There was a tremendous number of birds around this morning, definitely the best day in terms of numbers this year to date. Highlights were a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. New arrivals included BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (actually first recorded yesterday), NORTHERN PARULA, and EASTERN WOOD PEWEE. A HERMIT THRUSH recorded is past the main movement for this species.
But the most tantalizing bird of all was one that was heard only. I am very familiar with the songs of the breeding birds of central Ontario, and this was not any regularly occuring central Ontario species. The first two parts were like the first two parts of a Northern Waterthrush song, and similarly loud, but the notes were only repeated twice. And the third part was much shorter, not at all like a Northern Waterthrush. I looked through the list of warblers, and was able to eliminate everyone of them except Louisiana Waterthrush, whose song I don't know (and I don't have tapes). If anyone could describe to me what a Louisiana Waterthrush sounds like, or venture an opinion on what I could have heard, I would be very grateful. Thank you. Most birds this morning were seen in Resources Road Ravine, which can be accessed from the foot of Dee Avenue. That is the first street west off Weston Road immediately south of Hwy 401. Cross the footbridge and walk south. The Vireo was in Pine Point Park, which can be reached from the footbridge by walking north under the Hwy 401 overpass. Mark Kubisz, Etobicoke
