Mid-March Birding

I have gotten out here and there for the last couple of weeks. Not too many photos, but some notable sightings.

I got out to Fanshawe CA for the first time in over a month a couple weeks ago. The lake was finally opening up after being frozen, and ducks were starting to show up. On the 10th, I had my first of year (FOY) Gadwall, as well as my first Snow Goose for Fanshawe. On the 11th, I had my first of season (FOS) Wood Duck, Ruddy Ducks, and Green-winged Teal, as well as my FOY Lesser Scaup. I had a couple small flocks of Tundra Swans, nothing compared to the over 800 I counted migrating through the neighborhood earlier that week. 

On the 12th I got out to Fanshawe again, and it was one of my best days yet this year, with 45 species recorded recorded in the four hours I was there. Pied-billed Grebe was a FOS, and I also had a Peregrine Falcon in pursuit of pintails. The highlights were undoubtedly a Tufted Titmouse (pretty uncommon to rare in this area of the county) and a migrating Golden Eagle. Believe it or not, this was actually the first Golden Eagle I have ever seen in active migration! Before I had only ever seen wintering individuals.  

I got out locally with not too many highlights over the next week. I did see a couple Common Ravens while driving up near Lucan though. 

This past weekend I got out in search of FOYs. I checked out Fanshawe yesterday morning, but only succeeded in finding one FOY, a Horned Grebe. Waterfowl numbers are down, maybe as a result of the higher water.

I checked out a couple ponds after, as well as the airport (in search of meadowlark), but only was able to find one other year bird, a couple Northern Shovelers. 

I wanted Lapland Longspur, so I opted to drive some backroads around Lucan in the afternoon. No dice. After getting a little lost, I ended up at Wildwood Lake, where I was disappointed to find that there were basically no birds. Certainly not worth the 30 minute detour lol.

That evening, I finally got my first American Woodcock of the year, although it only called twice then shut up! 

Today I wanted to find Sandhill Cranes, but ultimately failed. At least I found a Cooper's Hawk nest, which was pretty cool. 

Lots of signs of spring out this weekend. Chipmunks and groundhogs are out and about, lots of turtles, some Spring Peepers, a garter snake, and several butterflies. Shouldn't be too long before the spring wildflowers start to pop up. Nice weekend to be outside.

Things are looking up!

Rondeau Afternoon

This past Monday I went down to the Rondeau area for a few hours in the afternoon. I didn't really have any targets in mind, and I just figured I'd see what I'd see!

I made a quick stop into Keith McLean Conservation area. I had visions of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, but it was quickly found it was not to be. Oh well.

There were a few birds of note around, including two rail species, Sora and Virginia Rail. Both flushed from the side of the marsh as I approached. Not often one gets to see rails! Lots of ducks were present, but the only shorebirds were Killdeer and a Spotted Sandpiper.

Green-winged Teal

Other than birds, there were a number of other things. Carp were quite (unfortunately) numerous in the wetland.

Lots of frogs and toads. I heard Leopard Frogs and a Western Chorus Frog, but no photos of those.

American Toad

A big ol' Snapping Turtle was laying on the bank.

Saw my first American Lady butterfly of the year.

Afterwards, we moved into the park. There was a number of wildflowers right beside the road.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

As well a cousin of the American Lady, the Red Admiral. Red Admirals have really started to arrive back in Ontario in about the last week.

I made the obligatory drive up Lakeshore road to look for the returning White-winged Dove, which has come back for its fifth year. Some may know that bird and I have quite the "history", as it took me four year and numerous attempts to finally see him. Of course, when I went on Monday he was just sitting out in the open on top of the cottage owner's car.

The dove has had this strange ritual, since 2016, I believe, he had attempted to build "nests" on top of the car. Of course, cars move, so he must restart constantly, but he is very persistent! On this day, he was flying back and forth regularly with sticks to add to his collection.

It took me almost five years, but I finally got some photos I am happy with!

There were numerous sparrows feeding along the roads, mostly Chipping Sparrows with a few Field Sparrows mixed in.

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

After Lakeshore, we went down to Dog Beach. There were a couple plants of interest.

Torrey's Rush (Juncus torreyi)

Cyprus Spruge (Euphorbia cyparissias)

Also my first Caspian Terns of the year.

Finally, I stopped in for a quick walk of Tulip Tree Trail. Not much birdwise, save for a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, but there were other things to look at!

Black Sooty Mold (Scorias spongiosa)

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

A number of mosses were present along the trail.

Common Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune)

Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)

Goose Egg Moss (Arrhenopterum heterostichum)

All in all, quite the fun afternoon! I can't wait to get back, as spring has just begun!

The Wilds of Algonquin: Part One

This past weekend I visited Algonquin Park with a group of other young birders with the Ontario Field Ornithologists (including Ethan). It was quite a lot if fun and we saw some great birds!

I arrived early Saturday morning to the Wildlife Research Station (I was late getting up, so we stayed in Dwight Friday night), and was immediately overwhelmed by the number of finches! Finches turned out to be pretty common throughout the park, and I don't think we ever really went a moment without hearing at least a siskin or a crossbill!

We birded around the Wildlife Research Station for a few hours, and we were treated to awesome sightings such as a White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and a Merlin, which is good winter bird up there.

White-winged Crossbill

Afterwards we went to Opeongo Road to look for some Gray Jay nests with the researchers. Again, crossbills were numerous, as were Pine Siskins.

Red Crossbill

Pine Siskin

It wasn't long until we found some Gray Jays, including one on a nest.

There were some curious Red Squirrels as well.

We visited the Visitor Centre next, where the feeders were quite active. We saw Blue Jays, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Evening Grosbeaks among other things.

Evening Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Siskin

White-winged Crossbill

Red Crossbill

I was quite excited to see my first American Marten.

There were a couple Wild Turkeys in the parking lot, overwintering birds.

We checked out Spruce Bog quickly after the Visitor Centre, which revealed to be more or less quiet. At least there were a couple cooperative Gray Jays and a Purple Finch.

We checked out Bat Lake and a little bit of the Old Airfield before dinner, but were unable to find anything that we hadn't already seen.

Certainly a great first day in Algonquin!

Good Friday, Good Birding

Today I decided to do a "Little Big Half-Day" of birding. I started by riding my bike out to Uplands Trail, a place that is rich in birds and is less than 5 minutes away by bicycle.

The woods were alive with the sounds of early spring. Northern Flickers proved to be quite abundant, and there are at least a couple of pairs in the area.

Black-capped Chickadees are starting to pair off and scout nesting sites, if they have not already selected one.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are moving through. I would learn later in the day that May is for Warbler Neck and April is for Kinglet Neck.

There were a few other woodland birds too, including FOY Hermit Thrushes.

Northern Cardinal

Hermit Thrush 

Eastern Phoebe

Coltsfoot is out in full force.

At the end of my visit to Uplands Trail, I got on a large corvid (the family crows, ravens, and jays belong to) that was making some unusual vocalizations. It was mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk, and, amazingly, the bird appeared to be the same size as the hawk. This alone leads me to believe that I saw a Common Raven, which is very uncommon to the area. However, I can't be sure as I didn't get outstanding looks at the bird.

Later in the day I headed out to Killaly ESA. First, we walked the trail on the south side of the river. Here we found a variety of birds typical for the area, including a FOY Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

House Finch

Turkey Vulture

American Robin

Chipping Sparrow

Northern Flicker - incredibly common today

This flower was all over the place...I'm not sure what it is though. Any thoughts?

Fig Buttercup

Is this a log or a Muskrat?...I'll let you be the judge of that!

Afterwards, we walked the north side of the river on which the majority of the ESA is located.

The Osprey have returned, however they are still ignoring the perfectly good nesting platform that the city and MNR erected last year.

I was pleased to see a few Six-spotted Tiger Beetles along the trails.

It was a nice surprise to find a pair of Eastern Bluebirds checking out a nest box. With any luck, they will stick around and raise a brood.

Kinglets of both the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned variety were everywhere.

As usual, there was a Great Blue Heron hanging around.

Eastern Phoebes (or Easter Phoebes as Blake calls them at this time of year) are becoming easier to find as time progresses.

I finally saw my first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year in Ontario! This species had remained elusive despite how hard and often I looked for it. It's always exciting to see the first warbler of the year!

I find that birding in April gets you excited for the big push in May, but also makes you realize that you are bored out of your mind looking at Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Little Brown Jobs.

Also present were several Cabbage Whites and Red Admirals.

After supper, to finish a great day out in the field, we headed out to Gibbon's Park, which is a spot well worth checking out in April, as early migrants are moving through.

Here we managed to find a Great Horned Owl.

The nest succeeded this year with three owlets.

Remember to follow all the ethics while viewing owls, especially nests, and NEVER use flash photography, as I saw people using tonight. In fact, one photographer had quite the extensive flash set-up that was blindingly bright.

Just as we were about to leave, I heard a soft but distinct peent!...an American Woodcock!

I always thought that Gibbon's had a great potential for woodcocks, so it was great to confirm my suspicions.

I ended my  "Little Big Half-Day" with 48 species, possibly 49 if it was in fact a raven I saw. Not bad considering I did all of it within a short distance from my house! Hopefully I can get out again soon.

eBird Checklists:
Uplands Trail
Killaly Meadows ESA (South side of Thames)
Killaly Meadows ESA (North side of Thames)
Gibbon's Park