Winter is Coming

Okay, I only say that Winter is Coming because I'm a Game of Thrones fan, however Fall really is coming, and, depending on your definition, it's already here.

Fall means bird migration, and migration periods are the best times to see and find birds in Toronto. Of course, you should have no trouble recognizing a Mallard if you see one, they're the most common type of duck in North America. While they do migrate they can be found in these parts all year around. Like the coyote and other very adaptable species, Mallards do very well in areas of heavy human settlement.

This shot of a Mallard male provides another example of our adage that it's better to have a good image of something common than a bad shot of something rare. One of my favorite shots. Click to enlarge.

March of the Sandpipers

These are Sandpipers, but it's an open question as to what type of Sandpipers they are. They may be Least Sandpipers or Semipalmated Sandpipers, and just so you can be assured I'm not an idiot, the morning I saw these guys there was an Ontario government biologist on the scene and he didn't know which type they were either. So there.

Being arctic birds, these guys are also potential early arrivals in the spring. And, as you can see, if you spot one Sandpiper on the shores of Lake Ontario, you can be certain some others won't be far behind.

Click to enlarge.

Fall Migration 2010

It's time to panic. Sure lots of birds pass through the city during the fall on their way to parts south. But many species start this migration as early as mid-August. At this point the whole process is well underway.

If you do get lucky you might catch some Red-breasted Mergansers like the one above, yet another No Way That's In Toronto bird. These guys are easy to confuse with the very-similar Common Merganser. The biggest tip-off that you're looking at a Red-breasted version is the red eyes.

In almost the exact same pose, here's another Red-breasted Merganser side-by-side with a female for easy comparison.


The main takeaway from this should be that if you're going to birdwatch this fall don't delay. All these fairweather Canadians will be past and gone before you know it.