Special sightings in Waterloo Region

     This week has been remarkable in terms of the discovery of two unusual species in Waterloo Region.
    Many regular readers of this blog will recall the utter dismay we experienced when the wetland at Creekside Church was drained last summer. After a long delay the Grand River Conservation Authority fined the church the impressive sum of $139 and we were assured that the pond would be restored. It has been a very slow process and the water level has now been restored somewhat, but not up to its former level. 
     However, I was both astounded and thrilled to see a Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena on the pond on Tuesday. Although this species is not uncommon overall, I had not previously seen it in Waterloo Region and it was quite unexpected to see it on so small a patch of water.

     It is a magnificent bird and its presence, along with that of Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor hawking for insects, brought at least some satisfaction to the fact that we had fought tenaciously to have this travesty remedied, and we succeeded in having it brought to wide public scrutiny. Furthermore, as a follow up to our campaign the Waterloo Chronicle wrote a damning feature article on the toothless response of the GRCA and its complete inadequacy in ensuring that subsequent similar events do not happen.
     This pond formerly had a large and thriving population of Midland Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta marginata and one was sure to see them basking in the sun on any visit to the pond at the appropriate time of the year. Sadly not a one could be found this week.
     Any wetland is worthy of preservation, no matter how small. We have done enough damage to these precious segments of the ecosystem, let's make sure we never see another one despoiled without a fight to save it.
     The second species was even more remarkable, so noteworthy in fact that I will not divulge the location for fear that it may be disturbed if it remains in this area.
     Josh Pickering and I found a Prothonotary Warbler Pronotaria citrea. Unusually I did not have a camera with me but fortunately Josh did and he captured this picture.

     According to the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001-2005 (2007) "The northern extent of its breeding range barely reaches into southern Ontario; it is one of Canada's rarest songbirds and designated as Endangered in Ontario and Canada." I have never seen this species away from the north shore of Lake Erie and its small breeding population is centred around Rondeau Provincial Park. I know that there are scattered breeding pairs elsewhere in extreme southwestern Ontario, but the precise locations are not publicized.
     This discovery is only the second record ever for Waterloo Region, the last being in 1997.
     Again, from the Breeding Bird Atlas, "...annual surveys since 1997 suggest the current population consists of no more than 10 to 25 pairs annually."
     The male we discovered was in habitat entirely appropriate to breeding. This species is a cavity nesting warbler and there were lots of snags with suitable holes. We will be checking regularly to see whether the bird stays around, and whether it is joined by a female. I cannot begin to imagine how elated we would be if we had a breeding pair.
      Everything else pales into insignificance when weighed against the Prothonotary Warbler, but I was nevertheless pleased to discover the nest of a Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura containing two eggs, the normal clutch for this species.

     
      Wild Turkeys Meleagris gollopavo are well into courtship activities and this male was doing his best to impress a female.

    
      Here is the object of his ardour - and she didn't seem too impressed!

    
     Finally, on my regular monitoring at the rare Charitable Research Reserve this morning, I spotted several White-tailed Deer Oodocoileus virginianus, always wary, but always curious - and always a delight to see.

A Requiem for a Wetland

     Many regular readers of my blog will have seen the numerous posts I have made about the wonderful little wetland at Creekside Church.
     Here are a few idyllic scenes from that wetland.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Kingbird

Barn Swallow

Midland Painted Turtle

Barn Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird

     Imagine my utter shock the other day when I discovered that this wetland had been drained. To say I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. To say that I was offended, disgusted, disappointed, mad as hell, would hardly represent my true feelings.

     It is not permitted to drain a wetland in this area without a permit from the Grand River Conservation Authority. Today it was confirmed that no such permit was issued. And this from a church, a supposed bastion of propriety in the community, acting illegally.

     Furthermore the whole operation smacks of deceit. The pond was drained on a weekend when minimal public scrutiny is likely. The leaders of the church turned on the tap and walked away, without any concern for the creatures that live in the pond. How many Midland Painted Turtles baked in the hot summer sun, where did the Muskrats go, what happened to all the other organisms? How many fish were sucked into the storm drains? How many Red-winged Blackbirds' nests in the reeds were disturbed?

     And when a few concerned citizens started poking around and asking questions, and taking pictures, the contractor came back on Monday morning to widen and deepen the trench to make sure the job was completed. Death to any critters that might have survived the initial onslaught.

    This area was considered by the study team for the North Waterloo Scoped Subwatershed Study to be a Significant Wildlife Habitat candidate and a Turtle Breeding Area candidate. Thirty-seven turtles have been counted there on a single day.

     There are photographs dating back to 1930 that show a pond of similar size and location suggesting it is a natural pond and not a storm water pond built by the church.

     This is what the area now looks like.

     Make no mistake, areas in the pictures above that look like water do not contain water. It is mud that has not yet dried out. ALL the water has gone. 

     It is not as though the church needs more space. Judge for yourself the extent of their parking lots following a recent expansion of their buildings.

     I am truly filled with revulsion. I cannot adequately express either my sadness or disgust. I just hope that all those worshippers thanking their god for all his bounty, and thanking him for all of creation will remember what they have done to some of it. But somehow I doubt it. 
     It's ironic that the Pope, a leader of another significant branch of christianity, is calling for his flock to become environmentally conscious and respect the earth. This credo has obviously not filtered down to Creekside Church, unfortunately, and we are all the more bereaved. It is a sad, sad day in Waterloo.
     

How Do You Spell Handsome?

     Well, I think that based on this series of picture you would say HERON!

     I saw this Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias a couple of days ago at the edge of a small pond in the vicinity of Creekside Church in Waterloo. It is in the prime of its nuptial finery and ready to mate.

     It was fishing successfully and snagged its prey with repeated strikes, but the fish it was catching were pretty small and it would need a good deal to satisfy its appetite.

     It will not be long before we hear the chorus of Spring Peepers Pseudacris crucifer and other amphibians as they awaken from winter hibernation, providing herons and other birds with a new range of opportunities to satisfy a hungry appetite.

     I am not quite sure what this gyration signified; perhaps the bird was just limbering up or maybe trying to dislodge something stuck in its throat.

      In any event I watched this heron for several minutes and it was quite wonderful to watch it going about the business of survival, to equip itself for a healthy and productive breeding season ahead.

Recent Bird Sightings

Waterloo County, ON

     The recent cold snap which was felt over much of the continent has ended, at least in this area, and we now have grey skies and rain. I very much prefer cold temperatures and snow! Right now the snow is turning to slush and in some areas there is danger of flooding.

     Despite the weather, I have managed a few interesting shots, principal among them this gorgeous little American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea which was feeding on the seeds of weedy plants near Creekside Church.

     This hardy species breeds in the far north, on the taiga and tundra, nesting in dwarf willow, stunted birch or spruce. Following the breeding season it migrates south and spends the winter at our latitude. One of the favourite pieces of art that I have is of a single individual perched on a branch, almost devoid of leaves - a sure sign that fall has arrived.

     As might be expected our bird feeders have been well-patronized of late, and the following image shows an adult House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus at the left and a juvenile at the right.

     Here you see the little feather tufts on the juvenile's head, the last remnants of its down.

     American Goldfinches Pinus tristis are regulars; some have not yet lost all of their yellow breeding plumage.

     This shot illustrates the size difference between American Goldfinch and House Finch.

     Dark-eyed Juncos Junco hyemalis can always be counted on to snag the seeds dropped onto the ground by the other birds.

Eastern Kingbird Nest with Young

Eastern Kingbird (Tyran tritri) Tyrannus tyrranus

Nest with three young

Creekside Church Area

Waterloo, ON

5 July 2014

     Most Saturday mornings I visit my favourite deli, do my banking etc. and on the way to run my errands I visit a half dozen local birding spots. Having done this for several years I have a pretty good idea of what to expect at these locations in different seasons.

     There is a large evangelical church (getting bigger all the time and building over my birding plot) which has contained a few surprises from time to time. This morning I was delighted to locate an active nest of Eastern Kingbird there, and could clearly see the young birds, already quite big, being fed by the parents. I had binoculars and scope with me, but no camera, so when I arrived back home Miriam and I returned to Creekside with cameras in hand.

     The nest was hardly in an ideal situation for photography but we managed (Miriam more so than me) to get several shots to illustrate our discovery.

Adult at the nest with young

     I am always a little amused at the scientific name for this species - Tyrannus tyrannus - for it seems such a gentle little bird, hardly deserving of such a menacing moniker. I guess if you were this unfortunate dragonfly you might think that Tyrannus tyrannus was entirely appropriate!

     The adult bird attempted several times to stuff the dragonfly into the mouth of a hungry youngster, but without success. Perhaps the adult finally severed the wings before trying again.

     After feeding their young the adults would generally perch close by for a minute or two before going back out to gather more prey.

     As soon as the parents approached anywhere near the nest the gapes of the nestlings opened wide in anticipation of an insect snack.

     When I first located the nest this morning I observed only two young, but when Miriam and I returned we saw three open mouths very clearly.

     These young birds appear to be close to fledging and we'll check back to see them learning from their parents just how to develop into a true Tyrannus tyrannus!

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

11 June 2013

Pond at Creekside Church

        This handsome Great Blue Heron in full nuptial plumage was photographed in one of the small ponds at the east side of Creekside Church parking lot.

Pond at Creekside Church

Creekside Church

Conservation Drive, Waterloo, ON

28 May 2013

    The ignominious little pond at Creekside Church abounded with birds yesterday, during a day marked mostly by intermittent showers, and at times heavy rain. In fact, I saw the greatest concentration of swallows there that I have observed anywhere this year, as aerial insectivores seem to be declining ever more each year. The following pictures appear a little grainy, but they were taken through a film of air laden with moisture.

                      Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Kingbird

                                                      Barn Swallow, Eastern Kingbird

                                               Barn Swallow

                                 Northern Rough-winged Swallow

                                                     Family of Canada Geese

                          Barn Swallows and Female Red-winged Blackbird

                                     Horned Lark

                                             Robust Young Canada Geese