May 2026 in Mississauga Ontario doesn’t seem to want to rush into spring. May 7 and 8 we had a short snow shower in the early morning and May 9 it was only 10 C at high noon at Lakeside Park. The midges wee up in the sheltered spots but there were very few birds chasing them and many bird watchers chasing those birds! Wearing a fleece, my winter coat and mittens, I still felt cold as I explored along the lake front to see if any colourful spring warblers had popped in overnight.
Yellow-Rumped Warblers Won Most Abundant Bird
This male Yellow-rumped seemed to have more yellow on its ‘shoulders’ than average. Was it just extra fluffed up against the cold breeze?
I’m never quite sure which spring warblers are females and which are non-breeding-colour males. I think this is a female Yellow-rumped.
Yellow Warblers Take Second Prize for Abundance
This male Yellow Warbler was preening after a quick cold splash. The others were singing and flying after midges.
Sing a Song of Sparrows
This House Sparrow survived the winter here in the park.
This White-throated Sparrow could have over-wintered locally but probably is a migrant. Many of the birds were challenging to photograph!
This White-crowned Sparrow decided to pose briefly. They are less abundant migrants locally than the White-throated so I was happy to see several at the park.
Song Sparrows are abundant in spring in Lakeside Park and are not usually shy but this one was almost on my feet. It was very intent on finding lots of insects quickly.
Common Grackles are also abundant in the park but are usually quite wary of humans. Again, this one approached me quite closely, rapidly diving and picking up insects. By the behaviour, I’d guess it already has a nest of hungry offspring nearby.
A Palm Warbler May Be Wishing for a Palm Tree or at Least Warmth
This Palm Warbler was easy to identify: It was wagging its tail steadily; It has the nice rusty cap; and it was yellow under the chin, over the eye and under the tail.
What Was This Warbler at Lakeside Park?
When I first saw this warbler, I thought it might be a Palm. I had just seen the other Palm (above) and they are a common early, abundant, migrant. But this second warbler was not wagging its tail at all. Zero motion.
And it didn’t have a rusty cap. And the dark dashes were darker and thicker. But it was yellow under the chin and had some yellow near the eye…..
But it was white under the tail area, not yellow.
Hmmmmm.
A Cape May Warbler Makes the Best Bird of the Day at Lakeside Park
I’ve decided this was a Cape May Warbler! It’s not a breeding plumage male but it still was the first I’ve seen this spring and a pretty neat find on such a frosty day.
Sure hope we eventually get to see our usual Parulas and Magnolias and Blackburnians one of these days soon.
Related Reading