Dunlins breed in the Arctic and usually pass rather quickly through Ontario in May.
The old names “Red-backed Sandpiper” and “Blackheart Sandpiper” were descriptive of the reddish brown and black patch on the white underparts of northbound migrants in spring.
MYSTERY BIRD
I will identify it at the end of the post.
Rough-winged Swallows have brown backs.
They have a dusky throat unlike the other brown-backed swallow – the Bank Swallow – which has a dark breast band.
Other birds:
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron was still here at Col. Sam Smith Park.
Getting close to nature!
MYSTERY BIRD
The entirely red bill and black cap identify this as a Caspian Tern.
MAILBOX
Here’s a post from a few years ago.
Explorations of an Ecologist: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Toronto (joshvandermeulen.blogspot.com)
NATURE POETRY
The sandpipers trip on the glassy beach,
Ready to mount and fly;
Whenever a ripple reaches their feet
They rise with a timorous cry. – Duncan Scott
Miles Hearn
so many beautiful birds…..did not know that there are so many different types of swallows….thanks for sharing, Miles
Such a gorgeous collection!!!!!
Thank you.
That reminds me of a cute short movie from Pixar named Piper:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQO4L7HkuLE
Thank you, Miles!
So it seems like Col. Sam Smith Park is the place to be. Not that I am necessarily assuming that all the pictures featured here were taken there. But you do seem to go there a lot for bird watching/picture taking, and the birds you have seen and photographed there certainly seem to justify your choice!
In any case, these are absolutely wonderful pictures–as usual. Thanks, Miles!