Enjoyed my first OFO field trip to the Toronto Islands yesterday. I managed a list of 74 species, including 11 Warbler with an extra three heard only (Ovenbird, Common Yellow Throat & BTGreen), but our group of 29 birders had a collective total of 82 species. Apparently in a "good" year, that number would be over one hundred - but we were all very happy with our day! Many thanks to our illustrious leader Jay Peterson and his amazing ability to distinguish every bird by ear! Also thanks to his awesome co-pilots, Norm Murr (who kept us all smiling) and Ian Cannell. In addition to the great birding, we enjoyed close views of a huge U.S. Coast Guard ship entering the harbour, witnessed a crazed male Red-wing attacking a woman on a bike, squeeled over a large American Toad lurking in the grass, marveled at three Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nests, and thanks to one intrepid young woman we all learned that wheels don't have to be a barrier to good birding.
Highlights included:
Bobolink, male (a lifer for me!)
Scarlet Tanager (5!)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6!)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Carolina Wren (seen not just heard!)
Baltimore Oriole (a bunch)
Purple Martin (a whole bunch)
Cape May
Blackburnian
Northern Parula
American Redstart
Nashville
Chestnut sided
Black-throated Blue
Black & White
Veery
Solitary Sandpiper
Peregrine
-kris ito
