More March Birding (feat. Moths)

This past week has been rather nice. On Tuesday, I didn't have in-person school (one advantage of the global pandemic I guess, if we look at it from a glass half full perspective), so of course I went birding. 

I went for a long walk at Fanshawe CA in the morning. Waterfowl numbers were way down, I doubt I even broke 100 individuals. I didn't get there until a bit later in the morning, so maybe earlier in the day would be better.

I came across a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the day use area. Perhaps it is an early migrant, or it could be the same bird I had in the campground, a kilometer away as the sapsucker flies, back in January. I'd like to think its a new arrival. If that's the case, I believe its close to record early, if not record early.

There was a Common Loon on the lake as well, which was reported the day prior. Quite distant, but I was pleased to see it. Additionally, I had my first of year Double-crested Cormorant. 

In the afternoon I went for a bike ride down to the Thames River. Nice enough day for it. I didn't really have much of a plan, but ultimately ended up checking up on a couple of our local celebrities. 

First up was the long-staying Harlequin Duck. His molt is coming along nice. He remained asleep on the opposite side of the river.

Next I went to go see the Spotted Towhee. It came out after about half an hour of waiting.

As I was waiting, I spied this interesting Dark-eyed Junco. 

I identified it as a cismontanus Dark-eyed Junco, also known as a Cassiar Junco. This is a different "subspecies" than our usual Slate-colored (hyemalis) Dark-eyed Juncos. Some authorities consider Cassiar to be an intergrade between Slate-colored and Oregon (oreganus group) juncos. I have been looking for one of these western juncos for quite awhile, so I was pleased to finally find one. 

Last night I decided to set up the moth sheet. It was about 12 degrees Celsius with no threat of rain, so why not? The Spring Peepers sang in the distance, and I heard a displaying woodcock twittering overhead a couple times. 

All I got for the longest time were midges and other small flies, but finally just as I went out to take down the sheet, a moth showed up! It was a Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth (Orthosia hibisci), my first lifer moth of the year. A Nameless Pinion Moth (Lithophane innominata) showed up right after, another lifer which happened to be my 550th moth for my yard list. 

Nameless Pinion Moth

I had been expecting maybe a Phigalia moth at best, so two noctuids were very exciting! I did end up getting a Small Phigalia (P. strigataria) as well. I had a couple of these last April.

I got out for a bit today as well. Nothing too much  to report other than my first of year Tree Swallows, as well as some Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).

Bring on spring!

Fanshawe Findings

Today I went for a little outing at Fanshawe Conservation Area in London. I was most interested in the Evening Grosbeak that has been around, but that was not to be. This was my third attempt!

Nevertheless, still a few things lurking around the feeding area.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Cardinal

A few of the more uncommon winter sparrows as well.

Fox Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

There were plenty of Dark-eyed Juncos. Many were even starting to sing a little bit!

A Brown-headed Cowbird stopped in. My first one in awhile.

On another note, a few days ago I was happy to find a couple flocks of Common Redpolls. Species #166 for my modest neighborhood!

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

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

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!