Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: Dinusaur on October 25, 2015, 08:01:26 PM

Title: Downsview Bird ID
Post by: Dinusaur on October 25, 2015, 08:01:26 PM
I was there this afternoon and looking for snow buntings; however, couldn't find any. Instead found a pair of Raven (or Crow) hovering over a hill when a juvenile red-tailed hawk gave them a chase. Subsequently found one sitting on the top of a dirt hill, nibbling on a vole. It is as big, if not slightly bigger, than the hawk. Is it a Raven? The second one has a very bold eye-ring. Is it a Vesper Sparrow? Thanks in advance.

1-3: Crow or Raven?
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/733/21855149983_a8b1e53770_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zigmEK)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/582/22288641828_ef68acc4a7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zXz7G5)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/576/22462973302_45e9322801_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AdYBn9)

4-5: Vesper Sparrow?
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5618/22288373690_9fdd93d50d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zXxJZ1)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5800/22487300091_220c5fa3e7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ag8hSx)
Title: Re: Downsview Bird ID
Post by: thouc on October 25, 2015, 08:37:54 PM
Yes, Raven and Vesper Sparrow. Nice finds!
Title: Re: Downsview Bird ID
Post by: Rotarran on October 25, 2015, 10:06:55 PM
Awesome finds!  Especially the Vesper.  I think Ruth Danella found one at around the same time last year and on that same wood chip hill.  I've been looking for the Vesper as well...maybe it's been there all year?  Or just passing through.  Either way I'll take another look.  

And wow that first pic is awesome.  The black of the Raven is almost like the Hawk's shadow alter ego or something.  Very cool pic.
Title: Re: Downsview Bird ID
Post by: gary yankech on October 25, 2015, 11:09:11 PM
Nice pics
Where is this wood chip pile?
Title: Re: Downsview Bird ID
Post by: Dinusaur on October 26, 2015, 07:11:22 AM
Quote from: "gary yankech"
Where is this wood chip pile?
It's in the middle of two hills - east of the forested area. The bird flew in from the hill on the west. I am sure he/she is there around that are. A few days back I saw a large group of Fox Sparrow on the hill west of the pile.