Brown-headed Cowbird with Yellow Warbler "Parent."

Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling

being fed by Yellow Warbler

While birding at Humber Bay Park East in Toronto on 10 July 2011 we observed this young Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater (one of two) being fed by a male Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia. When we observed this activity we never once saw a female Yellow Warbler so we concluded that for whatever reason the male was left to satisfy these gargantuan offspring alone. It was a non-stop feeding frenzy during the time we watched with two begging, vociferous, belligerent cowbirds giving the warbler no rest.

American Robin

American Robin, Turdus migratorius

Last year we had the good fortune to have American Robins nest in our yard. We were able to monitor the activity from the very earliest days of nest construction to the successful fledging of four offspring.

The pictures above show the sequence of events on the following dates:

1. 12 May 2010 - Adult with a beak full of nesting material.

2. 20 May 2010 - Four eggs in the nest.

3. 31 May 2010 - Four tiny hatchlings.

4. 08 June 2010 - Four well developed nestlings.

5. 07 July 2010 - A successful fledgling perched on the back of a chair.

Mallard

Early Morning Serenity

at T. J. Dolan Wildlife Area, Stratford, ON

These ducklings are as big as their mother now and presented a serene image as they slowly glided by, on the Avon River, with mist rising off the water and wispy feathers floating in the air.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina

Our backyard has been blessed during the latter part of June and on into July with several Chipping Sparrows feeding their young. The garden provides lots of cover, water and abundant food and we are seldom without several of these delightful birds to entertain us. They are quite confiding and will come right up to our feet as we sit on the patio. The pictures show a juvenile, and an adult with a juvenile on the mulch.

Bobolink

Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus

While birding at the West Perth Wetlands in Mitchell, ON we seemed to have strayed too close to the nest of a pair of Boblinks. The female stayed low in the grasses but the male was clearly very agitated and scolded us without ceasing until we moved farther along and presumably a safe distance from the nest.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia

An adult with a beak full of protein to be delivered to the hungry mouths in the nest. This picture was taken at T.J. Dolan Wildlife Area, Stratford, ON.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas

This is a busy time of the year for small songbirds. This pair of Common Yellowthroats was industriously collecting food for their young at T.J. Dolan Wildlife Area in Stratford, ON.