GREBE NEST MYSTERY FINALLY SOLVED

Friends of Sam Smith Park has just come to understand that it was a Lake Shore Yacht Club member who actually designed and built the current nesting platform, including the floating steps, and located it on one of their marker buoys on the east side.  A previous post had wrongly attributed this year's successful attempt solely to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's efforts.  There was confusion because TRCA has been working on this for the last three years and, in the absence of all the information, it was assumed that they were responsible.

So, kudos to the Yacht Club as well as TRCA.  Those of us who are so excited about our new Sam Smith family owe you both a big thank-you.

 

There is, unfortunately, a general perception that many of those in the boating community do not care about surrounding park land. This couldn't be further from the truth and LSYC's simple solution to the grebe nesting problem illustrates their commitment.

GREBE CHICKS STRONG AND HEALTHY - MORE PICS FROM IRENE CHOLEWKA

GREBES - FEEDING TIME (SMALL FISH)

ANOTHER GREBE FAMILY PHOTO FROM IRENE

The two hatched chicks are actively feeding.  They can generally be observed riding on the back of one of the parents and accepting minnows caught and presented by the other.  Hopefully, they will survive the activity of people fishing close by and the mink that patrols that particular part of the marina wall.

RED NECKED GREBES FINALLY SUCCESSFUL

Finally, after three years of testing out different types of nesting platforms and locations, TRCA (Toronto Region Conservation Authority) can claim success with the recent arrival of two Red Necked Grebe chicks hatched in the last few days.  One unhatched egg is still in the nest.
For some reason, as yet unexplained, a nesting platform moved (was moved?) from it's mooring further west and ended up tied (tangled?) to a small red buoy close to the northern marina wall about 30 or so feet from shore in a very convenient spot for observation.
The two hatched chicks have already been seen riding on a parent's back.
The photographs were taken by Irene Cholewka whose wonderful book of Sam Smith birds was on display at this year's Spring Bird Festival.