Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on January 13, 2008, 08:20:32 PM

Title: Red-Necked Grebe, Coot at Sam Smith Today
Post by: Brian Bailey on January 13, 2008, 08:20:32 PM
I had a surprisingly cold walk around Sam Smith Park today.  The strong east wind made it a whole lot colder than it was just a few block north.

There were a few flocks of scaup and Long-tailed Ducks off the east and south sides if you could hold your binoculars steady enough to see them.  A large flock of scaup on the west side was much easier to see.  A lot of the usual ducks must have found a more sheltered hideout, because I only saw one Mallard (flying).

There were a few Goldeneyes and a pair of Hooded Mergansers in the harbour area.  There was a Red-necked Grebe in the entrance to the harbour, and a Coot close to shore in front of the filtration plant.

Passerines must have all hunkered down or moved inland.  I didn't see any.

Another passerine note:  A flock of Redpolls visited my feeder this morning (a few blocks from the park).  These were the first I've seen this winter, so they are around.

BB