Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: raypye on February 13, 2013, 08:00:52 PM

Title: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: raypye on February 13, 2013, 08:00:52 PM

Wednesday- 5 PM
Greater White-fronted Goose-1, Snow Goose- 3 (white- 2, blue-1), Canada Goose- 3500,
Northern Pintail-1, Redhead- 6, Gadwall-1, American Coot- 4, plus the regular winter ducks. The Snowy Owl was on the ice in the middle of the bay.
Rayfield Pye

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: thouc on February 13, 2013, 08:24:42 PM

Nice finds! Where is the best place to view the birds from?

/Thomas

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: raypye on February 16, 2013, 01:43:34 AM

The best place to view the winter ducks at Frenchman's Bay is a small parkette that is located in the south-east corner of the bay. From Liverpool Road go west on Annland St. or Commerce St.
Rayfield Pye

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: thouc on February 16, 2013, 09:29:07 AM

Thanks.

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: Trillian Flummox on February 16, 2013, 10:56:53 AM

Enjoyed a short and very cold visit to the bay yesterday around lunchtime. The Snowy was happily sitting in the middle of the ice, despite the close proximity of some ice fishermen! Was able to get a slightly better view by driving around to the west side. The massive flock of Canada Geese was conspicuously absent - less than 200 only. No sign of the Snow Geese.

-kris

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: SA Birder on February 16, 2013, 04:51:20 PM

Thanks to a fellow birder who pointed it out - was able to see my first snowy owl!  Also enjoyed the mixture of Trumpeter and Mute swans and of course, the thousands of Canadian Geese.  Great spot for some winter birding!

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: yep on February 18, 2013, 10:13:25 AM

Stopped by on Sunday and saw the Owl sitting in among the wooden posts....and of course the thousands of Canada Geese (couldn't spot the Snow Geese or Gr. White-fronteds though).  Thanks for the tips.

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: gary yankech on February 18, 2013, 09:08:37 PM

Like everyone else, thanks for the tip on the snowy.....been trying to get a pic of one for some time now. Every time I've been down to the spit, I never see it.  Finally, I didn't have to walk for hours to see one. I hope it stays for awhile. The Snow goose (blue morph) and Greater white-fronted goose, (one of each) was spotted by a few birders who had scopes. I tried with mine, but did not spot them.

Title: Re: Frenchman's Bay, Pickering
Post by: Rotarran on February 27, 2013, 08:59:13 PM

Swung by today and noticed right away that the ice had receded by about 50-75 meters.  I did spot a Snow Goose (blue) and a Redhead and all the usual suspects.  The Snowy Owl didn't seem to be around.