Last weekend was a great one for raptors in York region, but not for waterfowl. As temps steadily rose this week, however, ice and snow melted into open water for numerous ducks and geese. The flooded fields at the north end of Bathurst have hosted at least 2,000 waterfowl since Tuesday and, although most have been Mallards and Canada Geese, feathered guests have also included TUNDRA SWANS (8), loads of N. PINTAIL (approx. 300), AM. WIGEON (10), GREEN-WINGED TEAL (25), RING-NECKED DUCK (50), LESSER SCAUP (8), WOOD DUCK (5), COMMON GOLDENEYE (3), BLUE-WINGED TEAL (2), HOODED MERGANSER (2), AMERICAN COOT (1), and one CACKLING GOOSE. (Many thanks to Chris, Keith and Bruce for this information).
On Wednesday I observed four different NORTHERN HARRIERS coursing low over the fields in this same area. Chris Dunn observed the first OSPREY of the season at this location the next day, as well as a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. He also had the first SONG SPARROW of the spring for York (that I've heard about anyway). In the West Holland River there were 17 COMMON MERGANSERS swimming together on Wednesday at the west end of Bernhardt Ave. and one lone male Cm. Merg was at the Holland Landing lagoons. At this latter location I was surprised to see a late day push of Turkey Vultures going by at 7:00 p.m. A stream of 19 TVs flew over me, following the same NNW flight path. Some very vocal BROWN CREEPERS provided a pleasant soundtrack from the swamp on the north side of the lagoons. On Wednesday evening an unplanned rendezvous with Keith Dunn at the top end of Yonge St. in Holland Landing yielded our first AMERICAN WOODCOCKS of the season. There were at least two of them "peenting" from the ground, then rising into the air to do their famous "Dance of The Timberdoodle" east of Silver Lakes golf course. While we were standing there chatting, Keith and I also heard a WOOD DUCK fly over and a group of coyotes howling and yipping in the distance. My golden retriever hung tight by my leg for that canine chorus. On Thursday evening Bruce Brydon had another Woodcock at the top end of Bathurst St. Thursday's balmy weather brought out the first EASTERN PHOEBE of the season just west of Hwy. 400 near Bradford. Last Sunday I finally observed my first two KILLDEER of the spring while hiking in the Mary Lake property just north of King City (where the Oak Ridges Trail runs west from Dufferin St.). By Wednesday they were everywhere. Also present and making a seriously spacey sibilance at Mary Lake that day was a very vocal flock of about 100 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. In central Newmarket Chris Dunn has had flocks of Bohemians ranging from 50 to 150 along Bolton Ave. just north of Davis Drive all week long. This weekend's pleasant conditions should bring in a whole new group of migrants. Ironically, many of us "locals" will be in the Hamilton area on a field trip. Ron Fleming, Newmarket York Region is just north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe. The north end of Bathurst Street is accessed by taking Yonge St. north from Newmarket. Halfway between Holland Landing and Bradford there is a stoplight indicating Bathurst St. North. Turn right, then a quick left, then Bathurst crosses the RR tracks and runs straight north. Take it to the flooded fields north of Queensville Sdrd. and Albert's marina. A scope definitely helps if you have one. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
