More Local Observations

      As the lockdown continues, with its ever-confusing array of regulations, some of which seem totally contradictory, all of our walks and observations are very local. It perhaps reinforces the point that there is much of interest without going far afield. It seems also to make crystal clear that we have elected a cadre of idiots, destructive idiots at that, to run the province. I read an interesting op ed recently that discussed the fact that to practice medicine you have to be well trained, to be an engineer you have to be qualified and certified, to earn your living as an architect you must understand how to construct a building that will stand, but to be a politician you need no prior training at all. You only require the ability to convince the electorate that you are less of an odious choice than your opponent, and then devote all your attention to staying in office, whatever it takes. Our premier dropped out of a community college after only two months and has no higher qualifications of ANY kind, yet we reward him with our vote, feeling he is ready to run the affairs of a province larger in area than many countries, and with natural riches to be exploited, environments to be  destroyed, greenbelts to chop up, regulations to be diluted or abolished. Ah, what a wise electorate we are! And this is who we expect to successfully manage a pandemic. Hah!

 

09 April - Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     Towards the end of winter we were visited by a few Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus), but recently as many as twenty have been feeding in the backyard. 

     I assume that these are birds from farther south stopping off on their way north to breed in the boreal forest.

09 April 2012 - The Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     This trail, mere minutes away from our home, has long been a favourite.

     We have walked it so often that perhaps this Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) recognizes us!

     This beautiful yellow flower is found in the genus Sternbergia and I believe that it is Sternbergia vernalis. It is quite similar to croci. 

     I don't recall having seen this plant on the Mill Race Trail before, so I suspect that it has origins in a domestic variety. The range of invasive, introduced and native species seems to blur more each year, and it is clear that we will never be able to return to the pristine landscape viewed by the first European settlers in the area.

     Turtles turn their thoughts to procreation at this time of year, and we saw three Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina), probably females, ready to exit the water and find a suitable substrate in which to lay their eggs.

     Snapping Turtles are quite ill-tempered and if you wish to help one across a busy road, be very careful how you handle it.

     In the water, however, where they are at home, they pose little threat to bathers, preferring to feed on the decomposing flesh of organisms that have died and sunk to the bottom.

     People who buy summer cottages on a northern lake, without knowing anything about the ecosystem, sometimes mount frenzied hunts to rid the water of Snapping Turtles, in the process overturning the ecological balance and degrading the quality of the lake which they have selected for their weekend pleasure. It is a foolish pursuit founded in ignorance.

     If one bird can be counted on to cheerily accompany us on our walk it is Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).

     When I took out my pencil to make a few notes a chickadee immediately landed on it, and so started a game of "Perch on the Pencil" enjoyed by several individuals. And by the human holding the pencil I might add!

     Being ever cognizant of my passion for birds' feet, Miriam took a nice picture of this bird's anisodactyl configuration.

      So many tree species have been attacked by a fungus or insect invader, that I sometimes wonder  what our forests will look like fifty years from now as more and more species succumb.

     Ash (Fraxinus spp) have been decimated by the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) and one of the attempts to control it is preemptive removal of its host trees.

     It is heartbreaking to witness so many apparently healthy trees being sacrificed, but it is a necessary action in the ongoing struggle to protect our forests.

     We spotted a female Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) busily working up and down a trunk.

     It appeared to locate and capture a choice item of food.

     Rather than gobble it down immediately, the woodpecker proceeded upwards, perhaps wishing to dine with a view!

     We stopped in the village of St. Jacobs to enjoy a coffee, where it is only available to take away of course, and the process to get it seemed more difficult than one might have possibly imagined before COVID influenced every action we take.

     Many creative ways have been devised to urge people to maintain their distance from each other, and in a Mennonite area, where horses and buggies are commonplace, I thought this was charming and effective.

09 April 2021 - Benjamin Park Trail, Waterloo, ON

     Having walked the Mill Race Trail in the morning, we opted for the Benjamin Park Trail behind our house for our afternoon walk.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was drying off after a vigorous dip in the creek.

     And a handsome male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was letting all the females in the vicinity know that he was their best choice.

     And you will not be surprised that we could not resist a quick look at "our" Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio).

10 April 2021, SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     Sprucehaven is abuzz with activity, and breeding, and preparations for breeding are taking place everywhere.

     Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have returned from the south and are checking out nest boxes.

     When a pair are seen together at a nest box there is a very good chance they intend to occupy it.

     Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) have also concluded domestic arrangement and one nest box has a full clutch of five eggs.

     Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) are no less determined to perpetuate the species.

     The highwater mark of this visit was our first Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) of the spring, a robust singing male.

     Even at a distance the pinkish bill of this species can be seen.

     In some individuals the colour is very pronounced and in older field guides has been described as "bubblegum pink".

     I find this species exceptionally appealing and there is always a level of contentment at seeing the first bird of the spring.

     Its song is very pleasant and has been likened to a bouncing ball.

     

     We were actually back in the car ready to leave when we spotted this bird, so it was a very satisfying way to end our visit.

     Until the next time, happy enjoyment of nature!

Familiar Sparrows - Part 2

     My earlier post regarding some of our familiar sparrows has generated quite a bit of interest and I am pleased to present another group, which I hope you will enjoy equally.

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)

     If you have never had the pleasure of examining the plumage of a Swamp Sparrow in detail, then you have missed one of life's great pleasures! If that sentence is not spoken like a true bird lover I don't know what is!

      This individual spent the winter at Riverside Park in 2018 and was never reluctant to come to feed with other birds on the rail along the boardwalk where food was strewn by humans.

     You will note the diagnostic rusty crown, grey face, dark line extending from the back of the eye, and the vibrant rusty scapulars and wings. The back is broadly streaked with black.

     It is not generally found at bird feeders, but as is illustrated above, it is quick to take advantage of anthropogenic food sources when the opportunity presents itself.

     This species nests in cattails or shrubs over water, or in sedge tussocks, generally in northerly locations, or at high elevation on mountain lakes and ponds.

     In southern Ontario it is most likely to be seen in migration, but in northern Ontario, or in states such as Minnesota and North Dakota, it may be found as a breeding species. 

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)

     This is an exceptionally delicate-appearing little sparrow, somewhat easy to find in the right habitat, and always a cause for intense pleasure on discovering one.

     It is quite plain for the most part and the rusty crown is nowhere near as vivid as on other species. Immediately on seeing a Field Sparrow one is drawn to its pink bill, sometimes referred to as bubblegum pink, and its pinkish/yellow legs.

     Generally, it is uncommon at bird feeders, but once it discovers and habituates to a favourite feeding station, it is prone to become a regular visitor. It shows a preference for feeding on the ground on seed spilled by other birds.

     In the breeding season look for it in old fields or abandoned orchards. The male sings persistently from an exposed perch and is not easily put to flight while protecting territory and seeking a mate.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

     White-crowned Sparrow is a very handsome sparrow indeed, and one that we look forward to seeing in spring and fall as it passes through southern Ontario on migration.

     Nothing is ever guaranteed in the world of birding, but the fact that White-crowned Sparrows will show up in our backyard is as close as one can get to a guarantee. We have lived here for sixteen years and they have not failed us yet.

    The shot above is taken on a moss-covered rock against our back fence.

     Zonotrichia sparrows are quite large, and this species is unlikely to be confused with any other, by the crisp black and white head.

     When freshly moulted the intensity of the colours, and the contrast between black and white is breathtaking. 

     Enjoy this sparkling individual up against Jack Frost (Brunnera macrophyla) in our garden.

     White-crowned Sparrows breed in the far north, in land dominated by Dwarf Spruce (Picea glauca) and Tamarack (Larix laricina).

     The following picture of an adult with young of the year was taken at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto, ON.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

     Our second Zonotrichia sparrow is, if anything, even more appealing than the one presented above.

     It is characterized by a vivid white throat patch and a prominent yellow spot in front of the eye.

     If there were such a thing as a "Canadian" sparrow, White-throated Sparrow would be it. It has a plaintive whistled song, instantly recognizable, beginning with two clear leisurely notes, followed by a three-note phrase, repeated two or three times, and widely interpreted as I love Canada, Canada, Canada.

     While primarily migratory, a few birds spend the winter here, as befits a bird that claims to love Canada, I suppose!

     

     Riverside Park in Cambridge is a reliable location for winter residents, and in the following shot you can see White-throated Sparrow sharing food left by humans with American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), two species covered in my original post.

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

     Here in southern Ontario Lark Sparrow is a rarity, and the first two pictures were taken at a feeder in Fort Erie where a bird spent the winter of 2013/2014, and the owner of the property was very welcoming of visiting birders, keen to see this uncommon visitor.

      It is a very distinctive sparrow, with a striped face that needs little more description, since it is quite different from any other sparrow, except, (vaguely I might add), the much rarer Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza nevadensis).  The habitat preferences of these two species do not overlap to a great extent, so it is unlikely that you will find them together.

     Lark Sparrow breeds over much of the continental United States and is found in the southwest year round. The bird seen below was photographed in southeast Arizona at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains.

     Be sure to keep an open eye for this wonderfully attractive bird.

      I hope you have enjoyed getting to know five other sparrows and will take up the challenge of identifying them. 

     Let me know what you find in your area.   

    

The First Weekend of Fall Bird Banding at SpruceHaven and a Visit by Wild Birds Unlimited, Kitchener, ON

   
24 August 2019

     There is always a sense of excitement and anticipation when we start afresh with our bird banding activities and this year was no exception. I met Kevin, dark and early, and we were soon afterwards joined by Ross, and set up five nets.
     It was cool when we started (8° C) and few birds were moving around. At that temperature nor were the mosquitoes fortunately!  
     We retraced our steps from the final net and in the very first one retrieved a juvenile Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). A Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) had also been ensnared, but since we do not have a permit to band hummingbirds it was released right away.
     This young Grey Catbird was acquiring new feathers as can be clearly seen below.

     A couple more rounds of the nets yielded nothing, but the day was warming and insects were starting to rise out of the grass, and our next circuit was more productive.
     A Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), which undergoes at least partial moult before leaving the breeding grounds, was also showing evidence of moult in the tail feathers.

     It is relatively infrequently that we trap Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla) so we considered ourselves exceptionally fortunate to capture two juveniles of this species.

     A Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) is somewhat more predictable, however.

     Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is the most common new world sparrow in our area, so the only surprise was that we caught but one.

     House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) have had a prolific breeding season this year, with several successful nests at SpruceHaven, and this young bird will soon be making its first migratory journey.

All birds banded 24 August: House Wren (1), Grey Catbird (1), Field Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (1), Nashville Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (4)  Total: 10 individuals of 6 species.

25 August 2019

     It was our great pleasure to host a group of people under the aegis of Wild Birds Unlimited (wbukitchenerwaterloo@gmail.com) who were interested in all that goes on at Sprucehaven. It was a small but enthusiastic group, and it was my great pleasure to try to impart some of the magic of SpruceHaven to them. I was especially delighted to see children present.

     I do not have all the names of the people above but I will give the ones I know and I would be happy to add the the others if people would contact me. Along the back row, working from the left, unknown, Sharon Dillon-Martin, Tammy ?, Cathy Hale (Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited). In front are Darwin (great name!) and his sister, Joy. Tammy is their mom and is to be congratulated for bringing out her children to enjoy the wonders of nature.
     Kevin was unable to band with us this morning, but Ross came out to help and Heather was happy to make her first appearance of the season. Judy and Lorraine came out later.
     It was with a good deal of pleasure that we caught our first empidonax flycatcher, the morphology and biometrics of which narrowed it down to Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus).

      It was while processing this bird that a fly in the family Hippoboscidae, an obligate parasite of birds and mammals, dropped out of the feathers. (Picture courtesy of Ross Dickson)

    
     These flies are commonly referred to as flat flies and can compress their body and easily insert themselves into the feather tract of their avian host, being able to move sideways to sidle through the feathers. At least we did the bird the service of removing this bothersome intruder!
      A Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a resident species, and this individual that flew into our mist net was banded along with the migrants.

     The highlight of our banding session was a Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia), a species we do not often capture, and in fact a species infrequently encountered in the field.

     A young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) let Heather know that he was not at all sanguine about being handled.

     It is not so bad when they seize your whole finger as above, but if they clamp down on the skin between your thumb and forefinger it is painful!
     A Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) was our first capture of the season.

     Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) breed locally so it is quite possible that this juvenile bird may have been born right at SpruceHaven. 

     Our final bird banded was a juvenile male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), a resident species. I expect we will trap a few more goldfinches before the season is done.

     It was a great weekend of banding, aided in no small measure by good weather, and the wonderful fellowship of bird enthusiasts, and a visit from Cathy and friends. 
     Ross will be back at it on Tuesday!

All birds banded 25 August: Least Flycatcher (1), Warbling Vireo (2), Black-capped Chickadee (1), Grey Catbird (1), American Goldfinch (1), Chipping Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (9), Mourning Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (1), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1). Total: 19 individuals of 10 species.