OFO Toronto Lakeshore West Field Trip Our group of 22 birders encountered low numbers of waterfowl along the lakeshore today. In spite of this we had a reasonably successful outing with 40 species recorded. We had a Great Blue Heron at Humber Bay Park. Our highlight along the lakeshore was a male Harlequin duck at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. We were just discussing how slow it was and wouldn’t it be nice if we got a Harlequin Duck, when Adam Capparelli spotted one in the water just off shore. The bird was not in full adult plumage. We also had a flock of 13 Cedar Waxwings.
Our Visit to Sedgewick Park in the afternoon was well rewarded with Orange-crowned Warbler, Blue-Headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush. The Winter Wren was particularly engaging. It was exploring some holes in the side of a concrete retaining wall. At one point it carried a twig into one of the holes, and then it seemed to be forging inside another hole. We weren’t sure whether it was feeding or preparing a nocturnal roost. Our entire group was thrilled to get such prolonged views of what can be a very illusive bird. All in all a rewarding day in spite of the low numbers of waterfowl! The warm weather made up for the occasional light rain. John Schmelefske _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
