Wanderings through the Region

"Bird watching is not merely bird watching. Bird watching brightens our lives. Let us do what we can to share it with our friends. Let us give them the sight of life in action and help them appreciate the joy of life."

Lam Chiu Ying

23 October, 2022

The Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

     Twenty-three degrees in not normal at the end of October, but we took advantage of a warm, sunny day to explore parts of the Linear Trail.

     Conditions were as near to perfect as one might imagine.

     Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) seems to have had a very successful year.

     As has been the case so often this fall, there was an almost continual presence of Myrtle Warblers (Setophaga coronata) busily snapping up aerial insects, and gleaning for the larvae of others.

     Every bend in the trail was glorious.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were feeding principally on buckthorn berries; some will migrate but many choose to remain here for the winter, more each year it seems.

     A female Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) seemed reluctant to turn her head.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) were dabbling close to shore.

     Windborne seeds have colonized this log in mid stream and produced a dazzling display.

     Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) seemed to pause in migration, spiralling on the thermals, wings outspread, perhaps detecting a meal below them.

     Various little side trails proceed down to the river, trodden down principally by legions of fisherfolk making their way there.

     Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), so vital to the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), is attractive at any stage of its development, but in the fall when it releases its seeds to the wind it attains the pinnacle of perfection.

     There were hundreds of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) gathering together for migration. For the most part they were concealed deep in the reeds, but every so often one would show itself.

     If trees could talk, what might this denizen of the woods have to say? 

     Much that would interest us, and perhaps astonish us, I have no doubt.

24 October, 2022

Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON

     The trail to the park starts behind our house, and walking over to it the ravishing colours of autumn were ubiquitous.

     There are those who profess to enjoy a climate of perpetual summer, but that is not for me; in fact I am of the opinion that it would be abominable. 

     The leaf of a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is close to perfection in my estimation.

     The trail looked perfect with its carpet of leaves.

     The nasal call of White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was frequently heard, and several times we observed the birds busily occupied with building up their winter storage.

     One hole seemed to be of particular interest. It's always good to come at it from both directions.

     A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) is often a difficult bird to photograph since it barely remains stationary for a moment, and when it does it seems always to be concealed behind a leaf or a tangle of branches!

     Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) were quick to exploit the seeds of Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).

     It is not only birds that are making preparations for winter. This squirrel drey bears evidence of new material that has been added.

     Before long, several squirrels will huddle together for warmth inside this snug den as the snows of December paint the landscape white.

25 October, 2022

A walk on the Mill Race with Mary

     I had not seen Mary for a few weeks so it was with pleasure that I joined her for a stroll along the Mill Race in St. Jacobs.

     A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) signalled its approval by coming to meet us almost as soon as our feet hit the ground.

     White-breasted Nuthatches were not far behind.

     American Beavers (Castor canadensis) raid cornfields adjacent to the Mill Race and drag stalks of corn into the water, presumably as a source of food. Mallards are quick to take advantage of this feast laid out for them, quacking their appreciation I have no doubt.

     Here you see the path created by the beavers as they drag the corn from the field.

     We were excited to see three or four Red Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca) but were never able to get close to these wary birds.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were feeding on berries of various kinds, especially buckthorn, and we were happy to have them join our walk.

     The highlight of the day was a small flock of Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus), a bird seen less and less frequently, and in small numbers.

     Eighty-six percent of the population of this species breeds in Canada and it is everywhere in trouble. It is rated as as vulnerable or endangered, depending on the jurisdiction, but is in jeopardy throughout its range in the boreal forest.

     As usual the source of its predicament is anthropogenic - wetland conversion, forest clearing, changes to surface hydrology, mercury contamination, wetland acidification and so on. You can probably complete the sad litany yourself.

     I am reminded of Ed Yong's statement in his excellent book An Immense World (if you haven't read it you should):

"We now live in the Anthropocene - a geological epoch defined and dominated by the deeds of our species. We have instigated what some scientists have called an era of 'biological annihilation,' comparable to the five great mass extinctions of prehistory."

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) gives not a moment's thought to such weighty matters.

     Sometimes perhaps ignorance really is bliss.

     A beaver dam as you may see is a formidable structure. It is not lightly that we refer to beavers as nature's engineers.

     I am confident that some of you recall that on a visit to RIM Park a couple of months ago, we came across a delightful example of Homo sapiens ebikeensis - see here.

     Amazingly, another subspecies was sighted, Homo sapiens benefactor, named for obvious reasons as you see below.

     The morphology of the two recognizable subspecies is quite different, but one may clearly note that it is the same species by an examination of the broad grin and impressive dentition.

     Chickadees and nuthatches were enthralled to welcome this bepedal friend.

     I am sure that no one will object to one more picture showing the intensity of autumnal foliage.

     As is often the case a Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) went about its business.

     I was feeling very satisfied after a successful walk with many wonderful sightings, when I noted a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) just as I was leaving St. Jacobs.

     Not a bad way to end the morning if you ask me.