Hello everyone, I suspect we came close to setting two records for today: 1) the coldest temperatures for an OFO outing starting the day at -23C (feeling like -32C) and 2) the shortest outing at just under 2 hours. Sixteen participants joined Dan and I, and managed to tally 24 species of birds. We started the day with a Northern Mockingbird huddled in the shrubs at the corner of Leslie St. and Unwin Ave. The most productive area was the open water at the bridge at Unwin Ave. Nice surprises here include a drake Northern Pintail, two Lesser Scaup, three Hooded Mergansers and two American Coot. Some of the participants spotted a fly over Common Raven as well as three American Robins. Another participant briefly saw a bird flush from the wet woods which was most likely a Long-eared Owl based on their description. Ashbridge's Bay proved unproductive with a small group of Ring-billed Gulls huddled on the ice. The only species we added here were a couple of Herring Gulls. The wind started to pick up and subsequently the temperature became unbearable. The group quickly dissipated to the warmth of their cars. Thanks to all the participants for braving the cold and making it an enjoyable time. Below is the link to the eBird checklists for the outing. Note that I left off Common Raven as I did not see this bird. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41680010 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41680015 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41680758
Good birding,Garth Garth Riley Etobicoke, Ontario rile...@yahoo.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
