Leslie Street Spit 10/29 - Wilson's Snipe, Horned Grebe

[bosh]

Spent much of the day at the Spit. The species list was similar to last time so I won't post the whole list here - 53 species total.  Highlights were a Wilson's Snipe, Horned Grebe, Peregrine Falcon vs. Merlin aerial duel, Fox Sparrows, Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Blue-headed Vireo, Eastern Phoebe, Cooper's Hawk, Common Loons, Northern Shovelers, American Golden-plovers, Winter Wrens, Trumpeter Swans, American Coot.  Yellow-rumpeds are the only warblers remaining, while the Goldeneyes are beginning to arrive and there are hundreds of Scaups (and easily over a thousand Long-tailed Ducks). Still lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets, but the Ruby-crowneds are thinning out.

No owls... at least none that I could find.

[DaveD]

I saw the Peregrine around 10:45 flying South East low over Spit. Found a single NSWO.

Nice list. I think that I heard the Peregrine and the Merlin - maybe around noon? Didnt see them but heard the falcon angry about something.

[bosh]

Yeah it was around then - must have been the same birds.
Great picture of the owl in the other thread!

[DaveD]

We must have been very close together for me to hear the Peregrine and you to see it!

I'd rather see it; want to trade?

The Saw Whet was really tough to find. I walked right past it but my father, who hasnt seen a Saw Whet since he used to band them on the islands 50 years ago, spotted it.

Great to see them starting to pass through nonetheless.

[TV Man]

I was wondering where you saw the plovers, Snow Buntings, and Wilson's Snipe? Thanks in advance.

P.S. I was there the same day and saw all three Scoter species with around 40 White-winged and 10 Surf. It is interesting how people can be in the same place and see different things with just a short difference in time. I also had a Northern Shrike.

[bosh]

Jealous of your Shrike and Surf Scoters - I haven't seen either in Ontario yet. The one White-winged Scoter I saw was in the pond with the Scaups and Redheads, so I must not have been looking in the right place for Scoters - where did you see them?

The Buntings were out on the eastern endikement right near the water - a big group of about 25+. The Plovers (a group of 4 in winter plumage) were in the open dumping area getting down towards the lighthouse, again near the water.  If you walk along the outer endikement the whole way down and listen for birds, you should be able to find something interesting.

The Snipe was in Cell 2 (going by the Leslie Spit map).

Peregrine for Saw-whet sounds like a deal. Hopefully the little guy obliges next time.

[TV Man]

The Scoters were off the eastern tip of Peninsula B looking north and northeast.  I have always thought they would be off the Y shaped point by East cove but have never had much luck there. Maybe they prefer the bay north of the park but in the parts that are somewhat open.  Good luck.

[mr.sharp-photo]

It was silent there today. Didn't see anything except for the nswo.
On my way back to the base, i saw a quick fly by of around ten birds that i swore were snow buntngs. They looked like they were going to land but headed westward. This was at 12:30ish. I wonder if these guys were the ones to make it to sam smith...

[yep]

I was there all Saturday afternoon.  Saw (and photographed) the Snow Buntings.