Ontbirds subscribers,
Good numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls (300+) have been coming and going and
loafing in the bay to the east of Thickson's Point off Crystal Beach Boulevard
(at distances anywhere between 200 - 500 metres) all afternoon (making it hard
to get a precise number of Bonaparte's Gulls). About 3:20 p.m. I discovered an
adult Black-headed Gull among them. The bird has a full brown hood and red bill
and the dark undersides to the primaries are easily visible in today's sunny
conditions (although it has not been flying very often). It is probably easiest
to pick out simply by size alone and is as often found among Ring-billed Gulls
as with the Bonaparte's Gulls. There are also 8 adult Little Gulls found among
the many Bonaparte's Gulls. Also seen were 2 Iceland Gulls (adult and
first-summer), 4 Common Loons and 1 Red-throated Loon (quite distant). All are
best viewed using a scope.
To my knowledge, there have been no sightings of the Fish Crow or Common Ravens
seen at Thickson's Woods the last couple of days. This morning it appeared that
there were 2 singing male Cerulean Warblers in the woods. Warblers have just
started getting somewhat active again in the last hour.
To reach Thickson's Woods take exit 412 from Hwy 401 and go south 2 km
on Thickson Road S. Park at the cul-de-sac at the bottom of Thickson
Road. The road blocked to traffic just north of the cul-de-sac
(Waterfront Trail) leads east to the entrance to Thickson's Woods on the
right a few hundred metres ahead. Walking south through the woods leads to the
lakefront.
Glenn Coady
Whitby, Ontario
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