2010 Outings Reports
“Whimbrel and
other Migrants”
Colonel Samuel Smith Park.
May 22, 2010
Leader: Steven Favier
A total of 51 species were recorded on the walk by 26 participants. 9 species of warbler were present, including Yellow, Magnolia, Black–throated Green, Blackpoll, Black–and–White, Canada, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, and Common Yellowthroat. A small flock of Whimbrel was seen at the start of the walk, flying fairly high. Other shorebirds present were Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper. A pair of Red–necked Grebes had built a nest of vegetation on top of a small wooden raft near the shore. Other birds of interest seen or heard included Common Loon, Willow Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, Veery, Gray Catbird, Savannah Sparrow, and Orchard Oriole. – Steven Favier
“Warblers”
Lambton Woods.
May 8, 2010
Leader: Don Burton
13 participants assembled at Lambton Woods despite blustery winds, which resulted in migrant warblers being mostly absent due to unfavourable weather overnight. Nevertheless, 42 species were observed in total, including Common Loon, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, four species of woodpecker including Red-bellied, and both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. – Sarah Box
“Spring Migration”
High Park.
May 1, 2010
Leader: Bob Yukich
On Saturday, May 1, following a major fallout of migrants the previous day, 50 participants observed 64 species of birds in High Park, the highlight of which was a singing male Cerulean Warbler seen well by the entire group near Colborne Lodge. Other notable species included a singing Golden-winged Warbler in the northwest corner of the park, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a male Purple Finch, three male Orchard Orioles, including a first year male, all on territory at the Hillside Gardens, and eight other warbler species. Throughout the morning the sky was filled with large flocks of migrating Blue Jays heading northeast. Six Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were observed on territority throughout the park, including a pair building a nest, and an adult female Red-tailed Hawk was observed incubating eggs on a nest. The trip concluded at lunchtime just before a heavy downpour - not enough to dampen the spirits of a group of happy birders! – Bob Yukich
“Early Migrants”
Leslie Street Spit.
April 25, 2010
Leader: Hugh Currie
27 participants braved cool and windy weather at the Leslie St Spit. Despite these challenging conditions, 55 species were recorded, including good looks at Eastern Meadlowlark, American Kestrel, Greater Scaup, Canvasback, and Black-crowned Night-Heron. Other notable sightings included Northern Goshawk, Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull. Rain brought an early end to the outing around 1:00pm. – Sarah Box
“Little Gulls
and other migrants”
Oshawa Second Marsh.
April 24, 2010
Leader: Tyler Hoar
Twenty-eight participants enjoyed a beautiful spring morning for the TOC's inaugural outing at Oshawa Second Marsh.
The group observed over 1100 Bonaparte's Gulls and 34 Little Gulls which we later saw heading out over the lake to feed on ghost midges. Early arrivals enjoyed great looks at two Eastern Meadowlarks flying past the observation platform, and some members of the group were fortunate enough to see and hear a singing Brown Thrasher. Several species of waterfowl were seen, including Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Green- and Blue-winged Teal and both Scaup species. Dunlin and both species of Yellowlegs were observed foraging along the mudflats.
Other highlights included a Palm Warbler and several Yellow-rumped Warblers, in both cases the first of the season for many of the group. We walked along the lakeshore, noting several Common Loons and two Horned Grebe as well as a good variety of ducks on the lake, to Darlington Provincial Park.
We returned via McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, where a Red-tailed Hawk provided a fine sight in the sunshine before the walk concluded at lunchtime. – Tyler Hoar
“Waterfowl”
Toronto to Burlington.
March 7, 2010
Leader: Garth Riley
On March 7, 16 participants enjoyed beautiful weather along the lakeshore from Toronto to Burlington. Highlights were three Harlequin Ducks at Humber Bay East, Horned and Red-necked Grebes at Colonel Sam Smith Park, two Peregrine Falcons and four Yellow-rumped Warblers at Port Credit.
With the exception of a singing Song Sparrow, presumed to have overwintered, there were no spring migrants. The duck numbers were surprisingly low, especially at Humber Bay West where there had been huge numbers a week earlier.
The group went to Rattray Marsh in Mississauga hoping for some blackbirds or Killdeer but no luck. At 2 pm the group decided to head to 50 Point Road in Burlington to try for the King Eiders that had been reported there. It was the right choice as they found a raft of 16 birds, eight of which were first year males; quite a spectacle, and a life bird for about half of the participants. – Garth Riley
“Gulls and Waterfowl”
Sunnyside Lakeshore, Humber Bay West and Col. Sam Smith Park.
January 24, 2010
Leader: Bob Cumming
17 hardy souls arrived Sunday afternoon at Sunnyside to brave the inclement weather-- cold, rainy and windy.
The Sunnyside area was sparse on gulls and waterfowl; so, we quickly moved to Humber Bay West where there were large quantities of ducks, swans and gulls. We saw 12 species of ducks (including over 800 Greater Scaup), 4 species of gulls (including an immature Iceland Gull) and 2 species of Swans.
A stalwart group of 8 soggy but determined participants carried on to Col. Sam Smith Park and were rewarded with a lone Horned Grebe as the rain increased and the sky darkened.
It was a successful trip with good birds and great camaraderie; although, surprisingly, no Scoters. – Bob Cumming