Hello Ontbirders Delightfully pleasant conditions this evening at Andrew Haydon Park provided great viewing conditions. Unfortunately there were very few exciting birds. At 4:00pm, most of the diving fowl were absent with only 4 Lesser Scaup, 2 Greater Scaup, 2 Long-tailed Ducks and 1 White-winged Scoter. Common Goldeneye were the exception with several small flocks in the deeper water. Other mildly interesting birds were 1 first winter Iceland and a male Belted Kingfisher.
Most exciting was a relatively tight flock of 9 Richardson's Cackling Geese in with the Canadas. They were observed for approximately 10 minutes swimming together near the mouth of Graham Creek (east side of the main park). When observed in full profile, the shape & size, particularly of the tiny head, neck and bill, were distinctive. Also noticeable was the slightly lighter back compared to the surrounding Canadas. Cheerio Tony http://www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/ Directions courtesy of Neily World: http://members.rogers.com/larry.neily/birding.htm >From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 129 (Greenbank & Pinecrest Roads). If travelling west, the 0.3 km offramp dumps you right or north onto Pinecrest Road. If driving east, a 0.3 km offramp brings you to Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, where you will turn left or north onto Pinecrest Road and in 0.4 km join the westbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Pinecrest Road north 1.0 km from here to Carling Avenue. Turn left or west on Carling and go 2.0 km to the turnoff for the parking lot for Andrew Hayden Park on the right or north. Turn right into the lot.
