Carleton (Carlton) Park Brampton

[cairnstone]

Yesterday (Sunday) morning just after 11 am a Cooper's Hawk landed no more than 13 feet away from me in Carlton Park. I swung around and got one lucky photo before it realized I was there and fled the scene. It was after the House Finches I was photographing and luckily for the finches it missed:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... coop04.jpg

There are always 1 or 2 Cooper's that winter in the park, but right now there seems to be a glut of them.

[cairnstone]

Today, at precisely 1:28 pm, a beautiful adult Peregrine Falcon perched atop a spruce. I was not lugging my camera regretfully. I have never seen one this close up before and have not seen one in the park in many years.

On Sunday, an American Kestrel perched on a wire at West Dr. and Orenda Rd. for at least 45 minutes. This is only a few hundred meters from the park and they have been wintering in that area for some years now.

Otherwise, my walk through the park today revealed little more than the seasonal and permanent residents. The falcon was a thrill.

[cairnstone]

On Friday: Eight Pine Siskins. I thought they were Goldfinches and paid little attention to them until they started to chatter. They were perched about 20 feet up a tree and allowed me to stand right under them with little concern about my presence.

Also a Cooper's Hawk. I think this is likely the same large female I have been observing and photographing regularly.

I did go for a stroll on Saturday, but conditions were blustery and little was happening. White-breasted Nuthatches are returning however. They are nowhere to be found during the warm months.

Regarding the Peregrine Falcon I observed last week: There is a glass factory on Clark Blvd near highway 410 just west of the park. It has a very tall concrete tower attached to it. There was an opening in the concrete near the top of the tower. For a couple of years I observed a pair of Peregrines that used that opening to nest. The factory switched ownership and with that they refurbished the outside of the tower. The modifications closed that opening. I am sure the people there had no idea they were hosting Peregrines.

The good news is that the area has many tall apartment towers. Peregrines maintain a presence here and sightings are talked about. The habitat has to be good as there is a huge pigeon population in the area. Where they nest now is something I don't know, but I have my suspicions. I have caught fleeting glimpses of them anywhere between highway 410 and Bramalea road along Clark Blvd.

[cairnstone]

Things have been very quiet of late in the park. I continue to see and photograph the large female Cooper's Hawk (I am assuming it is the same one). The usual winter residents abound however. White-throated Sparrows, which wintered in the park last season, have all but left with only a couple of individuals lingering. I wonder why?

Since my last post, I have seen several American Kestrels in the park, but they do prefer the open industrial areas that surround the park. I also strongly suspect catching sight of a Merlin.

A few weeks ago I was hand-feeding the Chickadees in the park just for some fun. This provoked an attack by a Cooper's Hawk which startled me more than the Chickadees. I was stunned at the brazenness and how close it came to my face. Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches and the occasional Downy will readily eat out of your hand, but I think I won't do that any longer.

Unrelated to Carlton Park: I saw a Northern Harrier at Bramalea Road and Mayfield on Monday. I also saw one along the south fence of Pearson Airport on Thursday.

[cairnstone]

Early in the week a Red-tailed hawk lumbered through the park.

On Thursday a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

On Christmas Day an American Kestrel and the ever present Cooper's Hawk(s).

There are a few White-throated Sparrows that seem to have decided to stay the winter.

The usual winter residents abound in good numbers. Both nuthatches, chickadees, cardinals, downies, goldfinches, jays and juncos are all present in large numbers.

I am keeping my eyes open for owls, but no success yet.

[cairnstone]

Since my last post the only highlights in Carlton Park have been raptors. The usual winter residents abound.

American Kestrels have vanished from the area and I attribute this to the snowfall which likely makes hunting impossible for them.

A Northern Harrier visited the park, but just passing through I suspect.

There are obviously 1 or 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks wintering in the park as I see one a couple of times a week since my last post.

Cooper's Hawks are always present and can often be seen prowling and attacking.

A Red-tailed Hawk has been frequenting the park, but gets regularly chased off by crows. The crows don't seem to bother with the Cooper's Hawks for whatever reason.

White-throated Sparrow numbers are marginally higher than last winter.

Owls have been reported in the park after dark, but I haven't seen one this winter.

[cairnstone]

The Red-tailed Hawk frequenting the park this month was a daily sight until about a week ago. It was always escorted by crows which made it easy to spot.

Sharp-shinned Hawk(s) are seen once or twice a week.

Many more White-throated Sparrows have wintered in the park this winter as opposed to last winter.

Male cardinals are starting to sing and get territorial now after getting along through the winter.

Cedar Waxwings have returned since the start of the month and are a daily sighting. They can be easy to find by listening for their unmistakable zeeet.

Here's a Carlton Park Cedar Waxwing I snapped on Feb. 6.

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... 3/cedw.jpg

[cairnstone]

This evening at 6:35: A very vocal Peregrine Falcon on both Dixie Road and Lisa Street only meters from the park.

[cairnstone]

Today (Apr, 26): A quick visit in the park saw Black and White Warblers as well as Yellow-rumped Warblers. I am seeing more Brown Creepers in the park this spring than I ever have before.

Here's a Carlton Park Brown Creeper I photographed last week:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... eeper2.jpg

[cairnstone]

This weekend's highlights in Carlton Park:

Friday: A Pileated Woodpecker and a Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great-crested Flycatchers heard, but not seen. Chimney Swift. Northern Flickers abound.

Saturday: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Black and White Warblers.

Sunday: A huge influx of White-crowned Sparrows, a Magnolia Warbler, at least 6 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a Red-eyed Vireo.

Here's a (not great) photo of a Carlton Park Red-eyed Vireo:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... uvireo.jpg

An extremely tame female Rose-breasted Grosbeak:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... rbgbf2.jpg

And a male:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... /rbgm4.jpg

A White-crowned Sparrow in the rain:

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/forums/s ... 4/wcs6.jpg

I got a pic of the Magnolia Warbler with my point-and-shoot, but it's terrible.

[BillSimpson]

Hi,
I live not too far from you, and regularly walk the ravine that runs north from Ching park, mostly up and down from William's Parkway. Maybe my birding has just improved, but this year I have seen a greater variety than ever before, including:

Warblers:
Yellow
Black and White
Yellow-rumped
Palm
Magnolia
Black faced Blue


Several Brown Creepers are about. I am pretty sure I saw an American Redstart or two as well. The usual sparrows (possibly a Lincoln for variety).

Keep posting from Carlton Park! it certainly encourages me to get out and about, and maybe others too.

[cairnstone]

Thanks BillSimpson.

I have stumbled across an American Kestrel nest  a few minutes walk outside the park. The parents are good providers. They shuttle mice back to the nest constantly. You can hear the young ones. They can be seen at very close range going about their business. They have picked a busy spot for a nest with constant human activity.

My question is: Should I share this location or just keep it to myself?

Otherwise, since my last post, Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided Warblers yesterday. Black and white Warblers continue and are usually reliable around trees with more furrowed bark. Both a male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbird also.

[BillSimpson]

I have no strong view about revealing the location of the Kestrel nest. I got into some trouble when I revealed where I saw a Long Eared Owl, so be prepared for some flak if you do decide to. If it is in a currently public place, then I see no harm, and these birds are very far from "threatened".

Still lots to see in my local ravine: a short walk yesterday evening and I quickly saw a couple of Magnolia warblers, a Yellow and a female American Redstart. I am guessing that I am seeing the same gang every evening and I am becoming curious as to how long they will stay before moving north, or perhaps they will stay and nest?

[cairnstone]

I did not want to make this post until I was absolutely certain. I am certain now.

Yesterday (Saturday) at about 1 pm in the afternoon a Golden Eagle soared on a thermal above Carlton Park. Remarkably, at it's high altitude it was tagged by a crow. I got the binoculars on it for a few minutes and it was without doubt a Golden Eagle.

[cairnstone]

This Canada Day weekend in Carlton Park I saw my first ever Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I heard one last summer on many days, but never saw it. I caught a fleeting glimpse of a cuckoo last summer as well, but could not make an ID. On Sunday I heard one and a moment later there it was posing. I was not lugging the camera regretfully. It hung around for a couple of minutes and then was gone deeper into the woods.

Otherwise, the usual summer residents such as waxwings and chimney swifts abound in good numbers.