Barred Owl at Downsview Park

[Flyingbass]

We have been seeing Barred owls off and on in the park for about a month and a half.  Here is a list of the birds I have seen so far today.

1 Barred Owl
2 American Kestrels
2 Red Tailed Hawks
3 Black Capped Chickadees
1 Mourning Dove

Here is a link  https://t.co/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2F ... nid=57+458  l to a tweet about the owl, there is a picture!
Cheers,

Flyingbass

[Rob'in'To]

Where would one bird in Downsview Park?  I've heard about Eastern Meadowlarks in the Spring which I love to hear (and see).  I've been up there enough with Toronto Wildlife Centre "issues" and when they used to have the roller derby at one of the hangars the other year.

[Flyingbass]

Hello,

You usually see the Eastern Meadowlarks outside the Sports Hangar or in the open field part of the circuit path (the natural side of Downsview Park).  You can get to the Circuit path by entering the park on John Drury Drive and than continuing on straight through the first T- intersection until you hit the parking lot.  Then you can get out and start walking on the circuit path!  If you take any goods pics please send them along to me!
Last year we had some Snowy Owls and some Snow Buntings, I'm still hoping for this year.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions about Downsview Park,

Jonny

[SA Birder]

Hi everyone -

Braved the cold temps today to try to find the Barred Owl at Downsview ... wow it was cold!  But we saw some great kestrels and hawks ...

Question to those who know Downsview (was my first time today and went because of these posts so thank you!) : We walked to the forest area near the lake .... Is that where the owl has been seen recently?  I am really hoping to see some owls - barred or otherwise - so would love some advice!

Many thanks - still trying to warm up   !

[Rotarran]

I was there on Saturday trying to find it too but no luck.  Also saw the Kestrels and Hawks.  Perhaps it has moved on.  Or it knows how to stay out of sight.

Today I braved the cold and went to the Milne Dam conservation park to try my luck.  Only caught a brief sighting of what I think was a Blue Jay.  Nothing else.

[cosmo3667]

Just keep looking but tis one may of moved on

[SA Birder]

Thank you both for the advice - I will head to Ajax and Whitby as soon as the tenperature rises to a slightly more bearable temperature ...     I am most hopeful that these temperatures bring back the Snowy Owls -!

[cmshucks]

Hello, I am not familiar with the area and would like to do some winter birding there. How do I find the best area in the park, from what I know it is huge. Thanks

[SA Birder]

I will share with you what I learned from my first trip this week -

1). There is a forest area near the Green Houses - I had to ask someone where the Green Houses are ... I asked  Parks person as there are many around - park near the Green Houses and walk to the forest area which is visible ... and marked by a trail lined with giant lime green pots.  The foreat area had large halks and I think is where the Barred Owl is/was.

2). There is a sports arena where the Toronto Football Club trains .... there is an airfield on the way to it and there were incredible Kestrels on the road into the sports arena ... along the fence to the airfield.

Other small birds randomly round - dark eyed juncos, multiple sparrows etc.

I hope this helps - as I said I do not now the oark well myself.

[SA Birder]

PS - if no one can lead you to the green houses ... They are near the lake!  

[cosmo3667]

Not seen this saturday may of moved on

[Flyingbass]

Hello Everyone,

I haven't been able to walk in the park in this last week so I don't know if the Barred owl is still in the park, but here is hoping!   The best way to get into the park is to enter on John Drury Dr. off of Shepard.  You will come to a T intersection, continue straight through the intersection (you will now be on Cunuck Ave).  This street will dead end into  parking lot, you can park there and continue down a paved pedestrian only path that will get you onto the circuit path, this is the wild side of Downsview park and is where I have seen the Barred Owl.  

There is also a small wood lot that is across the street from the John Drury Dr. entrance to the park, it is called the William Baker Neighbourhood (you can see an old military sign).  This is still technically part of the park but is not actively landscaped.  This is where I have seen the owl more consistently.  Here is a link to where the William Baker wood lot is http://goo.gl/maps/85SuW.  Good luck birding!  

It would be great to organize a bird walk together!  I now the park but you all probably have a lot more bird knowledge than me, sounds like a good mix.  If you would like to go on a Downsview Park bird walk send me an email at jdeshman@downsviewpark.ca

Good luck birding in Downsview Park,

Jonny

[nickitka]

Flyingbass,

Your picture is amazing! Thank you!
I am planning to visit Downsview Park during the week and try to find it. If you'll decide to make a group walk on the weekend, I will try to participate with my family.

[Rob'in'To]

Hi Jonny,

I walked part of the Downsview Park this morning, after the crazy rush hour and storm.  Weather held up for the most part of the hour I strolled around, not really knowing where to go.  I followed a few trails from the parking area on Cunuck, starting with one that has big green things on either side.  I made it to the little lake I never knew about.  I saw two Red-tailed Hawks flew over.  One Mockingbird, a couple Chickadees, lots of Juncos and Tree Sparrows, and a Hairy Woodpecker were seen in the wooded area just south of that parking area.

[Flyingbass]

Hello everyone,

Today was a very foggy day at Downsview Park.  In the morning I saw 2 red tailed hawks, the highlight of the day was at around 5:00.  I saw a Snowy Owl sitting on top of the Sports Hangar (75 Carl Hall Road).   A lot of Owls in Downsview Park this year, very exciting.  I took some pictures but I didn't have a good zoom.

Jonny