Stopped off at Humber Bay park this morning on the way to Amherst Island. There was a female mallard that apparently got stuck on the ice (feathers must have frozen briefly), and shortly after getting stuck I noticed she was panicking and quickly tore herself off leaving feathers behind, then scrambling for the water. At that instant out of the corner of my eye I saw a peregrine screaming in low over the water. It missed the duck, then wheeled around, gave up the attack and took off. It preened at the railing where the boats dock just across the path and I was able to get some shots. I've never been so close to a peregrine, especially on the attack. I'd estimate it was easily within 30 feet.
Other birds seen:
Mallard
Trumpeter and mute swans
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Common mergansers
Long-tailed ducks
Common goldeneye
Scaup
Northern Shoveler
