Lambton Woods

[Trillian Flummox]

Feeling the urge to get away from the frozen lake, I enjoyed a very birdy stroll through Lambton Woods yesterday afternoon. The trails were extremely icy but the snow last night may have helped that situation. Perhaps due to the slightly milder temperatures the birds seemed very active. I don't think I've ever seen so many Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers in one location - they seemed to be in every other tree. It was difficult to count them all because they were zooming around so much. There were also WB Nuthatches and Brown Creepers.

Someone seems to be maintaining the usual feeder, and strangely smearing what looks like lard on many of the trees. The feeder is attracting a lot of House Finch, who were singing beautifully. (I tried looking for a Purple Finch in the mix but no luck). Not far from the feeder along the more central trail there is seed being thrown along the edge of a fence. It was primarily attracting House Sparrows and Cardinals but there were also 2 White-throated Sparrows joining in. A little closer to the parking lot, along the edge of the creek with lots of thick grasses and dogwood, I found 3 Song Sparrows and 1 very shy Swamp Sparrow - he let me have one good look before running away through the grasses like a mouse. Another curious thing I noticed was a roost of Mourning Doves - I counted 37 perched in a small group of trees.

There is some good open water towards the bridge attracting a few ducks and mergansers. It was interesting to watch some of the mergansers just sticking their heads underwater against the current to fish.

-kris

ps: Lambton Woods follows along beside the Humber River and is just off Royal York Road, between Dundas and Eglinton; turn east onto Edenbridge Drive and and park at James Gardens.

[mr.sharp-photo]

funny. i went there 3 weeks ago for the 1st time this year. zero woodpeckers other then a RBW. and Lambton is usually swarming with woodpeckers.

there was a hand-made sign at one part asking ppl to not enter due to nesting. i wonder what was nesting there.

[Rob'in'To]

I live a stone's throw from there and haven't been in the last couple years.  The off leash dogs and excrement has been so bad, I just don't go.  

It is a great area for birding and I've shown many friends the thrill of hand feeding Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers in there.

[Rob'in'To]

Oh, Kris, your post makes me want to re-visit and feel the magic again.  I just may do that soon.  

[Janet Patterson]

I had a nice walk through Lambton Woods on Feb. 9 and saw a red-bellied woodpecker there.

[Leslie]

Oh, Kris, your post makes me want to re-visit and feel the magic again.  I just may do that soon.  

I live a stone's throw from there and haven't been in the last couple years.  The off leash dogs and excrement has been so bad, I just don't go...

In Toronto report off-leash dogs in natural areas & excrement & other by-law violations by emailing 311@toronto.ca (or phoning 311).  Be specific (date, time, place).  You will probably get a response that there aren't enough by-law officers and their priority is animal welfare (true).  Persist.  311 calls are logged, so if you report the incidents you see you are contributing to the record.

[MonkeyBoy]

You are probably correct about the white substance smeared on the trees. Lard or suet is a common, high-calorie food usually offered to birds only in the winter when other food is scarce and their fuel requirements are high.

Suet is "the hard white fat on the kidneys and loins of cattle, sheep, and other animals, used to make foods including puddings, pastry, and mincemeat." and lard is just the fat from pigs.

There are lots of recipes combining these fats with seed, cornmeal, peanuts or peanut butter to make tempting treats for our frigid feathered friends. It is usually hung in wire cages or net bags but smearing it on trees could work, too.

Paul