Early May Migrants

Things have been slow to show up so far this spring, and I can only anticipate things won't be exactly hurrying to get here by the looks of the weather forecast! Nevertheless, I have gotten out every day for at least a couple hours to see what is out and about.

The first couple days of May were a bit disappointing to say the least. A few new things came in here and there, but for the most part it was quiet. May 2nd especially!

Yellow Warbler

A few hawks were moving through on the first and second.

Broad-winged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawks

Some of the local species posed for photos. Its getting to that time of year where we're seeing baby waterfowl again.

Red-winged Blackbird

Canada Geese

Mallard

Turkey Vulture

I've found a screech-owl that seems to be hanging around. It offered a decent photo op.

The Virginia Rails I first found a couple weeks ago are still hanging around. They've been coming out in the open more, but that doesn't mean they are easy to photograph (especially in the low light conditions of early in the morning).

Vroom

May 3rd finally saw some "good" movement, and was my first day I hit 60 species in a morning in my neighborhood this year. Hopefully that result will be duplicated several more times this May!

Savannah Sparrow

There was a slightly early Lincoln's Sparrow, which was fun to see.

I had a couple more Great Black-backed Gulls fly overhead.

I FINALLY saw my first of year Palm Warblers on the third as well. Took long enough!

This morning things weren't looking great, with temperatures below zero first thing. Despite this, I went out early. I am sure glad I did! It wasn't crazy with new songbird migrants, but I did manage six warbler species (Nashville, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Palm, and Common Yellowthroat).

Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have arrived within the last few days. I saw my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird a couple days ago as well.

Baltimore Oriole

Sparrows are coming through, mostly White-throateds, but more and more White-crowneds have been showing up as well.

White-crowned Sparrow

Perhaps the biggest highlight was the good migration of Common Loons. I tallied a grand total of 299! I only fell one short of 300!!

Another highlight was getting to watch a Bald Eagle pursue an Osprey that had caught a large catfish. American Crows were also in hot pursuit.

Well, that's it for now. Hopefully some more birds coming our way!

Deep Freeze Ducks and Stuff

This afternoon my aunt and I went for a walk along the Thames river from Greenway Park to the Springbank Park dam. Our main focus was the wintering waterfowl, but we were also hoping to find a few birds to add to our year lists.

Upon arrival, we quickly found an American Robin (first of 2018 for my aunt!), Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Mallards, American Black Duck, Ring-billed Gull, and Herring Gull. I think today was the first time that I have seen more Herring Gulls than Ring-billed on the Thames!

American Robin

Herring Gull

The Pied-billed Grebe from New Year's Day was still present.

The Long-tailed Duck could still be found as well.

Another rare duck has showed up on the Thames, this one in the form of a Red-breasted  Merganser. Red-breasted Mergansers are hard to find in Middlesex regardless of the season, and this one was yet another Middlesex lifer!

Red-breasted (front) and Common Merganser

At one point a Belted Kingfisher came in briefly. I didn't think we'd come across one!

Surprisingly, smaller birds were far and few between. At one point in Greenway, we came across a little group of Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and a Brown Creeper. In typical creeper fashion, it didn't want it's picture taken!

Brown Creeper

As usual, there were quite a few Canada Geese present. At one point, I noticed a large goose with a much deeper voice than the others. I photographed it, and then I realized it was a Branta canadensis maxima, aka the "Giant" Canada Goose. I was happy with the sighting, as this subspecies is relatively difficult to find.

Bald Eagles seem to always be present along the Thames in the winter, and today was no exception. We saw at least 8 or 9 over the course of the walk. A couple provided some good photo opportunities.

Closer to the dam, waterfowl numbers started to build. Canada Geese and Mallards were most numerous, but Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes could also be found in larger numbers. Hooded Mergansers, black ducks, and Buffleheads were seen in lesser numbers.

Common Merganser (Left) and Common Goldeneye (Right)

Hooded Merganser

This Merlin was a first for 2018. I wasn't expecting to see one today!

Down by the dam there were many ducks, mostly Mallards.

As usual, there were many domestic types, including this one which has been around for years.

A pair of Redheads were mingling with the Mallards.

A couple Red-tailed Hawks patrolled the river, and occasionally perching in the evergreens.

It was at that point I found the most unexpected bird of the day...a female American Wigeon!

Wigeon are rare winter visitors to Middlesex, so I was excited to see this one!

I thought it was a very good outing, and a great way to end off the winter break. Tomorrow it is back to school!

London CBC4Kids 2017

This past Saturday was the 4th annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids here in London. This is my third year participating, and my second year as a group leader.

I didn't take any pictures this time around, so I will be digging some out of the archive!

The group met at the Civic Garden Complex in Springbank Park for a quick presentation on the common birds of Springbank Park. Soon after, we were divided into groups, and headed out to find some birds!

Almost immediately, we found a group of Black-capped Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets. The younger participants tried to hand feed them, but I guess the chickadees weren't hungry!

Flashback to when they were hungry!

Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Blue Jays kept us entertained with their non-stop calling and caching of food in the trees.

Waterfowl were hard to find, that is until we got to the duck pond! One of the participants took the time to count 134 Mallards!

On the way back, a highlight for the group was 5 singing Carolina Wrens.

Once we got back to the complex, we tallied up the group totals.

1. Canada Goose: 534
2. American Black Duck: 4
3. Mallard: 223
4. Common Merganser: 2
5. Red-tailed Hawk: 2
6. Bald Eagle: 0 (!)
7. Ring-billed Gull: 3
8. Downy Woodpecker: 2
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker: 8
10. Belted Kingfisher: 1
11. Blue Jay: 27
12. American Crow: 6
13. Black-capped Chickadee: 31
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch: 5
15. White-breasted Nuthatch: 2
16. Carolina Wren: 8
17. Golden-crowned Kinglet: 8
18. European Starling: 33
19. Northern Cardinal: 14
20. Song Sparrow: 1
21. American Tree Sparrow: 1
22. House Sparrow: 42
23. Dark-eyed Junco: 10
24. American Goldfinch: 18

TOTAL:

24 species

1040 individuals

My Group saw 18 species of the 24 species, which was one of the higher group tallies!

Overall, it was a "slow day", but I think that the participants really enjoyed it.

The "real" CBC season starts on the 16th! Let the madness begin!

 

To find a count near you, please check out this link!

Easter Weekend Nature: Photos

Here are some photos from the past few days...I'll get around to writing a full post soon.

Eastern Phoebe

Brown-headed Cowbirds

Spring Azure (lifer!)

Carolina Wren

Mallard

Cooper's Hawk

House Wren (early migrant)

Bloodroot

Mayapple

FOY sightings include Green Darner, Barn Swallow, and Brown Thrasher.