Carleton (Carlton) Park Brampton

[cairnstone]

Carleton Park, which is located on the west side of Dixie Road just north of Balmoral Drive, has abundant bird life. A Green Heron has been hanging around and likes to perch in a dead tree in plain view. Also, at the moment, Cedar Waxwings and Red-eyed Vireos abound. The Vireos are tough to spot, but are very vocal. Cooper's Hawks reside year-round and can sometimes be observed hunting. Northern Flickers are also plentiful and favour the same dead tree the Green Heron has been using (excellent for photography). Catbirds are easily observed (and heard). There is also an abundance of the usual year-round residents. Both nuthatches are here along with Downys and Hairys. Baltimore Orioles are present, but not plentiful.

During spring and autumn migration this place truly is a gem. Fox Sparrows and all the Thrushes are reliable visitors along with countless warblers, wrens, grosbeaks and hawks. Winter residents include White-throated Sparrows and Juncos, both in large numbers. Great Horned and Barred owls are irregular winter visitors.

The best spot at this time of year is the extreme southwest corner of the park where the creek bends to the west bordering the Rogers complex. Mornings and evenings are best. The dead trees in this area are favoured by many species.

I observed 2 blackbirds this morning in Carleton and perhaps someone here can tell me whether they were more likely Brewer's or Rusty. The were most certainly not grackles. I will try to get a photo if I see them again.

[dbellilo]

I visited Carleton Park twice last week (and thank you again for the tip) and must agree: it's a lovely little spot. A small neighborhood park that feels secluded and sweet. Quite small too, so that it's very easy to walk back and forth from one end to the other...
I've yet to visit the park in the early hours of morning, but have been there on two occasions from 6-9 pm. I've seen plenty of cedar waxwings, a few woodpeckers, several cardinals and nuthatches, and quite a number of lovely robins with spotted bellies (juveniles?) but I've yet to see any Northern Flickers, and the mysterious green heron has eluded me also...
The idea of seeing a green heron in a Brampton tree is so exciting to me, but perhaps the fellow only visits in the mornings?

Anyhow, if anyone else has seen Mr. Green or any flickers, please let me know...the park is worth a visit just for the waxwings and the calm and restful feeling that will gladden your heart when you sit and watch the trees, if you ask me...

O and I almost forgot: my birdwife and I were watching the trees when all of a sudden a great blue heron flew over our heads! With our cheapo telephoto lenses we were able to get a few decent shots...

[cairnstone]

I have not seen the Green Heron since I made my last post. Maybe I jinxed myself. The last time I saw it was actually in the afternoon. I ride my bike through the park every evening so perhaps it has left. I hope not. The Northern Flickers do love those dead trees and you will see them there with their young. A Belted Kingfisher has also been frequenting the park but I do not see it every day. The blackbirds I saw last week were almost certainly Brewer's.

The pond on the Rogers property (bordering Carleton Park) has anywhere from 20 to 50 Cedar Waxwings flycatching every night between 8 and 9 pm. Chimney Swifts also hunt at the same time. I have also seen 2 Least Sandpipers there since the weekend. A word of warning: This is private property and if you go for a stroll you will likely have a great time, but if you start snapping photos you will probably get a visit from security asking you to leave.

[dbellilo]

Many thanks for the extra info...
I'll have a look again in the afternoon, and see if I see any Northern Flickers...
Great tip about the Rogers Pond, too...

[cairnstone]

I just returned from a short stroll through the park (noon). All the usual suspects were there (Waxwings galore) along with a solitary Eastern Kingbird happily flycatching from the aforementioned dead tree. As well, one Turkey Vulture which is a first in the park to my eyes. No Green Heron. Drat.

[dbellilo]

Don't despair! Maybe he'll be back again...please please keep us posted...
Did you see any flickers today?

[cairnstone]

Tonight 8pm there were 6 loud and raucous Great Crested Flycatchers in the park around the playground area. Did not see any flickers, but rest assured they will show in good numbers at any time. No Green Heron. Starting to think it has moved on.

Last night at 8:30 pm the usual avalanche of Cedar Waxwings, a couple of Catbirds and several high-flying Chimney Swifts.

[cairnstone]

Tonight 8:45pm, a large Cooper's Hawk perched and posing in the aforementioned dead tree with a frantic Robin above it. After several minutes it went on the prowl and I saw it three more times in the ensuing 15 minutes gliding low along the south fence line.

Also today, at least two Lincoln's Sparrows (the last 3 days actually). The most abundant birds in the park at the moment are Goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings. The Northern Flickers are laying low, but they will show.

Since my last post Great Crested Flycatchers have returned twice and I also observed a Broad-winged Hawk. Chimney Swifts are seen nightly. Purple Finches are showing up and are fairly tame (House Finches are a mainstay).

[dbellilo]

Wonderful! Thanks again for the steady updates here. I'll be sure to re-visit the park soon. It really is a lovely spot. Great news about the hawk, and I can't wait to see the flickers!!

[cairnstone]

Yep, tonight (Thursday)7:50pm Northern Flickers.  They also returned Friday morning around 9 am. Also a Great Blue Heron perched about 50 feet up.

Just to clarify, this park is posted as Carlton Park, but I have always called it Carleton Park owing to the street that juts into it.

Here's a list of birds I have observed in the park.

Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Palm Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Grey-cheeked Thrush
Veery
American Robin
Blue Jay
American Crow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
European Starling
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Cooper's Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Canada Goose
Mallard
Belted Kingfisher
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Least Sandpiper
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Cardinal
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
House Finch
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
House Sparrow
Eastern Kingbird
Great-crested Flycatcher
Willow/Alder Flycatcher
Winter Wren
House Wren
Chimney Swift
Mourning Dove
Cedar Waxwing
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Brown Creeper
Herring Gull
Indigo Bunting
Scarlet Tanager
Killdeer
Yellow-billed Cuckoo

A Northern Saw-whet Owl has been seen in the park in winter by others, but I have never seen it.

[cairnstone]

On Saturday in the park: A male Black and White Warbler and an unidentified warbler which hovered as it gleaned leaves (pale yellow and fairly large). Also, a Northern Flicker let me watch it dig for ants on the ground for about 5 minutes at about 15 feet away.

Tonight at 8:45 pm a Black-crowned Night Heron, which is a new one to my eyes in the park. Also tonight, a Baltimore Oriole.

[cairnstone]

This morning at 9:30 a striking female Orchard Oriole perched on a stalk about 3 feet from the ground. She didn't linger long, but seemed unconcerned about me standing 12 feet away. This is the first Orchard Oriole I have seen in the park.  I thought it was late for Orchard Orioles to be around. Plenty of "peoughing" from Northern Flickers as well.

[cairnstone]

This weekend in Carlton Park: Wilson's Warbler, Black and White Warbler (which I photographed), numerous other warblers I could not positively ID, I am hopeless at warblers unless they are obvious. There seems to be a bit of a warbler surge happening and mid to late afternoon have been good. The Blue Jays have been very active as well as the Catbirds. Great Crested Flycatchers and Northern Flickers have put in appearances. Also a Cooper's hawk hunting at dusk. Chimney Swifts are also reliable every night along the southern fence line (an area favoured by the Cooper's Hawk).

[cairnstone]

In the last week in Carlton Park: Belted Kingfisher, Catbirds, a very tame Northern Mockingbird, unidentified Vireo (probably a Warbling Vireo), Nashville Warblers (they are pretty regular) and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. The Chimney Swifts and Cedar Waxwings are noticeably thinning out.

Also this morning, a bobcat. My third bobcat in Carlton and almost a year to the day since I saw my last.

[cairnstone]

Saturday in the park: A Blackburnian Warbler in the morning. In the afternoon several female American Redstarts (their flashy markings in flight made them easy to spot). An inquisitive male Wilson's warbler. A Great Crested Flycatcher.

On Friday a Northern Flicker was kind enough to pose on a fence for a photo session. I also watched a Cooper's Hawk attack a flock of House Sparrows (unsuccessfully). Red-breasted Nuthatches and Blue Jay numbers have risen as they normally do at this time of year. In a couple of weeks the juncos will return to spend 6 months followed later by the White-throated Sparrows.

On Friday I also saw a light slate coloured bird that bobbed it's tail up and down constantly. It was thrush-like in appearance and behavior and somewhere between the size of a sparrow and a Hermit Thrush. The only thing that matches is an American Pipit, but there's no way I'd know for sure unless I got another look.