Mud Lake and Frank Ryan with JC Birding

 February 12, 2026

 

Eleanor, Ian, Barbara & Bill met at Mud Lake at 8 am.  Ken joined us shortly afterwards, delayed by accidents on the Queensway ramps. It was a sunny day, and much milder that it had been, although cold by the water.

We hiked slowly up Cassels Road hoping to see a Hermit Thrush that had been reported, but no luck.  We turned down the main trail on the west side of Mud Lake.

Eleanor had brought sunflower seeds, and the chickadees were appreciative.  Then a pair of Downy Woodpeckers showed up and also fed from her hand.

Bill caught up to Ian and Barbara and was just telling them that a Northern Flicker had been seen, when Eleanor spotted it.  It gave us spectacular views and photo ops.

Rather than continue around Mud Lake, we thought we should go back to Cassels to look for the thrush.  Ken agreed saying that other birders were on it.  We hurried back and saw it well skulking in the dense shrubs beside the lake.

On the north side of the road, the Cedar Waxwings were much more cooperative.   There were many American Robins, too, which we speculated had over wintered.

We returned to our vehicles, then hiked down to the river.  We met Colin and Martha who reported 36 Mallards on the water and ice.  We saw a Common Goldeneye fly in and land on the river.  Ken crept closer for a photo, only to have his foot plunge through the thin ice at the edge of the shallow water and give him a soaker. He was not worried and simply carried on birding.

We slowly hiked down to Britannia Point where we saw another goldeneye and a Hairy Woodpecker.  Eleanor spotted the flicker again in a distant tree.  Back to our cars to warm up a bit and have a snack.

Bill wanted to try for the Fox Sparrow at the south-west corner of Mud Lake. (Martha had shown him the exact location).  So, we drove around and parked on Howe St and hiked a short way down the path.  White-breasted Nuthatches were common, but the Fox Sparrow did not show.

Both Ian and Ken had to go. Ian had some preparations to do for his upcoming trip to New Zealand. We wished him bon voyage. Eleanor, Barbara & Bill moved on to Elmhurst/Frank Ryan Parks. 

It was a challenge to get over the snowbank onto the trail; we helped each other over that obstacle. The Carolina Wren did not show up for us, but we were rewarded with a Barred Owl perched on top of a snag at the edge of Frank Ryan.  We wisely returned to our cars by the sidewalk to avoid the snowbank obstacle.  Bill had promised a short day, so we decided to call it at this point.  It had been a very successful morning of birding.

 

Sightings (List by Eleanor)

1.
1.    American Crow
2.    Black-capped Chickadee
3.    Downy Woodpecker
4.    Northern Flicker
5.    Hermit Thrush
6.    Cedar Waxwing
7.    American Robin
8.    European Starling
9.    Hairy Woodpecker
10.    Mallard
11.    Common Goldeneye
12.    Common Merganser
13.    White-breasted Nuthatch
14.    Barred Owl
15.    American Goldfinch
16.    Northern Cardinal