Around 2 pm this afternoon, the Western Grebe was seen flying from the first location it was recently spotted and subsequently observed heading west. I was accompanied by John Stirrat and we re-found this slender elegant bird at 2:10 pm at the southwest peninsula of Ashbridge’s Bay looking west towards the power plant. This put it pretty close to the base-land of the Leslie Street spit.
Less than 20 minutes later, Tyler Hoar confirmed it was moving east again. By then it was much closer to the South-west shore of the park.
Anyone looking for this uncommon aquatic visitor would be well advised to scan the lake with a spotting scope from points east to points west.
Earlier in the day we scouted Colonel Sam Smith park for the King Eider, Harlequin Ducks and Snowy Owl and failed to find all three species. However, we did locate the Horned Grebes, which were seen by the lake-side bay at the most southeast corner of the park.
Visitors should be warned there are still some very icy sections along the paths at both parks.
Ashbridge’s Bay Park is located at Lakeshore Blvd E. east of Coxwell Ave.
Cheers!
Ross Lamb
