Brant geese at Colonel Sam Smith Park Etobicoke...

bernie2112 · **on:** November 07, 2009, 09:40:11 PM

Greetings!

The Brants were still at Colonel Sam Smith park this afternoon. They were in
the east bay on the far east side. There may have been as many as 6 (unless
3 flew without our seeing them).

North of the pond were two pairs of Shovelers and a pair of Green Winged
Teal. The male a lovely red and green.

The park is south of Kipling and Lakeshore Blvd. Exit at Kipling Ave from
the Gardiner/QEW and go south. Take it past Lakeshore Blvd and go to the end
where you will find parking.

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniemonette

Iain · **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:45:35 PM

Three juvenile Brant (no white 'necklace') were present this morning and were still there when I left at 11:45am.

When I arrived they were feeding along the shore of the western-most point of the park, roughly 100m south of the tip (which points north-west). They preened on the shore then flew south around the point to join a group of Canadas in the same eastern most bay that they were in yesterday; along the eastern shore. That is where they were when I left at 11:45am.

Iain

ravynne40 · **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:45:07 PM

Great shots!
i was there yesterday and didn't see them.
The hoodies are there tho, two females and two males in the pond where the platform is.
They were just fun to watch, and didn't get any shots this time around.

Irene

Anonymous · **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2009, 05:34:25 PM

No sign of the brants tonight, possibly moved down the shoreline.

Hoodies - more than just 2 pairs - approximately 5 pairs visible in the pond.

Northern Shoveler - 2 pairs in the pond as well.

Attila

Late Edit - 5 common loons were present as well, photos to come.

Bluffs Birder · **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:02:57 PM

Hi all,

Sorry for this late post, hopefully it’ll help you for tomorrow.

Today I went for stroll through Colonel Sam Smith Park in search of the Brant geese that have been reported there but came up empty. No one that I had asked had seen them either. So I thought that I would follow the shoreline to the east of the park as best that I could following the streets, parks, and parkettes. Well, I finally found them (5) at 1:30 PM as I searched with my binoculars to the east from Prince of Wales Park. They were feeding along the shoreline with the Canada Geese. I went a little further east and luckily found a spot called Sand Beach Road Parkette. From here I could easily see 3 Brant (2 juvies, 1 adult), the other 2 were back towards the west a bit but out of view from my new vantage point. After an hour or so the adult worked it’s way along the shoreline coming within 20 feet of me. Very cool looking birds and a lifer for me!!!

This might not be the best spot to go if you're looking for a 'prize winning' photo because of the distance that they are away, but for anyone just wanting to see them and add them to their life list, it's pretty good. Don't forget your binoculars!

Sand Beach Road is the first street on your left if heading west from Royal York Road along Lakeshore Blvd. It’s a very short deadend street. Good luck if you go.

Walter