Friday, April 5, 2013

Titmouse Oddysey - Mount Royal Park, April 5th, 2013

Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
  Taking advantage of wonderful snowy and chilly weather, Dan and I headed to Mount Royal Park to investigate recent reports of Tufted Titmouse (via Zofia Laubitz on the BPQ Yahoo group).
  We ended up seeing 20 species, with a few pleasant surprises among them. The feeder stations were bustling with plenty of action, mostly Common Redpolls (still) and Black-capped Chickadees, with lesser numbers of American Goldfinch and White-breasted Nuthatch.
  Notable sightings included a shreeping flock of about 40 handsome Bohemian Waxwings, a ridiculous Golden-crowned Kinglet that resembled a ping-pong ball, a low-level dogfight between an American Crow and a Red-shouldered Hawk, a close encounter with a swooping Turkey Vulture near the cross, and nearby some good views of a Brown Creeper and a striking Yellow-bellied Sapucker.
  Our goal however, the Tufted Titmouse, eluded us for many long hours, with only one heard between feeders 1 and 2. As my hands started to freeze up, we stood up to leave, finally admitting defeat.
  Of course, that's when the eerily quiet and calm Titmouse materialized next to feeder 1, posing for several minutes. High five! Thank you, birding gods.

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