What's Next

[Dinusaur]

Last few week-ends I was running on adrenalin; I was trying to get as many new spring migrants as I could into my life list. My daughter termed me 'Bird Crazy'; the wife didn't say anything better either. Yet, on the personal front what a greatly satisfying month it has been for bird watching and bird photography.

Between April 19th and May 19th this year, I have added 33 new species in my list, a bonanza to say the least. Not bad for a week-end birder. In the process I also met a lot of bird enthusiasts and my forearm is getting to look like that of Popeye's after lifting the heavy lens to snap a shot.   Wet Woods section of TTP contributed 9 new lifers with ABB coming second with 8; CSSP produced 6 and little know Downsview 4. The rest came from three other locations. By the way other than an obvious few, I am still making mistakes in identifying some in my life list. I have asked the masters on this site to help with the IDs. They obliged my request with patience and providing great feedback on what to look for in identifying a bird. Worst part is come fall I may be asking to ID those same birds again as many of them will look different once their breeding plumage is gone. I guess it will take me a while to differentiate those that closely resemble each other in size and color. Good news is that I am slowly getting there and enjoying every bit of it while doing so.

Now I am suddenly feeling lost given that the Warblers are moving north - what to do in the coming week-ends? Will the warblers or other song birds still be around? Yes, mowing the lawn or gardening could be options. Besides that what's next for bird watching? What's the next batch of migrants to look out for? Shore birds perhaps? What is the next best place to visit? Some advice from the experienced birders will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

[Bird Brain]

Hi.  Pretty soon, you should start seeing various baby birds.   Already sighting ducklings and goslings.  

Do you have any interest in butterflies, dragonflies, turtles or any other critters/wildlife?  

[Dinusaur]

Hi.  Pretty soon, you should start seeing various baby birds.   Already sighting ducklings and goslings.  

Do you have any interest in butterflies, dragonflies, turtles or any other critters/wildlife?  

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes I do have interest in wild life in general - butterflies and dragonflies mostly so far have been on occasions when nothing else is around. Extending the interest in other areas is certainly a good prospect.

[Rotarran]

Shorebirds and wading birds definitely.  There are some good places that produce some decent species and can provide some nice waterfowl species as well.  Nonquon Sewage Lagoons are one good place.  Recently there have been sightings of Phalaropes and Dowitchers there...and of course there's tons of Black Terns there as well as many Swallows and waterfowl including some potentially rare-ish ones (think Pintails or what have you).  

Or you could go to Presquille Provincial park that has Least Bitterns and American Bitterns...not easy to shoot but they're definitely there.  Yeah I know it takes some traveling, I was in the same position last year.  The warbler mania became too overwhelming and I had to switch to shorebirds.  

Some closer places are Reesor Pond (especially when the water levels are lower) or really any exposed shoreline that may contain tasty treats.  During an especially dry period last year I visited Milne Dam Conservation area and was rewarded with tons of shorebirds including Semi-palmated Plover, countless peeps and lots of Yellow-legs.  They were all feeding on the exposed river bed since the water levels were so low.  

Other than that, you have the option to go to Carden Alvar or the Happy Valley Forest or other places where many interesting species decide to stay and nest for the summer.  June, July and August are traditionally a bit slower but then it picks up again in September and October with the fall migration.  

Don't worry the World Cup is coming to distract us all

[Dinusaur]

Thank you both for suggesting Carden Alvar. I made the trip today with a friend with questionable navigational skills. Following OFO suggestions (tour starts here, they say) we first we ended up in the visitor parking lot at the Lift Lock area and was stuck there for a while as we didn't have any 2 dollar coin to get out of the parking lot; all we had with us was paper bills and no place to change them. Finally found an elderly woman with her son and grandson, most likely enjoying a morning walk with the family; she was very gracious to lend us the required toonie. My friend's navigational skills led us to Lake Dalrymple completely missing the famous Wylie road. Just when we tried to get back where we were supposed to be we found an Osprey nest with both parents sitting. That was quite a surprise. Eventually we traced our path back to Wylie road and was treated with some great bird watching including A Wilson's snipe towards the end of the trip making it a wonderful trip overall. I'll definitely go back there again to find the sedge wren and the Virginia rail that others have seen there today.

[BoboBird]

Questionable? Haha. That would be Mr L for you now that I too have experienced the skills.

[Rotarran]

Don't look now but things are slowly picking up again.  Some early migrants are making their way back.

[Dinusaur]

Questionable? Haha. That would be Mr L for you now that I too have experienced the skills.

You got it right Bobo; Mr L. indeed.

Don't look now but things are slowly picking up again.  Some early migrants are making their way back.

Thanks. I'll be checking out periodically. It hasn't been bad so far with baby birds, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Herons and Egrets.