I went all-out today trying to see as many birds as I could between Bowmanville and Ajax and north to Long Sault. My usual kick-off to the winter season and I came across some great birds.
-1 dc cormorant flying over Cranberry Marsh
-1m Eurasian WIgeon @ THickson PT.- really had to work to find him today
-1m 1f harlequin duck- great looks @ both birds in Whitby
-2f long-tailed ducks
-2 song, 1 swamp, 1 w-t sparrow
-1 winter wren @ Thickson
-1 N. mockingbird
-1 N. Shrike @ Thickson Pt.
-2 barred owls @ Cranberry
-1f pileated woodpecker
-1f hairy woodpecker
-1 sharp-shinned & 1 cooper's hawk, 1 juv. N. Harrier @ the Point
-1ad. 2juv. gbb gulls
-3m 2f ruddy ducks
-3 trumpeter swans
-1f pine grosbeak- a good look @ this lovely bird perched in a tree
-1 yellow-rumped warbler- the first warbler I've ever seen in the winter. it was @ Second Marsh perched on a post- @ first I thought it was a redpoll but as I drew near and got a better look at it, it became obvious it was no redpoll. The surprise of the day by a long shot!
A great kickoff to the winter season.
Cheers and happy birding
-TIm-
