Happy Holiday Birding

I am heading out on the road one last time this year.  I've been busy with the holidays at home and haven't been out chasing since the Rough-legged Hawk.  Sue and I did spend Christmas Day birding at Humber Bay East and James Gardens, but mostly I've just been home and deciding how to finish off the year.  I was unable to book any flights with my air miles to take me anywhere where I could get 9 more species this year, so 600+ will have to wait for another year.  Most of the flights I could book from Toronto would have me leaving on December 30 and returning sometime in January.  No thanks, Aeroplan.

The only flight I could get with my air miles, was from Baltimore to Miami.  So I will drive down to Maryland,(there is a Tufted Duck there), and on to Miami where maybe the Western Spindalis will hang around just for me.  I would also like to see a White-crowned Pigeon.  On the way back I will check out some birds in New Jersey and perhaps be in the right place at the right time for a Dovekie.

There has been no sign of the Smew that visited Whitby Harbour this time last year.  That would have been a great bird to end the year with, since it was the first bird I chased, last January 1.  Oh well.  Another year in another place perhaps.

Humber Bay East: 

Backyard birding:

Back Yard Squirrelling?

 Christmas Cheer from Amber and friend...