A Couple of Recent Walks through Snowy Woods

08 February 2022

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     The first sight to greet us was a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) perched stoically in a tree, weathering the storm like the rest of us.

     Most Great Blue Herons migrate at the approach of winter, but a few hardy individuals always remain, and over the past twenty years or so I have seen this species here in every month of the year. They are opportunistic feeders, and in addition to capturing prey in open water, will take waterfowl, rodents, rabbits and other mammals, anything they can capture really. As long as they are able locate food they appear to be capable of tolerating harsh weather.

     It was a snowy day in the park.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) disported in open patches of water, seeming to relish winter with the enthusiasm of a child.

     Their familiar quack seemed like a summons to come and play, a clarion call of happiness.

     A Merlin (Falco columbarius) surveyed its hunting grounds from a lofty perch, ready to intercept any unwary songbird.

     Winter is a challenge to all and only the hardiest will survive.

     Spruce cones bedecked in snow are always lovely to behold.

     The longer we walked the more it snowed, but it was good to be out on a quintessential winter's day in Ontario.

     I am sure this Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) would agree.

15 February 2022

Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

     The Linear Trail is always a great spot for a walk and on a good day can deliver spectacular birding.

    Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) has become well established in Ontario, and it is not unusual to see them in Waterloo Region. Two birds, presumably a pair, were present at the confluence of the Grand and Speed Rivers.

     A Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a big bird - except when seen alongside a Trumpeter Swan.

     American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) is present only in the winter in our area, and may be reliably found along the Linear Trail.

     We came across a female Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), either checking a hole for nesting potential or retrieving food from a cache - we were never quite sure.

     Great excitement was provided, however, when two males appeared on the scene, uttering a good deal of chatter, chasing each other furiously, and the female too, putting on quite a show for us.

     One might conclude that mating urges are stirring.

     In that context we heard our first singing Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) of the year. It is such a cheerful, uplifting song, and a sure sign that spring will soon be here to greet us.

15 February 2022

Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

     It is a very brief journey from the Linear Trail to Riverside Park. There is always lots of activity along the boardwalk, where for years people have brought seed, and even installed suet feeders which are kept stocked. From time to time rarities appear, lured by an easy meal no doubt.

     The first bird to greet us was an American Tree Sparrow.

     In short order it was joined by a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis).

     Could you ever tire of seeing a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)? I know that I never could.

     They too claim their share of the bounty.

     I think we can all agree that a male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a handsome bird.

     House Sparrows were always more common when horse drawn drays and carriages were the standard modes of transportation, and grain spilled from feed bags provided a reliable source of food. Perhaps humans delivering corn in places such as Riverside Park have become an effective substitute.

     A female Northern Cardinal is a paragon of subdued beauty and elegance.

     As one walks along the length and breadth of the boardwalk the sheer number of individuals from various species is impressive. Witness another American Tree Sparrow.

     In the next picture you can see the contrast between the native tree sparrow and the alien House Sparrow.

     A Dark-eyed Junco decided to join the party.

     Northern Cardinals are not at all shy at this location and will often approach within arm's length.

     For my money, Red-bellied Woodpecker is our most attractive picid.

     When I disturbed the female above for just a moment, she scolded me and returned to her position as soon as I had walked past.

     American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are handsome, fearless, entertaining and pugnacious.

     It would not be unreasonable to assign the same attributes to a Blue Jay.

     The Speed River was frozen other than for a ribbon of water flowing at the edges, but there were no waterfowl present to take advantage of it.

     Here is a view along the boardwalk as we made our way back.

     I would venture to say that one is never out of sight or earshot of a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).

      As indicated above, House Sparrows have become rare in recent years, and in many countries across Europe are now included on lists of vulnerable species. I know of no location locally where their numbers, and the simple reliability of seeing them, surpasses Riverside Park.

       The six males above represent a small sample, and sometimes squabbling flocks of thirty or forty can be observed. 

     White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is primarily a migratory species, but small numbers remain here for the winter, and Riverside Park is a favoured location.

       Nuthatches in general are intriguing little birds, always special, and Red-breasted Nuthatch (SItta canadensis) is encountered less frequently than its white-breasted cousin.

     A chickadee is rarely reluctant to visit an outstretched hand, especially if sunflower hearts are on the menu.

     The nuthatch was quick to follow suit so I had the unrestrained joy of having a a chickadee and a nuthatch undertaking a shuttle service to my hand.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was content to watch the proceedings from a convenient perch.

     On the way back to the car an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) bid us an emphatic good morning.

     In the woodland at the edge of a parking lot a flock of about twenty-five American Robins (Turdus migratorius) had found food and they made a cheery end to our walk.

     This is a species that suffers from familiarity; it really is a handsome bird and warrants our admiration.

     I hope you have enjoyed this vicarious walk with us. Who knows, one day we may do it together?