Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: bernie2112 on January 23, 2013, 10:46:03 PM

Title: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: bernie2112 on January 23, 2013, 10:46:03 PM
Greetings!

At the feeders behind the main building (look for the red door) were about a dozen Common Redpolls. Along with them were Cardinals, another dozen, DE Juncos, Tree Sparrows, RB Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, and BC Chickadees. Cold - but fun.

The Arboretum is behind Humber College which is east of Finch and the 427. Go east to Humber College Blvd, right to the first entrance, and talk to the guard. If you go after 330 the gates are often open.

Cheers,

Bernie

http://www.newlight.ca (http://www.newlight.ca)
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Photowyzard on January 24, 2013, 01:11:01 AM
Bernie,

Are you sure they are Redpolls.

If the male has a lot of red, they are most likely Common House Finch.  There seem to be a lot of these around this year.  I made the error of mistaking them for Redpolls and in fact, my sightings were House Finch.

The Redpoll has a lot less red.

This is an image I took of a House Finch:

http://nikonites.com/attachments/d800/2 ... inch-3.jpg (http://nikonites.com/attachments/d800/25158-my-favourite-d800-images-common-house-finch-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: cloaca on January 24, 2013, 08:11:31 AM
This probably isn't the best year to question a redpoll sighting.
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on January 24, 2013, 08:47:08 AM
Quote from: "Photowyzard"
Bernie,

Are you sure they are Redpolls.

If the male has a lot of red, they are most likely Common House Finch.  There seem to be a lot of these around this year.  I made the error of mistaking them for Redpolls and in fact, my sightings were House Finch.

The Redpoll has a lot less red.

This is an image I took of a House Finch:

http://nikonites.com/attachments/d800/2 ... inch-3.jpg (http://nikonites.com/attachments/d800/25158-my-favourite-d800-images-common-house-finch-3.jpg)

heh....guess you don't know who Bernie is.
longtime birder. also works at Humber, so he knows the lay of the land there.
i'd be willing to bet good money that Bernie IDed the birds correctly.
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: bernie2112 on January 24, 2013, 02:07:31 PM
I will post some photos tonight - and you can tell me if they are Redpolls!

Who, BTW, are there today, which is a treat - since last year I saw some once, in the rain, at dusk...

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.newlight.ca (http://www.newlight.ca)
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Mathew Rossi on January 24, 2013, 07:58:02 PM
They're definitely there, saw them along the path a few weeks ago. This pic is from there.

(http://photo.asic.ca/client/asic/photo.nsf/bloglist/80FC21B6F1C46AA985257AF200079D93/$FILE/IMG_9278.jpg)
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Photowyzard on January 24, 2013, 08:24:49 PM
Oh ya, that is a beauty!  Nicely done.
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Photowyzard on January 24, 2013, 08:28:26 PM
Quote from: "mr.sharp-photo"
heh....guess you don't know who Bernie is.
longtime birder. also works at Humber, so he knows the lay of the land there.
i'd be willing to bet good money that Bernie IDed the birds correctly.

Honestly, I don't know who anybody is, so no offence intended!  :P

I have seen these two mistaken before I, a rank amateur, have made the same mistake.  Hence my well intended remark. :D
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Rotarran on January 24, 2013, 08:36:34 PM
What's the latest I can swing by and still see them at the feeder?
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: bernie2112 on January 25, 2013, 01:02:28 AM
No offense taken - it is good to remind folks sometimes - or just check. Now, If I said they were Hoary Redpolls - that would cause a fuss!

You can visit the Arboretum anytime during the day - it does not really close. In the Winter they do owl prowls after dark.

I have posted some of the photos I have taken today - all comments are appreciated.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11319 (http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11319)

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.newlight.ca (http://www.newlight.ca)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniemonette (http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniemonette)
Title: Re: Common Redpolls at Humber College Arboretum...
Post by: Irene on January 25, 2013, 05:19:30 PM
LMAO sorry I found this amusing, and my thoughts where also along the lines with Richard..

If Bernie says there are redpolls...there are..if Bernie said the moon was purple I would definitely go out to check hehehehe