Tuesday, December 04, 2018

A Return Visit to LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

03 December 2018

     Despite suffering from a pretty awful cold I accompanied Miriam to Burlington to take care of her business needs and we again visited LaSalle Park and Marina to have our morning coffee and muffin, and to do a little birding.
This time we stayed longer and covered more area. 
     I can recommend a walk in crisp air with birds all around for anyone with a cold. You can stay at home and mope or get out and get some exercise and stimulation. You certainly don't feel any worse; in fact you feel measurably better, mentally at least, even if the physical misery doesn't abate too much.
     The number of birds, and the variety of species has increased considerably from our visit a few days earlier. In addition to the upsurge in birds, a couple of Great Lakes freighters were moored in the bay; at this time of year I would imagine in port for the winter.



     There were many, many Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), some foraging quite close to shore, others a little farther out in small to medium sized rafts. Quite often there were flocks exclusively of either males or females, and some contained both sexes. In general the males came in closer. What a handsome little duck this is!







     Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) have returned and a single male came over to greet us.


     To say that one delights more in one species than another, probably depends on the day and one's frame of mind, but I take singular pleasure always in Long-tailed Ducks, especially twenty or thirty of them together, chattering to each other in that most engaging fashion.
     There was a marked increase in the number of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), always feeding in flocks. At times you could focus your camera on a group, only to have them dive almost in unison before you could press the shutter.

Greater Scaup - male

Greater Scaup - female
     All of these diving ducks have benefitted greatly from the plague of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) currently disrupting the Great Lakes ecosystem resulting in huge expense as they clog water intake valves, adhere to docks and cause other damage to anthropogenic structures. For ducks, however, it has proven to be a food bonanza of staggering proportions.
     White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) numbers have also shown an increase but for the most part this species remained far out and good photographs were in short supply.


     I have rarely seen a Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) out of the water, but this male was basking on a rock.



      Perhaps even he felt out of place for in short order he entered the water.


     Now all seemed right with the world!
     There were a dozen or so Canvasbacks (Aythya valsineria) keeping company with the other bay ducks, but none came in close to shore, so the pictures are of fairly distant birds.



     A single pair of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) were the only ones we saw; the female is at the left in the water and the male is resting on the rock.


     Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are of course ubiquitous, and unjustifiably ignored, for they are possessed of stunning beauty, and the little curl at the end of the male's tail adds a touch of insouciance unknown in other species.


     Surprisingly there were very few Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and I can only assume that this species, normally plentiful, was foraging out of sight. This individual was keeping company with the Mallards.


     As has been mentioned in previous posts, LaSalle Park is a reliable place to see pure American Black Duck (Anas rubipres), a species that is increasingly hard to find as interbreeding with Mallards continues apace. 



     There are some who think that within a few generations American Black Duck will cease to exist as a distinct species.
     The most commanding presence is Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and numbers had climbed since last Friday. 




     The large yellow wing tags are unsightly but assist in tracking the birds, especially in flight or at a distance.
     Interestingly, the hatch year bird shown in the picture below is not tagged, indicating perhaps that a pair nested outside their normal preferred spot at Wye Marsh, and escaped detection. If that is the case it may be a sign that as the population expands it is occupying other areas. 


     Along the woodland trail many passerine species were encountered, including twenty or so House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), a species not seen with anything like the frequency of only twenty years ago.



     Many people strew a little bird seed along the boardwalk and Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are quick to take advantage of it.


     

     Chickadees have become so accustomed to humans with sunflower seed that as soon as you begin the walk through the woodland you are surrounded by a dozen or more and they will readily feed from your hand.
     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) are starting to acquire the habit too.


     Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) always make sure that they get their share of the bounty - and there is plenty to go around. Untidy squirrels often scatter as much as they eat.


     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a vivid splash of colour, and even the most casual observer cannot fail but to take notice.


    
     We had gone to Burlington so that Miriam could ensure that her orders would be delivered. As it turned out we had a fine time, capping it off with lunch bought from a market I have not visited in a long time, where they prepare a fabulous range of salads every day, with an incredible choice. We chose a little of several selections we are unlikely to make at home and enjoyed them thoroughly. 
     We may wind up hoping that Canada Post and its union remain at odds for a while yet!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

30 comments:

  1. The Northern Cardinal is so beautiful, David! Such color is rare to see.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hari Om
    ooooohhhh shipping......*ccough* oh yes, BIRDS! Adorable things, and here, well-served by the lens! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your medication. And hope the cold disappears quickly.
    Megathanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Preciosa colección de patos amigo David. Muchas veces no hay mal que por bien no venga, digo esto por los dichosos mejillones que como bien dices obstruyen las válvulas de los grandes lagos y en contrapartida son un manjar para todos los patos. Pero seguramente hacen más daño que bien.
    Ha sido un fabuloso reportaje lleno de una diversidad increíble. Como siempre no dejas de sorprender con tan bellos reportajes.
    Un gran abrazo amigo David y otro para tu querida Miriam os deseo tengáis una feliz semana, buenas noches desde Alicante (España)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You came up with a great a solution to feeling better with a cold, go searching for some birds and see what you can find. :) I love the House Sparrows which I've never seen before. The Northern Cardinal is gorgeous, so pretty and colourful. Hope you get rid of the cold and thanks for sharing part of your day with us.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So pleased you got out and about … and I hope you are feeling a lot better now.
    I enjoyed seeing all of the photographs here, thank you.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  7. David, that is wonderful that you did some birding and shared with us the wonderful photographs of so many birds. It's also cold where I live. The weather was so dreary recently that I didn't go to look for birds.
    The Northern Cardinal is amazing! Beautiful bird!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow -- You hit the jackpot. I love ducks but I see so few different ones. You nailed it on this trip! And of course, your birds are always so wonderful. Even though I see them often, I still love cardinals. They never wear out their welcome! I hope by now your cold is over or at least on the mend. It sounded like the trip was the right medicine, at least mentally!

    I hate answering your comments on your own blog but I don't have your email. Thanks for coming over. Yes, we had fine hosts in England and no, we'd never met. Yet we felt like we'd known them forever before dinner was done! And that bread was the big old loaf from Poilane that we bought that morning in Paris. It lasted for days! I think you are right that the average tourist never finds spots like the Musical Museum and it's too bad because it was delightful. (I didn't find it in a single book or site I looked at before leaving.) Anyway, apologies for replying here! And hope that cold goes away for good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeanie: My email address is theospreynest@sympatico.ca.

      Delete
  9. Hello David!
    Glad you’re feeling much better now!
    I really enjoyed all your wonderful pictures and those beautiful birds!
    Great captures of the cute squirrel and my favorite Cardinal bird!
    Have a lovely day! Take care!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Härligt David med ditt recept om hur en förkylning kan hanteras, såklart mår man bättre att få göra det som känns mest inspirerande av allt istället för att genomlida förkylningen under täcket i sängen.

    För en gångs skull kände jag igen två arter av fåglarna, den vackra gräsandshanen och kanadagåsen. De är ju två rikligt förekommande arter här även om kanadagåsen flyttar söderut över vintern. Änderna stannar så länge de hittar öppet vatten.

    Vad är din åsikt om fågelmatning när fåglarna blir så vana vid dessa frön så deras naturliga vaksamhet gentemot människor försvinner. Vad betyder det för arten när även svagare individer överlever tack vare människans ingrepp? Och har det någon betydelse för alla de arter som aldrig kommer till färdigt dukade bord?
    Och ja, jag matar vinterfåglarna men med en svag misstanke om att detta är nog inte enbart positivt ur fåglarnas perspektiv.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gunilla: The answer is a little too long for this comments section. My email address is theospreynest@sympatico.ca. Send me your email address and I will give you a complete response. David

      Delete
    2. Har försökt sända email till dig flera gånger men det tas inte emot, meddelande att adressen måste justeras. Försöker igen i morgon.

      Delete
    3. Okay, Gunilla. Good luck next time.

      Delete
  11. What a joy to visit and see your wonderful photos. It was a joy to see the cardinals their bright colour is a delight. Hope you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hope your cold has improved and you are feeling better.
    Pretty birds and ducks. Do love that Cardinal though.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi David.

    Beautiful Ducks and Birds pass by.
    The long tail Ducks are beautiful.
    Nice to see this.

    Groettie from Patricia.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I enjoyed seeing your winter birding selection. I've always had a soft spot for the ducks that visit us during the winter months. Some of them, like Goldeneye, Pintail and Wigeon, are such handsome species - and at this time of year it's so easy to sort out the males at least. I hope that cold soon clears up.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello, Glad you got outside for some birding despite the awful cold. Great variety of ducks and birds. I have seen most of these except for the Common Goldeneye. I am still looking for that duck. I love the swans, beautiful photos. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, just get in your car and drive up here and I will show you a hundred!

      Delete
  16. Let's be honest: I the sunflower and you the male cardinal 🐦. Your bird is also nice to see, so colorful in December. We haven't this birds in The Netherlands. Wish I could see this bird with my eyes, sitting in the tree behind our home.

    I love mallards! My grandson also loves to look for them in our canal. And they love to see him coming him too. That's so cute. I agree with you. Its good to be outside when you have a cold. Hope you're feeling better stapje voor stapje ( step by step?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am very happy to hear that your grandson is developing a relationship with the ducks! Maybe we have a birder in the making!

      Delete
  17. Awesome waterfowl!! The yellow tags are def unsightly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Not sure how I missed this post. Great set of photos, and yes I still love the Trumpeter Swans and the Golden Eye. Not forgetting the Cardinals that are so pretty. House sparrow numbers seem to be decreasing all over, think they have all moved to our garden! Have a good day, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  19. So pleased you overcame your cold and got out to LaSalle Park again, David - even if the main driving force was keeping Miriam's business afloat during the postal chaos.

    What a great array of duck species you saw. I smiled at your reference to the chattering of the Long-tailed Ducks. My favourites on that front are Eiders - I find the noises from a group of them are quite bewitching. I remember the first time I heard them and wondered where the amazing sound was coming from.

    Great to see you had a few untagged Trumpeters around during you visit!

    With my very best wishes - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hope you're feeling better David, getting out in the fresh air when you have a cold certainly helps clear your head a little and I know visiting somewhere like this makes me feel a lot better!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A fine bunch of birds - and glad to hear the salads were fine, too. It's good to get out of the usual routine sometimes....

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lovely and interesting post, David!
    Beautiful these Trumpeter Swans, never seen !
    The squirrel is cute ! We have from time tot time also a Bufflehead in the Netherlands during the winter. But I a have never see him comming out of the water! I like the photos of the different birds in the water. ( I have seen most of them here too) Too bad those American Black Duck hybridization.
    The Northern Cardinal is so nice and incredible stunning red!
    Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend,
    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  23. i could not agree with you more on the cold banter. i am so tired of hearing people say that you get a cold from being cold, or better yet from going outdoors with wet hair (not that you should)!! i have tried for so many years to explain to people that you get a cold from a germ, but you just can't convince some people. i find i breath better in cold air when i have a cold, but usually end up staying home because i am low on energy!!

    most of your small birds are the same as mine. your sparrow and ducks are a bit different then what i see here. your ducks are beautiful and i always love seeing the tale curl on the mallards!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. A delicious post full of water birds and birds. I have not seen the golden brown for a long time, so I'm glad to see it again with you. I never really see the Bucephala albeola and will not see much here in the Netherlands either. The wile ducks are fun just like the swans and the geese.
    I am jealous of your beautiful cardinals once again. What are they beautiful birds !!! This is also really enjoy.
    Kind regards, Helma xo

    ReplyDelete

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

Followers