To the west of St. Basil's Pond, I heard at least one and more likely two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS. The sighting was pleasing but not surprising as local people who recognized my father and me as birders last week informed us that the species was still present (just a couple of kilometres away, to the south of Albion Road, we have not recorded them since 2000, except for one isolated sighting last year).
On the pond itself were 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and a remarkable 8 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. I was surprised when I saw a cormorant near here a few weeks ago, and wrote on this board that they do not often get this far up the river. I now realize I was wrong in this appraisal, and that the species' status has in fact changed dramatically since the 1980 to 1992 period when I birded this area regularly and upon which experience I was basing my comment. Another species whose status has undergone a similarly dramatic change is NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. I suspect that I may notice some other abundance changes compared to the 1980-1992 period over the coming months as spring migrants pass through and summer residents establish themselves. Mark Kubisz, Etobicoke, ON.
