Wintering Mocker Request, And Unexpected Sighting ...

[norman]

I was exiting a large grocery store in the Keele-St. Clair area, when I espied a large, shadowy figure slowly flapping in a southwesterly direction ... large feet trailing as this large traveller slowly moved in the crepuscular dusk, when I recognized it as a great blue heron.

Unfortunately, a somewhat myopic relative of mine was at the wheel of the refurbished Buick Wildcat, and, without warning, began an impossibly high-screeched shrieking (> 6KHz) to the tune of "Motmot! Motmot!! Motmot!!!". I'm assuming she mistook the huge ardeid's feet for the characteristic "racquets" on the tails of the blue-crowned and turquoise-browed motmots we were fortunate to encounter during an exhaustive tour of Costa Rica a few years back.

As I frantically tried to explain that the passing avian creature was a hardy heron, the Buick slammed into a long row of shopping carts, coming to rest at the automatic entrance door, which began opening and closing in a strangely soothing rhythm ...

The matter was settled (my credit card is still smoking) without law enforcement personnel involvement, and I took the wheel for the quick return to our premises. It's the darn medication more than the failing eyesight, and I apologize to the staff of Metro, who were very understanding, although unfamiliar with the Momotidae. Interesting to see the big fellow (?) up that way.

On another subject, any reports of locations of northern mockingbirds holding winter territory in Toronto and environs much appreciated!

--nb

[norman]

Previous narrative should have read " ... high-frequency shrieking". It's just awful when it happens.

[Bird Brain]

I truly enjoy your interesting and entertaining postings!  :lol:

Jo-Anne  

[Niloc]

Norman you need to put your ramblings in a book lol...always funny and entertaining you tell a good yarn!

[norman]

Nothing on paper / hard-drive yet (paper preferable -- tactile, unmechanical, and reliable), but be careful what you wish for.

Would it not be impertinent to attempt to displace Mr. Slinger as Canada's favourite bird author?


P.S. -- I have but two reliable territorial wintering  Mimus polyglottos  in the west end ... if you have roses of any type, don't cut them back till Spring, please! We have one hybrid tea in the backyard, which so far is thriving in a quite shady location. I glanced out the window one morning last winter, and guess who was perched on the wire leading to the garage? Other menu items include the dogwoods, firethorn, junipers, mountain-ash ... well pretty well any fruiting shrub / tree with the exception of high-bush cranberry (actually a  viburnum), a last resort for most birds, and snowberry, both of which are likely low in nutritive value and thus a dicey method for surviving and moving those genes along. So keep those cards and letters. No, send them.

Thanks.

The snoring upstairs is unearthly, but I feel safe ...

[Andreas Jonsson]

Moved this thread from the "Toronto Reports" section.

[TomTelford]

I have barely managed to keep the car out of the bushes as I come around the Mill Pond here in Orono as we still have a daily visiting GBH.  

As for the Mockingbird, I spotted one today at the upper pond at Black Creek Pioneer Village.  A shot is in the Photo section.

Cheers,


Tom.

[Anonymous]

Hi Norman,

Last one I spotted was out by Halls Rd about 2 weeks ago, sitting on a wire no less.

Attila

[norman]

Thanks, folks ... kepp those cards and letters ...

I have one in the Broadview-Queen area and another way up Rockcliffe in the West End. I expect I'll find more when I get time to track them down.

Much obliged.


--nb

[GStuart]

Yesterday I drove north on the DVP and then west on Lawrence Ave.  At the top of the off-ramp, perched in a shrub just above eye level, was a mockingbird.  Probably a first year bird as it was still somewhat brownish, yet unmistakable with its long tail and white windows.