Ontbirders,
About 4 p.m. this afternoon we counted 24 Fox Sparrows at 9 Lichen Place,
which backs on Brookbanks Ravine in Toronto (Don Mills). All were visible
at the same time. They were attracted to bird seed. The past two weeks have
been particularly good for Fox Sparrows in Toronto. On warmer days, we've
heard a few in almost full song. According to Coady and Smith (2002), our
count of 24 Fox Sparrows is a record number for the fall migration in the
Greater Toronto Area. Previous highs were 20 on 12 October 1890 and 20 on
23 October 1955. Last fall Ron Scovell saw 23 in one day at his house in
Toronto (Etobicoke).
If you haven't seen a Fox Sparrow, this is the year to see them.
Reference: Coady, G. and R.B.H. Smith. 2000. Greater Toronto Area Bird
Checklist and Reporting Guidelines - 2000. Toronto Ornithological Club,
Toronto.
Happy birding,
Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
Jean Iron
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jeaniron/
9 Lichen Place
Toronto ON M3A 1X3
416-445-9297
Jean Iron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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