Now That It's In Full Swing ... High Park Information?

[norman]

Hello all:

I migrated to Toronto's West End last summer, and all my old haunts are east and easter ...

Could some of you folks give me a quick guide to High Park (heading there tomorrow on bicycle), Colonel Sam, and other spots you Westies frequent around this time?

I haven't had that much time to get out and about lately, but I now work here, too. I've seen five separate mockers (no surprise there, really -- how long it takes for NOMO saturation is anybody's guess. I expect we have more than five years of population increase with this species. The more the merrier -- I love watching their eccentric ways. Speaking of mimids, I was sitting out back (Keele-Bloor area) on Wednesday when I heard a thrasher a few house down ... white-throateds here and there, a very vocal and lively yellow warbler (where are the kinglets? Everywhere but where I've been ...), eastern meadowlark heard last week north of where Runnymede ends, and of course low-riding turkey vultures here and there.

Nothing shocking, but it's finally happening, and I'm not going to miss it.

Much appreciated,

-- nb

[Joe]

I'll give you a bit of info, but, as you can imagine, there are lots of great spots. I'm sure you'll get solid info here.

The area near Colborne Lodge tends to be a good place for migrating warblers.  I've also had great looks at a Pileated Woodpecker and Red Tailed Hawk here.  The duck ponds in the south east corner of the park are home to those Wood Ducks you've been reading about.  You may find a Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black Crowned Night Heron and other notables here as well.

How's your aunt?

Joe

[norman]

No, not a thrilling report from H.P., but I managed to get there Sunday from 5pm-7pm -- what a circus! I thought I was at the Drumbo Spring Fair! I got down to the Lodge, after spotting/hearing some of the usual migrants en route, and it was nice to see that beautiful old Shagbark Hickory (I was a regular visitor about 20 years ago, but I had the comparative luxury of being in the park on various weekdays) and an isolated bench to sit and listen to my first Warbling Vireo of the year, which popped into view, picking at bark in that laid-back vireo style ...

I can see that the trick is to bike down as early as possible, perhaps before the dogs outnumber the cars. In the meantime, I'll be keeping an eye and an ear (or both of each) out somewhere northwest of that location during the week.

Oh. Thoughtful of you to ask about Margaret! I got a call from the Leamington police last Wednesday -- seems they followed her through Hillman Marsh (more difficult than it might seem, what with her propensity for, as she puts it, "pedal to the metal," and the blue clouds of smoke billowing from the twin Thrush mufflers (kind of appropriate, really) on her old Buick Wildcat and, after subduing her with several Tasers, impounded the old beast. The Buick, that is. I don't think she's getting the plates back this time. Well, to condense the tale a lot, she's rented a small import (no charges were laid), and reports that things are picking up in the Pelee area -- two Prothonotaries in one day -- and expects to be back by the end of the week. I just don't let myself worry about her -- there's nothing I can do, really.

Thanks, Joe -- next weekend, with the disruptive weather forecast for this week, should be a good one.

--nb

[Ron Luft]

Welcome to the better side of the 'tracks' so to speak;-). Birded the area for many years. There are other areas in close proximity to THE park.  First tho in the park... the south end from GrenPond across to Parkside Dr. always held good promise though the west side up Spring Creek can be good. The park does tend to get over run by dogs so weekdays will be better. the north end of Gr.Pond can be good including the storm water pond (Wendigo P.) and cross Ellis to Dacre Cr. which dead ends into a small ravine that produced surprising results over the years (Warb/Wrens). Outside the park; Rennie Pk. at the foot of Runnymede runs into a ravine that leads down to "West" Pond (Herons) which empties at its south end into Gren.Pond. The ravines from behind the skating rinks down to the pond can produce (Warb/Thrushes). Limited access to the lower Humber R. on it's west side can be interesting if difficult to get into. Further north of Bloor there is access to bike/hike trails on the East side of Humber (Etienne Brule Pk at Old Mill) Lambton Woods further north on the Humber (N of Dundas) after trails cross to west side can be productive (all year).  Do not discount Humber Bay East and West but take the summer off  (Sept to May). Further west Rattray Marsh in Mississauga (Clarkson). Col.Sam has been better this year than most but always a good bet. That should be enough to keep you busy for a while. If you need more or have Q's send me a PM.