Can you ID the raptor that "guards" Buttonville ai

[mr.sharp-photo]

I drive up the 404 3-4 times a week. If you have never seen a raptor OR you want the opportunity to look at a raptor when its close to the ground, I would suggest the Buttonville airport as the best place (but not necessarily the safest!) to go.

When you drive north on the 404 and approach the fenced part of the Buttonville airport, keep your eyes peeled - in fact, you probably don't have to look too hard.  The raptor is usually sitting on the 5 foot high fence, looking for a snack.  Today, he was just beyond the airport (closer to the Elgin Mills exit) sitting on top of the lightpost.  Two days ago, i saw him on a horizontal tree branch, 100% exposed and easy to see. The branch was about 10-15 feet in the air.  Three days ago, he was standing on the airport exit sign right on the shoulder of the road.  on my way home, another raptor was across the street on another sign.

The biggest hazzard? If you want to see the bird, you have to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway - not recommended when its busy!

But I haven't been able to identify the bird.  I THINK its a merlin, but cannot tell.  If you have seen it and know what it is, can you let me know? Thanks

[Kin Lau]

Probably a Red-tailed Hawk. I work at Woodbine and Hwy 7, and that stretch of the 404 around the airport often has one or more red-tails. I've had as many as 5 or 6 in the same field of view.

[jcw]

...agreed re red-tailed hawks, I work at 16th Ave & 404, just W of the Buttonville airport, and I almost always see at least one as I exit 404 S to take the ramp to 407 E around 3:30 p.m.

Also frequently see them hanging out in the trees along the empty field on N side of 16th Ave, just W of 404, as the field is no doubt a dining buffet for them re rodents. Also check out any hydro lines on 16th Ave in that area, and keep an eye out for turkey vultures passing though as well.

[cocosally]

There are 3 of them. One used to like to sit on the 5th or 6th lamp post -- North bound ramp from 16th to 404. The other one always like to sit on the last lamp post that exit Elgin mills on 404, and the 3rd one like can be anywhere.  I think They are red-tailed, however, it might be Cooper as well because I saw one of them when they fly, the tail is not red (or maybe it's an immature RTH?).  They always like to hunt at the place that where jcw mentioned. This is the 2nd year that I see 3 of them.

We had a very closed encounter with one of them, on a Sat in March at 10:10am, my husband drove South from Elgin Mills ramp and it is just sitting right on the road sign. If he put out his hand, can touch it!!

By the way, Turkey Vulture is abundant in the area, and they fly so low that I can see it with my bare eye and the color of their head.