Leslie Spit - Oct 11

[mr.sharp-photo]

It was my first day birding in, well, ages, thanks to a foot injury and a silly work and life schedule.

took my niece to the Spit, so I couldn't spend as time as i'd like.
but...

it's a kinglet paradise. they're everywhere. GC outnumber RC, but still..EVERYWHERE.
some hermit thrushes flying around as well.
Flocks of a dozen blue jays congregating and flying over.
saw 2 minks chase each other down the path that leads to the red bridge. i think a jogger thought they were going after him.
3 trumpeter swans (untagged) were in the water just south of the harbour.
saw 1 white egret and 1 great blue heron in that area as well.
not a lot of water foul yet, but still....
stuff to see everywhere, on every path and every thicket.
no owls either.

[nana]

speaking of water fowl - 31 American coots this afternoon - 22 in Embayment D and 9 in Triangle Pond along with a handsome male Wood Duck. Green winged teal, American widgeon, shovellers and pied-billed grebes in Embayment D as well, and scaup back in Cell 3.
Flocks of sparrows - tree, white-throated and white-crowned, 1 Savannah and 1 Towhee. Juncos too.
Various butterflies - Mourning Cloak, American Lady, Orange Sulphur, Red Admiral and well over 100 Monarchs including 9 on one small thistle bush.
As the previous post said - there is something to see everywhere out there!
Happy Thanksgiving!

[mr.sharp-photo]

yeah, i forgot the sparrows. lots of them. didn't get close enough to id them.
banding station did get a swamp sparrow. and 2 blue headed vireos