Robins, Red-Wings, Red-Tails & more

[silverfoxx]

I was in Taylor Creek Park for about two hours today - very quiet - finally rewarded with a great view of a Red-Tail soaring lazily right above me - also a long look at a Mockingbird feeding on the ground (a small patch of grass near an apartment). Saw a few Crows - haven't seen any in this area all winter - saw first Grackles of the year and heard first Red-Wings. Minutes after I arrived home I spotted a hawk and went out on the deck to watch three Red-Tails circling together. Later on a small hawk swooped by but I couldn't ID it. I also saw first Robins in my neighborhood - eight of them - joined by about fifteen Cedar Waxwings. I've had Goldfinches at my feeders all  winter but this is the first time I've seen one with bright yellow plumage. The Red-Wings are definitely back, I heard them every time I went outside today. this is the latest date for me to spot a Robin in east Toronto in over twenty years - usually its around March 9. Maybe spring has arrived.

[canuk]

Yes, much to my surprise, we saw a (the same?) mockingbird pecking around a thawed patch of lawn on our back yard, near Leslie & York Mills
This, by far, the earliest I've seen one at this latitude. I always thought they were 'warm weather' birds.

[canuk]

Follow-up to the above:
Saw a mocking bird today (March 23) right about noon. It flew (unmistakable in flight) and stayed on top of a wooden telephone pole, in a residential area just south of Bond Park (Lawrence & Don Mills Rd area). I stayed ands watched it there for a while. It was almost motionless and absolutely silent. Those things usually jabber & squawk incessantly! A few minutes later I sighted one in flight (gosh, they're swift!) flying west from Bond Park.


Is it normal to see them in these snowy conditions, at this time of year? I always think of them as hot-weather birds around here

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi canuk,

I don't know how common or uncommon these birds are during our long cold winters but I've had a Northern Mockingbird around the neighbourhood here in Southern Scarborough all winter.  Its never been interested in eating any of the seed I've put in the 3 feeders out in the backyard though.....I think its been eating berries for food.