm"
I will try to post the images Napper..
I was looking around Humber Bay Park this afternoon and saw what I think was juvenile black-crowned night heron. It was near the Mimico Creek bridge on Lakeshore (across from the plaza with the Rabba) in a willow tree. I'd seen a hawk in a tree on the other side of the creek and was trying to get a better look, when I noticed the night heron(?) about 10 feet from me. I was able to get a very close look at him. The most distinctive features were the yellowish green legs and the orange eyes. It seemed to be about the length of my arm from elbow to finger tip, but I'm not a very experienced judge. Does anyone more experienced have any thoughts whether this was likely a night heron?
I think the hawk was a red tailed hawk, based on the brown colouration and the white patches on it's back. The tail didn't appear very red, however. Again, I would appreciate any feedback or thoughts even though the supplied details are quite sparse!
I also saw a Northern Mockingbird, some northern shovelers, buffleheads, long tailed ducks and a lesser scaup.
Thanks in advance for the help!
In Reply to: Re: Flock of robins - Dec 20-21 ??? posted by David Shilman on December 23, 2005 at 17:00:24:
Not only are robins always recorded on the Toronto CBC, but usually in high numbers too. This year the total count was 930, making them the 11th most abundant species out of the 91 observed! They have been as high as 10th place when we had a record count of 1467 in 1998, and are routinely in the top 15. The majority of them are found in sheltered ravines, especially around concentrations of buckthorn and other fruit-bearing shrubs and trees.
In Reply to: Flock of robins - Dec 20-21 ??? posted by paul w on December 23, 2005 at 11:25:58:
Paul, we've had several flock of robins here in Whitchurch-Stouffville. They've been feeding on residual berries and apples that are still clinging to the trees. Al
In Reply to: Re: Kestrel trapped.. this is a strange one..happened today posted by dirk on December 23, 2005 at 11:35:03:
That was quite the Christmas story! :-)
David
In Reply to: Flock of robins - Dec 20-21 ??? posted by paul w on December 23, 2005 at 11:25:58:
Berries and fruit and stuff. Some robins stay all winter...I think they're always recorded on the Toronto CBC.
David
Seen roosting today in ravine near Don Valley Parkway and Don Mills Road. Also saw a possible male Goshawk (for sure a large accipiter) but couldn't get a close enough look to absolutely identify it.
In Reply to: Re: Are we seeing things? posted by Norm Bates on December 23, 2005 at 11:05:14:
Thanks for the reply, Norm. When you're a novice and you see a bird that isn't supposed to be there it's easy to doubt your eyes.
Cheers!
Excuse my spelling and Grammar, I am Dyslexic thank you.
There wear some great birds seen today at Humber Bay Park East first was the Purple sandpiper seen by many of the fare east point , just to the north from their was the male Harlequin duck and right over by the foot bridge was a male Wood duck.
Also seen 2 mocking birds ,1 N Shrike and 1 cold great blue heron.
Best of best for the holidays to all
Craig & Bev McLauchlan
Thanks to Anne Anthony for the derkshons
Humber Bay Park East is located in the west end of Toronto south of Lakeshore at the foot of Park Lawn. There is an exit off the Garder Expressway. Go south to the lake on Park Lawn and continue straight into The park.. In the park, turn right at the first drive. The drive to the lot isn't plowed well (speed bumps) but the parking lot is.
Craig & Bev McLauchlan
Toronto, Ont, Canada, the World, Proud member of TTPBC
In Reply to: Re: Kestrel trapped.. this is a strange one..happened today posted by Napper on December 23, 2005 at 11:03:04:
Well,perhaps this is a bit tangential re "Trapped," but it brings to mind another Christmas-time tale, which, again, is somewhat obliquely related, but I remember, patchily, that in the Yuletide season of 1958 or '59, I had been experiencing sleep disruptions which I finally deduced were caused by noises in the attic which began around 4:30 a.m. every night for over two weeks.
I investigated. Armed with a flashlight and a "Louisville Slugger," I ascended to the attic and threw open the door. At this point, some 20,000 or so starlings bolted toward the door, the deafening shrieking and whirring of sturnid wings paralysing me for the critical second when I might have avoided severe impalement on their (very) pointed bills.
Fortunately, my Aunt Margaret noticed the dripping blood two floors down at about 7 a.m.,the wall-to-wall carpet matted with the price of my near-exsanguination, and alerted the paramedics.
And a Happy Holiday To All!
It was either Tues 12/20 or Wed 12/21 am around 9:30 - in Port Credit E of Hurontario and north of the GO tracks (bout 1/2 mile N. of the lake)
I was just leaving for work and in 3 or 4 trees and on the ground around my townhouse were about 20 robins - looked like the large 'newfoundland' robins I used to see in late fall in Cape Breton - but they were probably just puffed up against the cold. They were silent - just sitting, looking at me.
What are they doing here? - All the insect eaters are long gone - the ground has been frozen for weeks - What are they doing for sustenance?
In Reply to: Are we seeing things? posted by Paul Bremner on December 18, 2005 at 19:36:20:
Well, it would be nice if someone had the courtesy to reply ... too many "listers" and wanna-be ornithologists at this site.
Certainly sounds like it (egret); in fact your description prett-well cinches it.
Some herons(=egrets) stick around for the winter -- especially around water that doesn't freeze over (esp. spots like the Pickering Nuclear Terror), but I honestly don't know how they manage. Don't think like a bird, I guess.
Regards
In Reply to: Re: Kestrel trapped.. this is a strange one..happened today posted by Mike on December 22, 2005 at 23:21:50:
It appears that the kestrel was succesful in leaving the building. My Friend it turns out is quite the birding enthusiast. He reports a "goshawk" is terrorzing the birds at his feeders. He lives Somewhere in Caledon East, I have made arrangements to visit. Napper
In Reply to: Red-Tail Hawks in St. Jamestown?? posted by BIGDADDY on December 22, 2005 at 11:39:01:
Yes I saw a red-tailed hawk in the same general area, around Sherbourne and Richmond, on Dec. 20.
In Reply to: Kestrel trapped.. this is a strange one..happened today posted by Napper on December 22, 2005 at 16:00:39:
When it's dark if you leave the door open and its bright outside most birds will fly out. Of course I've never tested with a Kestral before.
In Reply to: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Dan on December 21, 2005 at 21:41:02:
I can't comment on the Queen's Park sighting but on 3 occasions (late afternoons this past September), I spotted a Peregrine (I believe an immature one)circling two apartment buildings south of Broadview and Danforth scaring up roosting pigeons. The call was very distinct.
Hello all.. I have to do a slight lead in to this story. I work at a very large facility a Downsview airport. We have many large aircraft bays with large doors. There is a population of wild life inside these bays which include Sparrows, cats and this year for the first time racoons inside the ceilings of some of the offices. This is the story a friend told me. He was taking his seat in his second floor office when he noticed a "sparrow hawk" looking back at him through the office window. This bird was perched high above the shop floor on some scaffolding say 30 feet in the air. I just happend to have my newly aquired from ebay "1987" "Peterson's guide to Hawk's" handy. I showed him the plate of the "American Kestrel" and he said yes that's it!. Apparently this little raptor flew around inside the bay for quite some time. At 9:30am I, being Napper left my building to go on a break. As I exited to the outside a Kestrel appeared, flying to a perch atop of the bay I work in. It nestled itself between two exterior pieces of sheet metal near a gap in the siding if I can call it that. When I was leaving work It was still there..Napper...I haven't yet found out the if the one I saw was the trapped one.....Napper
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Glenn Coady on December 22, 2005 at 11:52:53:
I agree - though Peregrine Falcons can cover large territories, the downtown pairs haven't frequented that area in quite a while, and outside of the period immediately after fledging when the juveniles occasionally reach the ground, they hardly ever perch that low. The description does sound much more like a Red-tailed Hawk in any case.
It is a common misconception that young raptors are smaller than adults. In fact, by the time they first take flight, Peregrine Falcons are both larger and heavier than their parents.
In Reply to: Red-Tail Hawks in St. Jamestown?? posted by BIGDADDY on December 22, 2005 at 11:39:01:
There has been a pair in that area for many years. I've never seen them hunting either, but have heard from others who have seen them eating pigeons.
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Glenn Coady on December 22, 2005 at 11:52:53:
I work on the 18th floor at the corner of yonge and queen's quay and often see peregrines at that level, the two that i usually see have a nest on king street just east of yonge.
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Kin Lau on December 22, 2005 at 09:52:02:
The downtown Peregrine Falcon territories are not particularly near Queen's Park and I seldom see them away from the aeries or below 100-150 feet. In addition, the description matches Red-tailed Hawk much better than it does Peregrine Falcon. The downtown Peregrine Falcons are seldom seen perched in trees, whereas Red-tailed Hawks routinely are. In addition, I saw a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in virtually EXACTLY the same location on the same date (probably within the hour).
I would say it is highly probable this was the same juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (which are the same size as adults at this date).
Hi, new to the board.. Wanted to know if anyone has ever seen the Red tail Hawks in St. Jamestown.(Block of apartments between Sherbourne and Parliment, south of Bloor) I've seen 1 - 2 DAILY,almost all day. When ever I go out for a smoke, I see them (1-2)circling, perching on buildings and flying around. I've yet to see them go after any prey(AS much as I"D LOVE TO!!!), but I'd think that they were going after the pigeons. Usually when the hawks are in the air the pigeons start going nutz..lol I almost think that they might take a squirrel if they have a change b/c I see enough of them running around the buildings. But with the high human traffic on the ground it might not happen. Has anyone else seen these birds? Am I incorrect to think that they would be feeding on pigeons?? Any input is welcome.
THANKS
BIG DADDY
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Dan on December 22, 2005 at 09:16:43:
A Red-Tail, Juv or Adult would still be larger than a Peregrine.
Peregrine's are known to wander (that's where they get their name), and there are actually at least 2 nesting pairs near Queen's Park.
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Glenn Coady on December 22, 2005 at 06:53:11:
But isn't a juvenile red-talied hawk small?
In Reply to: snowy, barred and great horned owl on spit posted by Dan on December 17, 2005 at 15:06:58:
Got some pics of a long eared owl along the fence on Sunday. I'm surprized it wasn't included in the bird count. Lots of birders saw it there.
Bill
In Reply to: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Dan on December 21, 2005 at 21:41:02:
Dan,
At that same location yesterday I saw a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk terrorizing the local Gray Squirrels. Perhaps this is what you saw as well.
GC
In Reply to: Peregrine at Queen's Park? posted by Dan on December 21, 2005 at 21:41:02:
I work at 1 yonge and I see 2 peregrines regularly. As far as I know, there are 2 nesting pair right in the downtoen area, most likely you saw one of them. A great website to check out is the canadian peregrine foundation.
Hi,
Today I saw at the north-west corner of Queen's Park (just over Queen's Park Crescent W. and Hoskin a raptor I thin is a peregrine falcon. It was whitish in the front and grey-brown at the back, a bit bigger than a crow. It was flying a bit from Trinity College area and then resting on a tree. I think I saw a similar one (maybe the same one) a few months ago at Queen's Park (north side), being harassed by crows. Are Peregrines typical to this area?
Hi,
Today I saw at the north-west corner of Queen's Park (just over Queen's Park Crescent W. and Hoskin a raptor I thin is a peregrine falcon. It was whitish in the front and grey-brown at the back, a bit bigger than a crow. It was flying a bit from Trinity College area and then resting on a tree. I think I saw a similar one (maybe the same one) a few months ago at Queen's Park (north side), being harassed by crows. Are Peregrines typical to this area?
We were out looking for great horned owls in the second marsh area on the east end of oshawa. We didnt find any and were about to leave when a guy who stopped to chat, pointed out a saw-whet owl to us.It was just east of the bridge on Colonel Sam drive. I have posted a shot on my website for those interested.
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p24092491.html
In Reply to: Snowy at Sam Smith posted by Ed Boucher on December 21, 2005 at 07:03:03:
A good sign that we may have a good Snowy Owl season as the bird found by Ed is a different bird than the one I found a week ago as mine was an adult bird.
Norm
In Reply to: Snowy at Sam Smith posted by Ed Boucher on December 21, 2005 at 07:03:03:
The heavely mottled (young?) bird was still there at 12:30 noon. It had moved a little South to the ice at the end of the boat slip on the East side.
Observed at 9:30 this morning.
Eating while sitting on the ice in the marina basin just to the east of the vacated boat slips along a row of poles now frozen into the ice. He was still there after completing his meal as I left.
In Reply to: Re: harlequin duck on humber posted by Kin Lau on December 20, 2005 at 13:43:43:
He was there as well. I just forgot I did not yet add photos to my gallery. Sorry about the confusion.
In Reply to: Re: harlequin duck on humber posted by Tom Cudzilo on December 20, 2005 at 12:22:19:
That's a Wood Duck.
This is the Harlequin... I took this last March. There's quite a few pics of him on the www.ofo.ca/photos page.
In Reply to: Re: harlequin duck on humber posted by BIGFRANK on December 19, 2005 at 11:08:12:
It was there but very difficult to spot him amond 100s of mallards :) also there were mail and female Greater Scaups
for photos please see...
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/683390/7/48971507
Click on the photos for larger view.
In Reply to: harlequin duck on humber posted by paul on December 19, 2005 at 06:37:34:
I cant vouch for exactly where at Humber Bay Park East,but as recently as Sunday its been seen.It was seen during the Christmas Bird Count. Good Luck.
just wondering if anyone has seen that guy back again this year.
My wife and I are novice birders, but we're pretty sure we saw a Great Egret at the Leslie Spit this weekend. I know its way out of season, but I can't think of what else it could be. It flew over our heads, then veered right so we had 2-3 seconds of clear view. It was snow white (no markings at all), and its neck was held in a kind of S-shape as it flew. It had long legs. Long pointy yellow beak. Thoughts?
Birded the Leslie Street Spit today and had a great outing.
A Barred Owl was roosting in a tree near the heron colony
A Snowy Owl was on the ice and could be seen from the bridge.
A Great Horned Owl was in the area of the sailing club.
Also saw 2 kestrels and a male nothern harrier. A cold, but very enjoyable day.
After meeting at the Kipling Spit early this AM and NOT finding a Snowy Owl after a quick inspection, Len Jacobs and I headed north on the 400 towards Ravenshoe Road. We exited at Canal Road after not finding a Snowy near there that had been reported on the Simcoe Birding Board earlier in the week. We worked our way east from there and eventually got to Ravenshoe.
At 945am Len located a "dark, heavily mottled" Snowy Owl (only the face was pure white) on the dead-end extension of Yonge St. south from the western terminus of Ravenshoe. As you head south on Yonge, it was about 100 meters east of two adjacent barns (a little more than halfway down) found on the west side of the road. It was sitting on the ground on the edge of a shallow ridge extending east from the road at that point. A small flock of Snow Buntings and a Kestrel were also seen in the general area.
____________________________________________________________
Brete Griffin - breteg@yahoo.ca
Peel Birding Class - peelbirding@yahoo.ca
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBC/ and
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BreteGriffin/
Last week I saw three black crowned night herons, all immatures along the Don River, near Queen Street, - where a group have been wintering for several years now. I just wanted to bring this to the attention of people dealing with this area tomorrow on the bird count.
Don Baxter
Port Credit residential area, near lake. Carried prey (small bird) to tree and perched to devour. White necklace-like patches across back feathers. 12"- 15" in length. sharp-shinned hawk/goshawk/cooper's hawk/?
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay and Col. Sam Parks posted by Norm Murr on December 14, 2005 at 05:15:38:
Between 11am-12pm, about a dozen birders were out there in a less than nice day but could not find the Snowy. No one braved the winds to go out further into the park to check.
In Reply to: Humber Bay and Col. Sam Parks posted by Norm Murr on December 13, 2005 at 13:29:22:
Good morning
I must have thought I was on The Spit yesterday and I forgot to mention that there is a Snowy Owl on the Yacht Club docks at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke.
Norm Murr
Good Afternoon
What a beautiful day to be out birding, cool at firs but for once, no wind to speak of.
I went down to Humber Bay Park at first light and besides hundreds of the usual Waterfowl I also found a Canvasback, many Redheads, all 3 Mergansers but no Harlequin Duck this time. Also seen here were N. Shrike, N. Mockingbird and 2 Killdeer almost under the Lakeshore Bridge over Mimico Creek and 6 Trumpeter swans.
At Col. Sam Park I found a first winter Lesser black-backed Gull with several Greater black-backed Gulls and also seen were 2 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Trumpeter Swans and not much else but it sure was a nice day and the lake was like a mirror and the lake colours (blue-gray-blue-gray and silver) were something to see.
Norm Murr
brant seen in field nw of whitby harbor, seems to be small problem under the bill , seen a t park in field , though it has been reported in ice off pringles creek by harbor,
also saturday observed a pileated flying south of ellesmere on morningside park , seen on 3 occasions now approx times 900 am
has fun
seen flying nw along lawrence ave just west of mcowan this morning while driving wife to work approx at 845 , lil early for him to be on wing eh
first of the winter , always nice to see!
seen flying nw along lawrence ave just west of mcowan this morning while driving wife to work approx at 845 , lil early for him to be on wing eh
first of the winter , always nice to see!
A note to all interested that the Toronto Ornithological Club is organizing the 81st Toronto Christmas Bird Count, to be held next Sunday, December 18. Advance registration is required so that we can ensure all sectors are properly covered; e-mail me if you are interested in participating.
I'd especially like to encourage everyone to keep an eye out for potential "Count Week" species, seen between Thurs Dec 15 and Wed Dec 21, inclusive (no formal registration required for this!). These are species occurring within the count circle that are missed on the day of the count itself. Of course it's impossible to know in advance what will be missed, but any seasonally or regionally rare species during the period should be noted just in case. I'll try to post the results of the count here on Dec 19, and will point out "probable" count week species that are yet to be reported.
In recent years, species that have often proven difficult to find on count day, yet are often somewhere in the area, include: Common Loon, Red-necked and Horned Grebe, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, American Coot, Ring-necked Pheasant, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, and any blackbirds.
For more about the count, including a map of the count circle, please visit the Toronto Ornithological Club website (www.torontobirding.ca) and look for Christmas Bird Counts on the Events page.
Marcel
Good evening.
Today was another windy day on The Spit but there were a few goodies out there despite the non appearance of any Winter Gulls and the rough Lake waters.
Seen today were 1 juvenile Peregrine, 1 adult female Peregrine and 2 adult male Peregrines. These birds were seen in pairs in several different places out there and they were very vocal and did a lot of aerial jousting among themselves. Close up and hovering in the wind views of these beautiful birds.
Also seen were a male N. Harrier hunting thru-out and a migrating Rough-legged Hawk otherwise it was a fairly quiet (bird wise) outing but worth it for the Peregrine show.
The Snowy Owl seems to have departed.
Norm
In Reply to: Humber Bay Park & High Park posted by Norm Murr on December 07, 2005 at 15:52:27:
At any time, this is a nice walk and usually gives one a few good
sightings. I would also keep an eye out for a peregrine falcon. I
occasionaly see one fly by the condos at the mouth of the river and
right now he/ she is perched on the top of the walking bridge over the
river.
In Reply to: Rosetta McClain Gardens:Hunting Raptors posted by BIGFRANK on December 09, 2005 at 07:55:14:
I have a duck. His name is Quackie. He hurt my cat, but I love Quackie.
Thank you.
If anyone cares,U can almost set your watch at least 2 raptors,4 isnt unusual at Rosetta McClain Gardens. There is a local juvenile Redtail thats been around since September,Ive named Hunter. She generally hunts the park 11-1pm and can be seen perched,making dives at various squirrels and birds and also putting on a brillian airshow along the side of the bluffs. There is also an adult Redtail which is pretty consistant. Yesterday I spotted for the 3rd time recently a beautiful adult SharpShinned Hawk,perched looking to dive on some unsuspecting sparrow or junco. Tons of Chickadees,a few White-breasted Nuthatches,Downy Woodpeckers and often some winter ducks down on the lake. A nice way to spend a few hours on a bright winter day. Note that paths ARE NOT cleared all winter.
Rosetta McClain Memorial Gardens is at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest,just east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount(1 light).
In Reply to: Re: Goshawk in East York? posted by Al Johnston on December 08, 2005 at 06:47:43:
I've seen Goshawks previously along the West Don River around Eglinton during the Toronto Christmas Bird Count. Far from a common sight in the city at any time of year, but they do occur.
In Reply to: Banded Starling? posted by Gail Christoff on December 07, 2005 at 18:25:57:
It certainly doesn't sound like any kind of normal banding, which is usually limited to unobtrusive complete rings around the leg. Other markers are used occasionally though, and perhaps this is part of a specific study. That being said, as European Starlings are a non-native species, they are not subject to the same regulations as native birds, and the possibility exists that such markers have not been formally approved. Nonetheless, your best bet would be to look up the Bird Banding Office in Ottawa, who have on file all approved colour marking schemes.
In Reply to: Re: Unidentified Gull posted by BIGFRANK on December 08, 2005 at 14:54:52:
Looks like I should have consulted the 'Big' Sibley's and not just the Eastern 'Small' Sibley's before posting. Positively a 3rd winter Great Black-backed. Thanks for the input and I apologize for the unnecessary post.
Iain
In Reply to: Unidentified Gull posted by Iain Fleming on December 08, 2005 at 13:58:31:
Not preclaiming to be a gull expert,am going by your photo and my National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds Of North America. How about a 3rd winter Great Black-backed Gull.
Hi,
I birded Humber Bay Park East today for about an hour and found a gull I could not identify off of the eastern-most point. At first glance I assumed it was a Great Black-backed, however its ringed bill confused me. Its back was very dark and it was far too large to be a Ring-billed. Have there ever been records of hybridization between gull species that would produce a gull like this? Here is a low-quality picture showing its ringed bill and dark back, unfortunately nothing for scale but it was large enough to be a Great Black-backed.
http://groups.msn.com/FlemingPhotography/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=4
Any suggestion as to what species it is would be greatly appreciated.
There were also four Trumpeter Swans (two adults with tags 799 and 768 along with two juveniles) as well as the usual suspects by way of waterfowl.
Thanks, Iain
In Reply to: Goshawk in East York? posted by Ed on December 07, 2005 at 09:35:59:
Sure sounds like one, Ed. The underside of a mature Gos is actually pale, finely barred, gray but this might not have been obvious in your "quick look". Nice sighting. I've had them prey on the mallards in our pond here in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Al
I have recently spotted two starlings at my birdfeeder (Cawthra & Lakeshore), each with a long plastic tie on their leg. One tie is red the other is yellow. The ties are long(5in?) This seems very cruel if it is some kind of banding. Does anyone know of this? Another birder in my bird club has seen a red and a black tie and asked about it in our newletter and since have I seen this, I thought I would send it out to more birders.
Good evening people.
This morning I decided to bird part of the Toronto waterfront and it was an interesting day (if you are a Winter Lister).
Humber Bay Park was cold and windy but it was really a beautiful day to be birding (instead of working).
Some of the birds I found were Red-necked Grebes, Trumpeter Swans, Iceland Gull, Common Loon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Shrike, Northern Mockingbird and thousands of the usual Waterfowl including good numbers of Mute Swans, N. Shovelers, Redheads, and all 3 Mergansers.
I then went off to the mouth of the Humber river where again I found some Hooded Mergansers before moving on to Sunnyside Beach where Redheads, and Hooded Mergansers were again present and then it was off to High Park.
First thing (almost) that I did was go up to the Grenedier Restaurant and grab a coffee and take it behind Hawk Hill to sit and sip in hopes of a late migrating Rough-legged Hawk, no luck, but as I drank my coffee I was surprised to see an adult male Northern Goshawk, and adult Red-shouldered Hawk and 5 adult Red-tailed Hawks migrating west, all of these were low. The sky cleared and I moved on and shortly found 4 White-throated Sparrows and also got into an argument with a dog owner (it was off leash and grabbed my glove), I was told in the argument if I didn't like dogs I should leave the park (I like dogs), not some owners.
Around 10:30 this morning a large hawk landed on the garage roof in the backyard. Dark bluegrey back and a perfectly white breast. Underside of long tail heavily banded with three or four bands. Only got a quick look before it flew off--is it possible this was a goshawk?
In Reply to: Re: Snowy on the Spit posted by Marina on December 05, 2005 at 15:23:16:
Here are directions from a Norm Murr post to Ontbirds (I hope he doesn't mind) and a link to a map on the Friends of the Spit website (Pipit Point is at the bottom of the map as per Norm's directions):
http://www.interlog.com/~fos/Getto.Spit.html
"Pipit Point is the extreme left hand (southwest) point. When walking out towards the lighthouse you will come to a road going off to the left (at the Quonset hut or tin shed). Follow this road along the outer arm as far as it goes and at the T junction where the paved road goes off to the right continue straight onto the dirt road and you will end up on Pipit Point. NOTE:- This is a dead end road. ------------------------------------------------------ NOTE:- The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive, 7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that. There is a van available after 9 am from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving Day weekend that will take you out or back. The "SPIT" is only open on the weekend as they are still building it." by Norm Murr
_______________________________________________________
Brete Griffin - breteg@yahoo.ca
Peel Birding Class - peelbirding@yahoo.ca
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBC/ and
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BreteGriffin/
In Reply to: Snowy on the Spit posted by John Ashton on December 04, 2005 at 08:44:35:
I'm sure that was a great sight to see. Where exactly is Pipit point on the Spit? I always see it mentioned in the postings, but am not sure which area it is. Thanks.
Just returned from a beautiful Sunday morning on the Spit. The highlight was a snowy owl sitting on the steel pole at the end of Pipit. As the TV ads say "priceless". John Ashton
In Reply to: Re: Barred Owl posted by Sedona on December 03, 2005 at 09:38:14:
No problem. I'm glad you liked them and for anyone else who visited my website, I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by. Come again. http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/
Good evening
Went to The Spit today and did find some goodies that may interest you Winter Listers as well as others.
Beside Pipit Point was a Red-necked Grebe and a hunting Northern Harrier nearby. In other areas were found Great Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Flickers (2nd week in a row), American Pipits (most just past the second gate), Common Redpolls, and a couple of late Rusty Blackbirds.
There are plenty of Waterfowl out there but probably none that cannot be found elsewhere and the Gull numbers are slow in rising with the majority still being Herring Gulls.
Good luck to the Listers.
Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Barred Owl posted by Art on December 02, 2005 at 14:27:12:
tks for sharing that is lovely
.. Sedona
In Reply to: Re: Barred Owl posted by Kin Lau on December 02, 2005 at 09:25:20:
It's nice to see more than one of this species can be approached. I had a similar encounter north east of Newcastle last winter. Evidence of people not abusing them, and them looking at us the same way they would look at a deer. Not threatened by us. Gotta love it.
Makes for great photo ops.
Excuse my spelling and Grammar, I am Dyslexic thank you.
Today will out enjoying some fringed winter birding I had the luck to ree find the Juv. N Gannet off of Port Credit Harbour in lake Ont.
I watched from 11:30 to 12:15 as the Gannet was feeding with 350 to 400 other gulls in a massive frenzy that stretched almost ½ mile just to the east of the mouth of the brake wall.
In all the years I have birded this is my 10 record from 8 deferent birds and my first December record for Ontario .Cool (really)
Port Credit Harbour is found by going south on Hurontario st from the QEW once past the Lakeshore rd drive through the new housing development and look for the gazebo OR the gulls feeding out in the lake .
Craig
Craig & Bev McLauchlan Toronto, Ont, Canada the World
In Reply to: Barred Owl posted by Art on December 02, 2005 at 06:06:02:
Hmmm, a light coloured, people friendly Barred Owl. Sounds almost like "Cookie", the friendly Barred Owl that stayed in Cranberry Marsh most of the winter last year.
I saw this barred owl east of Bowmanville on concession road. It allowed me to get very close. I approached very slowly. Here is the link to one of the pictures I took for those interested.
http://art-mcleod.fotopic.net/p23413137.html
Hi gang,I had an incredibly sucessful fall raptor count. I was able to more then double last years count. I believe this was a result of increased hours of observation,improved spotting skills and having more help on some of the big days. I will get something more official printed up,but for my internet friends,I thought Ud like to hear the final results.
Im going quite bleary eyed from checking sheets and notes,so the best I can do today is say someplace between 3042-3044 raptors in total. Consisting of 372 Turkey Vultures(Colin and I counted 88 in one large kettle one day),59 Osprey(a handful fewer then last season but I did get 7 in a day 2 times),25 Bald Eagles(10 in one day),129 Northern Harriers,an amazing total of Sharpshinned Hawks-1618, Coopers Hawks-95,Northern Goshawks 19(great views of one that stayed around the park several days),5 Red-shouldered Hawks,14 Broad-winged Hawks, Redtailed Hawks-326(brilliant views of many),6 Rough-legged Hawks(saw none last season),5 Golden Eagles(3 in one day),294 American Kestrels,an incredible 25 Merlins and 40 Peregrine Falcons(2 playing together for at least 10minutes as Colin and I watched in amazement).
Other great sightings were 40+ Great Blue Herons,3 Great Egrets,a Great Horned Owl,3 Eastern Bluebirds,thousands of Blue Jays and Chickadees,7 Tundra Swans,a Common Raven and an American White Pelican.
10x40 (R.Prisms) Leitz Trinovids green rubber armoured for sale asking $600,00 Mint - other than slight surface scratch on left objective lens.
contact Greg 4116-661-6600 ext 5668 for more info.
In Reply to: Re: Modified Mallards? posted by Mary Ellen on November 29, 2005 at 04:54:09:
I suspect that what you have there is a variant (one of many) of the Mallard/domestic duck back-cross. Some of the more common breeds of white farm ducks are originally derived from Mallards; when they escape and breed with the wild-type, the result is often a Mallard-like plumage with a white breast.
Peter
Kitchener, Ont.
In Reply to: Re: Modified Mallards? posted by gerard on November 28, 2005 at 14:57:27:
Quite possible, but they weren't "shovelling" and had yellow bills, white on the front only (not the sides) and curly tail feathers (like a Mallard).
Saw a Northern Mockingbird on Chudleigh St. in the Yonge and Lawrence area this morning at around 8:00am. It flew from one wire across the street to another and then past the houses into a backyard.
In Reply to: Modified Mallards? posted by Mary Ellen on November 28, 2005 at 04:56:18:
Sound like Shovelers. Nice!
At East Humber Bay, we saw 2 ducks that looked like Mallards but both had white fronts and the male was brown on the sides, not grey. They were in the pond area by the parking lot.
Northern shovelers are still around. A least two flocks of cedar waxwings with the robins. A red tailed hawk has been around for at least the past three weeks around grenadier pond and the soccer field.
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Street Spit posted by Elle (Markham) on November 15, 2005 at 17:55:03:
Thank you Elle. I will go this weekend again and spend more time there maybe I can get closer to the Hooded Mergasners.
thanx
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Street Spit posted by Tom Cudzilo on November 15, 2005 at 07:05:49:
Great photos, Tom C. !! :-)
In Reply to: Re: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by David Shilman on November 14, 2005 at 18:39:57:
Great to hear that, David ! Thank you ! :-)
In Reply to: Re: loggerhead shrike near Bobcaygeon posted by Mark Cranford on November 13, 2005 at 14:15:43:
Thanks for replying Mark. I checked out the site you suggested and it said that Northerns in the fall have barred chests. This bird appeared fairly white with no barring. It also said that Northers prefer taller trees and this bird was diving between shrubs. Either way, it was a first for me and quite a thrill.
Interesting side note. I drove by yesterday to try and catch a glimpse of it again - of course I had no luck. A few miles further south on Hwy 24, however, we pulled over when I noticed a bird darting across the road. I pulled out the binocs to observe what was a red breasted nuthatch. My friend wondered what I was doing, because at the bottom half of the same tree was a pilleated woodpecker. He stayed on the tree for a good minute or two before taking off across the road where we could also observe him for another minute before he flew off into the woods. Very exciting indeed!
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Street Spit posted by BIGFRANK on November 12, 2005 at 15:54:48:
I also went there Sat. and saw plenty of birds. But because I dont know most of their names I will point you guys to my gallery where you can view the photos and maybe help me out by naming them for me.
As someone there said to me.... "Ohhh you are only a photographer not a birder, nevermind." Which made me laugh hehehe.
From Leslie spit - http://crazyravr.smugmug.com/gallery/968020
Other birds I need help IDing - http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/683390
SO if someone has the time please go thru the gallery and name them for me in the "comments" section.
Thank you.
PS
BigFrank I think I saw you there resting on a rock around 1:30pm talking to another man.
With decent winds I went to Rosetta again today,and was rewarded with 22 raptors including 16 Redtailed Hawks(many quite high),3 Sharp-shinned Hawks,2 Northern Goshawks(both reasonably low and obvious) and a distant Peregrine Falcon. Many Cedar Waxwings,Chickadees,Common Goldeneye and a surprise Great Egret passed by as well.
Rosetta McClain Gardens is still at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest,one light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount.
In Reply to: Re: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by Elle (Markham) on November 14, 2005 at 12:30:47:
No possible way. There is a fence around it, for one thing. And it's really not a park, it's a "gardens".
Have fun!
David
In Reply to: Re: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by David Shilman on November 10, 2005 at 05:42:20:
Let's say if I go by myself, there's no way I can get lost in this park?
In Reply to: loggerhead shrike near Bobcaygeon posted by Mary Gilkinson on November 13, 2005 at 06:29:39:
Hi Mary
Thanks for sharing your sighting. Loggerhead Shrike is an endangered species in Ontario which happens to nest quite close to Bobcaygeon. However even with the warm weather it is pretty late in the season to find one still in Ontario. At this time of year Northern Shrike is the more likely bird to see in Ontario. Separating Loggerhead Shrike from Northern Shrike can be tricky. Have a look at Ron Pittaway's article about Shrikes at the Ontario Field Ornithologists' web site at http://www.ofo.ca/shrike.htm . You could still be right.
Mark
The buffleheads are back iin Port Credit.
I first saw them on November 11 which is three weeks later than the past two years
While scouting the countryside outside of Bobcaygeon for some dogwood branches yesterday, November 12th (for an outside christmas display - hey the weather was good!) I noticed a bird I was unfamiliar with. Luckily my binoculars were at hand as well as my Peterson's Field Guide. Without a doubt, I identified it as a Loggerhead Shrike. The bird was seen near the entrance to Birch Point - about a mile or two south of Bobcaygeon on Hwy 24 in a scrubby field moving from shrub to shrub. This was a first for me!
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Street Spit posted by Marina on November 12, 2005 at 15:38:47:
Just to add to above reports,I saw one of the Peregrine Falcons alarm call and dive 2 times at the Great Horned Owl. Each time the owl moved,before finally flying away from continued annoyance. Also saw a Northern Harrier,Belted Kingfisher,a couple of Great Blue Herons and a somewhat late Yellow-rumped Warbler.
In Reply to: Leslie Street Spit posted by Norm Murr on November 12, 2005 at 14:25:32:
Saw most of what Norm saw, except for the Tundra Swan, coots and loons, but also saw a Great Horned Owl, and a lone red-winged black bird (seems a bit late to be seeing any more of these). Great day for a walk.
Good evening
Today The Spit was fairly quiet as far as Passerines were concerned, a few Chickdees and a couple of flocks of Snow Buntings but the Waterfowl numbers are increasing with thousands of Greater Scaup and Long-tailed Ducks.
There were a total of 24 Waterfowl species seen today on The Spit including Tundra Swan, Horned Grebe, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler, A. Wigeon, both Scaup, all 3 Mergansers (I counted 101 Hooded Mergansers), Redheads, White-winged Scoters, Common Loons and A. Coots.
Also on The Spit were 3 Falcon species, A. Kestrel, Merlin and 2 Peregrine Falcons, all well seen.
It was a beautiful day to be out there but hard to know what to wear as it started with frost and fog and ended with 14 degree temperatures. If you plan to do a lake watch dress fowarmly but as you head in to the land side you will want to shed clothing, not too much though or you may get arrested or admired.
Norm
In Reply to: Re: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by Tom Cudzilo on November 08, 2005 at 06:56:57:
There is parking right there. It's a very tiny "park"...but location is everything.
David
In Reply to: Re: Toronto Islands posted by Scott on November 09, 2005 at 14:19:54:
Scott
All except the Scaup were in very close. The boardwalk should be done in the early morning before people traffic and the lagoons should be checked as the birds in them are always close if you approach with caution.
Norm
In Reply to: Toronto Islands posted by Norm Murr on November 08, 2005 at 16:44:30:
Hi Norm, how close are you getting to the water fowl? I like to photograph them and if they are in quite close I might take a trip out there..I use a 500mm lens.
Scott
Good evening all.
I did what may be my last trip to the Islands this fall untill at least February and it was an interesting day.
I started at Wards Island as usual and here I found a flock of Cedar Waxwings and the first 16 of 191 Black-capped Chickadees, most moving west. As I walked the boardwalk I found a female Black Scoter among the Long-tailed Ducks and Bufflehead plus a couple of D-C Cormaorants and Common Loons.
I ended the day with 7000+ Long-tailed Ducks and 285 Bufflehead, 201 of these were off Gibralter Point.
All in all it was a beautiful day to be birding and the following are some of my other highlights.
Pied-billed Grebe - 2, G. Scaup -250+, Hooded Merganser - 8, Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, Cooper's Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, 2 Carolina Wrens (they breed on the Islands), 5 winter Wrens (they do not), 3 Hermit Thrushes (late), 1 late Common Yellowthroat, A. Tree Sparrows, 3 Fox Sparrows, 12 N. Cardinals, 10 E. Meadowlarks together, and 41 A. Goldfinch migrating thru.
It was a quiet (except for the airplane noise) and I had most of the Islands to myself so was able to take my time and enjoy the day. I did end up with 46 species which is not so bad.
Some good days are still ahead on the Islands for those who may want to visit. The winter fiches are still to come.
Norm Murr
In Reply to: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by BIGFRANK on November 08, 2005 at 02:54:58:
BIGFRANK, you always have the best days, maybe you should host a bird watching day, I would love to join you...
In Reply to: Rosetta McClain Raptors:Golden Days of Autumn posted by BIGFRANK on November 08, 2005 at 02:54:58:
I have to make it out to that place this saturday. I will have to be up around 6am that day so instead of going back to bed I might as well drive for a bit and see that park and the birds. If everything fails going to Leslie Pits wont be far away. And maybe I get to meet this BIGFRANK person hehehe :)
Where is the best way to park in the area? Is there parking right in the park?
thanx
Finally after all the southerly breezes and poor potential migration days,a day with predominently North-west winds produced some great birds. 10:05am I had a juvenile Golden Eagle pass over me very close,only tree top high,and no more then 30ft out off the bluffs. Around 10:35am I found another Golden Eagle flying over Kingston Rd(more or less).It circled briefly and carried on.As I excitedly started to write down this sighting,I noticed a 2nd Golden Eagle on exactly the same flight path as the first.
In the end I saw 26 raptors,including 3 Golden Eagles,2 Northern Goshawks(one local one which sent all birds in the area into a frenzy),3 Sharp-shinned Hawks,2 Coopers Hawks(one perched at the end of the park),one Kestrel(stopped very briefly in a pine tree),a Merlin(scattered Morning Doves),9 Redtailed Hawks and 4 Northern Harriers(one male). All were seen very well,quite low and reasonably close.
Other birds seen were Robins,Jays,Chickadees,White-breasted Nuthatch,a few flocks of Cedar Waxwings,3 Swallows(poor lighting..best guess was Tree Swallows),Juncos and several distant rafts of Long-tailed Ducks.
Tuesday could be very good viewing across the GTA.
Rosetta McClain Gardens is found at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest,one light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount Avenue.
In Reply to: Short visit to Toronto area posted by Barry Walker on November 06, 2005 at 15:22:57:
http://www.torontobirding.ca/hotspots.html gives a great overview of good spots;
http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/ontbirds/latest.html lists more postings of recent sightings, many of which are within easy reach of Mississauga.
Good luck and enjoy.
I will be in Toronto area - specifically Mississauga Nov 16th-20th and would like some info on half day to a few hour localities for birding and what special birds I might expect - Note special is basically anything! as I am based in South America, I am particularly interested in arctic wintering birds. Ducks etc
sincerely
Barry Walker
Good evening.
Today I again went down to The Spit to see if I could get lucky again and I did in spades.
After a long walk and some fine birds I started back towards the city and after crossing the footbridge I paused to take a break after 5 hrs of walking. I turned and noticed a Herring Gull flying towards me but quickly realized that this bird wasn't flying like a Herring Gull but appeared to be a Raptor and indeed it was. I quickly put up my binoculars as the bird sailed pass me not 50 or 60 feet away and as it passed it turned it's head and gave me a dirty look (I think) and I was looking at an adult Gray Phase Gyrfalcon. Even his pale moustache was visible it was so close. This bird without much effort continued on (without any wing noticeable movement) in the direction of the base. I lost site of it as it dipped below tree level again so I do not know where it went or if it turned back somewhere.
I post this not so some one can head for The Spit tomorrow but as a heads up to birders along the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Other birds on The spit of some interest were T. Vulture, A. Wigeon, N. Pintail, Green-Winged Teal in numbers, good numbers of Hooded Mergansers, Common Loons, B-C Chickadees still moving thru (88), lots of A. Pipits (137), Snow Buntings, E. Meadowlark, and Fox Sparrows.
There are 15,000+ Long-tailed Ducks on the lake and 3000+ L. Scaup in the bays.
Directions
LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO
To get to "The Spit" from Queen & Yonge Sts. Take the Queen Street Car #501 east to Leslie St. and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can go on Leslie St. at Unwin Ave. and you will see the gate and signage. You may also catch the Jones Bus #83 at the Donlands Subway Station or transfer to it at Queen St. and Jones Ave. and take it to Leslie St. And Commissioner St. (on Saturday only). By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie St. then south to The Spit.
If before 9 am you can park either on Leslie St. or Unwin Ave., after 9 am the parking lot inside the gate is open, be sure to note the closing time (4:30 PM) as your car will be locked in at that time.
NOTE:- The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive, 7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that. There is a van available after 9 am from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving Day weekend that will take you out or back. The "SPIT" is only open on the weekend as they are still building it.
I know bluebirds are not extremely rare, but it is nice to see them so close to the city. I spotted a small flock, about 10 birds, in a meadow, on the west side of Marie Curtis Park, just south of the watertower that can be seen from the Lakeshore, on the Mississauga side.
10:00Am Sat.
Excuse my spelling and Grammar, I am Dyslexic thank you.
The Lark Sparrow which Norm Murr found last weekend out on Pipit Point in Tommy Tompson Park (LESLIE STREET SPIT) was still present today. I saw the bird with WT Sparrows , WC Sparrows, Juncos they spent most of their time feeding on the bank’s on the west side of the point .
Their was also a Swallow speeches seen from the point fling to the east it went by to fast to get a 100 % ID on.
Again as Norm pointed out their wear lots of "winter" birds!!! Still 100’s Snow Buntings,4 A. Pipits, Long T Duck 500+ C Loons 3 (one juv. With a vary up turned bill)
Tommy Tompson Park is found south of the Lake shore Blvd. south on Leslie st , the park is open to the public only on weekends and holidays ..
Craig & Bev McLauchlan
Toronto, Ont, Canada, the World
Proud member of TTPBC
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
Hello all. I really don't have much say in all of this but a few months ago after posting using my original name and email. I started receiving some very odd emails. A number of times I received automated responses from this site with a couple of hundred links to various nasty web sites. The crap is hidden in the auto response and is unseen by most. Napper
In Reply to: Help me identifiy big raptor posted by Lawrence Pick on October 30, 2005 at 15:28:10:
From where it was and the description,Id say it was a Redtailed Hawk.Your size description is almost perfect for Redtailed Hawk averages.There is a resident pair of Redtailed Hawks in Mt Pleasant Cemetary. The white chest can often standout. There are other Redtailed Hawks in the area also. Having said that,with it being migration time,its possible it was something else. Mt Pleasant Cemetary can have a few kinds of raptors in it,as well as Owls in the winter sometimes.
I live just south of Mount Pleasant cemetary beside a ravine. Yesterday, Nov 29, a very large raptor flew out of the cemetary into a tall black locust tree on my property, about 40 feet off the ground. The chest was white/beige, head was brown/aubourn. About 20inches from talons to top of head. Broad winged, with bands, perhaps 4 feet tip to tip. A band on the bottom of its tail as it flew away.
I need help in identifying this magificent bird. Is it a red tailed hawk? What struck and puzzled me was the white chest and great size, all of which I vizualized well under binoculars.
In Reply to: Re: Fox Sparrows posted by John Teshima on October 30, 2005 at 13:48:10:
I live in a subdivision in Scarborough & get the occasional Fox Sparrow at my feeder in spring & fall. They prefer to scratch around on the ground for the seeds & there are bushes for cover nearby. But this fall has been remarkable. I've had upwards of 8 of them throughout the past two weeks. I wondered if there has been an influx of them to this area. They normally have a rather narrow migration period.
I can't beleive it. I saw a pink seagull flying over the corner of Winston Churchill and Eglington (Just near the 403). It was about 30 feet high and no mistak'n it. it was a PINK SEAGULL.
Is there such a specifies seen in Metro Toronto. I have read about it being on the Red Hat book of off rare birds but only in Russia through Italy.
or is it a bird that was dyed for some tracking purpose?
Eight keen birders met early in the predawn darkness at Humber Bay but no owls were spotted coming in to roost. One of the reasons may have been all of the pruning of the evergreen trees that had recently taken place there, reducing their density and thus cover for roosting
owls. We did find some good birds here, including our first of two Eastern Phoebes for the day, but the best one had to be the Northern Shrike. It was extremely vocal and drew our initial attention by its frequent calls, which is an unusual way to find a bird that is usually first seen
perched high in somewhat open habitat. We did not find any
shorebirds in this area but we did get good looks at a displaying male Hooded Merganser and a small raft of both Redheads and Buffleheads while here.
We moved on to the Kipling Spit, after a short stop at Birds and Beans, where we found a lone Snow Bunting on the large rocks just off of the trail that leads to the tip. It posed for a few photos before taking off which enabled us to study it in flight and learn its flight call. We also had Yellow-rumped Warbler, both Ruby-cr. and Golden-cr. Kinglets, migrating Black-capped Chickadees, and our first Tree Sparrows of the winter(or should I say late fall?). We added a few more waterfowl species including Lesser Scaup, American Widgeon, Gadwall, a female Red-br. Merganser, and a few more Hooded Mergansers before heading on to Rattray Marsh.
At Rattray we found the remains of a Barred Owl along the shoreline, and did not find many waterfowl in the marsh itself. We did find what we decided was likely a Cackling Goose in the SW corner based on its "jizz" and it swam close to a pair of Mallards for a good size comparison. Andrew spotted a Blue-headed Vireo which came in close to give us great views of its brilliant, fresh-looking plumage from about six feet away. We heard a Carolina Wren and Bill spotted a Marsh Wren as well from the boardwalk. There were quite a few Red-necked Grebes visible out in the lake from the SW corner near the outflow area of the marsh. A flying Northern Harrier was spotted as we were leaving the area.
After a lunch stop in Burlington, we drove by the Tollgate Ponds and Pier 25 where we saw many more scaup and also added Northern Shoveler to the day list. A Red-tailed Hawk was also seen soaring around the grounds of the research facility just below the skyway bridge. While waiting in line at the lift bridge for a boat to clear, a sharp-eyed birder in the group spotted a Peregrine Falcon sitting on the top of the bridge. It never moved while the bridge lowered back to the road level, why fly to Wonderland when you can get free rides here? Van Wagner's beach had nice weather, thus no intriguing birds, so we walked along its rail trail where we spotted several flying Black-cr. Night Herons in addition to a solitary Great Blue Heron in the pond across the road.
____________________________________________________________
Brete Griffin - breteg@yahoo.ca
Peel Birding Class - peelbirding@yahoo.ca
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBC/ and
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BreteGriffin/
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
I'd rather not have to register. This board has generally been fine and I don't think the occasional problem will be prevented through a registration process. I'm on other boards with lots of registration procedures and they have if anything more problems.
-John
In Reply to: Fox Sparrows posted by Dave on October 29, 2005 at 06:46:00:
We just saw our first one in our backyard today. I'd be interested to hear if they are commonly seen outside of more natural areas.
-John
Good evening
Today I did a long and tiring stroll on the spit and as well as the multitude of other birds seen I found an adult Lark Sparrow on Pipit Point in the morning. This bird was well seen and did not flush and fly off but went back to ground and I suspect kept on feeding as I really didn't disturb this bird too much. It was with Song, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows.
Also in this area was a late Lincoln's Sparrow and in other places among the 9 Sparrow species were 7 Fox Sparrows. Also seen was a juvenile Merlin, and a good number of N. Shovelers, A. Wigeons and Hooded Mergansers.
There are lots of "winter" birds appearing now including 100's of Snow Buntings, many A. Pipits, 100's of Bufflehead and 1000's of Long-tailed Ducks.
Norm
Is this an usual year for Fox Sparrows? I usually get one at my feeder in spring & fall if I'm lucky. For the past two weeks I've had six to eight of them.
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
I'm pretty aware of the ups & downs of managing forums, and I can say that while I understand wanting to force registration, it truly definitely will reduce postings in here, by a great percent.
Also, on many forums I surf, spammers selling totally unrelated products DO go to the effort of registering to post their crap, so that won't stop.
I don't like the fact that my email can be grabbed on this site, but it's not the first place someone can find it and won't be the last.
My word is I like the site as it is, it welcomes newbies to post quick spottings or questions, and is quick & easy to use.
Hi,
Saw a red-tailed hawk yesterday at St. Clair and Warden. Flew up from a small ravine and perched on the wire. Beautiful bird with a very red tail! Very exciting to see from a car in the heart of Scarborough!
In Reply to: Re: Board format posted by Craig McLauchlan on October 27, 2005 at 06:48:58:
I'd leave it like it is. Registration won't stop trolls or spammers, neither of which are a big problem on this list.
David
In Reply to: Re: Board format posted by Brian Bailey on October 27, 2005 at 17:39:01:
Brian has very ably described many important considerations with respect to format. I would agree with his comments here.
Also, speaking of "skimmers", many of you may not know that Daniel Borden (or whoever) has sent out unsolicited spam e-mail to many of us on this topic, prior to its appearance on this forum.
GC
Today I saw only 14 raptors,but the quality made up for lack of quantity. A single low Northern Harrier gave terrific views,a Coopers Hawk,7 Redtailed Hawks(some high some low),2 Rough-legged Hawks(one dark one light),2 Northern Goshawks were seen(one is semi-local) and a single Bald Eagle. The eagle circled with a local Redtailed Hawk,giving a wonderful size contrast. They circled close and reasonably low,offering amazing views.
In addition to raptors,in the morning while it was slow,I spotted many Ruby Crowned Kinglets,Robins and Redwinged Blackbirds migrating,Blue Jays in smaller numbers,a Gray-cheeked Thrush in a Mountain Ash tree,many Juncos.10 Common Loons,a Belted Kingfisher,many Cedar Waxwings,White-throated and Chipping Sparrows.
Rosetta McClain Memorial Gardens is at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest,one light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount.
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
Personally Id rather not register,I like the informal nature of the board,that people new to birding right through to experts can post,whether often or once to answer a question they may have. For as often as there has been a problem(I read the board several times a day sometimes) I dont think anything other then the board being truncated at times is necessary. Having said that I may not know the full extent of the problem,and if its a process deemed necessary because I value the information and opportunity to share sightings,Id continue to take part. Registration may however make what is sometimes an underused resource,even less used.
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
This is a difficult problem. I'm sure you will upset some people no matter what you do. (That includes doing nothing.)
Newcomers might resist registration because they will be unsure of your motives. Having watched this board for several years, I have no qualms about your intentions.
Any kind of registration would have to include some way to prevent "bots" from registering. Even that won't stop determined abusers though. Any blacklisted user could still re-register under a different name and e-mail.
One advantage to registration would be that posters wouldn't have to worry about using their real addresses when they post since they could be shielded from "skimmers". (I'm interested in the feathered kind, not the spamming kind.)
Maybe I'm not visiting often enough to notice, but from what I've seen, the problem is still pretty minimal. If you can find a simple and effective solution, that's great, but don't knock yourself out tackling it yet.
BB
In Reply to: big year posted by christie on October 27, 2005 at 07:46:29:
Was this down by 1 person or a group??
My big year in Ont I saw 319 speeches I drove over 10.000 K and spent over $3000.00 in gas and over night stays, it might also have bin the reason for a lost marriage!!!
In hind sight it was a blast and worth every mint and bird I saw !!!
Craig
does anyone know about the big year, month, or day and if there has been one for Ontario. I just read a book on it and it seems interesting.
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Craig McLauchlan on October 27, 2005 at 07:00:54:
I awoke from my deep dream of peace and found Andy at home. He said he was working under the moonlight. We talked quite a bit. He wasn't happy with how my vector thing came across but he apologized for not getting back to me.
He said maybe the whole thing could have been avoided. What an understanding gentleman I found him to be and he seemed so committed to the cause. He said he did't like some of the others rules that were being broken.
He mentioned he was compiling a list of members and I asked if my name appeared. He said NO. I said I am really sorry Andy but please remember through all of this I still a great appreciation and love for the birds and all living creatures.
He said, in his soft voice, "Well that is what I like to hear" and he "by the way don't go away so quickly, let us get back on track with our website and maybe give us some of your ideas later."
Thanks Andy! I really think you have got a wonderful thing going here.
Daniel
In Reply to: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 22, 2005 at 23:00:18:
Hi I still think that this is a good Idea and bravo for you standing up and submitting it !!
With the claps of the Ont $20 dollar a year phone cercal and the loss of the TOC Rear bird phone line , I think something ells is need.
BUT if all that is going to be sent is the OFO's Ontbirds list ( and you might want to check with them first weather you are allowed to do it ) witch I can get on a black beery already this is just doubling up my info .
Still I think you are heading in the right way , the united kingdom has had a pager system like this for some time , we just need to make it work hear .
Craig
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
Hi Andy, I for one would rather not register, but then I'm one of those people whose tired of having my info stored and catalogued, of having to remember passwords, etc. For security sake I tend to keep cookies off and all the usual protections.
It seems to me that you have a good policy that clearly says not to advertise and few people break this policy. I like how you've handled similar situations in the past by removing the inappropriate e-mails right off the top and I would rather go for that then registration. There's also no guarantee that a registered member won't intentionally or inadvertently post a message he/she shouldn't.
So that's my two cents worth. How about we remove the whole chain of messages that got the board off track and get back to bird reports?
Theresa
In Reply to: Board format posted by Andy on October 27, 2005 at 05:40:38:
I am for any thing that will make YOUR life easer!
Is this the way to do it and will it hamper thoue’s with "foot in mouth" dieses from posting their insults ?? I don’t see how that can be stopet!!
But if you think so I say do it .
Craig
There have been inappropriate/offensive posts (Daniel, this is *not* directed at you) made here and the only solution is to require users to register before they are allowed to submit postings. This will require a different format. But before I spend time setting it up, I'd like to get some feedback from you. Do any of you object to going with a registration-required board?
In Reply to: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 22, 2005 at 23:00:18:
This is, as noted below by others, a commercial post, something that is not welcome here. I won't comment on the dubious merit of such a service, but I somehow find the idea of capitalizing on bird sightings not at all in keeping with what birding is all about. Sharing information is one thing, selling it is quite another...
Daniel, you mention below that you sent me emails about this. I had deleted both of them as they were flagged as spam. Perhaps your email address had something to do with it. I seem to recall something like "patrolomation" or something similar with a birding subject line.
Anyway, I will leave this thread here for the moment in case others want to comment. Deleting it, and some of the other inappropriate posts below, is very unwieldly on the server we are using. I apologise for that.
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 25, 2005 at 15:59:55:
Well, I hope you're proud of yourself, Daniel. Your little gag has got some of the "serious birders" all upset. You can tell when they're upset: They get real huffy and demand that their imaginary pal "Andy" remove anything posted that doesn't suit their method of running up big lists and winning the "I've Got A Bigger List Than You Do" trophy. Something a little disturbing about that concept, but I won't go there ... all this running around apparently has something to do with field ornithology, I guess. Personally, I've found that my telepathic powers are more than sufficient to locate the real biggies. My portable hyperbaric chamber is particularly useful during peak migration times, but for real results, my "mind-meld" with the Hubble Telescope has bagged some exrtalimitals that would reduce these fellows to tears.
Anyone interested in ticking off, say, a Carolina Parakeet or Labrador Duck is welcome to come for a spin in my recently-completed time machine. For a small donation. Major credit cards welcome.
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 26, 2005 at 17:02:39:
This is a blatant commercial venture that is ill conceived, poorly designed, and will certainly fail.
Quick response to the appearance of rare birds in Ontario, is not, should not, and never will if I can help it, be contingent on anyone sending even a dime to you.
You do not have a viable market for this service - perhaps you could divert your creative attention to some other form of internet spam like on-line sales of Viagra or a psychic hotline.
Glenn Coady
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Norm Murr on October 26, 2005 at 16:13:17:
Sighter to Sightee in less than 1 minute! It occurred to me that 'turn around' time might be an item with these sightings. This system would allow the participating sighter to speed dial the toll free number,enter the 4-digit vector code and voice very brief details of the sighting.
It would be important to be quite brief because it is the very second that the call is ended that 1,000 other motoring-Torontonians could be on their way to the general area with the vector and species being named via the ZIM group text message.
Furthermore, while the others are enroute the sighter and/or a Call Centre would have the option to add a secondary message(s)(without disturbing the primary) to fill in some details.
The responding birders could hear these secondary messages while enroute or whenever they felt safe to do so.
If your system is doing this or if this kind of 911 response time is not warranted then I truly do apologize.
In Reply to: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 22, 2005 at 23:00:18:
I supply the very same service for FREE on Ontbirds (do now and have for a number of years) and the cost for the Ontbirds service is also FREE.
My FREE service includes very good directions, the date, time and added notes where required and goes out to 1000+ interested birders at NO COST.
Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Glenn Coady on October 25, 2005 at 17:48:34:
My motivation was to have mobile Toronto birders locate birds with this vector thing.
An email had been sent to Andy before all of this happened and another is on his screen now.
Sorry everyone if I have stepped on any toes out there!
In Reply to: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 22, 2005 at 23:00:18:
This entire thread is wholly inappropriate to appear here as Andy clearly does not welcome solicitations or commercial posts as stated right at the top of this web page. Simply ignoring that request is deplorable.
Besides, why in heaven's name would anyone be monumentally foolish enough to open-endedly pay for an undefined volume of text messages, only to be bombarded by the same deluge of costly nuisance text messages that they are already mostly ignoring at no cost as ONTBIRDS emails.
Any group of 20 motivated birders with more than two functional neurons to rub together and an ability to dial a phone of any kind can set up their own phone-based hotline for next to no cost, which would be much more user friendly and effective than this poorly thought out venture.
This is technology providing an expensive solution for a problem that does not exist, to a potential market of half-wits who cannot see either the invisible hand of Adam Smith raiding their wallets or the Pandora's box being opened in terms of bogus sightings magically occurring once anyone has a 15 cent per text message per subscriber (plus additional costlier phone access cost) financial motivation to keep the rarities flowing.
Glenn Coady
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 25, 2005 at 08:14:42:
UPDATE: I will send you the text messages via the web. The mailbox company will cover your costs for a week or so. It will not cost you a cent and I will put together some test sightings as found on this site.
Possibly others will participate by calling in to the toll free reporting line to get some first hand test sightings.
I will hold off giving out the toll free number until you decide whether you are IN! Thanks, Daniel
In Reply to: Re: I.D help RFI posted by christie on October 18, 2005 at 06:03:09:
thankyou
In Reply to: Re: text messaging posted by Craig McLauchlan on October 25, 2005 at 05:34:02:
I think the best way is to have you and maybe 20 other birders send out a 20$ money order. Once receiving this, I will begin sending the text messages at cost.
It will be your option to listen to the mailbox messages at cost and it will be your decision to send in more money if you like what you see.
Text message: TOR * NE24 * PIPING PLOVER * SCARCE
1. Sighting reports will be sent out as text messages (10-15 cents each) .
2. The location code describes the general location using the direction (NE,SE etc) and the distance (km) from city hall (lighthouse).
3. With this same code (NE24 6324) you can dial a toll free number to hear sighting details (45 cents per listening minute).
4. You can receive a 2-minute credit for each sighting you report.
5. You can deactivate text messaging anytime by telephone.
6. You can query any combination of the 4 categories
In Reply to: text messaging posted by Daniel Borden on October 22, 2005 at 23:00:18:
this is a good Ideay but how dos one pay for it ??
Craig
Text messages available at cost:....Sample TEXT MESSAGE......TORONTO*NE14*Scarce*PIPING PLOVER.......Toronto is the originating Centre........NE14 is 14 kilometers North East of City Hall(Toronot hub)
Once receiving text message you have the option to hear particulars by speed dialing toll free number and entering NE14 to hear sighting details.
Today I spotted my first 2 Golden Eagles of the fall(adults). They circled above for a minute or 2 before moving on,oddly it was when there was very dark grey clouds above. 4 Nothern Harriers(2 pairs) went by almost together and very close. The Northern Goshawk thats been around the park lately(last 5 days) landed in a pine tree today briefly.The final total of 168,included 105 Sharpshinned Hawks,3 Coopers hawks,4 American Kestrels,a Peregrine Falcon,5 Northern Harriers,32 Redtailed hawks,16 Turkey Vultures and the 2 Golden Eagles.
Rosetta McClain Gardens is located at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest. One light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount,off of Kingston Rd.
In Reply to: Re: help with bird identification posted by gerard on October 14, 2005 at 08:35:45:
thanks so much gerard, i poured over bird books all weekend trying to identify the bird but to no avail.
Yesterday afternoon, at about 5:45 pm, my boyfriend and I were walking to the SRT, across the small empty field beside McCowan Station. A falcon swooped down and landed about 15 feet from us (and landed with quite a thud!), poked around the tall grass for a few seconds and produced a small black critter (a mouse, I think), swallowing it in a couple of gulps. It was such and amazing thing to witness - this bird was definitely on a mission and obviously spotted the prey from the air, and it did not show any concern that there were people so close by. I love seeing these huge, beautiful creatures in the city!
Michelle
In Reply to: Turkey Vulture posted by Bill on October 17, 2005 at 17:26:26:
As others have mentioned, they can be quite plentiful especially now in migration. I've seen kettles of 10 to 20 TV's in various parts of Toronto during the last month.
Otherwise, I see them all thru the summer outside the city, especially along the hwy's (lots of roadkill).
In Reply to: Re: I.D help RFI posted by Napper on October 17, 2005 at 17:04:42:
it sounds like a yellow rumped warbler, they are all over the city at this time of year.
In Reply to: Re: Turkey Vulture posted by BIGFRANK on October 17, 2005 at 17:47:03:
We have Turkey Vultures here all of the "regular" seasons. Just the other day I spotted 8 in a tree in a farmers field just up the road from us. A very normal bird around here, (Willow Beach, south-east shore) Lake Simcoe, Southern Ontario. Lorena
In Reply to: Turkey Vulture posted by Bill on October 17, 2005 at 17:26:26:
Hi Bill.They are not common in the city usually. Outside the city there are thousands. This time of year is migration time,and they are moving in large numbers throughout Ontario. High Park recently set a one day record at their Raptor Watch of over 1000 in a day. Myself today I counted 142 going past the little lakeshore park I count from. I like U was amazed that such things were here..I always saw vultures in old cowboy movies in the desert or in Africa..but over Toronto?? Who knew.
I was in Edward's Gardens today taking photos of the Mallards in flight when I saw a hawk-like bird overhead. I only had a 150mm lens on the camera but I took several pictures anyway. I came home to check them out and compared the markings. They are identical to a turkey vulture I spotted on enature.com. I have seen these birds in the southern states of Georgia and Tenn. but never up here.
Are they common in this area?
thanks ... Bill
In Reply to: I.D help RFI posted by Napper on October 17, 2005 at 16:33:03:
I found this image of a yellow rumped warbler. still it doesn't quite match what I saw.. maybee winter plummage... checkout the site has great images from Ohio. napper..
warberlhttp://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/birds/ohio_birds/TOC.htmler
This afternoon I found a tiny little guy trapped in a bus shelter near the 401. The little fellow was trying to fly through the glass.I'm sure he would have been fine on his/her own butI coaxed him out slowly anyway . He/she had the appearance of a chirping sparrow on its wings and darker head greyish undersides, glossy black legs and a bright yellow spot on its rump... The blackness of its legs was interesting...I've looked through my guides can't find it. Thanx in advance..Napper.
The day started off slowly,it was much more overcast then the forecast called for. By 10am I had fewer then 30 raptors,it got slow after that until noon. There were many highlights today raptor and non-raptor. Non-raptorforward Colin and I saw hundreds of Black-capped Chickadees,they were buzzing all over the place. About 9am,I got a great surprise...3 Eastern Bluebirds. They landed in the park,coming to rest on a fence,and later a few of the lights that line a path. They were beautiful! Its the first time I had seen them at Rosetta McClain,and my first of the fall.
Raptor highlights were plentiful among the 216 that were recorded. One lone Red-shouldered Hawk gave us a real challenge to spot let alone ID. At 2:30pm I saw a beautiful,darkMORPH Rough-legged Hawk.I spotted it far off and it flew closer until almost right overhead. We saw Hunter the local Redtail,for the first time in a few days,which was nice. Later he put on one of his "air shows",kiting for all to see,causing quite a stir. He also cruised the bluffs hunting. At one point he went into a serious dive in the park,going after a recently fed squirrel. Next excitement was as cloud of Turkey Vultures. Colin and I watched 88(largest kettle of TVs Ive ever seen) Turkey Vultures circle together. It's brilliant to watch them float round and round. Right atop was one Redtailed Hawk. More excitement was 2 Goshawks. One was definetly a migrant as it came in highish,and circled above. A Sharpie joined it then 2 giving an incredible example of size difference. Lastly it would seem there is a local juvenile Northern Goshawk staying in the vicinity of Rosetta McClain Gardens. I saw it yesterday first being chased by crows,then a few hours later make a low pass through the park going east,away from me. I mentioned this to Colin and we hoped it would show itself again. It surely did. Hunter was doing some flying around,when a 2nd bird appeared. It flew along atop the bluffs very very close to us.(much as Hunter does Tim) We got incredible looks at it. Its a huge bird! Both Colin and I really enjoyed that one!
Final totals today...216 total raptors(putting me over 2500 and more then double last years count at Rosetta) Kestrels 3,Sharpies 48.Coopers hawk 3,Northern Goshawks 2,Redtails 13,a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Rough-legged hawk,Northern Harriers 3 and 142 Turkey Vultures! Tomorrow Hawk Cliff!
I will be in the Toronto area between 10/24 and 28. Any suggestions for owling, typical Toronto birds, migration are welcome. Thanks.
Went to High Park this morning, around the duck ponds in the southeast end. Got some really close up views of several pairs of wood ducks in the most southerly pond, as well as mute swans, Canada geese, mallards, and what looked like a hybrid of a black duck with a domestic breed. Plenty of chickadees, robins, and nuthatches about too. We also saw three rusty blackbirds feeding by the middle pond. These were