WESTERN GREBE EARED GREBE RED-NECKED GREBE PIED-BILLED GREBE As of about 17h00 on Saturday, 13 April 2013, the western grebe is still present, found on the inside, marina side toward the western end of the outer breakwater. (The windy end with the flagpole.) It briefly swam with bill gaping and bright red bill lining showing, which I hope is a sign of spring and not distress.
Also present toward the western end of the outer breakwater were a group of six eared grebes, one of which is still mostly in basic plumage. (Young of the year from last year?) Large numbers of red-necked grebes are still present in the east bay. A much smaller number (about a dozen) were present, rafted and sleeping, in the western channel past the western tip of the outer breakwater. In the marina, I observed a single pied-billed grebe actively diving. Lots of ducks present; common and red-breasted mergansers, bufflehead, scaup (mostly greater but one probable pair of lesser), redheads, gadwall, mallards, and considerable numbers of long-tailed ducks rafting and calling. Also a group of four coots, one mute swan, and an early double-crested cormorant. Colonel Sam Smith Park is at the southern end of Kipling Avenue in Toronto, with the entrance at Kipling and Lakeshore. -- Graydon _______________________________________________ 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/
