Latest on Chat at Ashbridge's

[norman]

Imagine my surprise to read of sightings of this peculiar parulid (Audubon considered it to be a species of manakin, and taxonomists argued for centuries, according to my aunt. DNA technology, finally, has unequivocally confirmed its current staus) on what I consider to be 'my turf.' Naturally, I went to have a look (Sunday), and found her/him almost immediately (around 3 p.m.) at the location previously described, sitting about 2m up in a hawthorn. The sun was sitting fairly low at this point, illuminating the breast and throat (the latter appeared slightly orange -- perhaps an aberration caused by the lighting, but quite pleasing to the eye) of this silent, seemingly unconcerned-with-humans bird ...

I stayed for 1 hour+, and its pattern of behaviour was: allow observation for five minutes or so, flit into the underbrush of what appears to be its "island" -- a smallish patch of Canada goldenrod, Russian olive on the lake side, some scrubby spindle tree Euonymus with unmistakable pink-wrapped orange seeds (which are all I saw it eat, frequently) facing the paved trail, all beneath a multi-stemmed willow canopy, and re-appear for 3-4 minutes for excellent views. It was silent during my visit, and two cardinals (M+F) seemed to be always nearby. A golden-crowned kinglet was also present.

After sunset, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and the bird stayed low and out of sight.

So, if you're heading down, go along Lakeshore East to Coxwell, turn south into Ashbridge's Bay Park and head for the lot. Check the parking "Greed Machine" for particulars; people without huge boats on trailers have been getting $105.00 "tags" (don't get me started). Walk/bike south on the paved trail, past the curved boardwalk on the east side of the pond (blacks, mallards, buffleheads, etc.) ... when you get to the lake, there are two benches and a life-ring/hoop/ apparatus on a 4x4. You've just passed the "Island." Take a few steps back and you'll see the Euonymus fruits. Wait.

Cheers.

[BIGFRANK]

About  1130am-12:15pm the Yellow-breasted Chat was seen by several folks,thanks to Ross for spotting it for us today.It gave us several good looks,as it fed. Neither our prescence or a dog racing around all over bothered it. For 3 of us,me included it was a life bird.

The bird was on the south side of the peninsula feeding on the red berries
of the Euonymus

(Wahoo/Burning bush).

 

Directions:

As previously posted, the park is located off the south end Coxwell (and
just south of Lakeshore w.) Be sure you take the 10-minute hike to most sw
part of the park.

[norman]

Nice to see the update - I couldn't make it down for a visit today. To put a fine point on I.D. of the shrubbery in question, it's Euonymus europaeus, or Spindle Tree, a realtive of E. alata ("Burning Bush"), which would bear the characteristic flaming-red foliage which gives E. alata its common name.

As for the off-leash dogs, I occasionally ask the owner(s) if they've read the instruction manual which accompanied the unused leash in their hand (particularly the part about attaching the "hook" to the "collar" of the animal, and then holding the other end in the non-cell-phone-operating hand), just to be helpful.

Perhaps I'll print some of their replies for Christmas.

Cheers,

--NB

[David Shilman]

...As for the off-leash dogs, I occasionally ask the owner(s) if they've read the instruction manual which accompanied the unused leash in their hand (particularly the part about attaching the "hook" to the "collar" of the animal, and then holding the other end in the non-cell-phone-operating hand), just to be helpful.

Have you been punched? :shock:  I'm sure there is a friendlier and more diplomatic way to make the request.  Might even get some results!  

David
(A dog owner who never lets his dog off-leash in a non-off-leash area, and who is greatly disturbed by those who do.)

[Michael A]

Has the chat been seen recently?

Mike

[Anonymous]

I spent about 2 hours there this morning and did not see the Chat at all but did find a Brown Creeper and 6 Common Redpolls.

[birddog]

I looked after work today, no luck.