I was on a section of the waterfront trail just west of Bennett Rd. near where a narrow one lane bridge passes over the road. I was looking at a half dozen red tails and a rough-legged all patrolling the same small area when a kestrel streaked by to the west. I turned my attention back to the roughie when out of my peripheral I spotted a large uniformly dark gray raptor coursing low towards the 401 starting a large flock of starlings. I was taken by its size and colour. Far too heavy for a harrier and its wings were pointed like a falcon... but again it was far too large for a peregrine.
I was fortunate that it decided to circle back around and perch for about a minute on a hydro pole. Where I got a good look at its slightly darker kelmet and the dense barring on its chest and knew exactly what I was looking at. After watching it for close to a minute it took off to west, staying just south of the 401. I was unable to locate it again... but what a bird!
HOPE to see it again.
Also spotted along the waterfront trail:
-10 redheads
-4-500 greater scaup
-1 adult N. Shrike... allowed me a great close-up
-2m 3f red breasted mergansers
-1m 3f common mergansers
-1 N. mockingbird
A great first day out for 2011!
Happy birding and happy new year!
Cheers
-Tim-
