Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on March 07, 2014, 10:13:59 PM
-
For those still looking for a Snowy Owl this winter, I thought I would mention here that there has been a pretty reliable juvenile/female at Sam Smith Park all week. It's been seen intermittently all winter, but it's been seen 5 or 6 days in a row now. I don't know if it stays there all day, but it has definitely been seen in the afternoons.
The male Harlequin Duck is still around as well, but he can be difficult to spot, particularly if there are a lot of other waterfowl and/or he's actively feeding. He's usually on the east side, closer to Rotary Park.
I haven't seen a shrike there lately, but there have been an unusual number of White-winged Scoters, often very close to shore.
Good birding,
BB
-
Thanks Brian. I am one of those. :)
-
The Snowy Owl was there again today giving great views to many people. The Harlequin Duck was visible from Sam Smith Park as well, but it's probably easier to see from Rotary Park if you don't have a scope.
The ice has receded a lot in the past week. The edge on the west side is now in the mouth of the harbour. I counted 16 White-winged Scoters close to the edge of the ice there. Almost all were males: adults and first year.
BB
-
I went today and saw 2 snowiest but no Harlequin Ducks. I saw the second snowy flying at Cliff Lumsden park at around 6:15.
-
That's interesting. I have been wondering if the owl at Sam Smith and the one at Humber Bay / Mimico are the same bird. Sounds like maybe not.
BB
Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk.
-
I definitely saw 2 birds because after I saw the one fly over our heads, I scoped CSSP and the owl was still there. It might be the one from Humber Bay.
-
One Snowy seen on Tuesday March 11th by several folks. Easiest to find with a scope. It was sitting on the ice in one of the boat docks. Our third visit in the last two weeks and still no Harlequin duck!
Walter :)
-
The duck is very hard to see. When I went to CSSP on the weekend, it was between rotary and Sams. It was constantly diving. It would stay out of the water for a couple seconds then dive for about 20. It usually hangs with buffleheads.
Henrique
-
Thanks for the info Henrique, may just try one more time to find it.
Walter :)
-
The Harlequin can definitely be a challenge. Luck is required - a scope and patience are highly recommended.
If you strike out at Sam Smith Park, you should try Rotary Park and/or Cliff Lumsden Park just to the east. He's often close to those parks and could be out of view from Sam Smith.
Good luck!
BB
-
A group of us visited on Mar 15. The Harlequin was very visible on the east side of the park at around 9:30am. He was in the second little bay away from the north shore, then moved into the bay closest to the north shore. He was chasing down a female Bufflehead, but having no luck.
It's at the extreme zoom of my camera so a bit grainy, but here is a video of him.
http://youtu.be/IWDnYeDqYXo (http://youtu.be/IWDnYeDqYXo)
He swims oddly, with his head moving forward and back. It's pretty amusing. :)
-
Funny stuff (and pretty good for the long end of the zoom). One thing's for sure - if he catches her he'll be much too exhausted to do anything!
-
I didn't see the owl on Sat the 15th but I did see a few dead ducks around . Would the owl be responsible for any of these ?
Rob
-
Great video CoffeeJo, it is fun to watch.