The Linear Trail and Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

     Hard on the heels of Ontario's biggest snowfall in many years, a couple of outings were scheduled for Waterloo Region Nature, and, intrepid outdoorspeople that we are, we went ahead undeterred.

19 January 2022

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Pauline Copleston, Lisa Den Besten, Beth Hobson, Wendy Shaw, Kath Werner

Kath, Beth, David, Wendy, Pauline, Lisa

     There were a couple of last minute cancellations, due perhaps to the weather in one case, and for personal reasons in another. I would be remiss if I did not extend a warm welcome to Kath who was joining us for the first time.

     It seems to me that to share a morning with six attractive, intelligent women is reward enough, and the prospect of good birding only added to the allure.

The Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

     This trail is popular with the residents of the area and a fairly decent path had been beaten down by many boots.

     There were lots of birds right from the beginning of our walk, and Beth is scanning the trees to zero in on some of the activity. 

     Perhaps she was taking delight in a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens).

     At this stop, there was a great flurry of activity with many Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus), Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus), Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), Red-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis), White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis), Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata), and, best of all, a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), always a great winter bird. Amazingly we would find a second one farther along the trail.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) were quite at home on open water, and kind people had left corn for them.

     In a world beset by lying, conniving politicians, warfare looming in different parts of the world, destructive weather events, the pandemic, starvation and famine, it is uplifting to see an act of kindness, like a wreath left on a bench for all to enjoy.

     It was nothing short of enchanting to see a large number of Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), including a flyover of about twenty-five birds, when the musical sound of their wings brought a smile to every face.

     They had been playing peek-a-boo with us as we glimpsed them through the trees that line the bank of the Speed River. Pauline was especially anxious to get a good look and finally we succeeded.

     The males were in high courtship mode, and while this individual is playing ardent suitor to a female who appears to be disinterested (even human males know that feeling!), I am quite sure it was also saluting Pauline.

     The show they put on for us was nothing short of spectacular.

     A small group of Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) added more sparkle to the moment.

     If that were not enough, a group of about a half dozen Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) cruised right above our heads.

     I know that Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is generally referred to as the "Royal Swan", but for me Trumpeter Swan wears the crown.

     Black-capped Chickadees were rarely out of sight, or earshot, and many took advantage of seed left out for them.

     At the confluence of the Grand and Speed Rivers, open water was quite far off, and it was difficult to identify all the waterfowl. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and Mallard were fairly easy to spot, but other species remain unknown.

     I am quite sure that Lisa has a couple of neurons in her brain dedicated to the call of a Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), for she unerringly finds one or more on our outings. Today was no exception.

     Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a hardy species and will tolerate cold weather as long as there is open water.

     The worst of winter is no match for the stoicism of a Canada Goose.

     As we approached the parking area, the loud nasal call of a White-breasted Nuthatch punctuated the silence at several intervals.

     And the fungi of fall, created an appealing diorama of winter.

Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

     Riverside Park is one of those places where you can be virtually assured of lots of activity, primarily  due to the long boardwalk where people have fed birds for years, and leave seed along the rail. Many species have come to know that an approaching Homo sapiens means free food!

     We were greeted by a female Northern Cardinal, an exceptionally fine welcome it seems to me.

     Red-breasted Nuthatch is not a rare bird, but generally is seen in singles, and not frequently. At Riverside Park on a good day it is quite possible see a half dozen. 

          Here they are a little closer, attracted by the seed distributed along the boardwalk.

          Lisa was hoping to coax this one onto her palm.

     Northern Cardinal is never shy, and I don't think a male ever fails to evoke admiration.

     A female does not have the gob-smacking punch of a male, but is beautiful in her own right, with subtle colours blending into a tapestry of perfection.

          Another Red-breasted Nuthatch came to check us out.

     I think we all commented on the sheer number of Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). It seemed that they were scurrying around wherever one turned one's head. 

     The word Junco is derived from the Spanish for rush or reed, often used in conjunction with bunting in Europe, but I think we can take a little poetic licence here and designate it to indicate sparrow. The specific epithet means "of the winter", so there we have it, the "winter sparrow". Perfect!

     Another perfect sparrow is the eminently Canadian, delightfully melodious, White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Most of them migrate, but a few always remain here despite the cold, as befits a winter warrior.

     If we didn't see a Downy Woodpecker, or three or four, we would make an appointment with the optometrist to have our eyes checked.

     I am very taken with Percy Taverner's 1917 description of a Blue Jay; "The Blue Jay is alert, inquisitive and mischievous. A strange noise in the woods or a moving figure attracts him and he steals quietly up to it; on discovering an enemy he flees shrieking away in exaggerated fright."

     There is no need for the jays at Riverside Park to flee in fright, actual or exaggerated, for there are no enemies, only adoring humans bringing tasty peanuts, with lots to go around.

     When people speak of favourite birds I always deem it a little fatuous, for "favourite" is as subjective as the moment; and I doubt whether it is ever permanent. However, if pushed to the limit, American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) would occupy a place in my top ten.

     The classic field marks of this wonderfully attired little bird are its rusty cap, central breast spot and bicoloured mandibles, all of which may be seen here.

     I am not sure whether Pauline is frustrated with her camera or happy with the pictures she is taking.

     Perhaps she got a great shot of a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

     I am sure you will agree that a tree sparrow warrants another look.

     Mourning Doves fed at will, without squabbling (well mostly), seeming to know that the cornucopia was not about to come to an end.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch joined his Red-breasted cousin.

 

     Wendy is a model of concentration as she gazes at the chickadee on her hand.

     Didn't I tell you there was lots for everyone?

     The river was frozen so we started our way back to our cars; with a feisty American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) to warn us to leave his domain.

      The final bird of the day, as we neared the parking area was a Blue Jay. And it doesn't get much better than that.

     Miriam found and installed an app on our phone that records the distance of a walk and I am showing the two segments below. There seems to be some anomaly with the time, but we were more curious as to the distance travelled, so it worked well for us.

22 January 2022

Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

     It was a cold morning as you may see and this may be at least partly responsible for the low turnout on the weekend segment of this outing.

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Janet Ozaruk, Roger Suffling

Janet, David, Roger

     One couple had cancelled a few days before the walk, and there were two no-shows.

     There is an active bird feeder at the house adjacent to the parking area; usually it attracts a "standard" cast of birds, but this morning, perhaps driven by the frigid weather, a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) was feeding voraciously.

     In contrast with just a few days earlier, there were few birds to be seen or heard. 

     Canada Geese and ducks were unphased by the temperature and went about their business.

     Winter does impart a beauty all its own.

     American Tree Sparrows were not shy about taking advantage of food placed out for them.....

     ..... and nor were Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus).

     The open water at the confluence was becomong a little narrower.

     Trumpeter Swans could be seen off in the distance.

Trumpeter Swans with Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneye

     As we trudged back to the car the prospect of a hot coffee was pleasant to contemplate.

     An immature Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) would have make do with cold fish!

Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

     Riverside Park was quiet both from an avian and human perspective.

     An Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was happy to indulge in a snack.

     Janet seemed especially happy to see American Tree Sparrows and carefully went through their distinctive field marks.

     It's hard not to be impressed with 18 grams of toughness facing the worst of whatever winter can throw at it.

     One has no less respect for a Black-capped Chickadee.

     A Red-breasted Nuthatch is nothing if not acrobatic.

     There were many Blue Jays present, drawn especially to unshelled peanuts.

     A House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) was huddled against the morning chill.

     When we left Riverside Park on Wednesday a Blue Jay had come to bid us farewell. Today it was the turn of an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos). 

     À la prochaine mon ami.

     As always, I am deeply grateful to the wonderful corps of naturalists who come out to make the outings I conduct so enjoyable. It is such a pleasure to be with you.

     See you all again soon.