Another Week, I Guess

It is a busy time of year for a student! Outings have been far and few between this week, but I got out for a short while a couple times. Yesterday I popped into Fanshawe Conservation Area briefly to see what was hanging out at the seed pile. Always seems to be something! Yesterday it was a White-crowned Sparrow, an uncommon bird in this parts during winter. I actually don't think I have seen a White-crowned during the winter months since 2016!

Of course there were the usual suspects, including decent numbers of White-throated Sparrows. They seem to be fairly numerous this winter.

Dark-eyed Junco

White-breasted Nuthatch

Black-capped Chickadee

White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

A couple plants...

Scots Pine

European Swallow-Wort

A Quick Walk

This afternoon I went for a quick hike at Fanshawe Conservation Area. I had a hunch that something of note would be there.

It was actually pretty quiet, much quieter than I expected. One surprise was had when I came across this moth. Despite the cold and snow, it was active and flying around!

Bruce Spanworm Moth

One of the birds I as hoping to come across was Evening Grosbeak. My hard work paid off when I heard one call twice. Despite looking, I was unable to find it. It was likely a flyover.

I couldn't find my other target, Common Redpoll, but no doubt there will be more to come.

There always seems to be birds hanging around this one trail head, as they get fed there.

Downy Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

There was also a Gray Catbird, which was a but of a surprise as it is getting a bit late. They are a hardy species, so it will be interesting to see if this bird attempts to overwinter.

Sparrows Galore!

Yesterday I went to Fanshawe Conservation Area with my aunt. There were plently of birds feeding on seeds left by a trail head, including the overwintering Fox Sparrow I first found a few weeks back. Also present feeding on the seeds were Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and a Downy Woodpecker.

White-throated Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Black-capped Chickadee

Dark-eyed Junco

Downy Woodpecker

Dark-eyed Juncos

Some Springbank Photos

Yesterday I went on a short walk in Springbank Park. I managed to catch up with a few ducks that have been frequenting the river this winter, along with a very photogenic Northern Cardinal. I also encountered my first Cackling Goose of the year.

Cackling Goose

Black-capped Chickadee

Northern Cardinal

Redhead

American Wigeon

Seeds and Sparrows

This afternoon I went back to Fanshawe Conservation Area with my aunt. We didn't go back on any of the trails, so no interesting mammal sightings today, but we still saw some awesome stuff!

We started out feeding the Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Yesterday we forgot to bring some seeds, but today we remembered! About 20 chickadees came in right away!

We wandered around a bit before heading back to the parking lot to get picked up by my grandfather. While waiting, I noticed a flurry of activity near a trailhead. I went over to check it out, and was pleased to see numerous tree sparrows, juncos and cardinals.

While photographing some of the Dark-eyed Juncos, I noticed a larger, sparrow-like bird. It was a Fox Sparrow, which is an uncommon winter visitor in Middlesex!

I also found a couple White-throated Sparrows, which are my first for the year.

It was a great finish to an otherwise quiet outing. Time for school again!

Cones and a Coyote

This afternoon I went to Fanshawe Conservation Area with my aunt. I was hoping to come across some birds in the conifer stands, with a particular interest in finches.

Black-capped Chickadees welcomed us immediately. They are obviously used to being fed!

We noted plenty of birds, including Northern Cardinals, Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.

The trees were loaded with cones, which you would think would have brought in finches...

Wrong! The only finches noted today were a couple American Goldfinches.

On our travels we came across a Coyote, surprisingly the first one I have ever been able to get a visual on!

Things started slowing down as the day progressed, so we turned our attention to the scenery. It was easy to forget we were still in London!

Great little outing....I'm sure we will be out again tomorrow!