Late October of 2018 in the Toronto area was blessed (?) with many rainy days and nights. (They could have been snowy or sleet-filled.) Following on the heels of an unusually warm September, it meant many migrating birds that should have been down south already were still flitting through the GTA. Some were undoubtedly juveniles. Some in colder harsher years probably would not have survived to even reach the GTA much less their wintering grounds. Others were just the usual birds of the north coming down to hang out in the relative warmth of southern Ontario. All of them were interesting to see. Here are a few of the ones I encountered at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in late October.
This tiny Northern Parula’s colours rivalled the autumn leaves it hunted among for midges and other small winged insects.
The Last Warblers of the Year
This Orange-crowned Warbler refused to flaunt any tiaras or crowns for me.
This Blackpoll Warbler did not have the dark head markings of a spring male making id more difficult.
A few Yellow-rumped Warblers usually survive the winter in the Toronto area. I’m not sure this one planned to stick around though.
Palm Warblers like to bob their tails while perching making them a little bit easier to id at a distance.
Goldenrod Provides Feasts Fit for Finches … and Sparrows
This American Tree Sparrow would land happily on the tops of the seeding Goldenrod. Every so often, though, a stem would be too week and it would bob down almost to ground level. (The yellow lower bill is a good field mark to look for to id these sparrows.)
The Black-capped Chickadees are so light the Goldenrod didn’t even seem to notice they were there.
White-throated Sparrows with their bright yellow nose marks often showed up in large flocks.
I seem to see far fewer of the White-crowned Sparrows. Birds that just hatched this summer like this one seem badly named as the white stripes on the head haven’t grown in yet.
These American Goldfinches will probably stay for the winter. They’ve already shifted into their subtle hues.
Rock Stars in Toronto
This Song Sparrow was hunting on the breakwater rocks. Many small insects were basking on the limestone and the sparrow was picking up some of them and some of the spiders with the same idea.
This young Black-crowned Night Heron was more interested in soaking up some sun than in hunting.
Everyone’s a Critic
This Ruby-crowned Kinglet did not consider me worth a second look.
While this Northern Mockingbird was only to ready to call me names in a variety of bird languages.
Meanwhile Back in the Duck Pond
This Greater Yellowlegs caught something that looks a bit like a clear crustacean in the mud around the edges of the duck pond. It must be a brave bird indeed to eat from that water.
And that’s all the news that’s fit to shovel, even by a Northern Shoveler.
I hope to get down to Col Sam again this autumn. It’s always full of surprises…
….like this LeConte’s Sparrow, a quite uncommon visitor to the GTA.
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Have you visited a park full of interesting creatures this fall? Please share your favourite sight with a comment.