Recently, our good friends Graham and Marg Macdonald were visited by their sister-in-law from the UK and we were happy to join them on a stroll along the Mill Race in St. Jacobs.
The birds were cooperating and Rachel proved to be a bird whisperer of the highest order.
A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) made its presence known with a loud greeting, and was quickly spotted.
I am quite sure that this feast is equivalent to Lobster Thermidor and Baked Alaska rolled into one for a nuthatch!
Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) were not going to let the feast pass without gleaning their share and they, too, swooped onto Rachel's outstretched hand.
What joy!
When I take people along the Mill Race I always tell them that I can pretty much assure them a chickadee on the hand, with a good chance of a nuthatch, too. To complete the trifecta, however, a friendly, confident Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is needed, and that's far from assured.
This male, however, took one glance at Rachel's hand, and glided down in an instant.
Her first visit to The Mill Race and she had a perfect score!
A few curious Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) came to see what was going on, hoping no doubt for a little cracked corn, but I had none with me.
American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were ubiquitous, attracted by a super abundant berry crop and dense stands of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).
Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were drawn to the same rich pickings.
At the end of our walk we enjoyed coffee and scones at the Eco Café.
It is a safe assumption that the denizens of the Mill Race were abuzz with excitement following Rachel's visit - chickadees chattering, nuthatches nattering, woodpeckers whooping, ducks quacking and waxwings whistling.
Rachel Carson believed that every person has to respectfully repay an eternal debt to nature; safe to say that another Rachel did that today.
hello David.
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog and saw lots of wonderful photos of birds of your country.
You said in your profile that youhave birded on every continent except Antarctica. Hope you can do that in Indonesia
By the way, I've just followed your blog, and I hope you'll follow mine in return, my friend. Let's stay connected and become friends
A big hello from Indonesia
In Asia I have birded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore - and from an airplane on the ground in India! Sadly, not in Indonesia.
DeleteIt must be fun to feed the birds from your hand, David. That nuthatch looks a lot like the one in the garden here—*Sitta europaea*. It’s a lively and active bird. Mills Race looks like a fantastic area for walking.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
The Mill Race is one of our favourite spots, Marit.
DeleteDavid!
ReplyDeleteYou always have so many beautiful birds around. The squirrel has stolen my heart—it’s absolutely adorable.
I envy the way the birds eat right out of your hand! Wishing you a lovely autumn Sunday.
Such beautiful little creatures and so beautifully photographed!
ReplyDeleteThe Black-capped Chickadees, like their cousins here, are always my favourites.
The weather in your photos looks sunny and cheerfully summery, despite some colourful and fallen leaves. Here it's grey and very humid in these days.
Happy Sunday!
The weather here has been crazy. Yesterday I was out and the temperature was 17.5 degrees and it's almost November.
DeleteWhat a rewarding walk.
ReplyDeleteSweet pictures !
ReplyDeleteNo birds would eat in our hands here...To wild....Or no used...
Have a lovely day !
Bises et bonne semaine !
Anna
The first time a chickadee ever perched on my hand to eat sunflower seeds, I felt like friggin St Francis of Assisi!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteGlorious!!! YAM xx
Hi David, beautiful serie photos of birds and squirrel. I wonder how wild birds can sit on your hand.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience you and your friends created for Rachel!
ReplyDeleteWow, Rachel really is a high level bird whisperer. Even the Downy. Wow. I really thought that you were going to say the Mallard came and landed on her hand too. I'm not sure that would have worked just because of the size of a Mallard. It looks like you had a wonderful day out, walking, birding and having a snack with friends. You can't go wrong with that. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful series of photos, David.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just amazing that the birds there eat right out of your hand, that’s something we can only dream of here.
The Netherlands is so crowded with people that the birds would never do that.
Wishing you a lovely Sunday.
All the best, Irma
Then you have to come here, Irma, and I'll arrange it!
DeleteWow, a nuthatch, a chickadee, and a woodpecker.
ReplyDeleteDear David,
ReplyDeleteRachel really is amazing! On her very first visit she managed to attract the complete trio to her hand. I think she has definitely earned the title of bird whisperer.
But now I have a question for you that has puzzled me for quite some time. What is the secret of the birds at Mill Race? They are wild birds living in a natural environment, and yet they seem remarkably willing to come to a human hand for food.
I have tried to achieve something similar in my own garden. The birds know my garden well, there is always food available, and I have been very patient. But no matter how quietly I stand with food in my hand, not a single bird has ever been persuaded to take that final step. They obviously haven't read your blog and don't know what is expected of them!
Is this behaviour at Mill Race something that has developed over many years because generations of visitors have regularly offered food by hand? Or do you have some special technique that you haven't revealed to us yet?
Whatever the explanation, seeing the chickadees, nuthatch and even the Downy Woodpecker trusting Rachel enough to land on her hand must have been a wonderful experience. I can understand her delight completely.
And after achieving the full Mill Race score on her first attempt, coffee and scones seem a very appropriate celebration.
Warm greetings, Anette
There is no definitive answer, Anette. The birds have developed confidence over the years, not only at The Mill Race, but other locations around here, and in my own backyard. The secret is to remain still and quiet - and patient. It is a heartwarming experience, and even though I have done it may times it is always special.
DeleteLots of courage to the squirrel.
ReplyDeleteHola, David.
ReplyDeleteAbro tu página y lo primero que me encuentro es la maravillosa fotografía de ese pájaro de estampa tan elegante. Me encantan también todas las demás, ¡preciosas imágenes!
Espero que pases un buen día.
Te invito también a visitar mi blog, para variar no salen mis actualizaciones.
Un abrazo.
Dobrý den, Davide,
ReplyDeleteto je tak krásné, když ti ptáci překonají strach a nechají se krmit z ruky! Tady u nás jsem nikdy nic podobného neviděla.
Budu se opakovat, ale vždy srovnávám ptáky v Americe a u nás a náš Brhlík lesní (Sitta europaea) má dolní část tělíčka a bříško zbarvené do rezava nebo do hněda.
Zaujal mě brkoslav, k nám přilétá Brkoslav severní (Bombycilla garrulus) a barevně je jiný než ten váš, je více do hněda, jeho peří má odstíny šedé. U nás se živí především šípky růží, bobulemi kaliny a velice často bobulemi jmelí. Brkoslavi potřebují velké množství potravy, neboť bobule procházejí jejich trávicím traktem velice rychle, a dokonce vycházejí i nestrávené ven. V naší přírodě je brkoslav zimní host.
A jako ornitolog, nenahráváte někdy ptačí zpěv? Děkuji a přeji příjemný závěr října. Hanka
I have never had the equipment to make recordings, Hanka, but I have friends who do.
DeleteHow come all the birds there so trusting and brave? Can't imagine the birds land on my hand, even with lots of seeds available!
ReplyDeleteHaving birds eat out of your hand is such a wondrous gift. Yay Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing than to walk in nature with good company!.......Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous! What a wonderful walk to take. Gorgeous photos.
ReplyDeleteRachel must exude a special type of energy. What a magical thing to have birds eating out of your hand.
ReplyDeleteI'm always fascinated by the sight of a bird landing on a human hand.
ReplyDeleteWhat sheer delight it is to have a little bird perch on your hand! I have a few little winged ones visiting the strawberry guava beside my library early in mornings. I stand below the tree trying to communicate with them gently. Hope one day they'll become my friends.
ReplyDeleteI reckon if I put my hand out with seed in the palm the bird would fly away. I must try it sometime but the birds that visit my garden/backyard would be rather skittish.
ReplyDeleteLovely walk and beautiful creatures that kept you company.
In Australia, I successfully hand fed two species, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Rainbow Lorikeet.
DeleteStunning bird photos, David! I'm amazed those three birds fed off of Rachel's outstretched hand. European robins are tiny compared to yours. Yes, respect nature always! Have a good week ahead :)
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely photos, and what a wonderful experience for Rachel!
ReplyDeleteRachel will have an enjoyable time telling her family and friends about this delightful walk. Wonderful to see your photos, especially enjoyed seeing the birds feeding out of her hand. Respect nature and we will be rewarded by scenes such as these.
ReplyDeleteCoffee and scones at the Eco Café after all that hand-feeding sounds like the perfect way to end that walk. I liked that you spotted Cedar Waxwings too, we don’t have those here. Rachel picked a good first visit.
ReplyDeletehttps://canalsandcitrus.blogspot.com
Some special visit to the Mill Race in St Jacobs David, including Rachel apparently working some kind of magic with three wild birds coming to the hand....WOW!
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
You have so much fun when you go out. I think you are out more than you are in. It was that way for me when I was younger. LOL I love all of these photos and the restaurant looks very cozy.
ReplyDeleteThat had to be the coolest travel experience she ever had. And big WOW on the woodpecker!
ReplyDeleteLucky Rachel..I have all of those birds at my feeders except the Cedar Wax Wing..I feed them Sunflower seeds..I don't think my hand substitutes for a feeder..That's my competition..I put some in my hand a few times but I am not the most patient person!! Lovely pictures..
ReplyDeleteSchöne Bilder von den Vögeln und sehr zutraulich eine Futterstelle für die
ReplyDeletekleinen Freunde habe ich auch am Haus aber ich glaube nicht das sie
auf die Hand kommen würden.
Wonderful birds, as always, but I do love that little squirrel!
ReplyDeleteI have tried to get the birds to eat from my hand but with no luck.
ReplyDeleteDespite having the bear stop by earlier this week I did spread some sunflower on the ground where the feeders had been for the juncoes and others who love that seed. Hoping the bear doesn't return and scarf it up.
Birds are truly magnificent. Getting a bird onto your hand is a fun activity.
ReplyDeleteI love how you coax birds to perch on your hands!
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteDid Rachel believe you when you told her that the birds eat right out of your hand? I think Rachel was really happy about this outing and the feeding.
Best regards, Frank
I’m very fond of friendly tits, David. Now that I’m in the city, they often peek into my windows, looking for flies hiding in the window frames. Once the frost sets in, I’ll start feeding them. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteDavid, May your day be filled with sunshine and birdsong.
ReplyDeleteRachel is certainly the bird whisperer! Even the woodpecker! I am always amazed that birds can sense from a distance the quality of the hand buffet!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
It must be wonderful to feed the birds from your hand.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs from start to finish.
All the best Jan
Jakie to miłe móc karmić ptaki z ręki. Pewnie sa miejsca w Polsce w parkach gdzie również można to robić, ale ja nie miałam tej przyjemności. Wtedy jest się tak blisko. Miłego dnia!
ReplyDeleteTambién me encantaría estar ahí . Me encantó todo. Gracias y muchos besos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful outing for Rachel! Hopefully you'll have some cracked corn to hand out when you next go to that area, David ;-)
ReplyDeleteI just bought a 10kg bag.
DeleteHallo David,
ReplyDeletePrachtige foto van die boomklever. Heel bijzonder dat de vogels daar uit je hand komen eten, dat maak je hier niet mee. Waarschijnlijk is het daar veel dunner bevolkt zodat de vogels geen natuurlijke schuwheid t.o.v. mensen hebben. Dat zie je hier bij de notenkraker die momenteel als influxgast hier in Nederland zit. En dat zelfs een specht dat doet is al helemaal bijzonder. Eekhoorns zijn inderdaad brutaal, vandaag heeft een rode eekhoorn mijn voederautomaat met pinda's gesloopt. Hele leuke serie dit.
Groeten,
Ad
Hello David, another wonderful walk with Rachel, and what luck that all those wonderful birds came to feed from here hand.
ReplyDeleteSomething to remember for a long time.
Warm hugs from Belgium,
Roos
I find it incredible that a wild bird would land on a person’s hand; the only time I ever managed something like that was with a hummingbird at a feeder in a nature lodge, several years ago. I love nuthatches and American robins—they’re amazing. As always, a great story accompanied by beautiful images. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteIf there were anyway I could come to visit you and go to this wonderful place, I would. I want a bird to come to my hand. the only hand feeding I have done is a squirrel once, a flock of flamingos several times. I have kissed a donkey, a horse, an alpaca, and a cow. I am sure that counts too. I would like to meet you and your wife and go on a hike with you and your Asian friends or Rachel. just stopping in to say I think of you often, and thought of you this morning as I sat with laptop in hand, reading a few blogs and a flock of purple starlings, a LOT of them, swooped into the trees, bushes and grass that I view out my window on the world. they were feeding like crazy, maybe weed seeds. ha ha ha
ReplyDelete