Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on December 17, 2010, 08:16:43 PM

Title: S*@t load of raptors!
Post by: Rob'in'To on December 17, 2010, 08:16:43 PM

I had to run some errands after work today.  I knew I was going north of Toronto and packed the camera.  So, taking a different route to my destination, I came across 4 Red Tailed Hawks and 3 American Kestrels all in one location...  along with a wild rabbit.  I was at the very top of Hwy 427 and there is a field there along with some industrial units and all the birds were over the field or just around it.  It seemed like an unusually large amount of those kinds of birds in such a small area.  I plan to re-visit on a weekend.  This being a Friday afternoon, industrial area, end of work day...  too much traffic to stop and mess around.  I did get a few shots from the truck.  Unfortunately, I see development is going to begin over this spot soon.

This guy was just east of the field...  I snapped this through my passenger window.  
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/rt2.jpg)

A pair of these were soaring over the field.  I wonder if they were looking for the rabbit.  I got out of the truck for this one, climbed up a very uneven terrain covered in ice/snow (didn't realize how bad it was until I was out in it).  From the bottom of the hill, I could just see the Hawks at the top.  Once I got to the top, they had moved well north of me.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/rt1.jpg)

I snapped this at an intersection through my front windshield.  Another 2 were spotted flying over the field.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/kestrel.jpg)

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Post by: MEGHAN on December 17, 2010, 09:30:49 PM

Great finds Rob!
Just an FYI..that's a great spot for Snowies in the winter 427/407 and North of the 407 to the end. It's just crazy hard to stop there. I'm always afraid I'm going to flush something into traffic.
Meg

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Post by: Rob'in'To on December 18, 2010, 10:09:59 AM

Yeah, we don't want that to happen.  So maybe it is a good thing?  I recall Snowy reports a couple winters back in that area now that you mentioned it.

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Post by: Rob'in'To on December 18, 2010, 05:56:08 PM

I went up there today (Saturday) and counted 9 Red Tails from Derry Road up to the end of Hwy 427.  A pair hovering over that same field and one Kestrel on a lamp post.  One Red Tail was feeding on the shoulder of the 427, which would have been excellent to pull over and watch.  But, doing 100 km/h on a highway and noticing such things such things as I pass 'em...  all but a memory if I can absorb it in the seconds I see it.

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on December 18, 2010, 09:15:40 PM

today was a busy raptor day on the DVP as well. i saw a lot - possibly a merlin right before Lawrence on the east side.

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Post by: cloaca on December 21, 2010, 09:42:33 AM

Your bird in flight looks like a Rough-legged.

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Post by: Rob'in'To on December 21, 2010, 07:05:01 PM

Really?  I am terrible with Hawk ID's.