Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: souci on December 17, 2012, 02:09:41 PM

Title: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: souci on December 17, 2012, 02:09:41 PM

My kid and I heard a call that was definitely not one of our usual neighbourhood birds. Then we saw a small brown-ish hawk fly away from a branch above us, leaving a second one behind. We could see the narrow tail as it sat on the branch. While I ran inside to get  binoculars, the second one flew off, showing a very dark back with the white flash on the rump. The obvious choice is Northern Harrier, which do pass thru Ontario in late fall.  I couldn't find any local sightings since Sept, but that is an unusual time for them, this is a common one.The normal call is somewhat different, but on ebird I heard a version similar to what we heard - a rusty rumbly threepeat like "ehh - ehh- ehh". I am always pleased to have someone else confirm a sighting or share it.

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: Napper on December 17, 2012, 04:23:28 PM

Yeah

There have been a few Northern Harriers at Downsview AFB over the last couple of fall/winters

I'll have a look tomorrow. There are eat least 2 Red tails  at the airfield most days plus a bunch

of American Kestrels(noisy). The Kestrels are quite entertaining as they chase off everything that

moves.

Napper  :D

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: souci on December 17, 2012, 04:34:59 PM

Thanks for responding. I just saw the Toronto post about Downsview, and I realized I should take my kids there for a look around for birds, as well as to their family program, if we can make it. It would be a great place for hawks. Why didn't I think of that??? If you see any of these hawks, please do let me know.

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: Napper on December 17, 2012, 05:38:13 PM

Quote from: "souci"

It would be a great place for hawks. Why didn't I think of that??? If you see any of these hawks, please do let me know.

I see American Kestrels and Red-Tailed Hawks every day  at Downsview. :D  

Have a look at the Windsock along  Beffort rd(near the Fire station) Just North of Wilson there is usually a Red Tail sitting on it. :D

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on December 18, 2012, 05:53:15 PM

Hi Napper,

A couple of years back at Downview Park, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk sitting on the star of one of the decorated Christmas trees. Now there was a Christmas ornament to scare the life out of the local mouse population ;)

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: souci on December 18, 2012, 06:02:35 PM

I bet! Red-tails are like our neighbours. I love to see them. It is something that makes driving on the 407 bearable. But this has been a year with an owl and two unusual hawks for me. They are not regulars around my house, and it has been quite exciting. I don't even hardly trust myself with the identification.

Title: Re: Northern Harriers at Avenue Rd and Wilson
Post by: Napper on December 19, 2012, 09:58:09 AM

Hey

I just spotted (9:30am) what looked to be Rough legged Hawk over Downsview AFB. It made its way over to Downsview Park.

Napper :D