While admiring the panoramic view from a Lake Superior lookout, I met a gentleman from Manitoba and a fellow birdwatcher. He told me that he was headed to the Toronto area specifically to see three species for his life list.

#1 Kirtland’s Warbler

The Kirtland’s is a very rare warbler and, if I kept a life list, I would still be looking for it.

#2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo

This cuckoo is also uncommon although a Saturday morning TDSB group on October 23, 2021 saw this one:

#3 Willow Flycatcher

The Willow Flycatcher is replaced in the north by the Alder Flycatcher which looks exactly the same. Only the fitz-bew call differentiates it. Willow Flycatchers are somewhat common in our area. I saw this one this morning at Col. Sam Smith Park:

Other birds:

The Strawberry, blushing, hides its modest face,
Beneath the mantling leaves.           – Rev. Dr. John Bidlake (1755–1814)

Miles Hearn