Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Kin Lau on April 29, 2007, 10:23:40 PM

Title: Sharp-shin hawks at Edward's Gardens
Post by: Kin Lau on April 29, 2007, 10:23:40 PM: We spent about an hour this beautiful afternoon at Edward's Gardens, and found a couple of Sharpies building a nest near the butterfly gardens.

They seem relatively unfazed by the large number of visitors around, but most people never even noticed them.

(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/Sharpie/9605_Sharpie_Edwards_Garden_Apr_29.jpg)

(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/Sharpie/9567_Sharpie_Edwards_Garden_Apr_29.jpg)

(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/Sharpie/9560_Sharpie_Edwards_Garden_Apr_29.jpg)
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Post by: Bruce Colvin on April 30, 2007, 08:53:39 AM: Great photos Kin
Title: RFI re small hawk at Queen's Park
Post by: Jim on April 30, 2007, 11:18:50 AM: For some months now there has been a small kestrel-sized hawk or falcon at the north eas top corner of Queen's Park. I haven't had a good view yet. Seems like an unlikely place for a kestrel that I normally expect in the fields not downtown. Coulf it be another SHarpie. Anyone know this bird?

jim
Title: RFI re small hawk at Queen's Park
Post by: Jim on April 30, 2007, 11:19:09 AM: For some months now there has been a small kestrel-sized hawk or falcon at the north eas top corner of Queen's Park. I haven't had a good view yet. Seems like an unlikely place for a kestrel that I normally expect in the fields not downtown. Coulf it be another SHarpie. Anyone know this bird?

jim
Title: SSH
Post by: JTF on April 30, 2007, 12:08:15 PM: Last pic is excellent, nice work.
Title: Queen's Park Hawk
Post by: BC on April 30, 2007, 06:05:57 PM: Last year, a Merlin was frequently seen on a high perch in that corner of the park. A few days ago, I saw a falcon zoom overhead in that general area but wasn't able to identify it.
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on May 01, 2007, 09:37:45 AM: I work in Edwards Gardens and I have seen the Sharp Shinned hawks in the area for several years and they have nested there for several years also. There is also a pair of red tails in the park that seem to be scouting for a nest site also but I think it may be farther south in the Wilket Creek ravive area. We also have our resident Canada Goose nest about 8 ft. up in a large willow tree which is very strange to see but they do it every year and are totally oblivious to all the noise going on from machines and the large number of people here's a pic
(http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/123857.jpg)
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Post by: Kin Lau on May 01, 2007, 12:34:25 PM: Thanks for the info Kev. I've heard about the Willow Tree geese from previous years (probably from your postings to the old board).

As a side note, I saw the 1st goslings today crossing the road with mom & dad near the Hwy 7 & Leslie area.
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on May 01, 2007, 09:37:24 PM: yes that would have been me I had some better photos but they seem to have disappeared from my online album I'll have to upload them again. No sign of any goslings yet I'll keep you informed on the comings and goings of the birds from Edwards Gardens from time to time if you like. Nice shots of the hawks by the way I don't have a good enough camera for long range shots

Later Kev
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Post by: Tyger on May 01, 2007, 10:55:43 PM: Hey Kin, were you able to locate the nest? Are you talking about the upper level?

I haven't been there for awhile, last time I was there, there was so much construction going on....is it still like that now?
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Post by: Kin Lau on May 01, 2007, 11:12:44 PM: There's still damage from that storm of almost 2 years ago. The one bridge that was washed away is rebuilt.

The nest is _way_ up, at least 60-70ft up, right next to the butterfly garden.
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on May 02, 2007, 09:19:15 PM: I checked out the area today and I think I can see where the nest is but there was no sign of the hawks in the area I will keep an eye out for any activity in the area

Kevin
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Post by: mike on May 10, 2007, 02:02:26 PM: I was there the other day and found the nest. One of them flew out and landed on a nearby tree way up. :D
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Post by: hot_toddygal on May 10, 2007, 04:48:42 PM: Quote from: "Kawartha Kev"
I checked out the area today and I think I can see where the nest is but there was no sign of the hawks in the area I will keep an eye out for any activity in the area

Kevin

Please do keep us updated- well, I'd like to know, anyway. That used to be my old neighborhood back in my Rye U. days., and I do miss Ed gardens.

Nice handle BTW- take it you are a Kawarthas transplant ?
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on May 11, 2007, 10:24:05 AM: Thanks hottoddy I think your handle is better than mine :wink: and mine comes from the fact that I have a cottage in the Kawartha's.
Now for an Edwards update. Our Canada geese have their goslings out of the tree now and there are 4 in total this year and all appear healthy but we shall see when they grow whether or not any of them have damaged wings from getting out of the tree nest. So far I have not seen the Sharp shinned hawks yet but I am pretty sure I have the nest located way up one of the large pine trees so I will keep watching.
Until next time Kawartha Kev
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Post by: egret on May 11, 2007, 05:28:21 PM: Just Beautiful Pictures

Thanks for sharing

I am going over to Ed. Gardens
in near future

so pretty in there

Egret :D
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Post by: RobMcKay on June 08, 2007, 09:13:33 PM: Great shots!
The pair is doing fine. This is the male from a week or two ago.
(http://www.natureslightphotographyprints.com/images/sharpshinnedhawk/DSC_0200.jpg)
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Post by: Anonymous on June 08, 2007, 10:13:17 PM: Wow,,excellent captures Kin, I am going to have to make a trip that way. I would really appreciate some directions:):)
Thanks,
Art
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on June 18, 2007, 05:39:31 PM: Update on the Sharp Shinned Hawks. As I mentioned before I work at Edwards gardens so I have been able to check in on the hawks nd they are doing fine. Today I was working on the opposite side of the park from where the nest is located and the male made a visit to where I was working and proceeded to perch in a largge pine tree and scan the ground for prey. We have lots of chipmunks and squirrels in the park so I am sure that was what he was watching for. I watched him for 10 or 15 minutes as he moved around in the tree but he did not have any luck hunting. I haven't checked the nest lately but it looks like he is definitely looking for food to take back to the nest. I'll keep an eye on things and maybe I'll get lucky and have my camera around and catch a picture and post it in the near future.

Kawartha Kev
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Post by: RobMcKay on June 18, 2007, 06:21:46 PM: Thanks for the update!
These guys primarily eat small birds, a few warblers and sparrows would probably make 90% of his diet.
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Post by: egret on June 22, 2007, 08:15:16 PM: Tks for the lovely pictures
and also the update

Kev you are fortunate to be right there
at Edwards Gardens

Egret

:wink:
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on June 28, 2007, 08:56:47 AM: Just another quick update on the sharp shinned hawks at Edward's gardens I saw the male on the ground feeding on a bird yesterday but was unable to get a photo so they are still in the gardens. I checked out the nest site for any activity but did not see any I would assume by now any young should be getting ready to leave the nest. I'll keep watching and let you know how things progress.

Kawartha Kev
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Post by: Kawartha Kev on July 30, 2007, 07:01:14 PM: I have an update on the sharp shinned hawks at Edwards gardens today I observed what I asssume were 2 young birds flying around the trees near the nest site chasing each other and another one flying around keeping watch so I think there are 2 young from the nest this year. At one point I watched as the 2 young used a small puddle of water as a bath tub. I will have to keep my camera at the ready in the future for a photo op.

Kevin