More Catch-up

 15 November, 2023

DesJardins Canal, Dundas, ON

     The signature winter bird at this location is Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), but they were few in number and reticent about showing themselves.

     Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) has an interesting history. It was originally introduced into North America in the 1700s for wool production.

     The original intent has been long abandoned, but the plant is now a feature of landscapes throughout North America.

     A Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) was doubtless a late migrant, soon to be on its way.

     Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) - black morph shown here - has a mission in life, to irritate and enrage human feeders of birds, and to invade their attics if possible.

     On both counts it does a very good job.

Urquart Butterfly Garden, Dundas, ON

     A very accommodating Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) posed for at least five minutes, enabling every camera lens to be pointed in its direction.

     Everyone was delighted.

Grindstone Creek, Hamilton, ON

     A few hardy Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritus) spend the winter here, more each year it seems.

     A family of Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) had decided to make Grindstone Marsh its winter quarters, at least for now, although the water is shallow at this location and freeze-up may necessitate a move to Lake Ontario.

     Hooded Mergansers were on their best birder-pleasing behaviour and showed themselves in all their splendour.

     This Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) bore bands on both legs, indicating perhaps that it is the subject of a study.

     For no reason that we could determine the family of Trumpeter Swans seemed especially enraged at a single drake Mallard in their vicinity, and this hapless duck was chased away with much fanfare.

     When the dreaded intruder had been soundly chastened and dispatched, this youngster looked especially smug I thought, as though some rite of passage had been accomplished with full marks.

     Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), our smallest duck, was present in good numbers.

     It is such an enchanting little duck and we were very happy to see it.

     A Great Egret (Ardea alba) seemed to be finding food up against the barrier of discarded Christmas trees used to block invasive (and destructive) Asian Carp. 

     Perhaps the fish congregate there having reached an impasse to their progress and the fishing is easy for a skilled hunter like a Great Egret or a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

     Our familiar Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) merits a second glance every time. It is a striking bird in every respect and I thought these pictures of it in an Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) were exceedingly pleasing, and emblematically Canadian.

     Just a tree or so over was a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), equally stunning in its own special way.

     There were several Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) but they stubbornly refused to display themselves in an unimpeded fashion.

     The song of a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is often interpreted as Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada - and quite right too.

     An American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) gazed up at us from deep in the undergrowth.

     Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) were still migrating and several passed overhead.

LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

     Fittingly for this location, one of the first birds we saw was a female Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator).

     LaSalle Park is always a good location to find American Coot (Fulica americana) in late fall and winter.

     Several lingering Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were also seen.

     Usually, the head of a male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) appears black, but Miriam was able to capture the iridescence in this shot.

     Drake Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) are gloriously handsome birds.

     Redheads (Aythya americana) were present, but quite far offshore and mostly snoozing, head tucked under the wing.

     These white Mallards are known by the name Pekin Duck or Aylesbury Duck and represent a strain raised by humans for meat and appearance. 

     From time to time they escape from captivity and join flocks of their wild congeners where they are readily accepted and become part of the flock. They are splendid birds and add a highlight to a birder's day.

     This male seemed to have a deformed bill, but was coping adequately as far as we could tell.

     LaSalle Park is a reliable spot to find American Black Duck (Anas rubipres), not always easy elsewhere.

     Everyone who sees Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) for the first time remarks that this is a bird that is descriptively accurate. 

     Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a very appealing little duck in the group known as Stifftails; cosmopolitan and extremely interesting.

     For an excellent treatment of Stifftails (Oxyurini), the work by Paul A. Johnsgard and Montserrat Carbonell, Ruddy Ducks and other Stifftails, remains the best available, and anyone wishing to gain more insight into this group would benefit greatly from a study of this book.

     One of the principal reasons to visit LaSalle Park is to bask in the glory of Trumpeter Swans and one never is disappointed.

     Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis), also sometimes known as Harlequin Lady Beetle, is a hardy insect, often found in late fall or even early winter.

     Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) remains the impish, rascally favourite of many.

     And why not?

     A female Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) was one of the last birds we saw as we prepared to leave, to complete our sweep of the three "sawbills" for the day.

Bronte Harbour, Oakville, ON

     The harbour seemed to be devoid of birds as we entered and that proved to be pretty much the case.

     We did, however, tally our only Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) for the day, exclusively females, however.

     A Ring-billed Gull had caught a crayfish, and left some of us wishing that we too had lobster for dinner.

     Dipped in a little garlic butter would be better, however.

     It had been a fine day - the only kind we ever have!

     Until the next time.....