Took a long drizzly stroll along Taylor Creek today, from Haldon Ave. to Victoria Park. In spite of the lousy weather, there were lots of birds around. By far the most productive area was just east of the parking lot at the bottom of Haldon Ave, where the "high-line" path runs below the hydro pylons. I found five woodpecker species here--Northern Flicker, Downy, Hairy, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, and the Red-bellied, a juvenile with a very pale nape. In six years of birding Taylor Creek, this is the first time I've seen a Red-bellied there. It was resting on a wooden telephone pole between the second and third pylon.
In a stand of sumac between the first and second pylon, I saw Eastern Phoebe, Catbird, Hermit Thrush, and Swainson's Thrush. Here and elsewhere, there were dozens of Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, but only a couple of Golden-crowned. Also several flocks of sparrows, including White-throated (many), White-crowned (few), and Song. A lone Red-tailed Hawk was patrolling the pylons.
By the renovated wetland area between Dawes Rd. and Victoria Park, I saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Swamp Sparrow.
