Hi everyone
as promised last week I made it to Toronto and walked the islands on Friday morning despite the rain and the very cold temperatures. I apologise for the late post but this is my first chance to get internet access as I've just arrived home in the UK. I'll keep my account brief and only mention migrants.
I started at Ward with tree, barn and rough winged swallows then met a very gentle and urbane local birder called David who shared a walk with me around the brush to the east of the homes at Ward. (Hi David.)
This produced loads of white-throated sparrows, one blue-headed vireo, a black and white warbler, sharp shinned hawk and flickers.
We parted company and I watched Ruby-cr kinglets and hermit thrush plus loads of yellow rumped warblers.
At Snake Island I found three Night Herons two Eastern Towhees, a pair of song sparrow, three hermit thrushes, and best of all a BOHEMIAN WAXWINGwhich landed atop a tall tree for about ten seconds then flew off circling around to return to the same tree and then take off again heading east.
I met David again and together we looked for it to no result but he found and showed me two Gnatcatchers and heard a yellow warbler. Another Black and white warbler appeared here too.
I walked off towards Hanlan stoppping for a fantastic Nashville Warbler near Centre island, a veery and maybe two, at least four more Hermit Thrushes and some chipping sparrows.
At trout pond there were four Canvasback, 2 male and 2 female.
Near to where the water course from Trout channels towards the open lake at Hanlan I found a great yellow warbler in a bush, looking like someone had thrown an egg yolk over the branches. At that a rose-breasted grosbeak appeared in the crown of the bush, his red triangle showing clearly and two warbling vireos arrived from a neighboring bush.
Near Hanlan I flushed two wilson's snipe from a damp field.
Hope to return to Toronto soon. There seems to be lots of migrants passing through. Have a great Spring.
