REDHEAD, BUFFLEHEAD, AMERICAN KESTREL and LESSER SCAUP Toronto 31/12/03 © J.Lees

The morning was overcast and with a T of -6 but the afternoon was sunny with a temp of 9 but very windy.  I spent the morning at Humber park Toronto it was hard going in the wind but there was a drake RING-NECKED DUCK, 36 LESSER SCAUP, 3500 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 28 HOODED MERGANSERS, 31 COMMON MERGANSERS, 79 BUFFLEHEADS, 57 REDHEADS, 42 GADWALL, 8 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 6 GREATER SCAUP, 30 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 24 GOLDENEYES, 35 BLACK DUCKS, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS, 750 RING-BILLED GULLS, 3 GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULLS, 30 AMERICAN HERRING GULLS, 12 MUTE SWANS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 1 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW,5 RED-TAILED HAWKS and a male AMERICAN KESTREL.

A dull morning with a a temp of 0 and snow flurries. A morning around the Patch produced 4 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS inc a new bird which had a band on its right leg. Also around today 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 2 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 7 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 NORTHERN FLICKER, 1 COOPERS HAWK, 2 RED-WINED BLACKBIRDS, 20 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 5 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 25 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 7 HOUSEFINCHES, 4 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES,30 CHICKADEES, 30 JUNCOS, 14 RED CARDINALS, 2 BLUE JAYS, 2 NIGHT HERONS, 1 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and 5 TRUMPETER SWANS.

COOPERS HAWK and NORTHERN FLICKER Dundas 29/12/03 © J.Lees

A change in the weather today saw the return of the dull and rainy days but still mild with a temp of 3. The highlight of a mornings walk around Dundas was a 1st year female COOPERS HAWK and a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Also around Dundas today 3 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 4 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 3 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 45 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 22 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 25 JUNCOS, 15 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 7 HOUSEFINCHES, 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 8 RED CARDINALS, 2 NIGHT HERONS and 6 GREAT BLUE HERONS.

COOPERS HAWK?? Dundas 28/12/03 © J.Lees

The day started with very heavy fog but this later burnt of to be another warm sunny day.  After waiting in Hamilton harbor for a couple of hours and the fog not lifting at all we went to Humber park east Toronto for a quick stop.  Although we only stay a very short time we  saw at least 2000 GREATER SCAUP, 248 REDHEADS, 60 BUFFLEHEADS, 400 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 15 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 21 HOODED MERGANSERS, and 15 COMMON MERGANSERS. Then went down to then Patch in the afternoon with the highlight being a presumed COOPERS HAWK ?  also then, 3 RED-TAILED HAWK, NIGHT HERONS,1 GREAT-BLUE HERON, 2 GREATER SCAUP, 65 BLACK DUCKS, 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, 12 WHITE-THROATED and 10 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 40 JUNCOS, 1 AMERICAN ROBIN, 5 HOUSEFINCHES, 2 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 8 CARDINALS.

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER Dundas © J.Lees

Another bright day with a tee shirt wearing  temp of 8! Today I went down to my patch but again went a bit further today.  By far the highlight today was a great discovery of 3 MYRTLE WARBLERS behind the ice hockey rink which were stunning as was a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Also today a drake BUFFLEHEAD was new in also, 1 NORTHERN FLICKER, 19 Downy and 4 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 15 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 37 AMERICAN ROBINS, 33 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 24 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS 35 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER, 2 BROWN CREEPERS, 1 WINTER WREN, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 21 RED CARDINALS, 16 BLUE JAYS, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 NIGHT HERON, 4 HOODED MERGANSER and 1 GREAT BLUE HERON.

HOUSEFINCH and NORTHERN SHRIKE HAMILTON 26/12/03 © J.Lees

A very cold day but bright and sunny. Today I joined a local birder today to help with the Hamilton Christmas bird count. We mainly drove around and made a few stops the highlights were,6 calling and 1 very showy EASTERN SCREECH OWL, 1 female PURPLEFINCH, 1 COOPERS HAWK, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE.  We also saw 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 1 ICELAND GULL, 5 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 7 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 RAVENS, 1 BUFFLEHEAD, 30 HOUSEFINCHES, 2 SWAMP and 22 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS,6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 3 species of squirrel red, black and grey!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Dundas 25/12/03 © J.Lees

A sunny day with snow flurries and a temp of -2.  A very quick walk along Spencer Creek with Sarah produced 5 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, 25 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS, 5 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 BROWN CREEPER, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 4 CAROLINA WRENS, 1 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.

GREAT-BLUE HERON and SWAMP SPARROW Dundas 24/12/03   © J.Lees

Christmas eve started dull and I mean dull I could hardly take a photograph it was so dingy but still mild with a temp of 4.  Well what a productive morning it was.  I did my normal today and went around the patch but I went a lot further today.  After hearing a strange call in the reed bed and waiting along time I began to "pish".  With in  seconds 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS came out shouting at me and then the first of 6 SWAMP SPARROWS came with in a few feet of me and a MARSH WREN!  Then another  SNOW BUNTING went over and a stunning WHITE-THROATED SPARROW showed very well. Also at Cootes Paradise today 1 SONG SPARROW, 30 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 45 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 17 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 5 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 18 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 6 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 1 PINTAIL, 5 GREEN-WINGED TEALS, 3 NIGHT HERONS, a displaying pair of BELTED KINGFISHERS 27 COMMON and 6 HOODED MERGANSERS, 8 GADWALL, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 150 BLACK DUCKS, 450 MALLARDS, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 9 GREAT-BLUE HERONS,180 RING-BILLED GULLS, 30 AMERICAN HERRING GULLS, 1 GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULL,  14 HOUSEFINCHES, 15 RED CARDINALS, 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, 160 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 2 CAROLINA WRENS,30 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS, 2 BROWN CREEPERS and 2 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. Also the hole area showed signs of there being a lot of Beavers around with hundreds of trees that had been chewed away. I also had a good view of a MINK.

A dull and wet day but still mild it was a bit like being in England again! New in on the patch today a drake GOLDENEYE and a female GREEN-WINED TEAL and an increase to 7 GREAT-BLUE HERONS also there toady 70 BLACK DUCKS, 5 HOODED and 12 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, BELTED KINGFISHER, 3 NIGHT HERONS,5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 150 RING-BILLED GULLS, 2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, 5 AMERICAN HERRING GULLS, 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 40 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS, 1 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 5 RED-CARDINALS, 20 MOURNING DOVES and a BLUE JAY.

GREAT-BLUE HERON and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS Spencer Creek 22/12/03 © J.Lees

A rather cloudy day but mild with a temp of 2.  I spent the morning along Spencer Creek which was quite productive with 7 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 5 GREAT-BLUE HERONS, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER, 1 CAROLINA WREN, 9 HOUSEFINCHES, 25 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS, 35 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 11 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 6 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 2 WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCHES and 2 BLUE JAYS.  Than a late afternoon visit to the patch paid of with a SNOW BUNTING low south also there 3 HOODED MERGANSERS, 10 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS and 30 BLACK DUCKS.

Bald Eagle and female HAIRY WOODPECKER Dundas 21/12/03 © J.Lees

Again a nice sunny day but with very strong winds and a temp of -10 it was cold on the face. A long walk along the Bruce trail was quiet with 1 HAIRY and 1 DOWNY WOODPECKERS and plenty of CHICKADEES. Then an afternoon stroll down to patch with Sarah produced a superb first winter BALD EAGLE also there today the drake WOOD DUCK, BELTED KINGFISHER, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 1 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 80 RING-BILLED GULLS, 50  and 30 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS.

A very bright sunny start but still cold with a temp of -9. Birding was limited today as Christmas shopping at a Burlington mall was on the cards.  So a very quick trip down to Patch in the morning produced just the regulars 3 NIGHT HERONS, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, BELTED KINGFISHER, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 30 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 40 BLACK DUCKS, 2 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and a single SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH Dundas 19/12/03 © J.Lees

A mixed day with clouds and sun but still cold with a temp of -10.  A morning walk along the Patch produced the elusive drake WOOD DUCK, BELTED KINGFISHER, 3 NIGHT HERONS, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON, 6 TRUMPETER SWANS still plus 1 flew high south, 5 HOODED MERGANSERS, 30 COMMON MERGANSERS, 50 BLACK DUCKS, 2 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS, 1 RED-TAILED HAWK, 35 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. Then it was over to Spencer Creek where it was generally quiet apart from a singing CAROLINA WREN, 5 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 10 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and 5 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS.

Male DOWNY WOODPECKER and adult BALD EAGLE Dundas 18 /12/03 © J.Lees

Another overcast day with a windchill of -11.  I headed down to Spencer Creek which was still snow covered and very icy. The star find being a male NORTHERN FLICKER and 2 BROWN CREEPERS also along the creek this morning 4 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 3 HAIRY and 6 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 50 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS, 4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 1 WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH, 7 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 1 BLUE JAY and lots of CHICKADEES. Yet another visit to the Patch proved worth while with adult BALD EAGLE that paid a brief visit early afternoon.  Also there today a drake WOOD DUCK, 1 SONG SPARROW, 2 NIGHT HERONS, 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 6 HOODED and 15 COMMON MERGANSERS, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 4 AMERICAN ROBINS, 6 RED CARDINALS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 5 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and 50 BLACK DUCKS. 

Female and Male AMERICAN ROBINS Dundas 17/12/03 © J.Lees

 The day was overcast with snow flurries and a temp of -8. Today I went up to the Dundas end of the RBG ( Royal Botanical Gardens ) This huge wood was generally quiet until I took the wrong turn and got lost in the snow.  It became worse when I ended up on the wrong side of a deep and fast flowing creek. After some very hairy moments I got across and made my way though this unknown land.  After 5 hours with out seeing hardly anything and not knowing where I was or what time it was ( Left my watch at home! ) I was just starting to get down hearted when I came across a pocket of birds in front of me.  When I raised my bins I saw an amazing flock of at least 200 AMERICAN ROBINS and 35 CEDAR WAXWINGS that showed very well feeding on berries they were just stunning to watch.  I had also left the scope at home so I had to  "Digibin" them to get these results.  Also in the RBG I had at least 2 HAIRY WOODPECKS, 4 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 2 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 10 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 5 RED CARDINALS, and lots of CHICKADEES.  On the way home I passed the Patch where 9 TRUMPETER SWANS and the BELTED KINGFISHER remained.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD DUNDAS 16/12/03 © J.Lees

The snow was still on the ground this morning but afternoon rain cleared most of it along with a temp of 2.  A short morning walk along Spencer Creek Dundas was very busy with a flock of 75 SLATE -COLORED JUNCOS, 25 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 2 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 1+HAIRY WOODPECKER, 4 DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 3 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, 4 HOUSEFINCHES, 1 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, 1 WINTER WREN, 8 RED CARDINALS, 2 BLUE JAYS. Then in the afternoon I headed down to the Patch in the rain! And it was well worth the effort when the dull winters day was brightened up by 8 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS feeding in a reed bed for a short time.  Also there were 3 very showy DOWNY WOODPECKERS, 1 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 3 NIGHT HERONS, 3 GREAT-BLUE HERONS, 9 TRUMPETER SWANS, 7 HOODED MERGANSERS, 35 COMMON MERGANSERS, 64 BLACK DUCKS , 1 RED-TAILED HAWK and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.

TRUMPETER SWANS and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW Dundas 15/12/03 © J.Lees

Yesterday's snow remained on the ground but slightly warmer today only -2 and overcast.  The Dundas driving park came up trumps this morning with at least 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and a male HAIRY WOODPECKER,6 CHICKADEES and a single BLUE JAY.  The Patch this morning saw a influx of water fowl with the total of TRUMPETER SWANS now at 9 adult birds,78 BLACK DUCKS, 300 MALLARDS,1 HOODED MERGANSER,5 COMMON MERGANSERS,1 GADWALL, The PIED-BILLED GREBE showed up again along with the male BELTED KINGFISHER,1 NIGHT HERON,2 GREAT BLUE HERONS ,90 RING-BILLED GULLS,1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL and 2 AMERICAN HERRING GULLS,1 male DOWNY WOODPECKER,22 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS,4 SLATE COLORED JUNCOS and 2 RED CARDINALS.

SONG SPARROW 14/12/03 and DOWNY WOODPECKER 15/12/03 Dundas © J.Lees

Dawn broke to see 4 inch's of snow and heavy snow showers for the whole day with the temp staying at around -8.  A morning walk around the Patch Dundas in  a heavy snow shower produced just 1 NIGHT HERON,1 GREAT BLUE HERON,5 TRUMPETER SWANS,5 COMMON MERGANSERS,30 BLACK DUCKS and amazingly SONG SPARROW was still there with 25 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. The Dundas driving park feeders held 3 HOUSE FINCHES, 3 PINE SISKINS,20 SLATE COLORED JUNCOS,1 WHITE- BREASTED NUTHATCH and a few CHICKADEES.

NIGHT HERON and RING-BILLED GULL Dundas 13/12/03 ©James Lees

A bright sunny day but still cool with a temp of -7,A quick shopping trip to Hamilton turned up a male AMERICAN KESTREL and a NORTHERN SHRIKE on route. After lunch Sarah and I headed around the east end of Dundas again this produced 1 SONG SPARROW,1 male BELTED KINGFISHER,2 GREAT BLUE HERON'S, at least 3 NIGHT HERONS,190 RING-BILLED GULL'S,1 HOODED MERGANSER,5 COMMON MERGANSERS,30 BLACK DUCKS, 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, 12 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and a Juv RED-TAILED HAWK.

With a light south westerly wind lots of light snow showers and a temp of -10 birding was tough going. But a morning spent around the north east end of Dundas produced one NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD,4 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and a good count of 48 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS,5 TRUMPETER SWANS,3 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS ,1 PIED BILLED GREBE, 37 BLACK DUCKS were in with a flock of 280 MALLARDS,180 RING-BILLED GULLS,16 HOODED MERGANSERS,18 COMMON MERGANSERS,1 DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT,2 GREAT BLUE HERONS,1 GREEN-WINGED TEAL,1 RED-TAILED HAWK,2 DOWNY WOODPECKERS,24 SLATE COLOURED JUNCO'S,1 CAROLINA WREN,6 RED CARDINALS,2 BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES and 4 MOURNING DOVES.

The first bird of the day was a very vocal AMERICAN CROW.  It has very different call from the crows in the UK.  My first new species of the day were BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES showed briefly.  The neighbourhood is absolutely covered in BLACK SQUIRRELS.  I have seen at least fifty of this crippling mammal already.

Mid-morning I went for a walk by the Spencer Creek in Dundas.  I saw 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, a SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO, and the bird of the day, a CAROLINA WREN.  Back near Sarah's Dad's house, two RED CARDINALS, two WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, a BLUE JAY, a DOWNY WOODPECKER, four CHICKADEES, and four MOURNING DOVES.

I left London Heathrow at 9.40 after a delay due to very heavy fog.  The flight was long and because of the dense cloud there wasn't much to see.  But five hours into the flight the cloud broke to expose my first view of CANADA and the very snow-covered Newfoundland. 

I arrived at 12 0'clock local time.  Disaster struck when I found myself sat in an immigration office being interrogated for an hour and a half.  They saw that I was planning to stay for a long time and wanted to know why!  They were suspicious that I was carrying drugs in my luggage.  After they ripped it apart piece by piece, they eventually tracked Sarah down and matched our stories.  I was finally free to go.  Nice welcome that was!

The drive from Toronto airport to Dundas, my new home, produced at least 20 RED-TAILED HAWKS of various colours, and three WHITE-TAILED DEER.  After I had settled into my new flat, I went for a stroll just before it got dark.  The fist birds up were a cracking SLATE COLOURED JUNCO, a fly over SHARP SHINNED HAWK, a MERLIN, and ten MOURNING DOVES.