King Eider

This afternoon I ventured down to the Spit to find the adult male King Eider that was reported yesterday. I was happy to find it right where it was supposed to be.

I've never had such a good look at a King Eider in this plumage before. The ones I've seen were mere specks in the scope mixed in with thousands of Common Eiders. It's funny how things are so different here compared with Newfoundland.

It was nice to really see all of its colours and those horns on the back (which I think are feathers sticking out of the back)!

It seemed fitting though because the Eider was getting horny for a female Red-breasted Merganser. It was making a feeble attempt at a courtship display and followed after her for some time. Perhaps when you look that good you don't have to do much to impress the ladies!

I saw 23 species of waterfowl at the Spit this weekend (plus 2 species of grebe and coots) which is pretty good considering that the Presqu'ile waterfowl weekend earlier this month had the same number. They're known for their waterfowl so it's good to know that Toronto can be just as productive. Although we don't see the same number of waterfowl, usually they'll have thousands more than us.

Leslie Street Spit

I arrived at the Spit this morning as the sun was rising and left as it was setting.

It was a non-stop walking day for me with few highlights to keep the adrenaline going but I enjoyed the time outdoors. I'm not sure my legs are very thankful though.

All in all I saw 40 species which is lower than what I expected but I did see 22 species of waterfowl which is a good count.

Canvasback

King Eiders

I had my hopes high for an Eared Grebe which was seen last weekend. I double, triple and quadruple checked every Horned Grebe I came across but none of them were convincing enough. It seems that distinguishing the two species is difficult when they're in their winter plumage but I'm sure once I see one it will be quite obvious and there won't be any second guessing it!

Horned Grebe 1

Horned Grebe 2

Photographed within the same week, yet they look so different! They can be confusing when they're in different stages of their plumages and in different postures. That's what makes it fun.

Where are your ears!

I wasn't expecting to see a Shrike today. It was a nice Spring surprise.

More Geese

Aren't they fun!

I neglected all the other species of Geese in my last post. So I'll give them some breathing space here.

On Sunday Mira and I searched around Ottawa for Ross's Geese and others of course. We came across many large flocks of Canada Geese:

There was a Cackling Goose in one flock of Canada Geese (not that flock) but too distant for photos.

Eventually we found 2 white geese far out in a field. They were near where 2 Ross's Geese had been seen the day before so in my eagerness to find some I assumed they were the same birds. But I had to reconsider that identification when we found a Snow Goose nearby:

Luckily for us though we found a group of birders and joined them for a while. One of them got an email about 2 Ross's Geese that happened to be very close. We found them right where they were supposed to be:

At the same location was a leucistic Canada Goose:

It was a fun weekend getting a glimpse of these geese as they make their way further North.