Bunnies, Dust Bowls and Roddie

      We are on the cusp of venturing a little farther afield, but for the moment most of what we do is local.

16 July 2021

Our Front Yard

     Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that Miriam is frustrated with Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) due to their habit of regularly dining on the choicest items in her garden. Weeds they leave alone, hostas and coneflowers are always on the menu. It is exasperating for her, as you can understand, to invest money, time and effort into a floral display only to have her efforts thwarted.  

     From time to time I have heard her expostulate in ways that might make a drunken sailor blush! 

     Despite this, however, I am ready to expose her as an impostor! Little baby rabbits will do it every time!

     She was as thrilled as anyone to see these tiny bundles of delight exploring the front yard. They must have just left the safety of their burrow for they are so tiny they would easily fit onto my hand.

     Who can maintain a hard heart when confronted with this enchanting renewal of life? Not Miriam!

     She may become extremely annoyed with the rabbits, and chase them from her flowers, but in truth she would not wish them harm even for a moment.

     It is in fact a pleasure to have them share their lives with us.

     Right by our front porch, birds, especially House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) regularly drop by for a dust bath, to cleanse their feathers of ectoparasites. The result is that two bowls have become established and they are well used.

     Sooner or later we may be able to get a shot of the birds performing their vigorous toilette when the dust flies in all directions! I'll be sure to post it if we do.

Hood Century Farm

     Roddie, a ten-year old dynamo, has been a fan of birds ever since I have known him, about five years now, and he has acquired a substantial repertoire of knowledge about all matters ornithological. He and his mom, Vashti, and sometimes his little sister, Raya, would come to SpruceHaven to observe our bird banding operation, and generally get involved with everything we were doing.

     I had not seen Roddie since before the beginning of the COVID scourge, so I was delighted to receive an email from Vashti, asking whether I could find Bobolinks (Dolichonyx orizivorus) for Roddie, the latest species in his quest to add to his life list. 

     I knew of just the place to go.

Picture courtesy of Roddie

      The visit turned out to be a family affair and I was happy to welcome everyone to join in on our quest for Roddy's quarry for the day.

Vashti, Raya, Roddie, Kyle (in green jacket at the rear), James

     We spotted Bobolinks almost immediately, with some males still in breeding plumage. We were unable to get closeup shots, but Roddie, wielding the camera like a National Geographic professional, managed this shot of a pair in flight.

     Others were perched in trees, many being hatch-year birds preparing for their first migration to the grasslands of South America.

     Roddie took this nice shot of a female or juvenile Bobolink at the top of the tree, and a male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) down below.

     Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) have had a good breeding season and we saw many fledglings still being fed by their parents. Roddie the Recorder memorialized it for posterity.

     As it turned out one of the highlights for the day was not a bird, but a butterfly, and it landed on Vashti's jacket.

     The first picture below is mine and the second one is Roddie's. Neither are especially brilliant, but between the two all the salient details are present to identify the butterfly as a Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) a species that I had not seen before. 

     It was delightful to spend time together and I am sure it will not be as long before I see Roddie again.

We're Still in Lockdown - and it was just extended.

      It looks as though my posts will be from home and local jaunts for a while to come. Our current lockdown, due to end on 20 May, was just extended to 2 June. I am really starting to wonder whether "normal" is something we will ever see again.

08 May 2021

Our Backyard, Waterloo, ON

     A Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) paid us a brief visit just one time. Fortunately, Miriam had her camera handy and was able to fire off a few shots.

     Take a look at that bill and you will not wonder how the bird got its name!

     We have seen a few others out on the trails, but there have been no further visits to the garden, at least not observed by us.

     White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) by contrast has an been agreeable regular.

     Rabbits are the bane of a gardener's existence and Miriam was not amused to see three of them hopping around in the backyard.

     The squirrel in the background is not entirely benign either, being quite capable of digging up bulbs, chewing the bark off the maple tree and generally rearranging things as it sees fit - often on a mere whim, without apparent purpose or malice, all the while chasing birds, other squirrels, chipmunks and any visitor considered persona non grata in squirreldom.

     The rabbits, on the other hand, are selective diners with high standards, accepting only the finest new shoots as they emerge above the soil. There appears to be a direct correlation between their discriminating palate and the desirability of the plant. Our favourite flowers are always selected first, at their tender succulent best, and are chewed down until nary a sign remains that they ever existed! If we acquire a new plant and cherish it, that is tantamount to issuing a dining card to a rabbit! I am quite sure we could plant weeds and they would ignore them.

09 May 2021

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

     Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a species I am used to seeing in migration, moving through southern Ontario to occupy breeding territories a little farther north. It was with great pleasure, therefore, that this individual was spotted at Lakeside Park.

     Families of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are seen throughout the region, with adults frequently chaperoning their babies across busy roads, where traffic comes to a standstill to permit safe passage.

     The irony is not lost on me that concerned motorists who will go to extraordinary lengths at times to help the goslings, will in a few short weeks be cursing these same individuals when they leave their droppings at golf courses and parks.

     Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is not infrequently seen on lawns and other grassy areas in search of ants which it captures with a very active tongue, and dines with great gusto, all the while improving the chances for humans to have a picnic without risk of hordes of stinging insects.

     Bravo, Flicker!

11 May 2021

Hood Century Farm, Flamborough, ON

     It was a cold, blustery day, with a biting wind. The temperature never climbed above 5.5 degrees and I am sure that the wind chill took it down to freezing or lower. 

     Aerial insectivores have a difficulty time under such conditions, and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were uncharacteristically resting on the ground to conserve energy.

      Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is the default sparrow of this grassland haven and we had no difficulty seeing several.

     The signature bird, however, is Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and we were there to scout them out in preparation for a visit the following day with a friend who is writing a book, which will include a chapter on this species at risk.

     It is a magical experience to watch ardent males making display flights across a meadow, uttering their joyful, burbling song.

     Given the cold conditions and the intensity of the wind, most seemed resigned to trying their luck from a perch in the grassland.

11 May 2021

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

     We were back at home by lunchtime following our Bobolink expedition, and while Miriam busied herself with other matters, I decided to go down to Lakeside Park.

     Warblers and vireos are almost constantly in motion and are difficult to photograph, and I make no claim that the pictures below of a Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) are anything but mediocre, but I offer them so that you have the pleasure of seeing this delightful little bird.

     I was able to do a little better with Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

     And I was happy to see my first Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) of the year.

12 May 2021

Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     If I had to predict the first bird in the yard every day, even before it is completely light, Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) would be it.

     There are always a half dozen or so and on rare occasions we have had over twenty.

     As mentioned above, White-crowned Sparrow has been a daily visitor of late and we are always very happy to see this perky, energetic species.

     We would dearly love to roam farther afield, to visit my daughter in Ottawa, to make a road trip, but under present conditions, that simply is not an option. So, for the time being I will continue to bring you local highlights. It's the best I can do!

Recent Events in Our World

     We are not venturing too far afield these days, but we do get out every day, so I will show you some of what we have been seeing on recent outings, and also the life in our backyard.

03 May 2020
SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     Normally, by now we would be in full gear at SpruceHaven, monitoring the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) colony, banding migrants and many other activities. This year, for obvious reasons, little is happening, but we have initiated our regular checks of the nest boxes and we keep our eyes open for other happenings in the restored grassland, the woodlot and on the pond.
     For several years we have been fortunate to have a breeding pair of Green Herons (Butorides virescens) and I was very happy to note that two birds are back at the pond this year.

     It is a great privilege to be able to watch these birds in such close proximity.
     Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have returned in good numbers and we are thrilled that some of the nest boxes are already occupied by these aerial (and dazzling) superstars.

     This female Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) was doubtless waiting for an opportunity to deposit her egg in the nest of some hapless host.

     While I was doing my rounds I was able to locate the nest of a Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), a frequent host for Brown-headed Cowbird, so I will be sure to check tomorrow to see whether the cowbird has been able to hijack this nest. 

05 May 2020
Our Backyard, Waterloo, ON

     A visit from a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) was a pleasant surprise on one of the few days when it has been pleasant enough to sit outside.

     Actually, as Miriam was photographing one butterfly it was joined by a second.
     White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) has been entertaining us for several days.....

          .....and today it was joined by its congener,  White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), passing through on its way to the far north.

     To my eyes, the white stripes on the head of a White-crowned Sparrow always seem to be the brightest white of any species I know. It is by all accounts a very handsome little bird.
     Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are the resident rogues of the garden, whose sole purpose in life I am quite sure, is to thwart every attempt I make to keep them from stealing seed from the bird feeders. So far their success rate has been 100%. But it's only been fifty years of warfare after all; give me a little time.

     At least a male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) was getting his share from this feeder.

05 May 2020
Fountain Street Bridge, Cambridge, ON

     The resident Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was clearly tugging away at a fish and appeared to be feeding young, but we could not be sure, until an eaglet reared up from the well of the nest so that we could see it clearly. 

     Now that is about as obliging as it gets!

     These photographs are taken from a considerable distance, but we have no desire to get closer and risk disturbing the birds. I suspect that they are used to traffic but actual human intrusion would be another thing entirely.
     We know of several successful eagle nests in the area and it is a measure of the recovery of this magnificent creature that it now verges on common around here. It is not so many years ago, in the United States, that people were paid a bounty for every eagle they killed. How you can declare a bird your National Symbol, and then pay people to kill it, is just a little beyond me.

05 May 2020
Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

     This is one of our favourite local spots, and as we often do, we took along a thermos of coffee and  blueberry muffins, to enjoy while watching Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus).
     

     What an amazing bird this is, spending its entire life on the grasslands of the Americas. I can tell you that the coffee and muffins, eaten together while birding always taste superb, far better than at home, but to have this bird singing to us mere metres away made it all the more special. I may rename the muffin Bobolink Bun! 
     And our first Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) of the year joined in the chorus too.

     Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) breed in this area, as do Tree Swallows and it is a good place to compare the different blues of the plumage of these two passerines.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) trying to impress a female is a spectacular event to witness.

     As a sympathetic male, I was happy that the  female seemed at least a little interested. 

     She didn't fly away in any event, so perhaps their tryst was consummated when we retired from view.
     Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) was emerging everywhere.

     This is a very interesting plant. Heat produced by emerging Skunk Cabbage can actually melt snow and raise the temperature inside the spathe. The elevated temperature releases the odour of putrid flesh which attracts pollinators to the plant. I have been in swamps densely populated by Skunk Cabbage where the smell is sufficiently strong to induce vomiting in those with a low tolerance for such putrescence. The plant is appropriately named!

05 May 2020
Small Wetland on Dumfries Road, Cambridge, ON

     On a previous outing we had been very excited to find a pair of Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) on a small wetland and we were ecstatic to discover that they had initiated breeding.

     The female sat tight on the nest.....

     The male patrolled the length and breadth of the water, ready to take on any intruder foolhardy enough to try to dislodge the female and steal the eggs.

     Woe betide any interloper that even gets too close.
     It will be a special joy to see the cygnets, perhaps as early as our next visit.
     As a bonus a Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) was foraging across the wetland.

06 May 2020
Colombia Lake, Waterloo, ON

     I was unable to determine whether this Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) was sitting on a nest, or simply resting on the shore, and since I did not wish to disturb the bird I still don't know!

07 May 2020
Ellesmere Storm Water Management Area, Waterloo, ON

     Unusually, I have rarely observed Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at the pond this year, so I was delighted to see this individual.

07 May 2020
Conservation Meadows Storm Water Management Area, Waterloo, ON

     Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), as people the world over know, is a highly successful species, and local ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands - almost anywhere with water - are now home to successful breeders with their young.

07 May 2020
Killbear Storm Water Management Area, Waterloo, ON

     Most Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) seen at this time of the year are males, for the simple reason that females are hidden from view incubating eggs.

07 May 2020
Beaver Creek Road, Waterloo, ON

     I was struck by how much this pair of geese resembled the push-me-pull-you animals of Dr. Doolittle.

08 May 2020
Three Bridges Road, St. Jacobs, ON

     It was exhilarating to discover our first Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) of the season.

     And a Great Blue Heron worked the shallows mere metres from the bridge across the Conestogo River.

08 May 2020
Bricker School Line, Wallenstein, ON

     On a solo walk a few days earlier I had found three Palm Warblers (Setophaga palmarum) but Miriam had still to find her first of the spring. She was delighted, therefore,  to discover this one, albeit mostly hidden as it foraged on the ground.

     We knew of a Canada Goose on a nest and checked to see whether babies had emerged from the eggs, but she was still sitting tight.

     I expect the big event will happen any day now.

     As you may clearly see we keep busy doing exactly what we enjoy the most, and though the scope of our travels has diminished, the joy we feel from nature has not. And nor will it ever, that I can promise you.
     Until the next time.........