Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Bird Brain on April 21, 2013, 01:05:22 PM

Title: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on April 21, 2013, 01:05:22 PM

Hi everyone.  Wow, what a great 2 1/2 hours today at Lake Aquitaine from 10:10am - 12:40pm.  Sighted the following:

Common Loon (Summer plumage) - absolutely gorgeous bird, swimming and diving for fish - best sighted from the dock area and viewing platform (West end of lake).

Great Blue Heron x 2 flying over the lake, heading West.

Osprey circling above the lake then headed West.

American Coot - so cute and was once again running across the water super fast!   :lol:

American Robins
Canada Geese x 2
Cardinals
Common Grackles
Downy Woodpecker
House Sparrows
Mallards
Mourning Doves
Red-winged Blackbirds

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Aquitaine Ave., behind the Meadowvale Community Centre.

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: winz on April 21, 2013, 05:53:30 PM

I was there, but missed you. I left around 10:30.  Saw the loon from the east side but it was too far to get a decent shot with my 55-300.  Also saw the coot. Counted 4 female RWBB. Saw a swallow overhead, but couldn't identify type.  Missed the GBH and the osprey.  Also did not see the Downy Woodpecker, but there was one at my backyard peanut feeder when I got back home.

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on April 21, 2013, 06:03:43 PM

Hi winz.  I'm truly sorry that I missed you today - was looking forward to a good talk!  :D  

GBH and Osprey were around 12 noon.  At one point, the loon was very close to the viewing platform/dock area - got a great look at him/her gulping down a large fish!  I was looking around, hoping to find someone with a camera!  Downy Woodpeckers are at West end of lake, close to public washrooms.

Saw a couple of Swallows zipping around but couldn't get a good look at them to identify.

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: winz on April 21, 2013, 07:52:17 PM

Was looking forward to a nice chat too :D
I'm training for the Mississauga Half Marathon, so I don't have a lot of bird wat

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: winz on April 21, 2013, 07:56:29 PM

Was looking forward to a nice chat too :D
I'm training for the Mississauga Half Marathon, so I don't have a lot of birding time.  So sometime after May 5th.

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on April 21, 2013, 09:45:55 PM

Quote from: "winz"

I'm training for the Mississauga Half Marathon

 8) Very cool.  I wish you the best of luck!   :D

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: winz on April 21, 2013, 10:47:33 PM

Thanks Jo-Anne  :D

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: rcflier on April 22, 2013, 01:13:59 PM

Jo-Anne, thanks for the tip on the Loon.  I went to the Lake this morning and got a few pics, I hope they turn out ok.

No activity at "the Coops" in the forest yet.

see you there

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on April 22, 2013, 04:33:31 PM

Hi Bob.  You're welcome.  :)

My mom was visiting today so showed her the loon this afternoon.  I was pleasantly surprised to see he's still at the lake!  Also saw 2 mating Canada Geese.  

Went up to Maplewood Park around 1:30pm onwards, sighted 2 White-throated Sparrows, 2 House Wrens (?) and Downy Woodpecker (male).  Otherwise, lots of the "usual".  I haven't seen the Coopers Hawks for weeks!

2 Goldfinches out back of my building - one male (gorgeous bright yellow!) and one female.

Title: Re: Common Loon, Osprey, GBH, Coot, etc. at Lake Aquitaine
Post by: Bird Brain on April 22, 2013, 04:35:52 PM

Quote from: "winz"

Thanks Jo-Anne  :D

You're Welcome.  :D