He's Back! Male Wood Duck at Lake Aquitaine.

[Bird Brain]

Hi everyone.

I just got in from walking around Lake Aquitaine and he's back!  Gorgeous male Wood Duck swimming around with male and female Mallards in the NW corner of the lake (behind the community centre), close to the concrete barrier.  He's still trying to mate with a female Mallard but she just "laughs" (quacks) at him and swims away.   First the male Wood Duck was on the left side of the concrete barrier then he flew to the right side, swam around a bit then hopped up onto some ice to preen himself.  Afterwards, he climbed up onto the grass and rocks area directly behind.
 
Observed some interesting behaviour today ...

1.  Male Wood Duck rearing far up out of water, tilts way back and lets loose with high pitched squeaking sounds.  

2.  Male Mallard swims up to another male Mallard, grabs his bill and shakes him hard!  :shock:
I guess the "winner" then jumped on a female Mallard and pushed her right underwater.  

3.  Squirrels climbing face first down tree trunk ... with each step, they would stop, stretch out their furry arms and paws then wiggle their "fingers" around!  This was quite hilarious to watch!  :lol:

Other adventures/sightings today at the lake from 10am onwards ...  I was hand feeding some squirrels when a Blue Jay and male Cardinal appeared.  Both demanded food!  Lots of Sparrows showed up as well.

Lots of very agitated Crows on the North side of the lake close to a high-rise building.  I took a good look around but didn't see any sign of hawks or owls.  Perhaps tomorrow's New Moon is affecting them.  

Hundreds of Starlings in the NW corner of the lake - lately, they're enjoying lining up all along the rooftop of my building.  

One Canada Goose swimming around close to the wooden dock/lookout area and approximately 100 Gulls.

Anyhow ... not sure how long the male Wood Duck will be hanging around up here but he'll probably be sighted at Lake Wabukayne as well.  I stood observing him for one hour today here at Lake Aquitaine.  At the time, light snow was coming down - very pretty.  Last sighted this guy here back on November 26th - hadn't seen him since, figured that he had headed down to Florida or Texas for the Winter.  

Jo-Anne  

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Aquitaine Ave., behind the Meadowvale Community Centre.

Lake Wabukayne:  NE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Windwood Dr., behind the condo and school.

[denis]

hi jo-anne
i,m sure the wood duck will stay,as long as i dont go down to try and photograph him. LOL.
denis

[Bird Brain]

Denis ... I thought of you right away upon seeing him! :lol: Wondered the same thing - would he stick around if you drove out here again?  I'm still amazed that's he's back here!  

Will take a look at Lake A. again tomorrow morning - if no sighting, will head down to Lake W.  I hope he sticks around for Saturday's SPNC Christmas Bird Count.    I'm counting at 4 (or more) separate parks up here in Meadowvale - can't wait!!!    

Jo-Anne  

[Bird Brain]

Update:  no sign of him at Lake A. yesterday or today.  Unfortunately, I've had zero time to go check Lake W.  Not enough hours in the day to get everything done lately!  :shock:  The older I'm getting, the faster time is going!

[Margaret]

Hi Jo-anne and Denis, our little friend has flown to Lake Wabukayne. He was there at 11:30 this morning.
I parked at Cheega Court and walked down the path to the Lake and all the ducks swam towards me with the wood duck in the lead.
I checked out Lake A. but nothing there but gulls and mallards. (Too cold to walk all around these lakes. We're lucky the birds are easily accessible.)
In my backyard (Brampton) I'm surprised how many juncos I'm getting on the feeders, usually they just forage on the ground. The A. goldfinches are wondering what's going on.
Yesterday both Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal appeared, nice with some snow around!




Lake Wabukayne: Erin Mills Parkway in Mississauga, Windwood Drive, Cheega Court

[Bird Brain]

Hi Jo-anne and Denis, our little friend has flown to Lake Wabukayne. He was there at 11:30 this morning.

Hi Margaret ... Thank You for this information.  

I parked at Cheega Court and walked down the path to the Lake and all the ducks swam towards me with the wood duck in the lead.

Is he still trying his luck with the female Mallards?  :lol:

I checked out Lake A. but nothing there but gulls and mallards. (Too cold to walk all around these lakes. We're lucky the birds are easily accessible.)

 The lake just froze over a couple of days ago so the numerous waterfowl have left.  This morning, saw the gulls (a whole 13 compared to at least 150 last week) and mallards - also saw Crows, Mourning Doves, Sparrows and Starlings.  Could hear a Nuthatch but didn't see him/her.  Earlier in the morning, could hear the 2 resident Blue Jays out back of building having a "conversation".  

In my backyard (Brampton) I'm surprised how many juncos I'm getting on the feeders, usually they just forage on the ground. The A. goldfinches are wondering what's going on.
Yesterday both Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal appeared, nice with some snow around!

I'm happy to read that you're getting Juncos up there - have only seen 4 here over the past month.  My mom (Mavis/Rathburn) has been getting lots in her backyard apple tree.  

Jo-Anne  

[Margaret]

Jo-anne, No interaction of any kind between any male and female but I didn't stick around long - Erin Mills Town Centre was calling!!

[Bird Brain]

Hi everyone.  

Saturday update:  male Wood Duck is still at Lake Wabukayne swimming around with Mallards by the dock (SW corner of lake).  I was there this morning from 8-9:30am.  Totally thrilled that he's part of my CBC!  

Jo-Anne