With so many interesting birds being reported along the Etobicoke waterfront recently, and the relatively mild temperatures today, I decided to try a bike tour and make lots of stops.
There were lots of birds scattered along the waterfront, including some large flocks of scaup. From Col Sam Smith Park to the mouth of the Humber River, I managed to find 21 species of waterfowl including my two primary targets: the immature King Eider and the mature male Harlequin Duck. The Eider was right at the mouth of the Humber, one of only a handful of ducks in the area. The Harlequin was close to shore between Prince of Wales Park and Sand Beach Road Parkette.
Many ducks were on the move, flying back and forth along the waterfront. If I had left Sand Beach Road a minute earlier, I would have completely missed the Harlequin. It flew in as I was leaving. There is a large number of Ruddy Ducks at Humber Bay East. I didn't attempt a count, but there were at least 100. It's not uncommon for some to show up there in the winter, but that's possibly the most I've ever seen.
Last, but not least, there was a Snowy Owl on the docks at Sam Smith Park.
BB
