Amherst Island and Ottawa

     For a couple of years, my oldest grandson, Sam, has been hankering to visit Amherst Island, but you all know what effect COVID has had on everyone's travel plans. Finally, with restrictions lifted a little we were able to make it there.

     Miriam and I travelled up to Belleville the previous afternoon to spend the night, before meeting my daughter, Caroline, son-in-law, Andrew, Sam and his girlfriend, Mel, the following day at the Amherst Island ferry. We were also joined by our friend and fellow naturalist, Wendy, who was visiting her daughter in Kingston, and took advantage of the opportunity to tag along with us to see what we could find.

5 February 2022

Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington County, ON

     Miriam and I were the very first in line at the ferry terminal and settled in to wait for the others to arrive. 

As it turned out the absence of information on the notice board should have provoked a few questions in our minds, but more about that later.

     As best I recall it was around minus 25 degrees and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) huddled in a little open water near the dock.

Hillside Park with Waterloo Region Nature

     There are few things I enjoy more in life than leading a bird walk, and when I can do it under the auspices of my favourite naturalists club the pleasure is magnified.

     A group of enthusiastic participants took part in my two latest outings to Hillside Park in Waterloo. In the first contingent the youngest participant was seventeen months old and the oldest a mature eighty-three years. Birding does have its allure!

24 November 2021

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Lynn Conway, Pauline Copleston, Lisa Den Besten, Beth Hobson, Jen Leat, Graham Macdonald, Marg Macdonald, Karl Malhotra, Geoff Moore, Heather Polan (with Lily), Pauline Richards, Rog Suffling, Kathy Waybrant, Andrew Wesolowski. 

Jen, Kathy, Karl, Lisa, Geoff, Beth, Pauline C, Marg, Rog. Graham, Pauline R, Lynn, Andrew, David

Northern Shrike (Pie-grièche grise)

18 December 2019

     Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) is a bird that spends the winter in our area, and is always an exciting bird to find. 

     It helps to know where they traditionally appear for they seem to be faithful to their winter quarters.

     Although not uncommon, it is a bird that is infrequently encountered. Miriam and I were out doing errands this morning, and knew where we might expect one, and made our way to the area where we have seen the bird in the past.

     We were not disappointed.

     The bird was perched atop a small sapling and by using the car as a blind we were able to approach quite closely, pulled off to the side of the road I might add, to the consternation of other vehicles I have no doubt!

     It was prone to flying off, but never far, and by careful stalking we were able to secure a few reasonably decent pictures.

     This species is coloquially known as a Butcher Bird by some, due to its habit of impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire to soften them up for consumption later. It is not often that I have seen this larder, and I have no idea where this bird might maintain it.

     I expect we will see it several more times during the winter as we revisit the area. It never fails to excite and please us.