For those who haven't heard, there has been a Western Tanager popping into view occasionally at the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga. It is more often seen later in the afternoon (which may be due to when it tends to be warmer and less rainy recently). It has a bit of a preference for the east side of the park, particularly along the trail that vaguely parallels Sheridan creek. Like many tanagers, it likes being high in the trees. Because it is in yellow fall plumage, it is hard to pick out amongst the yellow leaves of the black walnut trees.
One set of directions is to turn in on Bexhill Road, park on the street (watch for no parking signs) and walk down the tail of Bexhill Rd into the park. Then at the junction with the trail at the bottom, where the map sign is, turn right, walk about 100 metres to another junction before the downstream bridge over the creek, and turn right again. Start looking especially when on the boardwalks and especially towards the trees between the trail and the houses, although it has been seen other places other times.
It was last reported to eBird late in the day on October 31, as of the time I wrote this on the morning of Nov 1.
Personally, I found the bird by finding MC and her friends watching it and asking them point it out to me--made it the easiest Tanager I have ever seen! Thanks again to Kirsten, Bruce, Tom and MC!
As usual, though, I only obtained an inspiring sidelit butt view. Good thing they had decent photos to prove the id!
[attachment=0:1rz5p83j]WesternTanagersBacklitButtRattrayMarshOctober302018.jpg[/attachment:1rz5p83j]
