Mill Race
St. Jacobs, ON
22 October 2013
On a cool morning (5°C with a wind chill) the Mill Race yielded its last vestiges of autumn colour and a variety of birds, most of them busily feeding
on the bumper crop of berries that was in evidence.
Both adult and juvenile Cedar Waxwings Bombycilla cedrorum were swallowing berries in a rapid and rapacious fashion.
At one point along the path there seemed to be Downy Woodpeckers Picoides pubescens at every turn. I saw three on one tree and my final tally was seven, although I suspect that this is a little conservative.
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| The head is blurry due to the rapid action of this female hammering away at a branch. |
As one might expect, Black-capped Chickadees Poecile atricapillus were my constant companions, all the while chattering, and scolding me frequently for interrupting their routine. One actually landed on my camera, perhaps to scold me right to my face! They looked especially beautiful when seen among the stunning colours of this young maple tree.
Large numbers of American Robins Turdus migratorius were gorging on berries, perhaps to fatten up for their impending migration, although I suspect that a few of them at least will spend the winter here.
A complete list of the species seen follows below. It was a very enjoyable way to spend 45 minutes on a blustery morning.
Canada Goose, Mallard, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Common Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch.
The autumn colors are very beautiful and young David waxwings I hope soon host also see :-) The American Robin Turdus migratorius I do not know but think it's a beautiful bird. The great tit could capture beautiful. of the
ReplyDeleteBlack-capped Chickadees I had never heard.
I love this. A great story of birding for pleasure not for rarities. You obviously enjoy nature. Daniel
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