Kinglet Killer - Burdock - Strikes Again at Ashbridges Bay

Four dead Golden-crowned Kinglets trapped in burdock make a sad day at Ashbridges Bay in Toronto. How many go unnoticed? 26 October 2018. I tried to clear some burdock after finding these already dead, but there is so much. The deadly plants are either Giant Burdock Arctium lappa or Common Burdock Arctium minus, non-native invasive plants, introduced from Europe.

I went back the next day to clear more. Unfortunately there was one more victim, making a total of 5 dead Golden-crowned Kinglets. 27 October 2018. I posted on Facebook's Ontario Birds and recieved over 400 "likes" and 141 comments. I hope people will act soon to get rid of these horrible plants.

Link to 2017 mortality at Tommy Thompson Park

More information in this article

Kinglet Killer. 2002. OFO News 20(2): 8-9. June 2002