3rd Annual Black Creek Xmas Bird Count. Wednesday, December 26, 2011

Seven of us walked from Shoreham Dr. to Finch Ave. counting birds. This was the same section of the valley where we held our prevous counts.
Results were submitted to the Audubon Society's 112th Xmas Bird Count.

  • Mallard - 17
  • Red Tailed Hawk - 1
  • Ring Billed Gull - 13
  • Rock Pigeon - 33
  • Downy Woodpecker - 4
  • Hairy Woodpecker - 1
  • Bluejay - 1
  • American Crow - 3
  • Black Capped Chickadee - 6
  • White Breasted Nuthatch - 1
  • Red Breasted Nuthatch - 3
  • Northern Cardinal - 13 (10 males, 3 females)
  • House Finch - 40
  • American Goldfinch - 1
  • European House Sparrow - 8
  • European House Starling - 1
    
Results from previous counts available on our website under Past Events

End of season wildflower planting.    Sunday, October 30th, 2011

1000 perennial plants were left at the end of the month that had to be planted before freeze up.
Downsview Dells Park (south side of Sheppard Ave. between Jane St. & Keele St).

TRCA's Black Creek SNAP program.    Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

The BCCP was involved in a community action project in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood under our participation in TRCA's Black Creek SNAP program.
Work involved a number of 'demonstration' gardens and plantings on the property of one of the apartment towers south of Jane & Finch.
We were cooperating with the Jane & Finch Community Family Center Green Change program on this one.

Hurricane Hazel Tree Tour.    Sunday, October 16th, 2011

The Humber Valley Regenerated - 57 years later.
Hosted by LEAF, the BCCP, and the Humber Heritage Committee.

The walk started from the parking lot near the Old Mill and ended North near St. Marks Road. PArticipants were invited By Madeleine McDowell to Lambton House to view a video of the hurricane damage and enjoy a hot drink.

ROM Displays & Presentation Event, held on August 5th, 2011 at the Museum.

Partners in Protection: The Black Creek Conservation Project and the Humber Watershed Alliance (HWA)

There were display tables and live presentations:
Gary Wilkins, TRCA: on conservation authorities, TRCA , the HWA and introduce community involvement,
Gaspar Horvath, BCCP: on the history and activities of the BCCP,
Madeleine McDowell, Humber Heritage Society: on the historical, first nations and settlement history of the Humber and west Toronto area.

        
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Third Aeroplan Planting event was held on June 16th, 2011

16 volunteers planted 425 trees along the wetlands in Downsview Dells Park.

The planting
    
and the Volunteers
    

Our second Bird Walk of the year was held In Downsview Dells Park on May 21th, 2011

Despite the soggy ground we enjoyed our walk and saw 18 different species and heard 2 more:

  • Red Tailed Hawk
  • Bluejay
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Rose Breasted Grosbeak
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Great Crested Flycatcher
  • American Robin
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown Headed Cowbird
  • Red Winged Blackbird
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • European Starling
  • White Breasted Nuthatch
  • Red Eyed Vireo
  • Chestnut Sided Warbler
  • American Goldfinch
  • Song Sparrow
  • Black Billed Cuckoo (heard only)
  • Black Capped Chickadee (heard only)

     

Smythe Park Trail Restoration, on Saturday May 14th, 2011

Working together with the Humber Heritage group, we have started to reestablish a natural plant community along a section of the historic "Carrying Place Trail".
12 volunteers planted 300 plants; 1.5 cubic yards of mulch was used to protect the plants.

BEFORE
    
PLANTING
    
AFTER
     

On Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 our Earth Day Tree Planting Event was held at Downsview Dells.

18 volunteers planted 250 trees and shrubs.
       
We have seen a mink in Downsview Dells Park running on the bank of the creek.

On March 19th, 2011 we held our first Bird Walk of the year at Smythe Park.

14 of us enjoyed a 2 hour walk under sunny blue skies and we saw 20 different species:

  • Turkey Vulture
  • Red Tailed Hawk
  • Ring Billed Gull
  • Canada Goose
  • Mallard
  • American Crow
  • Bluejay
  • Northern Cardinal
  • American Robin
  • Red Winged Blackbird
  • Common Grackle
  • European Starling
  • Mourning Dove
  • Rock Pigeon
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • White Breasted Nuthatch
  • Black Capped Chickadee
  • Song Sparrow
  • House Sparrow
  • Slate Coloured Junco
 		      nest from last year
  
To browse earlier events click here