Redpoll at Marie Curtis Park: November 6, 2020

In 15 years of TDSB nature walks, I have never before encountered a Redpoll. Common Redpolls breed in the far north. Great numbers invade southern Ontario during some winters, often followed by one to three winters with few or none.

Common Redpoll

They frequently associate with goldfinches and this individual was among a goldfinch flock.

Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll (photo: Audubon Guide)

Thank-you to Ian Valentine for these photos of this morning’s bird!

Common Redpoll (photo: Ian Valentine)
Common Redpoll (photo: Ian Valentine)
Common Redpoll (photo: Ian Valentine)

It was an interesting morning bird-wise with a Kingfisher:

Belted Kingfisher (female)
Belted Kingfisher (female)

and a Great Black-backed Gull:

Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull (note flesh coloured legs which distinguishes it from Lesser Black-backed Gull)
Great Black-backed Gull

Other birds:

Goose with band
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
American Black duck
American Black Duck
American Black Ducks
American Black Ducks
American Black Duck
Gulls
Gulls
Gulls
American Goldfinch
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Hooded Merganser (male)
Mallard (juvenile male)

Species list:  Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, red-breasted merganser, hooded merganser, red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, belted kingfisher, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, American crow, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, European starling, house sparrow, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, common redpoll. (22 species)

Park views:

We also found two brownsnakes, one of which we removed to safety from a busy bike path:

Dekay’s Brownsnake
Dekay’s Brownsnake

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Listen . . .
With faint dry sound,
Like steps of passing ghosts,
The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees
And fall.                                                              – Adelaide Crapsey (1878–1914)

Miles Hearn

4 thoughts on “Redpoll at Marie Curtis Park: November 6, 2020

  1. rosemarie fischer

    that redpoll is beautiful!!!! also the kingfisher,looks like he just got up and forgot to use the comb…haha

    Reply
  2. Gail Adams

    Hi Miles….. so sorry to have missed such exciting sightings at Marie Curtis Park yesterday – my only missed class! Is it too late to do a makeup at that park?

    Thought you might be interested to know the library has quite a few copies of the updated “ Toronto’s Ravines and Urban Forests” ( their natural heritage and local history … great weather!

    Reply
  3. Lisa Volkov

    I’m so happy for you, Miles, that you saw a Redpoll. It’s a beautiful bird! Thanks for the pictures of it, Ian. Beautiful pictures, generally!

    Reply

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