Humber River Trail June 25

[Ally]

Finally was able to walk and the wind was not as crazy. I think the kingbirds needed some inspiration, so today after learned about other kingbirds via Dinu's post, he was good to go. It was on the same tree close to the kingfisher nest, lots of birds will perch on it, sparrow, yellow, swallow, blackbird, catbird, robin, and the kingbird just randomly started to attack. And I was just glad to see a little bit crown.

[Ally]

He actually forced the blackbird into water, and I was glad that after some struggling, it freed itself.

[Ally]

I'm sure there are babies in the nesthole, because both parents came home with food, and I did see the male flew in and out. I decided to leave because the female wouldn't go near the nest. Looks like a chubby fish the Dad got.

[Ally]

Mom got fish as well

[Dinusaur]

Your persistence paid off, congrats. Funny that I have observed Kingbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds teaming up and going against raptors (Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey and Bald Eagle) together.
Your Kingfisher shots are excellent, they are so skittish they are hard to get any close to.

[Ally]

Your persistence paid off, congrats. Funny that I have observed Kingbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds teaming up and going against raptors (Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey and Bald Eagle) together.
Your Kingfisher shots are excellent, they are so skittish they are hard to get any close to.

Thank you. I will get more time in July. Do you have some places you recommend, that will be 1-2 hours around GTA?

[Shortsighted]

Lots of good pics as usual. Excellent pic of the E. Kingbird, a species that I've
never photographed to my liking. As for the Western variety, well I've never
even seen one of those. The flight shots of the Kingfisher are also primo.
You're very prolific ... a consequence of alert scrutiny and dogged persistence, all
necessary traits of the nature photographer.

With so much consistent action why would you need to travel far. I suppose Mill
pond north of the city limits might be worth investigating to see if osprey are about.
Never been there myself because I would need a car to get there and I didn't have
access to one back in the day when outings were possible. Dinu probably knows
where to find them. With 600mm of reach you should have no trouble getting some
good photos. I suppose that having only 200mm is another reason why I didn't try
too hard to make the trip when I had free time. I guess now that you are an expert
on that stretch of the Humber trail you are itching to flex your muscles at a new
location. I get that. I wish I could think of some place to suggest that might be worth
your while.

[Ally]

Lots of good pics as usual. Excellent pic of the E. Kingbird, a species that I've
never photographed to my liking. As for the Western variety, well I've never
even seen one of those. The flight shots of the Kingfisher are also primo.
You're very prolific ... a consequence of alert scrutiny and dogged persistence, all
necessary traits of the nature photographer.

With so much consistent action why would you need to travel far. I suppose Mill
pond north of the city limits might be worth investigating to see if osprey are about.
Never been there myself because I would need a car to get there and I didn't have
access to one back in the day when outings were possible. Dinu probably knows
where to find them. With 600mm of reach you should have no trouble getting some
good photos. I suppose that having only 200mm is another reason why I didn't try
too hard to make the trip when I had free time. I guess now that you are an expert
on that stretch of the Humber trail you are itching to flex your muscles at a new
location. I get that. I wish I could think of some place to suggest that might be worth
your while.

Thank you so much for your kind encouragement, and suggestion. I felt if I don't make an effort of going out, I will get too comfortable here.

[Dinusaur]

Ospreys are often seen in storm water ponds around GTA - these ponds are full of goldfish and catfish. One close to home is Milliken Pond in Scarborough, I have seen them getting fish in Downsview Park pond. Mill Pond in Richmond Hill also gets an Osprey or two. I used to go to a pond in Richmond Hill near Bayview and MajorMac beside the Walmart for Ospreys as they visited the pond quite regularly from mid July to mid Sept. The pond supported a wide variety of wildlife. Besides Ospreys I have seen Minks, Green Herons, Blue Herons, Black-crowned night herons, Kingfishers, Cooper's Hawks, Cedar Waxwings, Kingbirds, and many more around that pond. Two years ago the town drained the pond and dredged it. Since then very much all fish loving wildlife disappeared. The Oakbank Pond near where I live faced the same fate in 2014. The other place to see Ospreys fishing is in Valley Inn, Burlington. Last year I spent good amount of time there in August. Good thing about Valley Inn is that you also get to see Bald Eagle, Great Egrets, Terns and many more. I have taken photos of Ospreys fishing in Grand River near Belwood Lake area and also in Brantford. They are everywhere, even in Hight Park. Yes, I have taken photos of them diving in Grenadier Pond. Reesor Pond and Toogood Pond in Markham are also two ponds that saw Ospreys visiting for fish.

Carden is a great place to go in the beginning of July - you will still see a variety of grassland birds, warblers, Sedge Wren, Loggerhead Shrike (if you are lucky), American Bittern, and may even see a Bear or two. It is about hour and half from Toronto. Late July or early August some of the Sewage lagoons (e.g. Nonquon) could be a good option to see returning shorebirds, Black Terns, Warblers, and many more. Presqui'le is another great to see shore birds in August, Sept. In Sept you can cross over to Gull Island to see some more shorebirds. If you haven't already, you should subscribe to eBird, check out OFO website for their hotspot locations etc. There's a book out about Ontario birding hotspots - check that out.

[Ally]

Ospreys are often seen in storm water ponds around GTA - these ponds are full of goldfish and catfish. One close to home is Milliken Pond in Scarborough, I have seen them getting fish in Downsview Park pond. Mill Pond in Richmond Hill also gets an Osprey or two. I used to go to a pond in Richmond Hill near Bayview and MajorMac beside the Walmart for Ospreys as they visited the pond quite regularly from mid July to mid Sept. The pond supported a wide variety of wildlife. Besides Ospreys I have seen Minks, Green Herons, Blue Herons, Black-crowned night herons, Kingfishers, Cooper's Hawks, Cedar Waxwings, Kingbirds, and many more around that pond. Two years ago the town drained the pond and dredged it. Since then very much all fish loving wildlife disappeared. The Oakbank Pond near where I live faced the same fate in 2014. The other place to see Ospreys fishing is in Valley Inn, Burlington. Last year I spent good amount of time there in August. Good thing about Valley Inn is that you also get to see Bald Eagle, Great Egrets, Terns and many more. I have taken photos of Ospreys fishing in Grand River near Belwood Lake area and also in Brantford. They are everywhere, even in Hight Park. Yes, I have taken photos of them diving in Grenadier Pond. Reesor Pond and Toogood Pond in Markham are also two ponds that saw Ospreys visiting for fish.

Carden is a great place to go in the beginning of July - you will still see a variety of grassland birds, warblers, Sedge Wren, Loggerhead Shrike (if you are lucky), American Bittern, and may even see a Bear or two. It is about hour and half from Toronto. Late July or early August some of the Sewage lagoons (e.g. Nonquon) could be a good option to see returning shorebirds, Black Terns, Warblers, and many more. Presqui'le is another great to see shore birds in August, Sept. In Sept you can cross over to Gull Island to see some more shorebirds. If you haven't already, you should subscribe to eBird, check out OFO website for their hotspot locations etc. There's a book out about Ontario birding hotspots - check that out.

Thank you for spending the time to type all that out. I will make some trips to some of the places you listed for sure this coming July. Something else I'm really good at is getting lost    , if I have been quiet for a while, send search party  :lol:  :lol: