Lockdown Is Not Quite The Stranglehold It Was.

      I think that like most Ontarians we are happy that restrictions are being lifted very gradually, but based on past experience wonder whether (and when) the hammer will come down again. The politicians are all anxious to restore conditions to near normal, and take the credit for it of course, but many of the medical experts are cautioning that by being too ambitious we may jeopardize the progress we have made to this point.

     For the moment let's enjoy what expanded freedoms we have and look to the future with optimism.  In the meantime nature does not change, and we continue to find solace and pleasure in ways that are so much part of who we are.

24 May 2021

Berlett's Road, Wilmot Township, Waterloo, ON

     I spotted a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) as I was driving and pulled over to take a picture.

     It looks as though it is asking me what I am doing!

     In the same field were several horses, wonderful creatures, so sturdy and strong.

     They were attracted to the reeds around a pond; I assume that the forage is sweet and tender there.

     These horses give every impression that they are well cared for.

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     I heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) and after a while located it.

     You may bestow upon yourself the Eagle Eye Award if you can find it on the left side of the tree!

     The ponds in Teen Hollow are filling as they should, and all is proceeding in a fashion that assures that within a couple of years we will have a functioning wetland. 

     American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) have laid their eggs in the water and there are now thousands of tadpoles.

     It is a transformational experience in human terms to witness the natural transformation of the landscape, and I cannot overstate that it is the wisdom of Dave, Jamie and Sandy that grants us this opportunity.

26 May 2021

Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, ON

     A very commendable programme has been launched by our public library, to encourage outdoor education, and to enable people to participate in the opportunities to explore nature offered in the conservation areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

     For a period of a week a free pass to all the properties is offered and covers up to six people entering at the same time. In this way a family of six - grandparents, parents and children perhaps - can  enjoy a period of outdoor recreation together. At the same time, interest in the conservation areas is rekindled after a long period of closure due to COVID regulations.

     In addition to the complimentary pass a kit is provided, containing a pair of binoculars, three field guides dealing with caterpillars, wildflowers and butterflies, and a map showing the locations that may be visited, all contained in a pouch any naturalist would be happy to own.

     This is a terrific scheme to get people involved in conservation and natural history; taxpayers' money being spent wisely!

     Laurel Creek is mere minutes from our house and that is where Miriam and I chose for our first visit.

     When our grandchildren were younger we used to buy an annual pass, but had not visited for a couple of years, so it was a pleasure to return.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was ardently cajoling females to join him to perpetuate the species.

     There appears to be a tick above his eye, which we hope will drop off once it has gorged and is satiated.

     Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) were seen flycatching at will.

     If one were to nominate a species to take a prize for avian fecundity, Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) might be a unanimous choice. It seemed that families were everywhere and there is no denying that goslings are cute!

     In an area where we have observed Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in the past, a nesting area has been constructed, and we hope that eggs are incubating below the surface of that sand.

     Miriam thought she heard an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) singing but could not be sure; it was extremely windy and the sound was carried away. Validation was provided on our way out of the park when she heard another and spotted it almost right away.

27 May 2021

Glen Allen, Wellington County, ON

     This is an area that we visit quite often, but generally in the winter when we are on a mission to find Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus) so you can imagine our delight, and surprise too I must say, when we discovered two colonies of American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)under two different bridges.

     When we first stopped the car many were gathering mud and a couple of males were scrapping for mating rights with a female, but the moment we opened the car every one of them exploded into the air. Even the promise of sex couldn't convince them to wait a minute or two!

Conostogo Lake Conservation Area, near Glen Allen, Wellington County, ON

     Armed with our pass we visited another GRCA property.

     This lake was created when Miriam was a young child and lived not far from the dam that was built to contain the water.

     As a sure indication that COVID-19 has seriously impacted the activities in the park, the picnic benches are stacked and out of commission, at a time when they should be occupied by people enjoying an outdoor picnic.

     We sat on a section of a dock that had been hauled out of the lake to enjoy our coffee and cookies, and a male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) arrived to keep us company.

     Several Eastern Kingbirds were flycatching, and you can see one perched in typical fashion, waiting for aerial insects to pass by.

     The campgrounds are closed at present so we were able to drive through areas where we would not be permitted unless camping there, and noted that campsites are both pleasant and spacious.

     There is an upper and lower component to the conservation area and we decided to explore both. 

This is the lower section looking back at the dam.

     The view along the riverbank is quite lovely.

     American Black Currant (Ribes americanum) has gained a foothold in the area, a native species among so many invasives.

     I have been unable to identify this caterpillar specifically, but I am confident that it is of a Tiger Moth (subfamily Arctiinae).

     Bitter Wintercress was abundant (Barbarea vulgaris), with an unidentified beetle on the flower.

     It is without question that Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) is a very attractive plant, visually that is, but its appeal stops there.

     It is considered by many to be a noxious weed. It is highly invasive, with seeds dispersed by mammals and birds, and spreads rapidly, leading to a dense understory thicket. Native plant growth is inhibited and biodiversity is reduced as a consequence.

     This is another case of human folly in introducing species that do not belong, with serious ecological disturbance being the result.

     Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) presents no such dire issues, and is equally beautiful to my eye.

     We watched an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) deliver food to its young and then settle down on the nest to regulate their temperature no doubt.

     A male Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) looked down on us from on high as we left to head for home.

     We have very much enjoyed the two visits facilitated by the entry pass and look forward to a few more before we have to return the pass to the library. More to come in the next post I hope. 

Rhapsody in Blue

      For whatever reason, I was given to pondering the other day about the range of species we see here, where the predominant plumage colour is blue. The shades are as different as the birds themselves, but all are splendid, and I will present a few of them to you, with pictures drawn from our archives.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

     This very handsome species is common in these parts, but its ubiquity makes it no less a welcome sight at any time. It is a marvelous bird and merits all the admiration we can muster.

     It is a frequent visitor to our backyard and is nearly always found in suitable woodland habitat too, so rarely a day goes by that we fail to enjoy the company of this captivating beauty.

     It is a resident species and is not shy to come to backyard feeders, especially during the winter months when a little supplementary protein and fat is always welcome.

     Like many birds, it has an initial aversion to close contact with humans, with good reason, but once it develops confidence in you it will come to your hand without hesitation. Studies have proven that other corvids are able to recognize humans as individuals and to know those that are kind and wish them no harm, and I suspect that this is true of Blue Jays also.

     If you have them where you live I hope you will get to know them better.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

     There has been taxonomic discussion over the years as to whether this species is a chat or a thrush, and Peter Clement seems to hedge his bets by omitting it from his tome on thrushes (Thrushes (2000), and placing it in Robins and Chats (2015) as follows: "A stocky, chat-sized thrush of open woodland, orchards.....". 

     In IOC World Bird List Version 11.1 there is no equivocation. Eastern Bluebird is a thrush!

     And a very attractive thrush too!

     As a cavity-nester Eastern Bluebirds went through a period of steep decline as they faced intense competition from introduced House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) for a diminishing number of available nest sites.  Sparrows and starlings are appreciably more aggressive than bluebirds and in most cases the bluebirds were losers in the battles for a home, sometimes even paying with their lives. 

     The stage was set for human intervention and bluebird societies sprang up all across the continent with dedicated (obsessive some might say) volunteers establishing bluebird nest box trails, sometime numbering into the hundreds of boxes. The sites were closely monitored and protected, barriers were installed to deter predation, and if any invader dared to try to usurp a bluebird it was summarily evicted by its human guardian and protector.

     The result has been a huge resurgence in bluebird populations, and it is once again a familiar sight in suitable habitat throughout the continent. A feel-good story by any measure and a great conservation success!

     The female is not quite as attractive as the male one might conclude, but charming and delightful in her own way.

     Once there are young to feed both parents are dedicated providers and may be seen constantly shunting back and forth to stuff insects into the mouths of hungry youngsters.

     If you live locally and are reading this, and have never seen a bluebird, get in touch with me and I'll be happy to show you one.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cynea)

     This charming species arrives in our area in May, and shortly thereafter males may be seen singing from high perches wherever a suitable tree or snag provides maximum exposure.

     We have a special affection for this species. Miriam's sister, Grace, remembers Indigo Buntings vividly from her childhood, and if one can have a favourite bird, this is it for her. So, whenever we see one, the thought that it is Grace's Bunting springs to mind. Maybe we can petition the taxonomists to change the scientific name to Passerina graceii, but I suspect that we will have little chance of success!

     Each year, for the past few years, a male has visited our backyard for a couple of days, during which time he returns frequently to feed, and to thrill us in the process. For some reason, we have received no such companion this year, even though all the conditions are the same as they have been in years past. Who can figure out what goes on in the minds of birds?

     I hope that an Indigo Bunting will visit you!

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

     If you have never seen the flash of steely blue and dazzling white as a Tree Swallow jinks and knifes through the air, you have missed one of life's great treats. I have seen it a thousand times and more, and still there is a sense of awe.

     This cavity-nesting species enjoys great breeding success along our bluebird trail at SpruceHaven where we are happy to see the two species breed side by side. They do not compete for food, since the Tree Swallow is an aerial feeder and the bluebird drops to the ground to capture its prey.

     Here is a pair on a nest box; the female at the left is browner than the male, but they make a stunning pair.

     Tree Swallows still nest in natural cavities where they are available, but the vast majority are now dependent on nesting facilities furnished by humans.

They repay immeasurably the effort we put into providing them with a home, and bring us inexpressible joy. 

     Long may they grace our skies.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)

     As soon as neotropical warblers begin to arrive back in southern Ontario to breed Black-throated Blue Warbler is one of the easier species to find. 

     It is a handsome little bird, as are all the warblers of course, but unfortunately I have only one picture where the bird (the male) actually looks blue!

     I do have several other pictures, but the bird is always in shade and appears grey rather than blue. 

     The conspicuous patch of white you see at the base of the primaries is a diagnostic feature in both sexes, and enables even a novice to clinch the ID of this species without difficulty.

     Generally, this species is transient in our area, seldom breeding here. Its breeding territories are principally found in the southern part of the Canadian Shield. 

     We will have to redouble our efforts to get more pictures. If only the darn bird would stay still for more than a second or two!

Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)

      To see a Northern Parula is to swoon with joy! So many colours combine to achieve a captivating look.

     I suppose it is a bit of a stretch to label this a blue bird, but when I think of it I always envision blue first, so perhaps you will understand.

     I am always drawn to the split eye ring too.

     This is another species that is merely passing through when we see it locally. Its distribution as a breeding bird "extends generally from about Belleville and Barrie north and west to Kapuskasing and Dryden". (Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001-2005 (2007).

     Get out and look for one now! There may be a few still lingering before moving to their breeding territories, but not for long!

     

     I hope you have enjoyed looking at a few blue birds, and maybe one day you can see them all for yourself -or perhaps you already have!