Today’s nature walk with Miles Hearn took place at Rouge Hills, Toronto’s urban national park. It’s one of my favourite places in the GTA to walk.

I was worried it might rain based on forecasts earlier in the week, but the weather held and temperatures were pleasant. It turned out to be a great day for both birds and botany, although with many birds high up and far away, I wasn’t able to photograph many of the birds, such as the pine warblers or Nashville warblers. We saw – or heard over 30 species. The first interesting bird we saw was close to the parking lot. It was a male rose-breased grosbeak.

Many of the wildflowers are starting to develop and bloom.

The tree swallows were a lot of fun to watch.

This palm warbler was hanging out in some bushes and close to the ground.

And this blue-headed vireo was flying about in some cedars.

The bird highlight for the was was the blackburnian warbler we saw towards the end of the walk.

Next week’s walk is close to home, at Col. Sam Smith Park