I walked the Don River trail this morning. Its still a hell of a mess and the current re-grading they're doing north of Pottery Rd seems to have reduced the # of species I usually see.
I have seen nary a cedar waxwing or american goldfinch.
I was buzzed/attacked by 3 barn swallows that must be nesting in the Beechwood Dr underpass. On both of my visits, they pretended to fly at my face (while I was simply walking underneath the underpass) and neatly did a fly-by at the last second. kind of frightening and kind of annoying.
I looked for my usual friend - the great blue heron. Didn't have any luck until I suddenly observed it fly into a retention pond. no more than 10 seconds later, a black crowned night heron flew into the same pond. Also saw a kingfisher hiding in the foliage and a family of wood ducks.
Saw a few flycatchers from a distance and 2 gnatcatchers.
Lots of northern flickers present. I've been observing a nest for the past 2 months and i've counted 2 babies. also saw 3 flickers gathering in the bushes (i accidentally flushed them).
Brickworks: besides some goldfinches, there was nothing to see. Saw two turkey vultures do a fly-over and saw a black-crowned night heron hiding in the reeds, trying to fish. I also saw the purple martins in the bird house. I did not see or hear and have yet to see/hear the kingfishers that usually live at the Brickworks. Also absent were any ducks or water foul. Quite sad.
