SAM SMITH PARK SPRING CLEAN-UP - SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH

RESULTS 2018 SAM SMITH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIAN KEAVENEY

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

FEMALE AND MALE MALLARD

MUTE SWANS AND MALLARDS

MALE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

FEMALE RED BREASTED MERGANSERS

FEMALE LONG-TAILED DUCK

MALE AND FEMALE GADWALL

2018 Colonel Sam Smith Park Christmas Bird Count

Location: south Etobicoke, at the base of Kipling Ave., adjacent to Humber College South Campus

Date: December 26, 2018, Boxing Day

Weather: High of 3 degrees Celsius, partly cloudy with no snow or precipitation, winds SW 12-20 km/h

No ice on the lake as well as the LSYC basin even around the edges.

This is the second year of the FOSS Christmas Bird Count.

12 count participants found about 800 birds of 46 species.

Bird species seen:

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, American Black Duck x Mallard hybrid, Redhead, Greater Scaup, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Eastern Screech-Owl, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Kestrel, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, European Starling, American Robin, House Finch, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow

The largest number of birds of the same species were 309 Greater Scaup.

The top 10 birds in order seen at one time:

Greater Scaup (309)

Ring-billed Gull (67)

Common Goldeneye (60)

Mallard (56)

Gadwall (38)

Red-breasted Merganser (35)

Long-tailed Duck (30)

Mute Swan (18)

Canada Goose (17)

Black-capped Chickadee (16)

The notable birds of the day were:

Common Redpoll

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Orange-crowned Warbler

Eastern Screech-Owl

Winter Wren

If you have sightings from December 26^th that you did not send in, please send to Brian Keaveney.

masters@sympatico.ca

LAKESHORE GROUNDS INTERPRETIVE CENTRE UPCOMING EXHIBIT

 






Launch of their first community art exhibit: "In Your Eyes",  a unique view of the Lakeshore Grounds as seen by 18 local artists.  It will introduce you to new ways of seeing and appreciating the space we share!

FOSS BIRD FEEDER PROJECT

Sanja Antic, one of our regular bird feeder volunteers, sent us this photo from this morning. FOSS bird feeders can be viewed at different points around the skating trail. 

Also, don't forget to check out the activity at Bruce Wilkinson's feeder near the turnaround oval at the south parking lot.

Thanks to all our volunteers

ANTI-COYOTE PROTECTIVE VEST FOR YOUR DOG!!

Huh?





Link to Vancouver Sun article.

FOSS WINTER BIRD FEEDERS

The FOSS Winter Bird Feeder Project at Colonel Sam Smith Park is up and running, and the birds have found us!  

This past week we have had goldfinches (see photo), downy woodpecker, mourning doves, cardinal, and black-capped chickadees, as well as some squirrels, of course!   There are 5 feeding stations by the Skating Trail, with seeds and suet at each one. Thanks to all the FOSS volunteers who are filling the feeders each day!

If you are by the Skating Trail, check out the photo (courtesy of FOSS member Bruce Wilkinson) on the bulletin board in the Power House, taken last winter.  It shows someone else who appreciates our feeders!

Barbara Keaveney

2018 FOSS CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK

Volunteers needed!

How it’s done?

See the attached park map and Winter Bird Count List for Colonel Sam Smith Park. Print them if you can. Go out in the park on December 26 and look for birds (Boxing Day). Keep track of the time of day you visited the park, all the bird species you saw in the park or on the water as well as how many of each species you found. Send a list along to FOSS (see address at end of article) so we can add them to the overall Christmas Bird Count. If the weather is poor on the 26th then use the 27th for your count.

Here is a link to a printable list for you to use for your count.

Try to send a photo with or without birds. We will try to place some of the photos on the FOSS website (no faces please)
Send your Bird Count to:  Brian Keaveney, President of FOSS. masters@sympatico.ca by Dec. 28th.

You can scan your list and send the scan by email or just include the data in the body of the email. Results will be posted on the FOSS website.

Note: Bring a colour bird book with you to help identify birds or ask another birder that day.
Stay warm
.
Brian Keaveney

REPORT FROM SANDRA HAWKINS ON RECENT COYOTE INFORMATION SESSION

I attended the Coyote Info Session (December 3) at Mimico Library. There were approximately 40 people in attendance--mostly dog owners.

Eric Code was emcee. He introduced speakers from the Toronto Wildlife Centre (www.torontowildlifecentre.com) and Coyote Watch Canada (Ann Brockelman) (coyotewatchcanada.com). Both speakers were excellent. MNR biologists were also in the audience.

Some highlights:

1. Feeding coyotes is the #1 problem. Food is often left by "good Samaritans" who believe they are "helping" these animals. Baiting has also been done by some irresponsible photographers.  If anyone finds food left in the parks, remove it immediately and report the incident to TO Animal Services or 311 (with photo if possible). Individuals have been charged upon investigation.

2. All dog poop and errant treats should be picked up in both regular parks and inside the dog parks. Coyotes eat poop and also use it for determining such things as if there are any intruders in their territory, if there are any female dogs in "heat", etc. If you find an area with large amount of dog poop, contact TO Animal Services or 311.

3. Dogs should be on leash unless they are in the dog parks. Coyotes are curious and may feel threatened (especially if they have a den and youngsters in an area). They may appear to be stalking people/dogs, but most likely are simply trying to determine if there is any danger in the situation for them.

4. Never chase a coyote during the spring "denning" season. They can become so frightened that they will abandon their den and any pups will not survive. Never scream at a coyote--rabbits make a screaming sound and this only attracts coyotes.

5. Bird feeders attract small mammals (mice, rats, rabbits, etc.) that are the main prey of coyotes.

6. If you ever feel threatened, never turn your back and never run from a coyote. Face the animal with your hands in the air and try to make yourself look as big as possible.

7. Via a show of hands, no one in the audience was ever bitten or chased by a coyote, but many people were bitten or chased by dogs.

8. There is no proof that the dead red fox recently found in the park was killed by a coyote. Its body was removed within two hours of discovery and an investigation could not be conducted.

9. Coyote pups suffer a 70% mortality rate in their first year. They are often killed by Great Horned Owls.

10. Dogs should be spayed/neutered. Cats should be kept inside as they are similar in size to rabbits, skunks, etc. and are considered an alternate source of food for the coyote. Keeping cats inside also reduces the number of wild birds that are killed each year by errant house cats.

11. Human food is very detrimental for coyotes. Teeth rot and the animal loses its ability to catch natural prey.

12. It was suggested that all park users' cell 'phones list the number for the TO Wildlife Centre for quick use if an injured or in distress animal is observed: 416 631-0662.

13. The reduction in deer numbers in the parks is NOT due to traveling packs of ravenous coyotes. Unless a deer is injured or emaciated, coyotes present no danger.

14. In the "you can't make these things up" department, the TO Wildlife Centre speaker talked about a woman who called their office to ask if it was OK to leave her 11-month old baby alone outside in her back yard while she went into her house to do some chores. She was concerned the child might be attacked by a coyote. It was suggested that, perhaps it was not a good idea to leave a baby alone outside under any circumstance!

Sandra Hawkins