A Snowy Owl (Harfang des neiges) and Other Birds

29 November 2020

     Miriam and I were deciding where we would go for a walk on an uncharacteristically sunny November day, when a telephone call from Jim and Francine announced that they had located their first Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) of the season. They gave us precise directions to its location, and since Miriam finds this species enigmatic above all others, our die was cast. We got in the car and headed for Wellington County.

     The bird, a handsome female, was exactly where Jim and Francine had found it.

     The temperature hovered around seven degrees, and without a speck of snow to act as camouflage, the bird was not difficult to see.

     It was constantly surveying its surroundings, no doubt looking and listening for rodent prey. Owls are able to swivel their heads 270 degrees, and it would go from appearing to look right at us, to showing the back of its head.

     It preened a little, paying attention to all its feathers, including those down on its feet.

     Birds are known to be able to sleep with one eye open, as this owl seemed to do so from both the right and the left, while still being alert to any sign of danger.

     We watched the bird for about a half hour; finally Miriam reluctantly agreed that we should move on. 

     I don't think she can ever get enough of a good thing!

     This sighting was actually on the rural road where Miriam lived on a farm during her early childhood, not far from the Conestogo Dam to where we headed next.

     Before getting to the dam proper we pulled off on a wide shoulder to scan the reservoir.

     The dominant species on the water was Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) and the number was simply staggering.

Common Merganser ♂

Common Merganser ♀

     Males clearly outnumbered females, by a substantial margin, and we estimated that a thousand or more individuals was a conservative count. The following pictures will convey an impression of the density of mergansers present, and there were other species alongside them too.

     It was a grand spectacle that we enjoyed immensely.

    We saw only one Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), but it is more than likely that we missed a few others, intermingled in the ever-moving mass of mergansers.

     Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) were abundant.....

     ..... as were Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).

     And they seemed to enjoy the same stretch of shoreline together.

     A Mennonite buggy passed by us, bespattered and in need of a good clean. That chore will doubtless be added to someone's list of tasks once the sabbath is over.

     Downstream from the spillway there were groups of ducks and gulls.

     Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) was the commonest duck, although some mergansers sought their company, away from the mass of their congeners on the other side of the dam, and a small group of American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) remained aloof, too far out for a photograph.

     Ring-billed Gull was far and away the most common larid, but small groups of American Herring Gulls (Larus smithsonianus) made their presence known too.

     Sub-adult gulls of various ages and of different species seemed to favour each other's company.

     In years past I have seen both Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) and Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) at the Conestogo Dam, but try as I might today, I was unable to detect either of these species of any age. Perhaps it is a little early and as winter advances they may show up.

     Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) verge on predictable here and no sooner had Miriam and I expressed surprise that that we had not seen one, this individual came into view.

     The plumage gives every indication that this is a bird fledged this year.

     There is no shortage of prey at the Conestogo Dam and Reservoir, both fish and ducks being in great supply, with ample conifers for roosting, so this bird has the potential to grown strong and healthy as it perfects its hunting skills. 

     May it live long and prosper.

Tuesday Rambles with David - The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

 06 October 2020

     The pandemic has meant that we have not been able to meet frequently this year to conduct our normal Tuesday walks, but of late we have ventured out together a few times. It has been possible to maintain a semblance of social distancing, we have dispensed with our customary hugs, and since being outside carries less risk of transmission of the virus we felt safe in resuming our rambles. And eight participants is well below the provincial guidelines for outdoor gatherings.

     Today we were all present, and the Mill Race seemed like a great place to walk. Both Mary and Francine had appointments in the early afternoon, so a local trail demanding only a couple of hours to complete was just the ticket. 

     The Conestogo River, just metres from the parking area, looked tranquil and inviting, tinged by the suffused light of an autumn morn.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) methodically worked the river in search of breakfast.

     We entered the trail together, eager to explore.

     Falling leaves no doubt evoke in all of us the urge to kick them up to regain the spirit of our erstwhile youth, but perhaps in the twilight of our years a flotilla on the water is more appealing. It is without doubt a tapestry waiting to be painted by a skilled artist.

     From this point on, Miriam yielded the camera-wielding duties to Franc, who in his normal fashion produced images of such crispness and clarity, they beg to be exhibited for all the world to see.

     Many American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were feeding on berries of various kinds, and hatch-year birds joined adults to fatten up for migration, although in recent years many have remained here to tough out the winter.

     Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a perennial favourite with everyone, even with non-birders who can barely tell a robin from a pumpkin!

     White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is often found keeping company with chickadees, especially outside the breeding season, and with a little patience can be coaxed into feeding from the hand. 

      I  think that Franc has captured the very essence of a nuthatch in this picture. It is by any reckoning a gorgeous shot.

     We happened upon a small flock of Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) busily feeding and going about their business, a gathering that captivated all of us.

     Of course, birds are not the only creatures we encounter on the Mill Race and Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) have learned to follow humans, where the reward of a free meal may confidently be expected. 

     This little rodent does not encounter the hostility often directed at other members of his extended family. Perhaps its cousins all need to invest in stripes!

     I have saved the best till last. A late migrating Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) darted out from some dense vegetation and perched very obligingly for us in a small tree no more than ten metres away.

     Not only was this bird very accommodating it stayed there for at least ten minutes, all the while in full view. The stillness of the morning air was interrupted only by the staccato fire of Franc's camera.

     This is an uncommon species north of Lake Erie - see Godfrey (1986) - ".....commonly in Lake Erie region but rarely north to Manitoulin Island, Sudbury and Ottawa". It was my first sighting ever in Waterloo Region.

     It is a very handsome bird, and unlike many cuckoos throughout the world is not a brood parasite, but builds a nest and raises its own young.

     As you may see, one rarely experiences a more cooperative bird and Franc was able to capture it in various poses.

    I have to note that this species is a bit of a holy grail for Francine, a bird of her dreams, a fantasy to be fulfilled, a quest for El Dorado. 

     Unfortunately, Francine had walked far ahead of us and was not present for this heavenly apparition!

     There seems to be little doubt that by some karmic engagement, the cuckoo had Francine in mind when it showed up so boldly, anxious to charm her. Where is she, it seemed to say? 

     Finally, having tarried long, and revealed itself in every way possible, having perched, preened and waited, it decided to bid farewell. With a wave of its foot and a cry of "Goodbye" it went on its way.

     Don't fret, Francine. I have lived here for eighteen years and this is my first local Yellow-billed Cuckoo, so I expect that in 2038 it will be your turn.

     A little patience is all that is required!

Tuesday Rambles with David, Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

28 January 2020

     When we visit Hillside Park we customarily meet at Dearborn Plaza and park off to the side away from the main parking area. In a scene probably seldom seen in many parts of the world, but fairly common in Waterloo Region, a Mennonite horse and buggy was parked alongside the cars.

     The horse was securely hitched to the pole of the light standard and seemed unconcerned at the activity going on around it.

     We know where an Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) resides and made our way to that section of the park to see if it was sitting at the lip of its hole. Lady Luck was with us and it was there in plain sight, but camouflaged well enough that casual passers by would never see it.

       Since for all of us the presence of any owl is akin to a talisman, our day was declared a success whatever else we might see.

     Hillside Park is right in the city, but is a very pleasant urban oasis and while the park is shared by cyclists, casual walkers, and the sound of traffic can sometimes be heard, it is nevertheless a wonderful refuge.

    This Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) was of impressive girth and reached high into the woodland canopy.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) spend the winter here with ever increasing regularity and we came across a couple feeding on buckthorn berries.

     They were joined by several House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) taking advantage of a sheltered area where the sun created a veritable micro-climate, several degrees higher in temperature than surrounding shaded patches.

     Bright sun, still low in the winter sky, was perfect for casting long shadows on the snow.

     Francine decided to sit on a log to try for better pictures of an American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea).

     She was well rewarded for her efforts with a great shot.

     She walked back to the car with a wet rear end, however, - a small price to pay!

     We arrived back in the parking lot about an hour and forty-five minutes after we had left and the horse and buggy were still there. Obviously its human companions had serious business to take care of. And so did the horse!

     

     I swear there is a smirk on that horse's face!