LaSalle Park, Burlington, ON

2 November 2014

     The first day of our return to Eastern Standard Time turned out to be as glorious a fall day in Ontario as you could possibly wish for. Almost right at first light the sun blazed through, and it was apparent just looking out the window that there was little wind. Even though Miriam and I both had things we needed to do (and still do) we decided that anything and everything would have to wait, and we grabbed our binoculars and cameras to head for Lake Ontario.

     I think I am going to research the First Nations term for Screech Owl and rename myself accordingly! The first bird we encountered upon arriving at LaSalle was an obliging Eastern Screech Owl Megascops asio, my third of the year. This species is not uncommon by any means, but given the fact that it is strictly nocturnal, and usually roosts in cavities during the day, it is by no means easy to locate. This individual was sunning itself at the lip of its hole.

     American Black Duck Anas rubripes is generally present at this location and such was the case today. 

     It bears some similarity to a female Mallard Anas platyrynchos with whom it sometimes interbreeds, and here is a shot of a a female Mallard for comparison.

     Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus is very common and confiding, readily coming to the hand to take sunflower seeds.

     I know that there are purists who frown on  this type of activity, but when I see the expressions of pure joy on the faces of adults and children alike, it's hard to condemn such practices. I am sure that there are people whose eyes, ears and hearts have been opened up to nature by the simple act of feeding a chickadee.
     A White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis was not shy about trying to get its share of the seed left for the chickadees.

     Tranquility reigned in the harbour as Mallards basked in the warm November sun.

     An Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus was also enjoying the weather, no doubt engaged in a search for food to be stored in its burrow for the long winter ahead.

     Ring-billed Gulls still predominate numerically, but American Herring Gulls Larus smithsonianus are becoming more common as they arrive from their breeding areas farther north to spend the winter on the Great Lakes. This bird is a subadult of undermined age.

     House Sparrows Passer domesticus were found in groups, often where people tend to congregate and share their lunch, or bring food specifically for the birds. This female serves to remind us what a handsome species this familiar resident is.

     No visit to LaSalle Park would be complete without spending time with the magnificent Trumpeter Swans Olor buccinator.

     Most Double-crested Cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus have already left for warmer waters farther south, but a few still remain.

     Before getting back into the car we checked on our screech owl and he was still perched in the sun, enjoying the warmth, just as we were on so fine a day.