Birding Leslie Point

[sk_fish]

I spent most of today walking around Leslie point, 0930 to 1430.  Since I am a prairie birder many of the birds I found interesting will be mundaine to TO birders.  My list will follow a couple of questions.  I found a large white swan, not mute, with a yellow tag on its wing.  I suspect the bird was a Trumpeter Swan but I have seen so few that I can't be certain.  Can anyone offer a positive ID?

I, also, saw a large dark mantled gull.  I think a Black-backed Gull but I don't know Greater or Lesser.  Has either been confirmed as seen on the spit?

All in all, a good day birding.  Which ever Black-backed Gull, it is a lifer.  I have to work hard to find a lifer after 50 years of birding.

Tomorrow, weather permitting I hope to visit  High Park, unless someone has a better idea.

Thanks
Ron

I can confirm seeing 2o spp with four questionable:
Common Goldeneye
Canada Goose
Long-tailed Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Snow Bunting
Mallard
Black Duck
Mute Swan
Tree Sparrow
Greater Scaup
Redhead
Gadwall
American Widgeon
American Goldfinch
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Black-capped Chickadee

Questionable:
Trumpeter or Tundra Swan
Black-back Gull (Greater or Lesser)
Swamp Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker

[Andreas Jonsson]

Where is Leslie Point? Do you mean Leslie Street Spit at the base of Leslie street on Lake Ontario? I haven't been down there lately so I can't confirm any of your birds, although Trumpeter and Greater BB Gull sounds likely.

[Reuven_M]

The swan is pretty much certainly a trumpeter. Greater black-backed gull is far more likely, but either gull is possible. Great black-backed would look much larger than any other gull, while lesser is similar to herring in size. Great black-backed should be reasonably easy to find if you spend enough time along the lakeshore.

[Bird Brain]

Hi Ron.  Welcome to the forum.  

Re: Trumpeter Swan ... would you be nice enough to fill out the following.  Only takes a minute and is appreciated!  Thanks.

http://www.wyemarsh.com/swan_sighting.html

[sk_fish]

Where is Leslie Point? Do you mean Leslie Street Spit at the base of Leslie street on Lake Ontario? I haven't been down there lately so I can't confirm any of your birds, although Trumpeter and Greater BB Gull sounds likely.

Yes, thanks for providing me with the correct local name and best possible spp.

Ron

[Rob'in'To]

I wonder if it's my friend E-76 from February?  Re: Trumpeter Swan.

[Iain]

Ron,
 
With regard to your Sparrow species, Swamp is possible but did you totally rule out American Tree Sparrow?  They are the dominant Sparrow species on the Spit these days.  As for the Gull, the Greater Black-backed Gull has a noticeably darker mantle than the Lesser - almost black.  That should be enough of an indicator to decipher between the two.  GBB is also far more likely down on the Spit.  

Iain

[Molebird]

Hello Ron - a bit late responding to your posting but have just joined this site a couple of days ago.  We met you (or rather spoke across the road with you) at Leslie Spit, when you told us about your sightings.  We later saw and watched the Great Black-Backed Gull as well as a lone Trumpeter Swan (tagged).  

Happy birding in the prairies.

Molebirds