Some More Birds and Toads

This morning I went back out to the nieghbourhood to see what was up.

At my first stop, my impression at first was that there were far fewer birds than yesterday. But after nearly an hour of looking, things started to look up, with several new migrants popping up, including Black-and-white Warblers, Pine Warbler, Eastern Towhees, many more White-throated Sparrows, a couple Hermit Thrushes, a Wood Thrush, and lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Nice to see some movement!

At my next stop, I was quite pleased to find more warblers, including all the aforementioned species and a Black-throated Green Warbler. A couple Blue-headed Vireos popped up, and so did an early Warbling Vireo. The trend of Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows continued. I was also quite pleased to find an Eastern Screech-owl, my second for the neighbourhood.

It started to rain quite heavily while I was out. I put up with it for about an hour, but eventually I decided to head home.

This evening I went back out for a short walk around some of my favourite haunts. I was pleased to finally see my first Field Sparrow of the year, as well as a White-crowned Sparrow. I managed to turn up the Virginia Rail, which I missed in the morning. There were lots of Amerocan Toads mating, and their calls were deafening!

Just before it got dark, I went to try and see the American Bittern which has been hanging around. It was there upon my arrival.

Looks like a lot of rain moving through the northeast tonight, so may put a damper on migration. Nevertheless, I seem to have a lot of time on my hands these days, so I'll be back out there! Things are heating up!

A Relatively Decent Day

With the first south winds in awhile, it was thought that today might see some good birds, or at least a little push of new migrants. With this in mind, I awoke early and went out to one of my favourite local spots (only a five minute walk away!) Only took a couple photos today, so mostly just commentary!

Right off the bat, I heard a Wood Thrush singing. It is about right on time for the species, however the bulk won't be in until next week likely. Last year I had one on April 22nd! It immediately became clear that there had in fact been a push of birds come in overnight, as there were plenty of White-throated Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes and Ruby-crowned Kinglets which hadn't been there the day before. I also had a good number of Swamp Sparrows and even an Eastern Towhee, only my third or fourth for the neighbourhood (I had one later in the day as well!). I had two warbler species, Yellow-rumped and my first Yellow of the year. I have yet to see a Pine!

I wanted to be back home soon after 7:00, since I wanted to count Common Loons, and see what the flight would be like. Shortly after seven, I began my walk back home. As I turned onto my street, I spotted some gulls flying by. I raised my binoculars and much to my surprise, there were two Great Black-backed Gulls! New for my neighbourhood, but I wanted them for my yard! I sprinted home just in time to see them from my property! Right after, a Brown Thrasher flew over, another new yard bird, and my 100th one at that!

The loon flight wasn't great, but I still managed to come up with 26, as well as 50 Double-crested Cormorants. A flyby Yellow-rumped Warbler is my first warbler of the year for my yard.

After a quick bite to eat, I went back out. I checked out another woodlot nearby, hoping for a Blue-headed Vireo. Upon my arrival, I quickly heard my first House Wren of the year. I usually have already had one by now! Tons more kinglets, White-throats, and Hermit Thrushes. I also came across two Blue-headed Vireos.

On my way to my next spot, I stopped in at a little wetland, and was pleased to hear a Virginia Rail. I had one there a of couple years ago. I looked briefly for the American Bittern, but came up empty. Heard my first Spotted Sandpiper of the year though.

One last stop was the same woodlot I had hit earlier in the day. Not much was new, but I did manage to hear one of the Virginia Rails which have been around for about a week and a half. I missed that first thing in the morning.

Hard to say what tomorrow will bring (hopefully a new patch bird), but I'll be out and about (near home) to see what's up! Hard to believe its already almost May!