Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Iain on February 08, 2009, 12:39:01 PM

Title: King Eider and Horned Grebes at Sam Smith
Post by: Iain on February 08, 2009, 12:39:01 PM

The King Eider was present at the eastern-most beach at Sam Smith Park this morning (Kipling and Lake Shore Blvd.).  Also present were two Horned Grebe off the western point and a Snowy Owl was reported in the same area earlier in the morning.  Photos of the Eider can be found in the Photo Forum.

Cheers,
Iain

Title:
Post by: Brian Bailey on February 08, 2009, 10:24:32 PM

I was at the park this morning too, but I didn't find the eider until I was on my way home.  It was not behaving the way I expected a diving duck to behave.  It was right at the shore among a flock of Mallards, fighting with them for bread scraps.  Apparently King Eiders are not completely carnivorous.  I posted some photos on the Photo Page (http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2534).

I had heard about a King Eider at the park a couple of weeks ago, but I had looked a couple of times and assumed it had moved on.  Now I suspect it has been there all along and I had completely overlooked it.

The Snowy Owl was on the docks until at least 9:00 am.  I know it was seen late in the day atop the chimney of the Power Plant, so it probably moved around through the day.  Off the outer south shore, I found a White-winged Scoter (female), a Red-necked Grebe and (just one) Horned Grebe.

A word of warning:  as a result of our February thaw, the park is very icy.  Those with fragile bones and/or optics should proceed with extreme caution.

BB

Title: King Eider and Snowy Owl still at Sam Smith Park
Post by: thouc on February 14, 2009, 08:21:31 PM

I was at the park today and saw both the King Eider and Snowy Owl at the same locations as previously. There were also a Horned Grebe, a Red-necked Grebe and two White-winged Scoters.

/Thomas

Title:
Post by: Anonymous on February 15, 2009, 12:00:57 AM

Where'd ya see the grebes??  

I was out there today and saw the snowy and eider as well as 3 white winged scoters which I'll be posting some photos of in the photo section.  Also saw the mink today, cute little fella.

Cheers, Attila

Title:
Post by: Brian Bailey on February 15, 2009, 11:19:28 PM

The King Eider was in his usual area this afternoon, but acting like an Eider today.  The Snowy Owl was on the docks again today as well.

One male and two female Harlequin Ducks were off the southeast side of the park.  They were 100 - 200 metres offshore, and would have been virtually impossible to spot without a scope.

I found one White-winged Scoter on the southeast side, and 4 more at the harbour entrance.

I couldn't locate any Grebes.

BB

Title:
Post by: thouc on February 16, 2009, 01:20:48 PM

The Grebes were off the southernmost point fairly close to shore.

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on February 16, 2009, 03:59:58 PM

My Sweetie Blake and I were there on Saturday, February 14th from 8:30-10:30am.

Saw the Snowy Owl atop an electrical service box at the marina, King Eider, 4 (!) Horned Grebes and 3 Harlequin Ducks.  

Also saw a White-winged Scoter, a Red-necked Grebe, etc.

A great park for participating in the GBBC at!  

Jo-Anne   :D

Title: Monday, February 16
Post by: raypye on February 16, 2009, 08:11:50 PM

Between 11 AM and 1:30 PM there was no King Eider. I spoke with several birders who were leaving has I arrived and they had done a complete circle of the park and had not found the eider.

Rayfield Pye