I missed the Warbler bonanza here on Sunday, but enjoyed the bizarre sighting of a European Goldfinch today. It flew right past me from the southern edge of the marina to some tall trees beside the second large bay. I had an excellent view of it as it sang its little heart out - searching for a mate it will never find. :cry: It had a gorgeous red face, bright yellow wing bars and a red band on its leg. My thanks to Don Baxter for his post about seeing this bird at the Leslie Spit allotment gardens a week ago - I would not have had a clue what I was looking at otherwise. Here's a link to an interesting article about these birds:
http://net-results.blogspot.ca/2009/01/european-goldfinch.htmlAnd YES the second year King Eider male was still present today. I had a good look at him in the first bay on the east side, he later flew west into the second bay for closer viewing.
The warblers seemed harder to find today, staying high in the leafy canopies, but I did manage the following: Blackpoll, Northern Parula, Redstart, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat. The park was full of birders, but none that I spoke with had seen the Prairie reported here yesterday. Of other interest was a cute little Sanderling in the second bay.
-Kris
