Red-headed Woodpecker Turney Woods Mississauga

[Will]

Since 9:50 this morning there has been a Red-headed Woodpecker in my backyard visiting my suet (my house backs on to Turney Woods Park). Turney woods is located at Erin Mills Parkway and Britannia Road, to get to entrance turn right off Erin Mills Parkway on to Vista, then turn left onto Hargood Place and keep going on Hargood place until you get to an entrance into the forest where there is a paved downhill pathway (right across from Shay downs). Location on Google maps is 43.578712, -79.729865.

[mr.sharp-photo]

you inviting us for a visit?

that's pretty darn awesome

[rcflier]

Will,  my google says that Vista Heights Park is there.  Is that the park you mean? Or is it the footpath that goe north towards the creek? I may visit that area in the morning in search of your red-head.  thanks

http://g.co/maps/3e4ze

[Bird Brain]

Hi Will.  Fantastic sighting!       I would love to see one of these beauties!

[Will]

Yeah I agree I was pretty excited when I saw it in my backyard! And Vista Park is where Vista Heights Public school is but Turney Woods Park is the woodlot (north of Hargood Place and NW of Vista Park). The RH Woodpecker was last seen and photographed at about 4:00 this afternoon in Turney Woods (on the big hill infront of the ravine, you take a dirt trail off the paved pathway to get there). If anyone in interested I will be birding the forest between 10-11:30 (on my lunch break from school) and I would be more than happy to show the areas where the RHWO has been frequenting. Other birds of note that were also seen today include:

YB Sapsucker
Hairy/Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker (nesting pair)
RB Nuthatch
WB Nuthatch
RT Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Hermit Thrush

[lovemypt]

Great find Will, I haven't heard of one of these around the TO area before......can't go this week but hope it stays around until weekend

[Will]

As of 7:15 it is still here Seen and photographed by several other birders today

[Vince]

Thanks Will for posting this sighting. It was also good meeting you again while there this morning. While we patiently waited, without any luck, for it to come down for better pictures, I was still able to capture it from below.
Here are a couple of shots as requested
Vince

[rcflier]

Great pics Vince, nice to meet you, and nice to meet Will as well.

As well as the Red-head Woodpecker I spotted

Goldfinch x 2 near the marshy area
Downy Woodpecker
Flickers - a pair working diligently on a tall dead tree drlling a hole in it
Several Robins
several Red-winged Blackbirds in the marshy area
A f/m Mallard flew into the marshy area and dissapeared in the rushes then quacked her head off
A Red-tail Hawk - very vocal in a tree - then took off a coasted over near the marsh.

it was a great morning

[mr.sharp-photo]

i want one.
can i get one?

[Karl Heide]

I'm jelous of you Will.  I've birded Turney Woods hundreds of times but I've never seen a red-head in it.  Would love to have come seen it today as I live 2 minutes away but ufortunately work went late and by the time I got there there was no sign of the bird.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow.  Keep the forum posted on what else you find in there this season.  Best of luck,

Karl Heide

[Will]

Wow those are great pictures Vince! It has been great meeting and birding with all who have come out to enjoy this wonderful bird.

Will

[Vince]

Thanks for the comments Will and Bob. I was lucky to get those pics considering how high it was.
Come on Richard and visit the Western end of the GTA. It's worth the trip
Vince

[lovemypt]

I spent a couple of hour today looking for the red head but he was nowhere to be found while I was there........hopefully he will return in the next few weeks

[Trillian Flummox]

Enjoyed a long look at this gorgeous bird today around 3 pm. Thanks Will for your posting and your suet feeder! Turney Wood is a lovely little spot and seems to be bursting with woodpeckers! Of other interest was a Red-tailed Hawk screeching and chasing away a Turkey Vulture. I noticed a huge nest which likely belongs to the hawk, but I was unable to see who was in it.