Another Good Day

[Palo]

Hi Folks,

Yesterday was another great day for birding for us, finding a couple of new species (for us) and getting better shots of old favorites.  We also met many other fellow birders that helped us along the way... Many thanks to you all.  Here are some highlights of the day.

The first place we visited was Frenchman's Bay West and was able to cross this off our list.
Redhead - 2013-03-06


Next, we visited Halls Rd. South.  And just as we started driving down, this guy popped up.  I've seen lots of them now, but can't get enough.
Redtailed Hawk


We'd just parked the car at the entrance of the path, when these started coming out of the bushes.  These were taken from the car. Thx again Cosmo.
Wild Turkey



Finally, we were able to get decent shots of Blue Jays.


To end the day, we hopped over to Thickson Woods, to try our luck at spotting our first EVER Owl.  Just as we entered the woods from the lakeside, someone waved us over.  So we went, but they moved on as we got closer.  We arrived at the spot were they were, looked up and there it was!  Many thanks guys, you made our day!
Great Horned Owl



And to put the cherry on the top.  On the way out, spotted this really hard to photograph guy.  It's not the best, but we can cross this one off also.
Brown Creeper


We planned our day based of the information from this board... Thanks everyone!

[Rotarran]

Hey Palo...can't see your pics from work but I'm sure they're nice.  And good job on getting those birds off your list.  Try Ashbridges Bay as well...that's where I saw many Redheads and American Coots and other less common Ducks.  Only been there once but I'm sure there's always good variety, I should head back some time soon.

Can you point me to where the Thickson Woods are?

On a side-note, we should exchange lists.  This may help us get certain birds we haven't seen yet. I keep track of the bird, the location, date and time of day.  And I keep photographic record of all my finds.  If I don't have a pic and a positive ID, to me it doesn't count as a sighting.  We should probably take this offline to PM...that is if you're cool with that.

[JimL]

Very nice, good job Palo. I am planning my weekend trip to Thickson Wood. Wish me good luck.:-)

[Palo]

Hey Palo...can't see your pics from work but I'm sure they're nice.  And good job on getting those birds off your list.  Try Ashbridges Bay as well...that's where I saw many Redheads and American Coots and other less common Ducks.  Only been there once but I'm sure there's always good variety, I should head back some time soon.

Can you point me to where the Thickson Woods are?

On a side-note, we should exchange lists.  This may help us get certain birds we haven't seen yet. I keep track of the bird, the location, date and time of day.  And I keep photographic record of all my finds.  If I don't have a pic and a positive ID, to me it doesn't count as a sighting.  We should probably take this offline to PM...that is if you're cool with that.

Thx for the Ashbridges tip Rotarren.  I used to live in "The Beaches" area 8 years ago and it never occurred to me to go back and check it out. Instead, I keep thinking I've got to get to The Split.

Regarding Thickson Woods.  After posting the Owl photos, I was contacted by a member, expressing concerns and would prefer that I do not divulge the were abouts of the Owl, as it's a sensitive specie.  He/they are concern that there are going to be too many paparazzi birders (my words, not his) disturbing the bird to the point that it would eventually kill it.  I definitely agree with this logic! However, I also understand the thrill of the chase, the treasure hunt. So I'm conflicted at the moment as I just read it, but logic should take precedent.

All I can say is that if you do find any sensitive species, birding ethics should take effect.  Be very quiet, don't get too close, take a few shots with no flash and quickly move on.  It's what I've read and it's what we did.

Is there a code of conduct posted as a sticky in this board?  There should be one in the Photography section so that new comers would be more aware.

Definitely PM me and we'll talk some more about exchanging data!  Cheers

Very nice, good job Palo. I am planning my weekend trip to Thickson Wood. Wish me good luck.:-)

Thx Jim, good luck and happy birding!

[Reuven_M]

Hey Palo...can't see your pics from work but I'm sure they're nice.  And good job on getting those birds off your list.  Try Ashbridges Bay as well...that's where I saw many Redheads and American Coots and other less common Ducks.  Only been there once but I'm sure there's always good variety, I should head back some time soon.

Can you point me to where the Thickson Woods are?

On a side-note, we should exchange lists.  This may help us get certain birds we haven't seen yet. I keep track of the bird, the location, date and time of day.  And I keep photographic record of all my finds.  If I don't have a pic and a positive ID, to me it doesn't count as a sighting.  We should probably take this offline to PM...that is if you're cool with that.

Thx for the Ashbridges tip Rotarren.  I used to live in "The Beaches" area 8 years ago and it never occurred to me to go back and check it out. Instead, I keep thinking I've got to get to The Split.

Regarding Thickson Woods.  After posting the Owl photos, I was contacted by a member, expressing concerns and would prefer that I do not divulge the were abouts of the Owl, as it's a sensitive specie.  He/they are concern that there are going to be too many paparazzi birders (my words, not his) disturbing the bird to the point that it would eventually kill it.  I definitely agree with this logic! However, I also understand the thrill of the chase, the treasure hunt. So I'm conflicted at the moment as I just read it, but logic should take precedent.

All I can say is that if you do find any sensitive species, birding ethics should take effect.  Be very quiet, don't get too close, take a few shots with no flash and quickly move on.  It's what I've read and it's what we did.

Is there a code of conduct posted as a sticky in this board?  There should be one in the Photography section so that new comers would be more aware.

Definitely PM me and we'll talk some more about exchanging data!  Cheers

Very nice, good job Palo. I am planning my weekend trip to Thickson Wood. Wish me good luck.:-)

Thx Jim, good luck and happy birding!

I agree with protecting vulnerable species, but it is absurd to hide the whereabouts of this owl. There have been probably hundreds of photos of great horneds at Thickson's posted here and elsewhere, and the number of people who have seen the bird is probably in the thousands at least. Short of throwing rocks at it, there's not much you could do to seriously disturb the great horneds at Thickson's.

It really depends on the species. Saying the whereabouts of long-eared, saw-whet or boreal owls is rarely going to turn out well, as they roost low and are easy to flush. Snowy and short-eareds are often possible to view from long distance due to their open habitats so are often okay (especially snowy owls in the gta as they are usually on inaccessible docks or piers). Great Horned, barred and screech owls are common and widespread, and will retreat high into trees if necessary, so I'd say are rarely a concern to post anywhere. Hawk and great grey owls would be fine, but are so rare and charismatic that they often attract large crowds of unscrupulous photographers.

[Rotarran]

It's fine...I was actually merely curious because I could not locate Thickson Woods on a map.  I had very little intention of going there...at least not in the immediate future and definitely not for the Great Horned.  More as a general area for birding. I already have pics of a Great Horned.  

But I appreciate the concern for the Owls and all birds.  I think we should always try to protect the animals as much as we can.  We are intruding on their habitat and they are just creatures trying to survive.

[JimL]

If we want to continue viewing those beautiful creatures, we must respect their right.

[Andygod]

I have been to Thicksons Woods a couple of times and seen the Great Horned Owl, and I am pretty sure if you were bothering it, it would just leave.  Whenever I have seen it, it is very high up in the trees and I watch from a fairly long distance.  Large lenses allow me to take pictures so I can go home and see him on my computer much better than I could with my poor vision.  While I wouldn't post a location for an owl on something like Facebook, I see no reason to keep the location a secret.  There must have been a million posts by now of the Barred Owls at Halls road and they are no worse for wear.  The majority of people who went to look have now stopped going and the Owl appears to be quite well off.  As I live in Oshawa, these are the areas I frequent and I have only witnessed poor behaviour once at Halls Road.  I took the opportunity to explain to the individual involved that I thought his behaviour was unacceptable and tried to explain why.  I think I got my message across and the man thanked me before leaving, several other people in the area returned to the path and left the owl alone and luckily everything worked out OK.  If people are genuinely interested in birds like these I see no reason not to help them locate them as long as you also explain how to behave around them, keeping locations confidential will only encourage people to try unconventional methods like using sound recordings or bait to get wild animals to respond and I personally think this is always a bad idea.  Just my opinion, WTFDIK.

[Andygod]

Sorry, after my little rant I forgot the most important part.  You have some great pictures, I am still waiting to see the Great Horned owl in any kind of good light, my days off always seam to be overcast and rainy.  I have never seen a Brown Creeper, but maybe because I have never really been looking.

[cloaca]

"I have only witnessed poor behaviour once at Halls Road" could refer to so many things.

[Bird Brain]

Awww, Brown Creeper.  I love these little sweeties but sadly, rarely sight them, perhaps just 2 or 3 times per year.

[thouc]

For those who are looking for Brown Creepers, get ready in April, that's when most of them are passing by GTA.

[Palo]

It really depends on the species. Saying the whereabouts of long-eared, saw-whet or boreal owls is rarely going to turn out well, as they roost low and are easy to flush. Snowy and short-eareds are often possible to view from long distance due to their open habitats so are often okay (especially snowy owls in the gta as they are usually on inaccessible docks or piers). Great Horned, barred and screech owls are common and widespread, and will retreat high into trees if necessary, so I'd say are rarely a concern to post anywhere. Hawk and great grey owls would be fine, but are so rare and charismatic that they often attract large crowds of unscrupulous photographers.

I've had some time to think about this, and you're right!  Cheers

It's fine...I was actually merely curious because I could not locate Thickson Woods on a map.  I had very little intention of going there...at least not in the immediate future and definitely not for the Great Horned.  More as a general area for birding. I already have pics of a Great Horned.  

But I appreciate the concern for the Owls and all birds.  I think we should always try to protect the animals as much as we can.  We are intruding on their habitat and they are just creatures trying to survive.

I hope you got my PM Rotarren...  Happy birding this weekend!

I have been to Thicksons Woods a couple of times and seen the Great Horned Owl, and I am pretty sure if you were bothering it, it would just leave.  Whenever I have seen it, it is very high up in the trees and I watch from a fairly long distance.  Large lenses allow me to take pictures so I can go home and see him on my computer much better than I could with my poor vision.  While I wouldn't post a location for an owl on something like Facebook, I see no reason to keep the location a secret.  There must have been a million posts by now of the Barred Owls at Halls road and they are no worse for wear.  The majority of people who went to look have now stopped going and the Owl appears to be quite well off.  As I live in Oshawa, these are the areas I frequent and I have only witnessed poor behaviour once at Halls Road.  I took the opportunity to explain to the individual involved that I thought his behaviour was unacceptable and tried to explain why.  I think I got my message across and the man thanked me before leaving, several other people in the area returned to the path and left the owl alone and luckily everything worked out OK.  If people are genuinely interested in birds like these I see no reason not to help them locate them as long as you also explain how to behave around them, keeping locations confidential will only encourage people to try unconventional methods like using sound recordings or bait to get wild animals to respond and I personally think this is always a bad idea.  Just my opinion, WTFDIK.

I'm with you on this. Cheers

If we want to continue viewing those beautiful creatures, we must respect their right.

Yes, and we definitely can keep respecting their rights by being responsible adults through education and conducting ourselves accordingly.  Cheers Jim and keep taking those great shots!

Sorry, after my little rant I forgot the most important part.  You have some great pictures, I am still waiting to see the Great Horned owl in any kind of good light, my days off always seam to be overcast and rainy.  I have never seen a Brown Creeper, but maybe because I have never really been looking.

Thx Andy, even on a good day it was still dark where the Owl sits.  I just over expose by about two stops to get more details on the subject and try to avoid the sky in the frame as it gets blown out.  Spot metering help also.

The Brown Creeper is pretty silent, fast moving, small and blends into the tree bark very well, making it difficult to spot and photograph... for me at least.  You can miss it very easily.

Awww, Brown Creeper.  I love these little sweeties but sadly, rarely sight them, perhaps just 2 or 3 times per year.

They are the cutest things! This has been only the second time I've see one, and the only shot I have.

For those who are looking for Brown Creepers, get ready in April, that's when most of them are passing by GTA.

Thanks for the heads up Thouc, we'll be watching out for them.

[Rotarran]

Haha almost all pics of the Brown Creeper are exactly like that, at the side of the tree facing up.  That's awesome!  

[Bird Brain]

Awww, Brown Creeper.  I love these little sweeties but sadly, rarely sight them, perhaps just 2 or 3 times per year.

They are the cutest things! This has been only the second time I've see one, and the only shot I have.

I see them out here in Meadowvale at Lake Aquitaine and Lake Wabukayne.  Will have to pull out some old nature binders to see the dates!  Used to see them at Sawmill Valley trail (NE corner of Burnhamthorpe/Erin Mills Pkwy) many years ago.