A Check on the Great Horned Owls and Other Observations

 8 April 2022 

     We intend to make regular checks on the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) nest, and will post pictures so that you can monitor the progress of the owlets along with us.

     This morning, a week after seeing the nest for the first time, there was a noticeable difference in the appearance of the youngsters. They have grown and are rapidly acquiring their feathers; in fact, at first we thought that there was only one bird in the nest, and  were sad to contemplate that the other might have come to a bad end.

     The nest seems unusually small for a bird this size, and we considered the possibility that one of the owlets had fallen over the side of the nest.

     We were greatly relieved, however, when looking at the nest from the rear we saw that two birds were present, perched back-to-back.

     One owlet is smaller than its sibling and was completely blocked when first we saw the nest.

     A loud chorus of agitated American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) led us to the location of one of the adults, perched at a discreet distance from the nest, but able to offer protection if needed.

     After enjoying their company for about fifteen to twenty minutes (they were completely indifferent to us!) we bade them farewell with a promise to return next week. By then they may be out of the nest exploring branches. 

5 April, 2022

Benjamin Park Trail, Waterloo, ON

     Recently municipal by-laws were changed to permit people living in subdivisions to have chickens in their backyard.

     We were delighted to see that someone had taken advantage of the situation and had installed a chicken coop, and the domestic variant of Gallus gallus was wandering at will.

     This is an ideal location because the houses back onto a natural area and the fowl are free to scratch in the soil as they would in their native habitat.  We watched them rolling in the dirt in sheer pleasure, presumably dislodging ectoparasites in the process.

     An Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was keenly alert to the new goings-on in his neighbourhood.

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius), always common, seems to be exceptionally abundant this year.

     This tree in an advanced state of decay bears the marks of wood-boring insects that have invaded the cambium.

     They give the impression of contour lines on a topographical map.

     Robins, among all the birds that we see, seem to take inordinate joy from bathing.

     It's always great to see a Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus).

5 April, 2022

Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     Tuesday walks, known as "Rambles with David" are ostensibly about birding, but have morphed more into a social event, a gabfest in fact, with little attention paid to the birds.

     Here are a few highlights from the Mill Race Trail.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis)

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Lily

     And here is what so many of you have been waiting for - new pictures of Lily.

     In just two months she will be two years old. What a princess she has become!