A visit to Hood Century Farm and Brimstock Farm

04 June 2019

Hood Century Farm, Flamborough, ON

     Between inclement weather and one or the other of us being away, it had been a while since the last rendezvous of "Tuesday Rambles with David" so we were happy to meet at Hood Century Farm for a chance to see a range of grassland species. Carol, Judy and Mary were unable to be there, but joined by Franc, Francine and Jim, Miriam and I had a very enjoyable visit to one of our favourite spots.

     Even as we drove into the farm Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were swooping and gliding over our heads, and a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufa) was wrestling prey into submission on the ground, from where it flew to an overhead wire for a picture.

     Since the bird did not immediately ingest this morsel, I suspect that it is feeding young.

     This was certainly the case with Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialia), an event to give us great satisfaction. It is not so many years ago that the future of this species was seriously imperilled, so each encounter with a breeding pair is cause for great celebration. The provision of nest boxes has radically improved the fortunes of bluebirds, a clear case where human intervention has been both helpful and successful.

     Tree Swallows are equally dependent on humans for nesting space; most pairs now occupying nest boxes as opposed to natural cavities.

     Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) were difficult to see, being primarily occupied with the serious business of breeding, but Franc was able to capture this wonderful shot of a bird in flight.

     If a vote were to be held to nominate "the" grassland sparrow, Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) would garner my vote. It is ubiquitous in suitable habitat and quite prone to showing itself. Many a novice birder has first identified a native sparrow with confidence by studying Savannah Sparrow.

     The bird I most associate with this location is Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and one is guaranteed to see males fluttering across the meadows singing their delightful burbling song. I have seen this a thousand times. Does it ever become less delightful? Never!

     The bird that made Francine jump up and down, squeal, chortle and dance an impromptu jig was Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus), a species she had been seeking for a long time. 

     We saw the bird several times and often it perched for a few minutes, but never in an ideal position for photographs, which did not lessen in any way the exhilaration we all felt at seeing it. I suspect Francine may have dreamed about it all night!

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were much more obliging.

     Up by the house a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) was not about to let a free meal go to waste and took full advantage of the feeder with its energy-rich delivery of sugar water.

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) rested quietly in a tree.

     All the while Franc was regaling us with stories of his recent visit to Slovenia and Croatia, with tales of hoopoes and pratincoles, bee-eaters and orioles, lapwings and hobbies. I will look forward to seeing his pictures.

     As always, it was a very pleasant visit and it did not escape any of us that it is a rare privilege to visit this enchanted place.

Brimstock Farm

     Brian and Barb Markle, longstanding friends of Miriam, permitted us to visit their farm near Amulree in Perth County, where they are exemplary stewards of the land, farming in a fashion to permit wildlife to coexist with livestock on a working farm. No cut of hay is made until after the grassland birds have finished nesting for the season, and Bobolinks and other species associated with this habitat abound.

     It was a rare pleasure to walk through meadows with grass and other plants at knee-height, with the cheerful song of ardent male Bobolinks to guide the way. Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebirds have both found a home in nest boxes placed along the fence rows and the grass resonates with the sound of insects, a rich source of food for grassland birds with young to feed.

     Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were common, as might be expected, and this beautiful female was no doubt gathering food for a nest full of hungry mouths.

     We spotted our first Monarch (Danaus plexippus) of the year on the lilac bush near the house.

     And a male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) entertained us at one of the feeders.

     There is a good deal of additional habitat to be explored here and I suspect that much remains to be discovered. I hope to be permitted to return.