Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: BIGFRANK on November 12, 2006, 05:19:42 PM

Title: Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor Watch 97 inc 2 Golden Eagles+
Post by: BIGFRANK on November 12, 2006, 05:19:42 PM

Finally today a good north element wind,after a day of rain,brought raptors past Rosetta McClain again in higher numbers. Try as I mite,I couldnt drag 3 more birds over the park no matter how much looking I did. From 10am onward things were reasonably steady for this time of year until about 230pm. A flurry of Redtails came about 215pm,as 14 kettled together,followed closely by 2 others. A very low Red-shouldered Hawk gave Carol and I terrific views(it was her first sighting of one ever) and another later provided a great contrast in size with an adult Golden Eagle,which it circled with briefly.  A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk,became Carols first RL sighting ever,and we both enjoyed it.  Earlier a light morph Roughie circled co-operatively as we ID'd it. We may have seen why Loons are called Loons,as a Common Loon actually seemed to take a few runs at the Rough-legged Hawk as it circled!  Todays 4 Rough=legged Hawks brought my year total to 8,which is the highest Ive counted at Rosetta McClain Gardens in a season(3 years). Year to date I surpassed the 5500 mark,now at 5518 raptors identified.
Todays total included:
Northern Harrier.....................1
Sharpshinned Hawk.................2
Redshouldered Hawk...............2
Redtailed Hawk......................84
Roughlegged Hawk..................4
Golden Eagle...........................2(adults,one at 12:45pm,the other 2:20pm)
American Kestrel.....................2
Thanks to Keith and Carol for their company on a terrific day!

Title:
Post by: Anonymous on November 13, 2006, 05:57:34 PM

If I may ask, where is Rosetta McClain Gardens?

Attila

Title: Rosetta Location
Post by: BIGFRANK on November 13, 2006, 08:50:20 PM

Hi Atilla..sorry about that Ive posted so often I begin to forget to post the directions. Rosetta McClain Gardens is at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest Rd in Scarborough,one stop-light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount.  
  Things are winding down for the season so good days are at a premium now. A strong north element is needed in the wind this time of year to bring birds. 11am-2pm is the peak time for movement. Depending on where U live if U are interested in Raptor Watching,consider High Park in the downtown west end of Toronto or Cranberry Marsh in Whitby. They are both official migration count sites,both with good groups of folks to enjoy time with.

Title:
Post by: Anonymous on November 14, 2006, 01:03:11 PM

Thanks for the tip Big Frank - I live out in Scarborough but commute each day to Guelph Humber.  I was going to swing by High Park but am unsure about where to proceed once I get off the subway.  Any directions would be most helpful and I'll be sure to take my camera with me to take a few pictures of whatever I see.

If anyone has the time on the weekend for some company and wouldn't mind a newbie coming out to watch the birds I'd be more than happy to chip in some gas money.

Attila

Title:
Post by: Pat Hodgson on November 15, 2006, 10:28:51 AM

The High Park hawk watch is immediately north of the parking lot for the Grenadier restaurant, which is more or less right in the centre of the park.