Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Trillian Flummox on March 03, 2013, 12:38:56 PM

Title: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: Trillian Flummox on March 03, 2013, 12:38:56 PM
The now famous Western Grebe was enjoying some leisurely fishing this morning (10-11 am) in the channel that leads into the marina (that's the far western end of the park). No scope needed today as it swam within 30 feet of shore. Those intense red eyes and long yellow bill were easy to see.  Lots of birders and photographers on hand - assume some excellent close range shots must have been taken. Many thanks to the friendly family of birders who let me peek through their awesome scope for an even better view!

Although I personally missed them, there were two juvenile Harlequins seen by a few others on the Eastern side of the park. Other species of note were a Horned Grebe and a Northern Shrike.

Good Birding!

Kris Ito
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: Trillian Flummox on March 04, 2013, 07:54:08 PM
That Western Grebe should win a prize for being the most well viewed bird in the GTA this weekend! The e-bird map shows 31 reports over the last two days! I wonder how high that number would be if you included all the observers who don't use e-bird?

-kris   :D
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: GStuart on March 04, 2013, 08:05:19 PM
Too bad eBird doesn't show the number of times I tried to see that bird but failed...

Got it on the seventh.
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: cloaca on March 04, 2013, 08:28:53 PM
It does if you submitted checklists!
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: zadore on March 05, 2013, 02:28:06 PM
Video of Western Grebe on March 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8iW65ndonQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8iW65ndonQ)
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: Rob'in'To on March 05, 2013, 07:17:13 PM
I was fortunate to see the Western Grebe late Sunday afternoon and in very close range.  Thanks to a kind birder who told me about the bird as I was viewing another "star" in the park at that time.
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: birdstitcher on March 07, 2013, 07:24:20 PM
I also saw the Western Grebe at Sam Smith today. Excellent views as he was close to shore and near a Red-necked Grebe which offered a nice comparison. Saw a Horned Grebe at Humber Bay that was so close to shore I was able to watch it swim and feed underwater for a few moments which was also pretty cool. No luck with the snowy, shrike or pintail though. I also saw my first Red-winged Blackbird of the year at Jean Augustine Park. Absolutely lovely day to be outside.

Kerri
Title: Re: Western Grebe @ Colonel Sam's
Post by: lovemypt on March 07, 2013, 07:40:30 PM
Quote from: "birdstitcher"
No luck with the snowy

Kerri


no wonder with all the idiots venturing onto the ice in order to get closer to it  :evil: