Friday, August 12, 2022

Odds and Ends

 At home

02 July, 2022

     A Sharp-lined Yellow (Sicya macularia) decided to pay us a visit, and we were happy to welcome it to the backyard.
     

04 July, 2022

     No less welcome was a Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) in the porch when we opened the front door. 


     It appears headless in the picture, but I can assure you it was not!

09 July, 2022

     The patch of Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) we planted a few years ago, has bloomed in profusion each year and presents a very striking image at the side of our driveway. 


     A Monarch (Danaus plexippus) was seen nectaring on it, flitting from flower to flower.


     Many is the time I have seen a dozen or more Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) exploiting its sweetness.


12 August, 2022

     Miriam was working in the garden under the bay window at the front of the house and noticed this Northern Dog-day Cicada (Neotibicen canicularis), an impressive insect to say the least.


18 June, 2022
Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     We joined Jonah and Kayla to meet little Shai, the newest member of their family, but sleeping in the stroller was more to his liking than chatting about birds!


     There were many Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata) going about the business of their short lives.


     The following fly has me totally baffled. It is perhaps a type of Snipe Fly, but I am far from sure of that.


     It is undeniably attractive.

08 July, 2022
SpruceHaven, St. Agatha

     Kayla had long expressed an interest in a visit to SpruceHaven, which was made even more interesting by the accompaniment of Jonah's parents, Jack and Yaffa, who were visiting from Ottawa, a delightful couple if ever I met one.
     Who can fail to be enchanted by baby Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica)?



     An American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (see below) was busy at its nest.


     Shai finally agreed to put it an appearance, photo-bombed by Grandpa Jack in the right hand corner.



23 July, 2022
RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

     There was great excitement in the local birding community when a Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), far outside its normal range, decided to pay us a visit.
     I saw Mallards (Anas platyrynchos).....


     ..... and a preening Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus).....


     ..... and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).....


     ..... and finally the star of the show!


     It had no idea what a celebrity it had become.

31 July, 2022
SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     The barn at SpruceHaven contains around seventy-five Barn Swallow nests in an active colony that has been present there for decades. The farm has been in the Westfall family for almost fifty years with continuous occupancy since their arrival. In fact, it was the idyllic scene of swallows dipping over the pond and feeding above it that sufficiently enchanted Dave's parents to buy the property.
      Thirty to thirty-five nests are in use each year, or at least have been during the six years we have monitored them.
     In July 2020, a pair of American Cliff Swallows built a nest in the barn and successfully raised young. It seemed quite remarkable to me at the time, never having experienced a mixed colony of Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows.  What is even more noteworthy now, is that we have five Cliff Swallow nests, some of which are Barn Swallow structures usurped and modified by the Cliff Swallows.






     The fourth picture from the top is the first Cliff Swallow nest built in the barn, a structure entirely typical of the species. The others, originally Barn Swallow nests, have been modified in odd ways, yet some were used successfully this year.
     A Cliff Swallow colony inside a barn is highly unusual and my experience with this species has always been of colonies under bridges, culverts and on buildings. I have never found nests in a building and there is scant reference to it in the literature. Angela Turner comments that occasionally Cliff Swallows will nest inside buildings, but there is no indication they do so in the presence of other species. I should add that I never observed any inter-specific conflict, nor intra-specific conflict for that matter, although Cliff Swallows are notoriously aggressive in large colonies of their own species.
     A Green Heron (Butorides virens) approached very close while we were concealed by the hide at the edge of the pond.


     We have a very poor picture of a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis).


     This species is quite rare in this area, in fact nowhere common. It is extremely wary and difficult to approach, hence its common name "dasher". The one thing in our favour was that it tends to return to the same perch and by the exercise of dogged patience Miriam was able to obtain this image, overcoming the combined obstacles of it not being particularly close and shooting into the sun.
     There are more odds and ends, but I'll save those for another time.


David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

72 comments:

  1. A lovely series of odds and ends David. Although, I don't think I can agree with you about the fly being attractive! :)

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    1. And this from someone who keeps rats in the house!

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  2. This is a truly delightful collection of odds and ends (described in our family as odds and sods). Many, many thanks to you, to Miriam and to the delightful critters you featured.

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    1. You hear the expression "odds and sods" here too.

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  3. These are wonderful odds and ends that I enjoyed from the first to the last picture. I am VERY jealous of your beautiful milkweed as I seem to be only able to kill it over and over again, so I finally gave up. I have no idea what I was doing wrong, maybe it just didn't like this location. Are there wooden nest molds beneath the swallow nest? It does look like it - I have seen something similar in Kaysersberg, Alsace, and I was wondering about it. The Northern dog-day cicada looks impressive! Thank you for posting such a beautiful picture of one of my favorite birds, the Green Heron.

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    1. We do use wooden nest moulds (cups, we call them), but that is not one of them. It is a piece of wood attached to a beam for some reason. Very observant, Carola.

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    2. I just realized that the Barn Swallow nest is indeed in one of the cups, Carola. My comment above was referring to the Cliff Swallow nest. Forgive the confusion, please.

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  4. ...fabulous collection of odds and ends. I need to find a place in my garden for some Asclepias. Thanks for showing your little bundle of joy!

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  5. The beautiful Butterfly Milkweed is very aptly named and such a wonderful colour too. The baby Barn Swallow's nest appears to be perched on a perfect base, and I wondered if they are part of the barns construction or whether they have been specially designed to take a nest?
    Another lovely little baby to add to your ever growing nursery family - I have never come across the name Shai before but understand that it is Hebrew .

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    1. The wooden cups are designed with Barn Swallows in mind, Rosemary. Shai is indeed a Hebrew name, meaning "gift". It is gender-neutral and may be used for boy or girl. It is a great stride forward that Jews now proudly give their children Hebrew names, when not so long ago they changed their own name to conceal their identity, when faced with persecution. We all know where that ended, yet still anti-semitism is on the rise once again. How utterly sad and how horrific.

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  6. Hari Om
    I too enjoyed this varied selection, David... as to your fly, I think it is indeed the Chrysopilus ornatus (Ornate Snipe Fly). And what a handsome young fellow is Shai... good genes! YAM xx

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  7. De beaux papillons, oui les hirondelles sont bien mignonnes et les nids originaux!
    Sous mes fenêtres il y'a des hirondelles et cette année un nid a été pris par un rouge-queue qui avait mis plein de mousse et d'herbe, puis après l'envolé des petits les hirondelles ont repris le nid et enlevé la mousse.
    Je regarderai pour mettre la fonction abonnement sur mon blog, et j'ai trouvé votre message dans les spams... Etrange!
    Bonne soirée

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  8. Good summary of what was seen during the month of July, with a variety of flowers, insects and birds.

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  9. That green heron shot is my favourite.

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  10. So many wonderful entries, birds, and even bugs, and you have captured such beauty in the form of that newest member of the group, too.

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  11. David, these are outstanding photos, especially of your with family. Have a nice evening.

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  12. I've never seen a green heron. Lovely fellows, too.

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  13. I really enjoyed the collection of this odds and ends. Butterfly Milkweed you planted looks really impressive and beautiful. Hallo Shai, nice to meet you :-)) I wish you a wonderful weekend, David.

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  14. David - a veritable potpourri of delight!!! Well done with the butterfly milkweed, and the Monarch is an apt reward. Love the Cliff Swallow close-up and the details on the Cliff Swallows adapting their nesting practices. Fascinating!

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  15. How lovely to see these creature and for me the American cliff swallow. Always good to see a baby too.

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  16. The Monarch and the Butterfly Milkweed are so pretty together, David. I guess you planted it for the butterflies. The photo of the Ebony Jewelwings is very beautiful. Please tell it to Miriam.
    For many years ago I read a blog from Texas. She had a lot of Whistling ducks in her area. I remembered them when I saw your photo of it.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. The first Black-bellied Whistling Ducks I ever saw were in Texas, Marit, many, many years ago, before Texas became the crazy place it is now. Hugs and kisses - David

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  17. Great selections. Not easy to pick a favourite. Interesting to see the nests in the buildings.

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  18. Thanks for sharing these interesting odds and ends. Not easy to choose a favourite, all are great photos. Interesting nests in the building.

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  19. Hi David, glad you have another baby to start learning early! You have showed many remarkable speices, and the nests of the swallows are very fascinating, I am always amazed at the nests of birds and their artistry, Have a great day, take care, big hugs, Valerie

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    1. Unfortunately Kayla and Jonah will soon be moving to Ottawa, so we will not be seeing a whole lot of Shai. But he is in good hands and no doubt will grow up with nature as part of his life.

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  20. Hello, David
    Another great post and trip report on your birding. Your milkweed looks beautiful, great insect captures. Congrats on the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, they are one of my favorites. Love the Green Heron and the cute baby Barn Swallows and the Cliff Swallow. It is nice to see another sweet birder Shai. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  21. Nice odds and ends. Surprised by the expanse of the butterfly milkweed bloom. I've never seen ours spread out that much.

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  22. Gorgeous pictures !
    Beautiful and instructive post !
    Lovely smiles too ;)
    Have a shinny weekend !
    Anna

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  23. It's always nice to see photos that include you! And little Shai is adorable and will love nature after being introduced to the great outdoors at an early age. Love that Swallow staring right out of the nest! What great photos!

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  24. I was especially interested to see the Black-bellied Whistling Duck. I've been seeing a group fly over every morning for the past week or so, and when I checked the range maps, I discovered that we're at the northern edge of their range. Not only that, they're not long-distant migrants, although it seems some of ours will travel to Mexico and Central America. No wonder this one caused quite a stir in your world!

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  25. I was especially interested to see the Black-bellied Whistling Duck. I've been seeing a group fly over every morning for the past week or so, and when I checked the range maps, I discovered that we're at the northern edge of their range. Not only that, they're not long-distant migrants, although it seems some of ours will travel to Mexico and Central America. No wonder this one caused quite a stir in your world!

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  26. I just left a lengthy comment which didn't post; a message primly informed me there had been an 'error' of some sort. So, I'll just recap by saying how interesting it was to see the Black-bellied Whistling Duck in your area. This is the first year I've seen them flying overhead around me. My suspicion is that they've come inland seeking water, since the refuges are rather dry at this point.

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  27. I think my favourites are the underwings. They are such a lovely surprise!

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  28. Muy buenas tardes, estimado David, hoy nos presentas un poco de todo y todo ello de gran hermosura, aunque con la mosca no estoy muy de acuerdo contigo, la veo demasiado rara quien sabe si su picadura .... Las golondrinas me fascinan y son de una ternura increíble. Que obras de arte realizan en sus construcciones de nidificación, auténticas maravillas.
    Un precioso reportaje amigo.

    Este año, con las temperaturas que estamos padeciendo, no se puede ni respirar por la calle. Faltaban los incendios y la escasez de agua, los pantanos están al límite y ya existen restricciones de agua por varias zonas de España, un verdadero desastre este verano. Esperemos no tarde mucho en llover, las cosechas se están perdiendo todas.
    Un fuerte abrazo estimado profesor y compadre de tu siempre amigo Juan.

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  29. An interesting piece on the advent of the Cliff Swallows, David, and their continuing success.

    That spectacular Butterfly Milkweed had me looking it up on the internet, even though the chance of attracting a Manarch is zilch! It seems it does grow OK in UK, but should I plant a none-native shrub? - probably not. However, I do wonder how many of the plants we have in the garden are native. I suspect very few.

    I love that photo of the Green Heron. A truly handsome bird.

    Best wishes from England, where it continues to be hot and dry. - - - Richard

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  30. We had Barn Swallows when we lived on the lake. They would build their nests under the canopies on the boat lifts. I have never seen an American Cliff Swallow ... and I agree it seems quite odd that it would build a nest amongst a colony of Barn Swallows. Maybe it's mother never taught it to segregate:) Love the little red haired Shai ... glad he decided to join the group. Your fly is a strange one. He looks like a cross between a fly and a bee or wasp ... maybe his mother didn't segregate :0 I have never seen a Blue Dasher ... she is beautiful. Are they found in the US and if so where? And The Green Heron. I looked for Green Herons for a long time in the State Park, if the Forest Preserves on birding trips in Wisconsin. I didn't see one for years and then one day while walking Izzi in the State Park there he was as big as you please sitting on a rock by a little pool of water. Back in those days I always had my camera with me, so I captured some good shots and now, I see them everywhere I go. Weird, right? They are a magnificent bird ... there is so much more in your Odds and Ends, all lovely and interesting. I dearly do love coming to visit you, David :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Hi Andrea: I equally love your comments and always appreciate the care you take with them. I am not sure of the distribution of Blue Dasher, but I will check and get back to you. Right now I am off to paint the front door!

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  31. Hello David, It delights me to see your image of the Monarch butterfly. What a beautiful capture! I still can't believe those small creatures can fly all the way from Ontario to some place in Mexico to overwinter. I hope you have enough Cicadas to hear them in the evenings as I used to in Texas when I was growing up. I loved that sound. The baby Barn Swallows ... could they be cuter? I think not. Interesting info on the Cliff Swallow nest. Beautiful shot of the Green Heron. Enjoyed your family photos too. Great post! John

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  32. Enjoyed this close to home odds & ends post, David and that butterfly milkweed was indeed glorious. It was even more so with the Monarch and bumblebee enjoying it. we had a nest of barn swallows on our front porch when we lived in VA and were most relieved when all the young ones left home as we had newspaper on the porch while they were in the nest.

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  33. Yay for Monarchs. People are reporting them on the island as well. The Viceroy gets mistaken for Monarchs a lot.

    Swallows are a favourite but I’ve never seen the cliff ones. That Whistling Duck is a beauty! Great find.

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  34. That milkweed is glorious. The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is the most common duck in this area. They are found on every pond or lake, usually in numbers. As I sit in my backyard in late afternoon, I often hear them "whistling" overhead as they fly to their preferred nighttime roost.

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  35. Great nature photos, and little Shai is adorable.

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    1. I tremble in fear at the kind of future we are bequeathing to Shai.

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  36. Your post is packed with fun, wonderful, photos today!!
    Happy Sunday to you, and thanks for linking with us at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week! Sweet close up of the swallow peeking from its nest.

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  37. What a nature!
    I think the swallow is very beautiful!

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  38. So many great photos today David. I am still impressed by orange milkweed since ours is pink. The pods are now forming on the ones growing about my yard and a couple of monarchs keep flitting around the yard. And nice honeybee photo too. Looks like life is good in the insect world too. Hope you're having a nice weekend. Hugs-Erika

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    1. We have Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) in our backyard too, Erika, and its flowers are pink - not quite as spectacular as Asclepias tuberosa, but a great host plant for Monarchs. We have three chrysalises in the house right now and I expect we will have butterflies by the end of the week. Hugs - David

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  39. The Ebony Jewelwings is a stunner that I don't recall ever seeing in person. With only two or so weeks to fly, I imagine it must be all the more visible in gardens this year with all the sunny weather.

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    1. Actually, I have never seen them in a garden. They seem rarely, if ever, to stray from water, and the one pictured above was right along Laurel Creek.

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  40. Hi David.

    Beautiful flowers, insects and butterflies.
    Definitely a separate insect that was in the garden.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  41. Swallows work hard to arrange their nests.

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  42. As always, a post so full of information and photographs, I always come back for a second read to absorb it all. The Barn Swallow and Cliff Swallow information is super interesting.

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  43. Se ve que disfrutas con lo que haces. Muy buenas fotografías.

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  44. I do love the odds and ends posts. That is an amazing stand of butterfly weed. Can't seem to get it well established here as the migrating monarch caterpillars keep eating it down to a nub. I remember seeing cliff swallow nests during my stint as a river guide on the Rio Grande through Big Bend.

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  45. That butterfly milkweed is a stunner and I think I might need to add that to my yard next year. What glorious photos (that green heron -- wow!). And so good to be birding with friends. Love the barn swallows, too!

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  46. Thank you so much for all the pleasure for my eyes, David. A fine end of an evening I watched in our garden for about one hour hundreds of swallows forageing in and around an apple tree. Fascinating!

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  47. It's Sunday evening here in the UK as I look at all the wonderful photographs and read your 'Odds and Ends' post.
    Most enjoyable, thank you.

    Have a good week ahead.

    All the best Jan

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  48. What a great selection of odds and ends!!.......Abrazotes, Marcela

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  49. I enjoyed your odds and ends, David.
    Incredible photography!

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  50. David, I've seen Danaus plexippus in my garden on the flowers of Ligularia dentata 'Othello'. I see your bird watcher group has a new member - Shai, a pretty boy. When I stayed at the beach cabin a few years ago there was a swallow's nest under the roof.

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    1. I am quite sure he will be a world class biologist, Nadezda! A Nobel Prize winner even!

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  51. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  52. Dear David,
    your summer time at home looks very enjoyable, spent with nice people, and there were successful animal observation activities, too. Your garden also offers some beautiful sightings! I immediately had to research whether it is possible to plant Butterfly Milkweed in Austrian gardens and whether it tolerates our climate - and yes, it does, I just have to make sure that I don't get a houseplant, but one that is hardy. I'll look around for it, maybe it will work. Because it looks beautiful, a dreamy color and if it's loved by insects, it's perfect for our garden.
    Very fascinating, the barn swallow nests adapted from the cliff swallows - but clever and sustainable! Why should they build new ones when there are vintage nests ;-)
    According to my app, you typed in the right direction on the fly - it says: "Chrysopilus cristatus is a dipterus in the snipe family."
    I also thank you very much for your bird determinations in my blog. I then translated it straight away and found out that the Costa's Hummingbird is called "Veilchenkopfelfe" in German. Translated back into English: violethead elf - a very poetic name, I think.
    There are many more birds in my current post, I hope I (or my app) have identified them all well - if not, please correct me.
    You asked me if I was affected by Bombay Belly in India. We had no problems on our first trip to India (Rajasthan), my husband even ate ice cream there! The second trip to India went to southern India, and the hygienic conditions there seem to be even more backward, we all got sick there, but all got good medication - and we also got a very good tip for future trips to countries that can cause diarrheal diseases: This remedy is called "Omnibiotic Reise" in Europe, it consists of various intestinal bacteria that prepare the intestine for the journey. Since we've been taking this remedy, we haven't had any problems in other countries. I think there will be something similar in Canada.
    Hugs and all the best - have a good time!
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/08/mallorca-reisebericht-teil-4-tag-9.html

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  53. wow, so many nests in one barn. That must be rare. Amazing!

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  54. hello David
    the new member Shai, is not really happy about the flora and fauna, who knows what he will see in nature in several years, I only hope good things and then he can be happy about it
    Greetings Frank

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  55. Hi David - what a lovely collection of plants, insects and birds ... I expect your flutterbyes have hatched by now ... they must be amazing to watch develop. How lovely to meet Shai and his family ... fun - always good to meet new families and budding ecologists.

    The comments are fascinating to read ... I wonder if the swallows feel able to nest as they've seen other species fly in and out. We've just had a few minutes of reasonable rain ... so can smell the earth - but still warm, at least it's cooler. Cheers Hilary

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  56. Un gran reportaje, me ha gustado mucho. Un abrazo querido amigo David.

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  57. A nice collection of beautiful odds and lovely ends!

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