Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Iain on January 13, 2008, 11:08:16 AM

Title: Eagle and Owls at the Spit
Post by: Iain on January 13, 2008, 11:08:16 AM

Yesterday (Jan 12th) I went down to the Spit.  A Juvenile Bald Eagle (2nd Year) was successfully fishing in and around the red bridge.  Also seen was a Great Horned Owl and Barred as well as this Kestrel who was hunting for snails from a few different perches.  Two White-winged Scoter were mixed in with the usual selection of more common waterfowl.

(http://iaindmfleming.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p981325812-4.jpg)
(http://iaindmfleming.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p521628929-4.jpg)

Title: Images of Kestrel
Post by: norman on January 13, 2008, 11:29:32 AM

I haven't been able to get down to the Spit for a while, which is annoying, because the reports here indicate it would be well worth it ...

I love those images. He is so falcon cute! More, please.

Title:
Post by: adonbirder on January 13, 2008, 06:58:43 PM

i was there saturday too and can add a winter Common Loon off end of Pipit Point, 2 Northern Shrikes and about 12 Great Black-backed gulls around different bays, most seen there in long time

Title:
Post by: angelicque on January 13, 2008, 08:21:47 PM

i was also there saturday! my husband and i saw the juvenile bald eagle, as well as a short eared owl.
the bald eagle came pretty close to us - right by the bird banding station, on the lake ice. got into a scufuffle with a sea gull ;)

found an in tact cormorant skull as well...walking on the two peninsulas past the red bridge is always a bit unnerving for me, being surrounded by impaled birds and countless bones of dead animals. last time we found a dead muskrat, this time a dead raccoon. and tons of gigantic dead fish.
found some coyote tracks and cottontail scat as well...did anyone spot those animals anywhere this season yet?

got two pics of the owl and eagle, but both are pretty grainy - i am afraid. i only have a 6 megapixel kodak digicam :/
i hope to remedy this soon.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/angelicque/shortearedowl.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/angelicque/baldeagle.jpg)

no small bird sightings though - only chickadees near the bird banding station. i was hoping to see some redpolls :(

Title:
Post by: bushgirl on January 15, 2008, 03:11:20 PM

Thank you so much for the pictures. It's been SO long since I last saw a Sparrow Hawk  (that's what they were calling them back then)!

Title: getting around at the Spit
Post by: dee@post on January 15, 2008, 06:47:14 PM

I know that you are not allowed on the Spit during weekdays.  How do people get around on the Spit on the weekends?  walk/bike?

thanks

Title:
Post by: mike on January 16, 2008, 06:41:17 AM

Yes, walk and bike. It's a good hike. Nice Kestrel shots btw :D