Queen's Park

[BC]

I made my first visit of the spring to Queen's Park today between 11:15 and 11:45 am. Among the usual urban birds I found:
• Turkey Vulture (flyover)
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Red-winged Blackbird
• House Finch
I passed through again about 4:45 pm and had a Peregrine Falcon (flyover).

[angieinto]

I work around Queens Park, I must go for a walk this week to see what I can see!

[BC]

During the middle of the day, many of the interesting birds hole up in a stand of pines just south of the equestrian monument. Last year, I had Hermit Thrush and Wood Thrush on the lawn on the east side of the park. Also, I had ten species of warblers last year in late April and early May. They are most reliable, when they turn up, east of the monument in the deciduous trees.

[angieinto]

I have a lunch meeting today, but I am most definitely going to check this out this week, it's practically across the street from me.

[strimackus]

@BC: Thanks for the tip. I'll try to make it out some morning this week.

@angieinto: I also work not too far from Queen's Park and I stopped by almost every morning during migration last year. It's a great spot.

[strimackus]

You can add Chipping Sparrow to the list; I saw at least 3 this morning. Also, plenty of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos.

[angieinto]

I'm going tomorrow with a friend. I may even try to sneak over today....

[angieinto]

Ok, so I snuck over today, and I thought I saw a yellow-bellied sapsucker, but it wasn't....it had yellow on it's underbelly but no red.
It wasn't a downy or hairy, I know them. Any ideas? Going back tomorrow with my binoculars.

[BC]

I was there today between 11 and 11:30 am. Nothing new to add other than the vocal Chipping Sparrows, reported above.
I saw a male and female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Also, I saw a pair of Downy Woodpeckers and, if their intimate behaviour is any indication, they are likely nesting in the park.

[angieinto]

I wish I knew what I saw.  
I got there just after noon.

I'll be going over around 11:30am tomorrow for an hour, if you see a crazy lady walking around with binoculars looking up at the trees feel free to say hi!

[angieinto]

Is there an area where the Kinglets hang out?

I was over again this morning before work. Saw a few Chipping Sparrows and Juncos. I think I may of saw the pair of YBSS, but they flew off to quick for me to get a good look at, into a tree close to where a homeless guy was sleeping, and I didn;t want to bother him.

Also got to watch a raccoon climb a tree and bed down for the day.

Going back at 11:30am.

[strimackus]

@angieinto: You must have been there right before me; I was there from just after 8 until 9. Yesterday the Kinglets were mostly just south of the horse statue. Today, I saw a small flock of Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kiglets at the far SE corner of the park.

Other stuff I saw this AM:
-Goldfinch (2)
-Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (2)
-Downy Woodpecker (1)
-Junco (a handful)
-Chipping Sparrow (a handful)

I also saw the cutest baby racoon ever in the fork of the silver maple just south of the horse statue. Seriously, this guy was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.

[angieinto]

@strimackus: I was there just after 7am for about 15 minutes.  

Went back at 11:10am for an hour. Very glad I did!!

Thanks to BC (Barry) I know for sure I saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. He also showed me and my friend where to see the Kinglets, and we saw both, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned. Nice meeting you Barry, and I'm sure I'll see you there again.

I also saw a Downy Woodpecker, Flicker, Chipping Sparrows, Juncos and a Goldfinch. And of course, Starlings, Robins and House Sparrows.

I think Queens Park will be my regular lunch time hang out for a while.  

[BC]

Nothing to add to today's reports. Nice meeting you, Angie.
I find it interesting that the Ruby-crowned Kinglets weren't singing until the Golden-crowneds turned up. Both were very vocal this morning.

[BC]

I haven't been able to get to Queen's Park since Friday. This morning, the windy conditions weren't ideal for birding. Two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen. Common Grackles have arrived. Several Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Dark-eyed Juncos were present.
I'm looking forward to the first warblers.