Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Rotarran on March 15, 2016, 05:25:46 PM

Title: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 15, 2016, 05:25:46 PM

Looking at it now. Young male.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 17, 2016, 04:44:21 PM

Still here today. Appears to be a beautiful adult male. Joined today by a male Long-tailed Duck. Will post pics later. Rain on and off, mostly off...not too bad.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 17, 2016, 06:59:39 PM

Here's a pic of the two handsome fellas:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1596/25748000742_12fed8bb21_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Reuven_M on March 17, 2016, 07:24:59 PM

Wow that's a really bizarre place to see a Long-tailed Duck!

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 17, 2016, 11:03:34 PM

Well it is the first record of a Long-tailed Duck at Downsview Pond.  I expected one sooner or later...this pond does tend to attract the odd diving duck especially now during migration.  Just recently Jonathan saw a Goldeneye (another unusual visitor) and Dinu saw Hooded Mergansers.  Last year we had 2 Buffleheads that stayed for a good amount of time (a few days at least).  We also get some smaller dabbling ducks such as Green and Blue winged Teals as well as Northern Shovelers.  The pond is definitely the place to watch in the next little while.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Reuven_M on March 18, 2016, 09:23:23 AM

Long-tailed Ducks are always quite unusual away from the Great Lakes though - especially on a relatively small pond. I lived in Guelph for four years, extensively birding the area, and saw a total of 12 individuals in that time, all but a couple on the big reservoirs and quarry ponds.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 20, 2016, 01:26:04 PM

Today's Downsview Duck of the Day is the Bufflehead. Two males diving actively much of the day.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 25, 2016, 10:24:30 PM

Saw 8 Buffleheads today including 6 males and 2 females and 5 Hooded Mergansers including 3 males and 2 females.  Also saw a Pied-billed Grebe.  The pond continues to be interesting.

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 27, 2016, 09:35:14 AM

Here's a pic of a male Hooded Merganser and the Pied-billed Grebe politely swimming past each other.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1454/26041735976_224654558f_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on March 29, 2016, 05:09:10 PM

True to the original title of the thread, the Ring-necked Duck species is back represented by one male. Also a couple of DC Cormorants

Title: Re: Ring-necked Duck at Downsview Park
Post by: Rotarran on April 01, 2016, 05:54:12 PM

Ruddy Duck in pond right now. Also Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers and one Pied-billed Grebe