On my way to Richmond Hill (old-timer's hockey) this morning I observed 30+ female/juvenile Red-breasted Mergansers and 3 female Hooded Mergansers at the McKenzie Marsh in north Aurora.
On the way back from the rink at about 11:00 a.m., I stopped to look at an undulating flock of between 50-60 passerines that were actively rising and falling over farm fields on the west side of Dufferin Street in southeast King City, just north of the King-Vaughan Line. Decent views of the birds (though I wish I'd had my scope), plus their flight pattern and "pip-ip" calls in flight were distinctive as American Pipits. Literally seconds after they rose and moved westward, a robust, square-tailed accipiter (female Sharp-shinned Hawk, I would think) flew across Dufferin Road, following the flock from the east. There were numerous female Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds just south of this location, along the King-Vaughan Line west of Dufferin. King City and Aurora are between Toronto and Barrie, just west of Hwy. 400. Ron Fleming, Newmarket "Ronald J. Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
