Northern Flicker (Pic flamboyant)

     Each time I go out now I see more and more evidence that Northern Flickers Colaptes auratus are preparing for migration. They are starting to be seen in small groups of five or six birds, often feeding together on the ground, but sometimes high in the trees too.

     Preening, always an obligatory chore, perhaps assumes even greater importance than usual, since feathers need to be in prime condition for the rigours of the migratory journey ahead.

     Northern Flicker is the second largest North American picid.

     This species is divided into two distinct morphs, the yellow-shafted variant found in the east and the red-shafted form in the western part of the continent.
Not surprisingly, flickers are being caught in bird banders' nets, and these adult males clearly shows their yellow-shafted characters.

     This pair of Mourning Doves Zenaida macroura was seen in the same tree as a couple of flickers.

     Here are a few of the other species recently banded in Cambridge, ON.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

Grey Catbird looking at its image on Erin's tee shirt

Juvenile Blue Jay

Juvenile Blue Jay

     Interestingly, this Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa was patrolling the nets, no doubt looking for prey.

     And this Annual Cicada (aka Dog Days Ciciada) Tibicen canicularis seemed quite content to rest on Ross' finger.
     

     It's always a great time to be a naturalist but spring and fall are perhaps the best times of all.

Annual Cicada

Annual Cicada

4 September 2014

     At this time of year the constant background refrain of cicadas is a familiar sound in southern Ontario. Rarely, however, do the insects seem to reveal themselves. Miriam and I were sitting on the patio when this one landed close by.

     Neither of us knew what it was and a search of the literature did little to elucidate the situation. Thanks to Mike Burrell for help in identifying this creature.

     It belongs in the genus Tibicen which contains a large number of cicadas in varying colour morphs and the precise taxonomy as to species level is far from clear.

     The Latin word Tibicen means flute-player or piper - a pretty adequate description of this musician it seems to me. It certainly added an interesting aspect to a pleasant summer afternoon.