Several other birders including Tim McCarthy and I relocated and
photographed the European Greenfinch using the same feeders as
reportedly seen by Marg and Ian Sturdee on 7 February 2012 on
Ontbirds. The bird was watched for about 25 minutes but disappeared
for short times during the period of observation. I have posted
photographs on flick'r Canada under 'waynerenaud2012' or under the
name 'European Greenfinch, James Gardens, Toronto, 9 February 2013'.
The field marks are clearly seen on these photos: greenish sheen on
eye area, breast and rump: heavy light pink bill; grayish body with
pale underpart becoming under on underbelly; some light greenish-
yellow on outer edges of under-tail coverts; outer primaries edged
with medium yellow; tail feather very dark gray to black. The bird
was flying strongly and holding its own at the feeders with the likes
of European Starlings, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals, American
Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Juncos. It would be difficult to prove
either way if this bird escaped from a caged population or is a wild
bird well beyond its normal range.
Directions (as per the Sturdee posting on Ontbirds:
To get to James Gardens go to Royal York Road and Eglinton Ave West in
west Toronto. Drive south on Royal York and turn left on Edenbridge
Dr. The James
Park entrance is on your right at the bottom of the hill. From the
parking lot walk south parallel to the Humber River about .5KM. You
will enter
Lambton Woods while walking along this trail. You will see a secondary
trail on your right and look for 2 plastic bottle hanging bird feeders
and a small
platform feeder.
Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043)
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
