Recent Sightings

[Rotarran]

Hello I'm new and I recently got into this wonderful hobby.  I like to take pictures of wildlife in general.  Here are some of the birds I have seen recently:

Saturday Jan 12 all near DVP & Eglinton
Male & Female Cardinals (pic)
Chickadees (no pic)
Mockingbird (pic)
Mourning Dove (pic)
Male & Female Mallards

Today (Jan 17 ) Markham at Woodbine & Major MacKenzie
Red Tailed Hawk (pic)

I will post pics if I figure out how in the proper forum and post the link here.

[Rotarran]

Ok so here's the link to the pictures: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11278

[Rotarran]

Just saw a woodpecker in Sauriol Conservation area park.  Took a few pics, will upload later in my photo-thread.

Edit: Oh forgot to mention I saw some kind of hawk at 401 & 404/dvp yesterday around 4:45pm.  Doing some rounds in the air then landed in a nearby wooded area.  

Also saw the red-tail hawk yesterday again in Markham.  He must live there.

[Rotarran]

Went to downsview park today and saw at least one Kestrel, possibly two.  Also saw a hawk (likely the red-tail - was too far to tell) and a beautiful mockingbird.  And some fake coyotes.  

Didn't see any owls or wild mammals of any kind.

[Irene]

Fake coyotes?...

[Rotarran]

Yeah in a couple of spots they put up silhouettes of coyotes to scare the birds away I guess.  Probably meant for the geese...it's a common technique.  

Went on a 2-hour walk today through Brookbanks park and surrounding area.  Saw a female woodpecker but she was shy so I was only able to take one picture.  Saw some chickadees...they never sit still for a good picture lol.  Also spied a hawk from far away (probably the same one that I mentioned above patrolling the 401 & DVP area) that angered a bunch of crows.  They made quite a commotion before taking off.  It was all too far away for me to get a good picture.  

Spotted some chickadees at a birdfeeder and snapped a few pictures.  Turns out one of the pics was of a red-breasted nuthatch.  I'm quite pleased with my haul today.  Will upload pics in my photo thread.

edit: later in the day at 404 & Steeles I saw some kind of bird of prey on a sign.  Not sure what it was, seemed too small for a red-tail...possibly some kind of falcon.  Wanted to turn around and drive by it again but didn't have my camera so I didn't see the point.

[nickitka]

Went to downsview park today and saw at least one Kestrel, possibly two.  Also saw a hawk (likely the red-tail - was too far to tell) and a beautiful mockingbird.  And some fake coyotes.  

Didn't see any owls or wild mammals of any kind.

Hi,
Can you give some directions? Where did you see a Kestrel?
I am not familiar with that area, but planning to go today or tomorrow to the park

[SA Birder]

I was at Downsview today ans saw at least five kestrels - the three times I have been there in past week, there has always been one male and one female on the fence to the airport .... near the sports arena.  Today they put on quite a show as they hunted for their food about ten feet beyond the fence.  I watched from about 10 feet away which was great!

I think the sports arena is 175 Carl Hall Drive - but there are signs in the park for guidance. Have fun!

[nickitka]

I was at Downsview today ans saw at least five kestrels - the three times I have been there in past week, there has always been one male and one female on the fence to the airport .... near the sports arena.  Today they put on quite a show as they hunted for their food about ten feet beyond the fence.  I watched from about 10 feet away which was great!

I think the sports arena is 175 Carl Hall Drive - but there are signs in the park for guidance. Have fun!

Thank you!

[Rotarran]

Closest intersection is Keele and Sheppard.  I would simply use the John Drury Drive entrance off Sheppard and go on Canuck Avenue until you find a place to park.  Then get out and walk...you'll very likely see Kestrels...they love to fly throughout the whole park.