A Day's Jaunt Along the North Shore of Lake Ontario

05 November, 2022    

     Since we first met each other, a favourite outing for Miriam and me has been to explore various locations along the north shore of Lake Ontario. With a thermos of coffee, and homemade blueberry muffins for elevenses, and a hearty lunch packed in the cooler, we set off to enjoy the day.

Humber Bay Park East, Toronto, ON

     Before the amalgamation of various villages and local communities into the greater entity of the City of Toronto, the area where the Humber River spills into Lake Ontario was known as Mimico. For old-time residents it will always be Mimico!

     Humber Bay Park is a spit of land jutting out into the lake, divided into two discrete arms. Customarily we begin our exploration at the eastern section.

     Even as we were parking the car, we saw several Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola). This delightful little duck always engenders good feelings and we scurried down to the water's edge to see them.

     There were males.....

       ..... and there were females.

     There were little bachelor clubs here and there.

     And mixed groups too.

     Hooded Mergansers were equally prominent. Humber Bay Park, in fact, is one of the most reliable spots to find this bewitching species in the winter.

     Both sexes are very attractive, but the male, attired in his finery with crest erect is surely the Beau Brummell of the waterfowl world.

     This does not in any manner imply that the female is lacking in charm and attractiveness. 

     Seen together a pair makes a handsome couple.

     A Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) seems to have found an agreeable addition to its morning salad.

     And there were more Buffleheads!

     The following shot will convey the closeness of the buildings along the shore and  the extent to which they encroach close to the water's edge. 

     It is a sad testament to the greed of developers and the lack of vision of politicians that such intrusions are permitted, blocking the view of the lake from all but those who own property there. Surely that view should have been the birthright of all.

     A Mute Swan (Cynus olor) concerned itself not at all with such matters.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) have shown themselves capable of adapting to just about any kind of degraded landscape humans present to them - and there is no shortage of that.

     Out on the bay we saw Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and some of them obligingly moved in close to shore. The first individual to approach was a female.

     It was not long before several males followed her arrival (where there is a female, males are generally not far behind)!

     It is such a spectacular duck, always seeming to me to have been coloured by children with a full box of markers.

     Their arrival, year after year,  is one of the signature events on my calendar, and the excitement does not fade with familiarity.

     Beavers have been active doing what beavers do.

     Lake Ontario, like all the Great Lakes, is in reality a vast interior sea. At times the winds drive the waves in a manner reminiscent of the ocean and breakers crash upon the beach.

     Take a close look at the picture above and note all the bits of plastic littering the beach, heaved up from the waters of the lake. It goes on without end. 

     The Great Lakes, these jewels of North America, contain about twenty-one percent of the world's fresh water, yet we have filled them with every kind of filth and poison imaginable, from "simple" trash to lifetime toxins and raw sewage, to consumer plastics, pop cans, beer cans, coffee cups, plastic straws and lids, styrofoam, tarpaulins, old tires, asphalt shingles, discarded furniture, industrial waste, sunken boats, human bodies and just about any other junk you can imagine. And we continue to do it. On and on. Every day. Cautions abound that we should not bathe in the water and should eat the fish only sparingly, and pregnant women ought not to eat Great Lakes fish at all. The cesspool we have created is even a hazard to the unborn. We don't have enough sense to protect the greatest reserve of fresh water on Earth - and we have the arrogance to consider ourselves the pinnacle of evolution. Hell, some even think we were created as special beings - to destroy everything and everyone in our path, I suppose. That's one area where we do a good job, a great job in fact. Our assault on nature, the environment, other species and our fellow humans continues apace with no end in sight. Ecosystems and nations are both being eliminated.

Humber Bay Park West, Toronto, ON

     The entrances to the east and west sections of the park are no more than a couple of hundred metres apart so one travels from one to the other in no time at all.

     Here is the view from the west side parking lot looking back to where we had just been.

     A group of Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) was content to loaf on the mud.

     One of them, venturing into slightly deeper water,  had found a fish which was proving a challenge to subdue and swallow.

     Mute Swans regularly ply the passage around the whole landmass and brook no interference from any other species. 

     Dogs that stray too close are reminded that a swan's bill can hurt! The dogs shouldn't be off leash anyway, but who pays attention to rules? 

     Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is a species to be expected in winter, and we were not disappointed.

Red-breasted Merganser ♀

Red-breasted Merganser ♂

     It was a windy day, with strong gusts at times, and the waves beat on the shore.

     The skyline of Toronto loomed large across the bay, and for those fond of cities, it is alleged to be first class.

     For me, it is an occasion to mourn the loss of one of the greatest wetland ecosystems ever to grace Lake Ontario, especially where the Don and Humber Rivers empty their riches into the lake. Gone forever, degraded for all eternity.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON

     We ambled along towards a corner of one of the bays where, for some reason that escapes me,  Gadwalls (Mareca strepera) assemble in large numbers every year.

     I haven't a clue what the attraction of that particular spot is. It appears no different from any other secluded corner, yet for well over thirty years I have infallibly found Gadwalls in precisely that spot.

     All of my conjecture has not come up with an answer to the puzzle, but I am delighted that their fidelity continues.

     It is a wonderful little duck, delicate in plumage and manner. Were I to see Gadwalls every day, I am quite sure my admiration would not wane in the slightest.

     It appeared that someone had left kibble or something similar at the shore and Mallards (Anas platyrynchos), Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls all seemed intent on claiming their share.

     The jostling was intense.

      Good table manner and a spirit of sharing were not in evidence!

     So many people dismiss gulls as being uninteresting, or even make them the object of scorn and derision, but they are very handsome birds and great survivors.

     Would that some of our cringeworthy politicians had the courage, grit and dedication of gulls.

     Canada Goose, monogamous, loyal, dedicated parent, deserves our respect to less. More than respect in fact, admiration is a term that springs to mind.

     We sat in our car and had lunch, joined by an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) who made a fine meal on the fruit of Staghorn Sumach (Rhus typhina). 

Douglas Kennedy Headland, Mississauga, ON

     This location is part of a complex of cells that form the area known as Lakefront Promenade; each cell forming distinct habitat and sufficently separated from each other to attract different species. 

     The first birds to greet us formed part of a huge assemblage of Canada Geese.

     A couple of Red-breasted Mergansers showed no hesitation in negotiating through the cavalcade of geese.

     A Mute Swan wanted to be left alone to enjoy an afternoon snooze.

     Several Hooded Mergansers were out on the water.

     And a Ring-billed Gull surveyed the world from its favourite perch.

A. E. Crookes Park, Mississauga, ON

     As were were parking the car, we noticed this beautifully patterned Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) skittering over to greet us.

     It assumed an upright stance and gazed at us quizzically; I suspect that others may bring peanuts for it.

     Yet another Ring-billed Gull occupied a lookout post.

     Miriam obtained this wonderful closeup shot where you are able to see through the nostrils.

Mississauga Sailing Club, Mississauga, ON   

     This is always a reliable spot to find American Herring Gulls (Larus smithsonianus) and today was no exception.

      The picture below provides a comparison between the size of herring gull and ring-bill.

     It is not so many years ago that American Herring Gull subtantially replaced Ring-billed Gull in the winter, but as mean winter temperatures have increased many Ring-billed Gulls no longer leave, and they always outnumber their larger cousins.

     As in every park, there are signs exorting people not to feed the birds, but it is always in vain. There is some mysterious human pleasure gene that surges to the surface when ducks, gulls, geese and swans vie for attention. The urge to feed them proves irresistible!

     Some enlightened citizens bring corn and other natural foods, yet far too many bring stale bread and day-old doughnuts, thereby affliciting the birds with the same unhealthy, corpulent bodies they themselves inhabit.

LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

     One of our favourite birding spots at any time of year, but especially in winter, La Salle never fails to live up to expectations.

     Given the fact that Bufflehead had been our constant companion all day, it was entirely fitting that the first bird we saw on the water was a male Bufflehead.

     American Coot (Fulica americana) is frequently found at LaSalle park during the winter, and will often stay until spring if the bay does not freeze over. 

     A drake Mallard seems to be playing "Follow my Leader."

     It was a distinct pleasure to see a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps).

     This is a very late bird, most of its kind having migrated by now, but very occasionally a hardy bird will spend the winter here.

     Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) are to be expected, and the number of this species will continue to swell.

     They are frequently found associating with other diving ducks, such as Bufflehead.

     The following sign was a bit of a puzzle.

     I have hoisted a beer, hoisted the flag, rigged up a hoist, have even been hoisted on my own petard, but never have seen a proscription against it. The things we learn - even in our dotage.

     Wonder if I'd be allowed to hoist a duck?

      I suspect that this lovely female Mallard would prefer I keep my hoisting to myself.

     Red-breasted Mergansers were pleasingly common and often quite close to shore.

     A Red-breasted Merganser is a handsome bird, but it takes a back seat to its hooded cousin.

     Common Goldeneye (Bucephela clangula) appear not to have arrived in numbers yet, but this male was spotted quite far out and the picture is quite heavily cropped.

     Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) are without a doubt the signature species at LaSalle during the winter.

     They have made a remarkable recovery in Ontario, thanks to the work of my friend Harry Lumsden and LaSalle Park provides a safe haven for them. They have an adoring public to advocate for their protection and their future looks bright.

     Perhaps Mallards look upon them as guardians.

     Pause for a moment and take the time to appreciate just how handsome a Mallard is.

     Harry would have loved seeing the level of dedication of Trumpeter Swan parents to young of the year. They will defend their young against all comers, with a ferocity that inhibits most would-be predators from even trying to attack.

     American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) may be reliably found at LaSalle Park.

     Canvasbacks (Aythya valisinaria) have begun to move in for the winter, and several were seen mingling with other species.

     I am sure you will not object to a couple more shots of Trumpeter Swans at rest.

     Domestic Mallards come in a dizzying array of colours, none perhaps as striking as the pure white version, know as Pekin Duck.

     I could delude myself into thinking that this Canada Goose was following me around to bathe in the shadow of my glorious personality; in reality it was hoping I had a pocket full of corn.

     It gazed at me longingly with those dark, limpid eyes and I felt sorry that I had nothing to give it. 

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) scampered up and down trees searching for concealed morsels.

     I pointed something out to Miriam and one almost landed on my outstretched hand, realizing at the last moment it was empty.

     A male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a handsome bird.

     A few White-winged Scoters (Melanitta deglandi) have moved in for the winter, but they were far out and the light was getting dim.

     The Pied-billed Grebe came to bid us goodbye.....

          .....followed by an American Coot.

     Time to say, "Adieu. À la prochaine mes amis."

     The sun was setting on what had been another perfect day. We will do it again soon.