TURTLE, TOOGOOD POND PARK, UNIONVILLE, ON

COMMON GRACKLE, TOOGOOD POND PARK, UNIONVILLE, ON

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, LYNDE SHORES CONSERVATION AREA, WHITBY, ON

   We can ID this sparrow as a White-throated Sparrow by its bright white "eyebrow", yellow supraloral, white throat and two wingbars.  The eyebrow stripe varies in color from drab (tan) to bright white.

BREEDING MALE NORTHERN SHOVELER, CRANBERRY MARSH, LYNDE SHORES CONSERVATION AREA, WHITBY, ON

   We can ID this duck as male Northern Shoveler in breeding plumage by its very long bill, rufous flanks and belly and white breast.

MOLTING BONAPARTE'S GULL, LAKE ONTARIO, SECOND MARSH WILDLIFE AREA, OSHAWA, ON

   We have identified this gull as a Bonaparte'Gull by itsi pale gray upperparts, dark ear-spot and thin black bill.    This gull is molting from the mostly white head of nonbreeding plumage to the black hooded head of  breeding plumage.

MALE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, SECOND MARSH WILDLIFE AREA, OSHAWA, ON

   We can ID this bird as a male Brown-headed Cowbird by its dark brown head and glossy black body.

HERMIT THRUSH, SECOND MARSH WILDLIFE AREA, OSHAWA, ON

   Although these photos are somewhat blurry, as they weretaken at a distance and then enlarged we can still ID this bird as a Hermit Thrush by its brown above, spotted breast, whitish belly and white eye-ring.

   The Hermit Thrush is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 285.