Bluffers Park - Robins, Shrike, Trumpeters

[jjmb]

The northern shrike that has been in Bluffers Park all winter is still here. Actually, it may be a resident bird - not sure - because I do see shrikes here in the summer. But it is a pretty reliable sighting this winter.

Also spotted 2 robins this morning - I know that in this part of Toronto sometimes they stick around for the winter, but I hadn't seen any here this winter.

Cardinals were out in droves, singing up a storm.

And I forgot to post last weekend that I saw 22 trumpeters at Bluffers Park. Trumpeters are pretty much guaranteed at Bluffers, but the most I have seen in the past is 18.

[Kin Lau]

The northern shrike that has been in Bluffers Park all winter is still here. Actually, it may be a resident bird - not sure - because I do see shrikes here in the summer. But it is a pretty reliable sighting this winter.

The ones you see in the summer would be Northern Mockingbirds, which do nest at Bluffer's. Northern shrikes in Scarborough or anywhere in the GTA during summer would be quite something.

[Bluffs Birder]

I've never seen a 'Summertime' Northern Shrike anywhere around the area either, top or bottom of the Bluffs.  I know of a few nesting Mockers in Bluffer's Park and nesting Mockers up top in Scarborough Bluffs Park and the latter consistantly fly down to the bottom into Bluffer's Park to get food and water.  It's quite possible that Mockingbirds are what you are seeing.

Walter