High Park is the best place in the city to see the magnificent Wood Duck up close:
Northern Shovelers are essentially a prairie duck so it is always a pleasure to see them here. The oversize “Donald Duck” bill is the best field mark:
We saw some interesting activity today at High Park:
and several Muskrats:
Other birds:
Today’s group’s: 10 am
1 pm
MAILBOX
I received this about the disk golf course which was recently installed at Ashbridge’s Bay without much consultation:
Hello fellow nature lovers,
If you haven’t heard, thanks to many many long hours and with the support of many individuals as well as all our nature groups in Toronto the City of Toronto has decided to “pause” the use of the disc golf course on the dune habitat during the breeding and nesting season. There will be further monitoring by City staff. The possibility of relocation is being very much considered. Hopefully this will lead to public consultation, that we have been asking for but still to this day is not happening. I have been communicating with Brock Rochus the Park Supervisor.
There is still much work to be done on our part and questions yet be answered from 4 months ago. This is not a done deal. We must remain vigilante and organize.
Clyde E. Robinson
NATURE POETRY
Attracting lovely colorful winter birds
my winsome friends
seed eaters
small singing kindred spirts…
tempted by seeds pods
of the Staghorn Sumac – Cherie Nolan
Miles Hearn
Great close-ups. And–I’ve never seen ducks mating before. I certainly don’t mean to be prurient–I mean, it’s just interesting to see how it’s done!
Miles, thanks so much for posting these spectacular photos. As a neophyte, I am glad to have the opportunity to review the walk close up and recall all that I learned. I am so impressed by the beautiful lines and colours of the male wood duck but somehow completely missed the muscat! And what a treat to smell the Sassafras! The wonders of nature do buoy the spirit.
Miles,
I used to belong to the Toronto Field Naturalists many years ago to increase my knowledge of trees but became more of a birder instead. Your posts are great and accessible now that I’m not hiking.