Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on March 14, 2012, 09:57:12 PM

Title: Northern Shrike At Sam Smith Park
Post by: Brian Bailey on March 14, 2012, 09:57:12 PM

I was a bit surprised to find a young Northern Shrike at Sam Smith Park just before dusk this evening.  I have managed to not see one there all winter, but this was not the same bird I've seen photos of earlier this year.  It was a first winter bird with a very indistinct mask:  barely more than a dark smudge behind the eye.  It also showed very little white on the wings when it flew.

I guess it's not super late for a Northern Shrike, but it sure seems that way with this weather!

BB

Title: Re: Northern Shrike At Sam Smith Park
Post by: lovemypt on March 15, 2012, 03:31:04 PM

Hi Brian


I was there in the morning yesterday, was this the little guy you saw? He certainly doesn't have the nice marking as his cousin from last year at Col Sam

(http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/9762/shrikemarch14th.jpg)


Dave

Title: Re: Northern Shrike At Sam Smith Park
Post by: Brian Bailey on March 15, 2012, 07:22:54 PM

That looks like the same bird (in much better light).  I didn't have a camera with me, but it was after sunset when I spotted him anyway.

I went out late this afternoon to try again, but no luck.  A consolation prize was a female Red-winged Blackbird.  That's probably the earliest ever for me by a couple of weeks.  I normally see the first males about now and the first females near the end of the month.

BB