Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: BIGFRANK on January 11, 2009, 08:13:24 PM

Title: Crossbills and Siskins ..Scarborough
Post by: BIGFRANK on January 11, 2009, 08:13:24 PM

While waiting for a ride to bird elsewhere this morning,a flock of easily 30 Pine Siskins zoomed by calling in flight as they went. Shortly after as Walter and I discussed this,a flock of 20 or so White-winged Crossbills landed in the pine tree on my front lawn. They sat but moments before taking off,we saw a handfull land in a tree a few backyards away and got binos on them. Their calls inflight alerted us to their incoming. I live near Birchmount and Kingston Rd so Id imagine they are along the bluffs now.

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Post by: Kin Lau on January 11, 2009, 08:32:52 PM

I heard crossbills today around noon around the Kennedy area just north of the 401 in a residential area. No bins with me, but the sound is unmistakeable.

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on January 13, 2009, 01:26:46 AM

Hi Folks,

To follow up on our above sightings, Frank and I met early today at Rosetta McClain Gardens to watch for more Siskins and Crossbills and sure enough, they didn't disappoint us.  A few small flocks of each flew by overhead.  Also seen today were a Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Peregrine Falcons which called and played together as they flew, several small flocks of Goldfinches, and all the usual winter residents were seen.  Also seen in the park was a Red Fox which was probably looking for a squirrel to dine on.

Today was also "day 3" of the Pine Siskins at my nyjer feeder.  Started out with 7 birds on Saturday, we're now down to 4 but they are still drivin' in the seed like there's no tomorrow!

Walter

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Post by: Pat Hodgson on January 13, 2009, 03:49:03 PM

I saw 3 WW crossbills today in a small spruce at the Esso Station at Mt Pleasant and Merton.  So they can pop up just about anywhere.