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