Winter at Home

     Winter has been real winter since our return from Ottawa, with lots of snow (I shovelled the sidewalk and my driveway four days in a row), so we have not been rambling too much. This post, therefore will consist of a few highlights from home, some dating back a couple of weeks before white became the dominant colour of the landscape.

09 January, 2023

     Hairy Woodpecker (Leucontopicus villosus) is not always easy to find so we consider ourselves especially fortunate that a male comes to our yard regularly to feed on suet packed with seed and nuts.

     Not only does it arrive with predictable frequency, it stays for as long as it takes to become satiated before flying off. A rare privilege, we think.

10 January, 2023

     An American Linden (Tilia americana) in front of our house had died and the municipality dispatched an army of chainsaw warriors to take it down. I was actually hoping that they would leave it for a while, since I think it was in no danger of imminently toppling, and the bark had separated so beautifully to provide nest space for a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana). Realistically, however, I knew that chances of that happening were slim to none.

     We were sitting in the house enjoying mid morning coffee when we finally clued in to what was happening. By then the mighty tree was an ignominious corpse, shattered and broken, lying on asphalt.

     It is incredible the size of branches they can feed into the maw of the wood chipper.

     We were very happy when finally the sylvan destroyers moved on and silence was restored.

     One day in spring, I am sure another crew will come along to plant a sapling in the linden's place. It had better be a native species or I will be having a chat with the city!

17 January, 2023

     We continue with our efforts to encourage American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) to become part of our circle of friends, although I suspect we have lost some of our gains by being away for four days.

    Today (29 January, as I type this), however, five individuals paid a visit and responded to Miriam's voice when she called them in, and fed on the scraps of fat and cheese we tossed out for them.

     They go to their familiar perches and permit us minutes on end to gaze upon their sleek and glossy beauty. You can barely imagine our excitement and sheer pleasure at sharing our world with these lordly birds.

    I made a peanut butter sandwich for them, cut it up and tossed it out, but wily squirrels beat them to the feast.

17 January, 2023

     While squirrels have the capacity at times to incite mental anguish in frustrated human feeders of birds, one is bound to admit that they are endearing and appealing.

     A Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), on the other hand, elicits only whoops of joy.

28 January, 2023

     One can never have too many types of food on offer for our feathered friends, so I invested in some fat balls (grins and smirks permitted). 

     As you can see, they are a great success. It took a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) no time at all to find them.

     I expect that the next post will contain a little more variety, but I am hopeful that these few pictures will entertain you and keep you on tenterhooks waiting for more of the World of Wonders from Waterloo!

Iam linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

The Nuthatches of Ontario

     I am quite confident in my judgement when I say that nuthatches (Family Sittidae), small birds with a remarkable ability to scurry down a tree head first, elicit both appreciation and admiration, from ornithologist and layman alike. They are superbly adapted for an arboreal lifestyle and derive everything they need, from shelter to food, to a place to raise a family from the trees they inhabit. 

     In Ontario we are fortunate to have two species, both quite common, each one enchanting in its own way.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

     White-breasted Nuthatch seldom fails to put in an appearance on our walks through suitable habitat, often announcing its presence by its high-pitched nasal call. It is not shy, and will come to humans for food, often in the company of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). Chickadees seem to be hard-wired to exploit humans for food, and White-breasted Nuthatches appear to have learned the technique. 

A Couple of Recent Walks through Snowy Woods

08 February 2022

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     The first sight to greet us was a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) perched stoically in a tree, weathering the storm like the rest of us.

     Most Great Blue Herons migrate at the approach of winter, but a few hardy individuals always remain, and over the past twenty years or so I have seen this species here in every month of the year. They are opportunistic feeders, and in addition to capturing prey in open water, will take waterfowl, rodents, rabbits and other mammals, anything they can capture really. As long as they are able locate food they appear to be capable of tolerating harsh weather.

     It was a snowy day in the park.

Waterloo Region Nature Outing to Long Point, Norfolk County, ON

      It is getting hard to remember a time when COVID didn't affect almost every decision we make. In the wake of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant new provincial restrictions on assembly have been imposed on a weary populace, and there is now a limit of ten people on an outdoor gathering.

     At the last moment one participant's family contracted COVID and another had difficulty getting a caregiver for a younger family member, so we were eight that made a visit to the the Long Point area, along the northern shore of lake Erie.

     It was a cold day, but suitably dressed, we sallied forth in high spirits and with great expectations. 

     Once again, we proved the point that you can clothe yourself properly and deal with cold, yet oppressive heat is impossible to escape, especially when accompanied by high humidity.

     And by midday the temperature soared to a heady minus 9.5 degrees! No one had to worry about the mayo on a sandwich curdling in the hot sun!

     

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Lisa Den Besten, Tina Den Besten, Bob Fraser, Angie Koch, Wendy Shaw, Zach Summerhayes.

Angie, Bob, David, Tina, Lisa, Wendy, Zach

Tuesday Ramble with David, The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

05 March 2019

     For the first time in I can't remember all eight members of our group were together for a walk along the Mill Race. It was cold, crisp, wintry and delightful, and we all knew that hot coffee at the Eco Café would be our reward at the end of the trail, before heading back in the reverse direction to our vehicles.

     Miriam, as usual, acted as photographer and took this picture of our entourage sidling ahead.

     From the moment you start out on this trail, Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are constant companions, and it is rarely that several cheerful, vocal little sprites are not within a metre or two. It is one of the signal delights of walking this trail. Many children I am sure get their first insight into nature from such encounters.

     Francine captured this whimsical picture of a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) looking as though it had reached the top of an obstacle after a long struggle, relief showing clearly on its face!

     The following image of a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubsescens) is not the best picture ever of the bird, but I find the colour and arrangement of the lichens on the bark very appealing. Doubtless tasty morsels were concealed - and the woodpecker was bent on finding her share!

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) are not as common as chickadees, but they are almost equally as bold and certainly no less delightful.

     The same might be said of their Red-breasted cousins (Sitta canadensis).

     Regular readers may remember that we found a Barred Owl (Strix varia) on this walk in December and we were thrilled to rediscover it, roosting quietly in a tree, seeming unconcerned by the gang of gobsmacked humans below it.

     A quick survey of our group confirmed that it had been a while since anyone had seen a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) so it was with unalloyed pleasure that we came across a small party of them feeding on berry-laden bushes. It is a staggering burst of beauty to encounter these birds in the dead of winter, going about their business, having come though another cold and challenging period, to breed again and perpetuate their kind.

     If your dopamine levels have not by now become elevated better check your pulse for signs of life!

     Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) were abundant; at times we had three males in view at the same time, and many of these hormone-charged birds were singing lustily from the tops of trees.

       For the most part the females seemed to ignore them; every young human swain is familiar with that reaction! Soon that will change, however, when the urge to breed overtakes everything else.

     This male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) seemed pretty serious about its nest cavity, no doubt hoping that an ardent female would find it the perfect home in which to raise a family.

  

     North American sparrows present a minefield of identification problems for the inexperienced birder, but all are well satisfied when they are able to appreciate the subtle beauty of American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) and identify it with confidence.

     The Conestogo River meandered by, largely frozen, but with the odd patch of open water where the currents flowed rapidly.

     Often in the winter, the river is host to Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) but none were to be found today.

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) was perched quietly in a tree alongside the path. I doubt that most people even noticed it was there.

     The picture of the Downy Woodpecker above is intended to display the backdrop of lichens. This one is to depict the beauty of the bird.

     Having had the benefit of hot coffee and a tea biscuit at the Eco Café we funneled back onto the trail and walked towards the parking lot at the other end.

     But how could we resist one last look at our friend, the Barred Owl.

     Here is a true celebrity if ever you saw one. We all had a brief encounter with greatness today!

Algonquin Adventure

28 - 29 March 2017

28 March 2017

Waterloo - Algonquin Provincial Park - Dwight

     A while ago I proposed to the "Tuesday Rambles with David" group that we expand our reach a little and opt for a two day visit to Algonquin Provincial Park, about a four hour drive from Waterloo.

     The response was immediate and enthusiastic so I went ahead and secured accommodation and made plans to visit the park to see the unique species to be observed there. Algonquin encompasses habitat from the deciduous hardwood zone found in the southern part of the province, and the boreal forest which reaches its southern limit at Algonquin, so there are representatives of birds from both habitat zones.

     We set off from home at 06:30 and had a smooth and uneventful drive north. We were staying at Spring Lake Resort and stopped there around 10:00 so that Francine could plug in her crock pot of chili which would be part of our dinner that night. 

     A couple of Common Ravens Corvus corax flew overhead, croaking loudly, just to let us know we were in the north.

     We set off for the park and entered in high spirits, ready for a day of discovery.

     Algonquin is still firmly in the grip of the icy hand of winter with lots of snow on the ground. The bogs, lakes and wetlands are for the most part still frozen, although the first spring melt was starting to open up small patches of open water, and rapids flowed freely.

     Soon Black Bears Ursus americanus will awake from hibernation, Moose Alces alces 

will give birth to their young in late May and the park will be filled with warblers arriving from the neotropics. For now, however, the number of species is low and we set out to find the boreal specialties for which the park is renowned, and which we had come to see.

     Our first stop was at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk where, immediately upon entering the trailhead, Blue Jays Cyanocitta cristata descended from all around. After a whole winter of hikers, snowshoers and birders the jays have quickly recognized that the presence of humans means food.

      And we had sunflower seeds and peanuts with us and were happy to share.

     

    American Red Squirrels Tamiasciurus hudsonicus do not hibernate, but restrict their activity in the dead of winter to a couple of hours during the warmest part of the day. Clearly, spring had arrived for them, however, for we were seldom out of sight of several scampering around, looking for food and scolding us..

          The forest was still deep in snow with many animals locked in their burrows and dens beneath it.

     Red-breasted Nuthatches Sitta canadensis were very common and they had no hesitation in coming to us for seed.

     Carol did not even have time to take seed out of her jar before this bold individual landed on it, beating its competitors to the food.

     Set against the lichen on the conifers this tiny bird looks splendid indeed, the pattern of the lichen creating a Christmas card look.

     As we set off across the frozen bog, the landscape which will be buzzing with mosquitoes and black flies in a few months, looked foreboding and still. It had felt quite warm deep in the cover of the spruce, but the wind blowing unimpeded across the open space lent a frigid chill to the air.

     We were happy to regain the cover of the trees. 

     The temperature both days went above freezing and spring melt is starting to occur, but the mercury dips below freezing at night and deep snow is still the most common condition.

     Just before regaining the parking area we were both surprised and delighted to see three Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis, in advanced moult; soon their breeding plumage will be complete.

     Algonquin Provincial Park does not have many open spaces with weedy fields, the preferred habitat of Snow Buntings, so it is a rare visitor.

     It was by now lunchtime and we went to the Visitor Centre where we could sit inside in the warmth and enjoy our meal together. Hot drinks were available too and most of us took advantage of them.

     The planners have done a magnificent job with this structure and the view from the deck is nothing short of sublime.

     One of the great attractions of the Visitor Centre is the presence of numerous well-stocked feeders attracting a variety of birds. Chief among the desirable species is Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina, a spectacular bird by any standards. Here are several resplendent males.

     And the females look pretty spectacular too.

     Pine Siskin Spinus pinus was very common at the feeders.

  

      As they are right in our backyard, American Goldfinches Spinus tristis are transforming themselves from their olive drab of winter to their rich gold of spring.

     From the Visitor Centre we travelled farther east in the park to the Logging Museum and the East Gate where we encountered mainly Blue Jays and Pine Siskins.

     Our last stop of the day was at the Opeongo Road, generally a reliable spot to find Grey Jay Perisoreus canadensis, a species with northern affinities, which is found about as far south as it gets in Algonquin Park. We were not disappointed!

      This population has been studied intensively for years and most birds are colour banded. Much of what is known about Grey Jays is based on the lifelong work of Dan Strickland, a park biologist now retired.

      An added bonus was the presence of a pair of Red Crossbills Loxia curvirostra. This species, although common sporadically in irruption years, is generally rare, and it is many years since I saw one in the park.

Red Crossbill - Male

     Muskrat lodges thrust up above the ice; before long these animals which for so long formed a critical part of the fur trade, will be swimming  along the waterways unmolested by humans.

     We headed back to our accommodation after a full and very productive day of birding. We had a fine feast together, anchored by Francine's chili, but with a whole array of other food and lots of wine to help it all go down. Everyone contributed something different so we dined well to say the least.

Accommodation: Spring Lake Resort, Dwight, ON  Rating: Four stars

Cost: $99.00 per night plus tax - $111.87

29 March 2017

Dwight - Algonquin Provincial Park - Waterloo

     We slept well and had a coffee in the room, after which we all went for breakfast at a little quick stop/restaurant in Dwight.

     An American Robin Turdus migratorius was singing and several Common Ravens soared overhead uttering their loud cronking call.

      Along the road I spotted a pair of Red Crossbills and we wheeled around to get a better look and take some photographs.

Red Crossbill - pair
  

     We had been searching for Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus yesterday, without success.

so we returned to the Visitor Centre, where this species sometimes feeds on seed spilled on the ground in the early morning. We did not find the grouse, unfortunately, but it was a great pleasure to revel in the species we had seen yesterday, including a very large congregation of Pine Siskins.

       As already mentioned, the Visitor Centre has been very well executed. This sculpture is located right inside the entrance.  

     We made a trip into Whitney on the east side of the park to get gas, since Jim felt he was sufficiently low he might not have enough to make it back out of the park, and we would all need to refuel before heading home anyway.

     We then returned to the Spruce Bog Boardwalk where we had  enjoyed so much success yesterday. Blue Jays and Black-capped Chickadees Poecile atricapillus immediately descended on us and scrounged for a quick meal.

     We had only been standing there for a few minutes when Franc called out "Grey Jay" and a bird came in really close. Eventually we discovered that there were two or three individuals in the vicinity.

     It truly is a delightful species and was recently named Canada's National Bird based on a nation-wide vote. All that needs to be done now is to have parliament vote to make it official.

     We were all thrilled to see a Red Fox Vulpes vulpes come to visit us.

     This animal was in prime condition with a sleek, glossy coat. There was a large suet feeder nearby and we figured that the fox had probably been attracted to it during the winter when birds drop morsels onto the ground and it had become accustomed to humans. It was wary and maintained a safe distance between itself and us, but it was nevertheless unafraid, and sufficiently habituated to know that it could get an easy meal.

     Miriam took the time to gather us all together for a group shot......

     ..................and I took one of her and the illustrious Judy Wyatt.

     A fine representation of Canadian womanhood if ever I saw one!

     As we walked along we saw Grey Jays and two female Hairy Woodpeckers Picoides villosus exploiting the forest resources.

     Finally, we decided that it was time to head for home and we meandered back to the parking area. Miriam, the picture taker, was obviously bringing up the rear.

     It had been a fine outing and we saw most of the species we had hoped to see. There were a few misses, but we'll have to save those for next year.

     Our drive home was uneventful and we were back at our house, where Judy had left her vehicle, by a little after 16:00.

     To Franc and Carol, Jim and Francine, Judy and Mary (who couldn't make this trip) thanks for great companionship every single week. It is a delight to hang out with you guys.