Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Ross Lamb on November 22, 2008, 09:35:02 PM
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A brief hike through a portion of the Rouge Valley this afternoon produced a few birds of interest but frozen ponds have shut out opportunities for late shorebirds and recently arrived waterfowl in the rehabilitated wetlands of the Hillside Trail complex.
The highlight bird of the day (first seen two days ago) was an Eastern Bluebird. Three of them actually, keeping company with a larger flock of Dark-eyed Juncos. Swooping down on them, from one side of the wetlands and back, was an American Kestrel.
An exasperated American Robin was acting like a Woodpecker as it tried to chisel through a clear sheet of ice. A pale water-logged earthworm could be seen at the bottom of the pond the bird was trying to access.
Other birds included:
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee (many)
American Pipit (flock of 14+ heading west)
American Tree Sparrow
White-winged Crossbill (1male + 1 female)
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
To access the Hillside trail from Highway 401 head north on Meadowvale Rd. and continue north past Sheppard Ave. East. Follow the ramp towards the Toronto Zoo on the east side of the road. At the top of the ramp turn right at the traffic lights and then, as you approach a Victorian-era gingerbread home on the right, park at the side of the road . This is Pearse House, a.k.a. the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre. (You should check out the feeders beside the house). On the road, walk east to the pedestrian entrance at the side of the chain-link gates and continue down the valley towards the Little Rouge Creek and then head uphill towards the former Beare Rd. landfill. At the top of the hill but before the railway crossing you will see a trail system on your left and right hand side. Look for the large sign and follow the Hillsde trail on the left side. It will loop around and then run parallel to the train tracks leading back to the road you started from. Further birding possibilities can be found on adjacent trails include the Vista, Cedar and Orchard Trails. The adventurous may even climb the rehabilitated landfill "mountain" for some of the best Raptor viewing opportunities in the eastern GTA.