Annual Visit of Waterloo Region Nature to SpruceHaven

15 September 2018

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman,  Shirley Bauman, Paul Bigelow, Barb Bowman, Jim Bowman, Ross Dickson, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen, Francine Gilbert, Franc Gorenc, Cathy Hale, Jim Huffman, Marion Kelterborn, Denise Leschak, Sandye Moores, Anne Morgan, Frank Steinmoeller, Marj Steinmoeller, Cathi Stewart.

Guests: Ella Bauman, Eric Bauman, Heather Bauman with two minor children, Barb Holowack, Donna Ivey, John Markvart.

Bird Banders: Kevin Grundy, Heather Polan (also a member of WRN).

     Unusually warm September weather greeted the enthusiastic members of Waterloo Region Nature and their friends, as we met for what has become a fall tradition - a discusssion about Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), a chance to observe bird banding up close, and a ramble through the varied habitats of SpruceHaven. 

     The soft light of early morning lent its own brand of magic to the day.

     As always, we started the day in the barn. The swallows departed a couple of weeks ago, but their nests bore mute testament to the activity taking place during the breeding season. It was a chance to refresh the memories of those who have done the tour before and explain our commitment to these birds to newcomers old and young. 

     Jim Huffman and Francine Gilbert are two of our most dedicated volunteers; always dependable, always cheerful, always willing to pitch in for the cause. 

     Not only do they monitor the nests in two barns each week, they willingly take a second shift when others can't make it. Jim is a superb carpenter and builds, fixes or modifies anything that we need done. And when he does it, it is done right!

     We are fortunate indeed to be able to count on these two dedicated naturalists. They contribute in no small way to our success.

     

     Kevin Grundy, our master bander, has been with us from day one; Kevin banded the first Barn Swallow nestling three seasons ago and we have banded virtually every baby swallow since. 

     Kevin sets up his nets on the weekends, spring and fall,  and our weekly activities have begun to yield results in terms of understanding the migratory patterns of warblers, thrushes and others, and the fact that SpruceHaven appears to be a stopover point for some species, possibly moulting and putting on weight before the long journey ahead of them.

     We are indebted to Kevin for his commitment and consistency, for his willingness to band birds at the crack of dawn before going off to work, for his good humour and his mentorship in training others. Much of what we do would be impossible without Kevin's participation.

    Heather Polan is one of two wonderful young biologists who put their heart and soul into helping out at SpruceHaven and at Blaze Farm. Under the watchful eyes of both Kevin and Ross Dickson, Heather has gone from relative neophyte to competent bander, full of confidence, mastering the fine details of aging and sexing birds

        Heather banded nearly all of the nestling Barn Swallows this year, meeting me at various times of the day, sometimes two and three times a week. She was always prompt, cheerful and professional.

  

     What can I say about Heather? What a joy to be associated with this truly delightful young woman. It is my good fortune indeed.

     Heather explained in careful detail every step of the banding operation and interacted with the children to make sure they were full participants in the day's activities.

     How thrilled they were to have the chance to release a bird and send it on its way.

Swainson's Thrush

     A Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a familiar species, but few had seen it so close, and all were in awe at the sheer beauty of the bird and were mesmerized to contemplate the migratory journey the bird is about to undertake.

     We wanted to show everyone the mist nets and to demonstrate how we remove the birds quickly and safely. On the way over an Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) and a Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa)  provided an interesting diversion.

     Everyone enjoyed seeing Kevin and Heather ply their trade at the nets.

          There was no shortage of willing hands to help carry the birds back to the banding table.

          Several years ago the Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) invaded North America, having probably arrived on freighters, and wasted no time in spreading across the continent.

     As we continued our walk the pastoral splendour of SpruceHaven did not fail to impress.

     Orb-weaver spiders were abundant, with Banded Argiope (Argiope trifasciata) seeming particularly ubiquitous.

Banded Argiope (Argiope trifasciata)

     Cathi Stewart had always wanted to come out to SpruceHaven but had prior commitments in the past. She was delighted to make it this time and was determined to take home a complete record!

     We made a brief trip into the woods, but did not linger due to the presence of biting insects in profusion.

      We did, however, succeed in allowing everyone to examine an Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodontid cinereus), the object of our quest.

     As we headed back to the house we stopped at the pond where an obliging Green Heron (Butorides virescens) permitted most people to get a good look.

     The Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were equally cooperative.

     As has been the case in the past, Dave, Sandy and Jamie invited everyone into their home to share in coffee, tea and sweet treats, with a chance to renew the bonds of friendship, fellowship and a joint commitment to nature.

     Ross Dickson was happy to pass on his expertise about lepidoptera to an attentive group of naturalists.

    Everyone had a fine morning; everyone learned a little; everyone benefitted from time spent with like-minded people.

     I wish to express my gratitude first and foremost to Dave, Sandy and Jamie for permitting us to exploit all the nooks and crannies of SpruceHaven to discover its wonders. Without their consent and active support none of this would be possible. I am equally grateful to the team of volunteers and helpers who contribute so much, who make my task a joy. My wife, Miriam, took all the pictures today, so that I was free to devote myself to our visitors, and I am grateful to her for that. She also helps me in myriad ways every day.

     Finally I am very grateful to the people who allocated their Saturday morning to coming to see what we do at SpruceHaven. So many of them are friends,  people for whom I have enormous affection, respect and admiration. To others I do not know as well, thank you for your interest. Please come back to see us again and spread the word every day that we need Nature - Nature does not need us. Let us preserve, protect and cherish it.

Bird Banding at SpruceHaven

12 September 2018

     I met Ross dark and early, having driven through dense fog, but the conditions at SpruceHaven looked favourable for a good day at the nets. It was not long before we were joined by Judy and Merri-Lee and right from the get-go it was a productive session.

     One of our first captures was a Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), an occasion to delve into the finer points of sexing and aging - an educational opportunity for all present.

     The picture below shows the tips of the greater coverts typical of a hatch year bird. The retained coverts often contain a cinnamon tip such as this example, sometimes more than one on each side of the bird. The tips in the first set of feathers wear rapidly so that it is very uncommon to find this feature in spring in a second year bird.

     This character is valid for all Catharus and other brown(ish) thrushes in North America, as well as for American Robin (Turdus migratorius). I wonder whether it is true for European species such as Turdus merula. Maybe Phil Slade might like to comment on this.
     A Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) presents quite a difference in appearance once it has shed breeding attire for its definitive basic plumage.

     Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) are basically indistinguishable morphologically from each other, except at the extreme end of measurements, and are usually recorded as Traill's Flycatcher.

     Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) retains enough of its breeding plumage into the fall, as to be quite easily recognized.

     Hints of morphology, but measurements primarily, enabled us to identify this bird as a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventri).

     The rusty crissum of this Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is clearly visible on the bird below being held by Ross.

     I had to leave early, having other chores that had to be done, but after I left a hatch year Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) was captured, our first ever in the nets at SpruceHaven and I am indebted to Merri-Lee for the photograph below.

     Tomorrow will mark the annual visit of Waterloo Region Nature to our banding operation. We hope that we will have a range of interesting species to show the people coming out to enjoy a morning at SpruceHaven.

All species banded 12 September: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1), Traill's Flycatcher (1), House Wren (1), Grey Catbird (1), Swainson's Thrush (2), American Goldfinch (16), Nashville Warbler (3), Common Yellowthroat (2), Magnolia Warbler(2), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Black-throated Green Warbler (1), Song Sparrow (3), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1), Indigo Bunting (1).  Total: 36 birds of 14 species.
Retraps: House Wren (1), Swainson's Thrush (1), American Goldfinch (1), Common Yellowthroat (1), Song Sparrow (1).

Special Visitors to SpruceHaven

19 August 2018

     Regular readers of my blog will know that I do a weekly avian survey, spring and fall, at the University of Waterloo, for Professor Michael Drescher. In fact, I am now into my fourth year of this work.

     As we have chatted over the time I have been associated with Michael he has shared tidbits about his family, with an overwhelming sense of pride in his children, about whom he speaks in the doting tones one would expect from a dedicated father.

     Michael had told me earlier this spring that he was looking forward to a visit from his mother who lives in Germany and his sister from Australia. We both agreed that a visit to our banding operation at SpruceHaven would be interesting for everyone.

     Thus it was with great pleasure that we welcomed Michael and his family to SpruceHaven on Sunday morning.

     Going from left to right in the above picture are Andrea, (Michael's sister), Pippa, Michael, Allie, Anna and Marlies, (Michael's mother). In the foreground are Ross Dickson and Heather Polan, members of our crew.

     There was not a whole lot of activity at the nets, but the enthusiasm of our guests was not diminished and even though I had forgotten to advise them to wear rubber boots, they had no hesitation in risking wet feet to tour the nets with us.

     As you can see Pippa was entrusted with the important task of carrying one of the birds back to our banding table, and she performed like a true professional. She was very careful not to swing the bag at all and delivered her precious charge in a tranquil state. I think we have an ornithologist in the making!

     Heather, as always, was engaging and involved everyone in what she was doing, young and old alike. Ross, ever the teacher, described every organism we encountered!

     You can see the fascination on the faces of Pippa and Allie as Heather shows them the finer points of a hatch-year Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

     Adults peered in too, all witnessing bird banding for the first time.

     All of the members of the Drescher family were the stars of the day, with Pippa and Allie attaining superstar status. But in the interests of illustrating why we get up long before the sun rises in the sky, here are a few pictures of some of the birds we banded.

Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)

 

     It was also interesting to be able to show our guests the caterpillar of a Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle), bristly and threatening like a creature from the underworld.

     This large moth was on the silo and we believe it to be a Bride Underwing (Catocala neogama), sometime referred to as simply The Bride, but we are awaiting confirmation on this identification - not always easy with moths!

     Michael and Anna, Pippa and Allie, Marlies and Andrea, what a pleasure it was to have you visit. Please come back any time. The welcome mat at SpruceHaven will always be spread out for you.

All birds banded 19 August: House Wren (2), Grey Catbird (1 new, 1 retrap), Swainson's Thrush (1), Americn Goldfinch (1), Tennessee Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (1 new, 1 retrap), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Song Sparrow (2), Northern Cardinal (1).  Total: 13 birds of 9 species.