A Review of the Last Few Days

     Covid-19 keeps us close to home, but we have a wealth of places to explore, and our local scene keeps us well occupied and happy with our local birds.

30 May 2020
Three Bridges Road, St. Jacobs, ON

     The full suite of flycatchers has arrived back in our area, some passing through on their way farther north, others stopping to breed. 
     Two of the most common species are shown below.

Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus

31 May 2020

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     We are not doing nearly the volume of monitoring and bird banding that we normally do at SpruceHaven, but there is a good deal to keep us occupied and sustain our interest.

     A Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is always a very agreeable sight.

     The principal reason I go to SpruceHaven every Sunday is to check on the activity at the Eastern Bluebird/Tree Swallow trail which was established for the benefit of the WRN Teens club. We had great plans in mind to have the teens monitor six nest boxes, documenting their results and submitting them to appropriate authorities, along the way acquiring a good deal of knowledge about these birds. Covid-19 put an end to that programme!

     I have been checking the boxes and reporting the results back to WRN Teens so that they will know what is happening in "their" boxes.

     Some of you may recall that two of the boxes had full clutches (six eggs each) of Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) eggs. Incubation is a constant activity for the female, with no assistance from the male.

     In one box I witnessed the beginning of the fully developed embryos starting to work their way out of the egg. The eggs were moving as the occupants strained to crack the shell, and at least one was chipping away with its egg tooth, in a long and arduous process to escape from the confines of its "prison". I had never actually seen this activity before and I found it verging on emotional to see this drama of birth and renewal.

     In the second nest box the female sat tight on the eggs, and I did not wish to lift her up to check what was happening underneath her belly. This coming Sunday will tell the tale.

     What provided an additional level of great encouragement and excitement, however, was the fact that a pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) have taken up residence in one of the other boxes, and two eggs have already been laid.

     The female left the nest box when I opened it to check inside, but I closed it quickly and before I had walked to the next nest box a hundred metres or so away, both members of the bluebird pair had returned to their home.

     It is not so many years ago that Eastern Bluebirds (and other bluebird species for that matter) had spiralled into a pattern of serious decline, principally due to aggressive competition from our two resident aliens, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Fortunately, many dedicated citizens banded together and erected thousands of nest boxes throughout the continent, which are fitted with predator guards and are constantly monitored, resulting in a resounding comeback for this delightful little bird.

     Forty years ago if you had visited and asked me to show you an Eastern Bluebird, I might have been hard pressed to do so. Today, I could virtually guarantee it.

02 June 2020

A tour of the hinterland of Waterloo Region

     Look at the pictures below to appreciate what a truly pleasant area we are happy to call home.

  

     The above images were taken along Martin Creek Road, an area very familiar to us, and there is a large culvert under the road so that the creek flows unimpeded. I cannot begin to estimate how many times we have driven along the road on top of this culvert, but it would number well into the hundreds. Imagine our surprise (and great delight) then when we discovered a whole colony of breeding American Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) there. How we have missed them before is beyond me!

     Anyone familiar with the rapid, zig zag flight of swallows will appreciate how difficult it is to take pictures, but I am including below a couple of shots obtained at other breeding colonies.

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) posed very nicely for a closeup portrait.

     And as further evidence of a healthy cohort of breeding Eastern Bluebirds, at least one pair is breeding in the graveyard on Three Bridges Road. Dedicated parents toil tirelessly to feed their young whose appetites are insatiable.

     Tombstones provide a convenient perch for this American Robin (Turdus migratorius) to scan the ground and pounce on any unwary morsel of food. Beware the beetle that scurries along in the open!

     The Conestogo River intersects with our meanderings at various points along our traverse. 

     We pass a farm with a small pond, occupied every year by a pair of what are colloquially known as "rent-a-swans". They are not wild birds, of course, but this does not detract from their appeal and one was determined to put on a show for us.

     Needless to say, we appreciated this highly engaging performance. Little wonder Tchaikovsky created a ballet based on these creatures.

     A Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) was a first sighting for this species at this location.

     As mentioned earlier flycatchers have taken up residence in good numbers, and there is one spot where we are almost guaranteed to find Eastern Kingbirds lining up along the fences.

     And the Conestogo River flows alongside us still.

     As was the case with bluebirds, the appearance of a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) not so many years ago was a rarity. It is now a fairly common breeding species.

     A Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was panting in the heat.

     And at the end of any good walk it is always good to be back home.

 

     Birds in the backyard entertain us to no end and we like to believe they are happy to see us return. Perhaps the fact that I fill their feeders influences the welcome we receive!

Visit to Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

22 June 2019

     Miriam arrived back from a week in Iceland on 21 June, and on a beautiful summer's day the following morning we decided on a visit to Grass Lake.

     This area at times produces a great diversity of birds, some of which are species not easily found elsewhere in our area. Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) breeds here, and with a combination of good luck and dedicated searching one can usually find adults with young in June. We were unsuccessful on the day, but images from past successes remind us of what lies ahead for another visit.

     Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) were content to take advantage of any available perch from which to sally forth to pick off passing insects.

     Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a classic grassland species and is easily seen at Grass Lake, often perched on top of a fence post, no doubt proclaiming territorial jurisdiction, but often seeming to belt out its song for the sheer hell of it!

     It is an attractive bird, with personality to spare, and a great favourite of mine.

     Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a similarly predictable species but is not always as cooperative as Savannah Sparrow and even though it is present may conceal itself in long grass. Today was a good day, however, and several of these handsome and unusual-looking birds, trilled across the meadows and perched to have their picture taken.

     An Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nest has been occupied for several years and we noticed that the female seemed a little agitated, although we saw no apparent reason for her consternation.

     All that was required was for us to turn around and glance in the other direction to detect the object of her ire. The male had caught a fish, and instead of delivering directly to the nest, as I am sure a dedicated Osprey father should, it was snacking nearby, no doubt feeding on the choicest bits, before surrendering his catch to the family.

     We left the Ospreys to resolve their marital spat without any further voyeurism from us, and what could have been better as we drove slowly away than another Savannah Sparrow to bid us goodbye?

     There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that he was saying, "See you again soon." And so he will!

Tuesday Rambles with David - Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

04 July 2017

     Jim and Francine are away in Québec visiting Francine's mother, but the six remaining members of our group of eight were back together again. Yippee!

     Mary had previously visited the Linear Trail, but for Franc, Carol and Judy it was their first experience of what is a very pleasant walk. Miriam and I have traversed its length and breadth several times.

     The trail meanders alongside the Speed River initially as it slowly makes its way to  merge with the Grand River farther upstream.

     The Linear Trail, in our experience, has never been overcrowded, and seems quite bucolic despite the presence of tended parkland on one side, and houses fronting that park.

     We kept our eye on the river and were soon rewarded with a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) stealthily hunting in the shallows.  The stealth and cunning of the heron was matched only by Franc's determination to get in position for the perfect shot.

   

     The bird captured a fish, and Franc his picture, a pretty satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.

     The spot where the Grand and Speed Rivers meet is colloquially called The Confluence, and the broad expanse of water can at different times of the year host a wide variety of species.

    We saw many Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) but even with three cameras shooting we were unable to come up with a decent picture of a male. Abundant females were also present, however, some feeding young, and our luck was a little better with these birds.

     This mother seemed ready to deliver a substantial package of protein to a youngster patiently waiting, hidden in the dense foliage.

     Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were ubiquitous.

     The entire Grand River watershed hosts a substantial and thriving population of Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and at one point we had four of these magnificent raptors cruising and soaring over our heads.

     A little later we saw a nest atop a constructed tower with two young birds visible. It is a great privilege to have so many breeding pairs in this area and it bears mentioning that local Hydro Electric Authorities, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the rare Charitable Research Reserve, and others, have all played a part in enhancing habitat for this species, and nurturing a robust population.

     Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) is the only species of hummingbird to spend its breeding season here. This male was defending a territory, proclaiming to all other males to stay out, and chattering seductively to entice a female to mate with him.

     Perhaps this female has already succumbed to his charms.

     As might be expected, this riparian corridor supports a variety of mammalian life too, and we spotted an American Mink (Mustela vison) in and out of the water, complete in its mastery of both habitats.

     White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) also came to the river's edge to forage and drink.

     We did not locate a nest, but judging by the presence of this species in July, we may conclude that American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is breeding along the Linear Trail.

     Grey Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) chortled and mimicked other birds from deep within tangles, but occasionally an individual perched in the open, perhaps to have room to spread its wings to facilitate its toilette.

     Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) appears to have had a very successful breeding season this year, judging from the sheer numbers of young rabbits to be seen everywhere. I always enjoy seeing them in our backyard, but Miriam is not so keen when they nibble back everything that emerges from the ground. She is experimenting with different substances to deter the rabbits from thwarting her gardening efforts.

     Butterflies are abundant, seldom seeming to alight long enough for a photograph, however. This Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) was the exception.

     We spotted numerous Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), not always with unalloyed pleasure when contemplating the range of species being parasitized by this obligate brood parasite. Here is a male resting in the grass.

     This female American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) perhaps is already sitting on eggs most of the time, or perhaps has young to feed now that the seeds of dandelion, teasel, burdock and other plants are readily available, with thistles soon to follow.

     A female Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) has perhaps already fledged her young to independence.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were seen throughout. In the manicured section of the park the grass was being cut and there seemed to be good pickings on the insects disturbed.

     Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were very common and we were rarely out of earshot of their stereotypical song.

     A day without a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is like a day without sunshine and today we had both in abundance.

     Just before the end of the trail a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) perched and preened for several minutes, a delight for all of us.

          Day Lily, or Tiger Lily ( Hemerocallis fulva) is common along roadsides, paths and weedy areas, and this beautiful plant was abundant along the Linear Trail.

     It seems quite fitting that this show of beauty was present at the end of our walk to bid us farewell.

     A very enjoyable four hours was had by all and we look forward to doing it again next week.