Catch-up

     As I look back over my files there is lots to catch up on, incredibly going all the way back to November.

     So, here goes!

03 November, 2023

University of Waterloo Agricultural Land and Columbia Lake

     The field had been freshly ploughed and a large congregation of crows (I could say a Murder of Crows, but it seems so artificial and no one actually uses this archaic term) was plundering the worms and arthropods brought to the surface by the disturbance of the soil.

     Strangely, (at least it seemed so to me), no gulls had joined the fray, but on nearby Columbia Lake, American Herring Gulls (Larus smithsonianus) and a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) were swimming together.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) were their usual appealing selves.

12 November, 2023

Three Bridges Road and The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     There was an engaging display of equine affection at the Mennonite meeting house on Three Bridges Road, as the horses waited patiently for the service to end, when they could head for home.

     It is a rare occasion when a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) will feed from the hand, so I was pleasantly surprised when this bold male decided that the seeds were not for chickadees alone.

     Having cached its seed in a secure location underneath the bark of a tree it was content to perch for a moment or two, declining the opportunity of a repeat performance.

     Very rarely, a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) will alight on a hand too, although it has been a long time since I enjoyed the pleasure.

     If I were ever asked to assign a new name to the Mill Race Trail, I would have no hesitation in selecting Chickadee Trail. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is by a considerable margin the most frequently seen bird, and the most endearing too.

     White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) would be a strong candidate for second spot.

     They are often found in close association with each other.

     A regular occupant of the Conestogo River in winter is Common Merganser (Mergus merganser).

     On this day they seemed to have formed a ladies club, for nary a male was seen.

     A flotilla of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) rivals children skating on a frozen pond as an enduring symbol of Canada.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch importuned us for a final snack before we returned to our car.

     See you again soon!

13 November, 2023

Bannister Lake and F.W.R. Dickson Wilderness Area, New Dumfries, ON

     A quick stop at Bannister Lake yielded about thirty Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) scattered around the distant shore.

     It is a cause for considerable joy each time Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) are sighted away from the main flock in Burlington, indicating that the long struggle to reintroduce this extirpated species to Ontario has succeeded. Miriam and I know of a location in Waterloo Region where they have bred successfully for at least two years.

     At nearby F.W.R. Dickson Wilderness Area the marquis billing still goes to Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), a species I am convinced is undergoing range expansion and will, within a few years, become quite common.

     In the meantime, legions of photographers descend en masse, bringing food and props to impart a natural feel to their shots.

     Not surprisingly, other birds are quick to take advantage of anthropogenic largesse.

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

 

     American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) is, to my eye, an exceptionally attractive bird, subtly muted in colour, exhibiting delicacy as few other species do.

     No one is surprised that Blue Jays muscle other birds off the food to make sure that they claim their share.

     White-breasted Nuthatches were persistent and successful.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is not clad in robes of gold at this time of year, yet is nevertheless extremely attractive.

     Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) gathered seed from the fence rail, but were equally content to gorge on berries.

     Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) were back and forth, yet never in a position for that perfect shot.

     There's always next time.

     A very hardy Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) trundled along searching for a safe spot to spend the winter.

     There is more - but let's save that for another time.

A Walk on the Wild Side with Lisa

10 November, 2023

F.W.R Dickson Wilderness Area, North Dumfries, ON 

     It's always a joy to go out with Lisa, and a morning at the F. W. R. Dickson Wilderness Area seemed just the ticket. 

     Fungi seem to have been quite sparse this year, so it was encouraging to see these handsome Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus).

     These mushrooms are edible and were in prime condition, but we resisted the temptation to take them home.

     One does not have to proceed far along the trail when a boardwalk traverses the swamp, and a jaunty Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) was perched on a post to greet us.

     Last winter there was a good deal of excitement when three Tufted Titmouses (Baelophus bicolor) put in an appearance at Dickson Wilderness and stayed for the winter. 

     I am convinced that this charming little bird is undertaking a range expansion and we saw five birds together today. Perhaps this is bona fide evidence of breeding, and within a few years Tufted Titmouse may be quite common.

     One may hope!

     Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is to be expected, of course, and this individual seem to be trying to stand as upright as a pipit!

     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a marquis performer at any time.

     How about another picture of a Tufted Titmouse?

     Well, just one more. There are always a number of photographers present, carrying between them a king's ransom in equipment, and they liberally distribute seed along the rail of the boardwalk as enticement to the birds - who are quite happy to take advantage of a free meal as you might imagine.

     This Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) has perhaps visited the avian hair salon for the latest in biker bird coiffure!

     Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) looked exceptionally lovely, I thought.

     The Tamaracks (Larix laricina) have turned to gold and their reflected glory was breathtaking.

     What would a morning in southern Ontario be like without Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) passing overhead?

     Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is bearing fruit.

     I think the following mushrooms are a type of Oysterling (genus Panellus) but they are a little degraded and not easy to identify.

     Round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americana) will bloom again in spring when the woodland carpet will be a riot of colour and new growth.

     This location is evidently ideally suited to Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and it was frequently encountered.

     The leaves can achieve an impressive size.

     It was curious to see this fungus in the hole at the base of a tree, but I have been unable to identify it.

     Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) was dotted here and there, pristine green against the browns and beiges of fallen leaves.

     Running Strawberry-Bush (Euonymus obovatus) is very beautiful, and was quite prolific.

     Here is the story of the landscape.

     As we walked around the trail we heard the very loud, incessant sound of a woodpecker, with an excavation type of cadence rather than drumming. It took us a while to find the source, but it was a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) creating one of the trademark cavities of this species.

     Miriam was able to capture the above picture when it poked its head out,  just before flying off.

     We were delighted to come upon this Orange-fruited Horse Gentian (Triosteum aurantiacum), yet another woodland delight.

     The soil conditions seem especially favourable to oaks here and there were many of them. I am pretty sure this is a Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), asleep for the approaching winter.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was also preparing for the cold season ahead.

     The conventional mnemonic for Black Cherry (Prunus seratina) is Burnt Cornflakes, since that is what the bark resembles, and I think you can see how this is an effective device.

     Not surprisingly, American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been busy - and like humans, they don't always finish the job!

     The lake looked tranquil on a beautiful fall morning.

     What was I just saying about oaks?

     We found several small branches of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) like the one shown below, severed by squirrels, I assume.

     To continue with our morning's woodpecker success, a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) put in an appearance.

     And Lisa, she of the keen ears, had heard a Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) earlier.

     While we were looking at the Red-bellied Woodpecker Lisa (she also of the keen eyes) spotted a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) hitching its way up a tree. The photographs below are hers, and while not terrific they do illustrate how well this bird can camouflage.

      Nature does not operate with photographers in mind.

     There was a considerable amount of invasive buckthorn in places, laden with berries, and American Robins (Turdus migratorius) seemed at times almost as numerous as the berries!

     As we were preparing to leave, a male Downy Woodpecker graced us with his presence and we felt suitable honoured I can assure you.

     Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) no longer bears its perfectly formed yellow flowers, yet the green of its leaves is a wonderful sight against a carpet of brown.

Bannister Lake, North Dumfries, ON

     While at FWR Dickson Wilderness Area we heard Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) flying over, and Lisa (there go those sharp eyes again) caught a brief glimpse of "a couple of dozen." They were heading in the direction of Bannister Lake and we called in there before leaving for home. Lisa was especially perceptive as it turned out - we counted twenty-four!

     There were even more Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).

     And, as you might expect, Canada Geese.

     If Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had not already composed a sublime Swan Lake I might have been inspired to do it myself!

     There were Mute Swans (Cygnus olor).....

     ..... and Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator).

     Until the next time.....