A nice assortment of winter ducks at Humber Bay East on this sunny New Year's Day. A beautiful male Northern Pintail was showing off in the channel just north of the parking lot, west of the little pedestrian bridge. I wonder if he is the same fellow seen in the same area last winter? The majority of birds were found on the north side of the park including large rafts of Redheads, Greater Scaup, and Ruddy Ducks. Scattered about near these were Hooded, Common and Red breasted Mergansers, Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Long-tails, and one Pied billed Grebe. Of other interest were a Northern Harrier and a Mockingbird.
At the western end of Sunnyside Beach (Sir Casimir Gzowski Park) there was a Glaucous Gull sitting on the breakwater. I had heard reports of him in the area from other birders and here he was letting me have a nice long look (this was about 2 pm). He really stood out with his larger size, all white body (with some faint mottling), and pale eyes. I'm guessing maybe a second year bird.
Happy New Year everyone!
-kris
