Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

5 May 2013

    It was both a pleasure and a privilege to see this immature Sandhill Crane today, meandering through the wetland, feeding and preening as it went. The healthy population of this species in the Grass Lake area, with regular breeding success, is a cause for rejoicing. One never becomes blasé at the sight of this magnificent bird.

Common Gallinule

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

5 May 2013

    The Common Gallinule is an infrequent visitor to our area and it was a great pleasure to see this individual at Grass Lake this afternoon. Formerly considered conspecific with the Eurasian Common Moorhen it has been resplit and is now accorded full species status.

American Cliff Swallow

American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

   There has for several years been an active Cliff Swallow colony at the Fountain Street bridge over the Grand River in Cambridge, ON. Today we paid a visit and were delighted to see that the swallows have returned for yet another season and were actively involved in building their nests. There is an abundance of mud at the river's edge and the girders on the underside of the bridge make for an ideal nesting site. Interestingly, an American Robin had located its nest next to a swift nest, and in the past we have seen Rock Doves nesting in the same vicinity.

                                  Grand River from under the bridge

Hockey v Birding

Hockey v Birding

    A couple of nights ago we were out birding on the same evening the hockey playoffs began. There were lots of people out and about - roller bladers, parents walking with their children, birders, people just out for a walk, cyclists, and so on. I remarked to my wife that I was happy to see that everyone was not glued to a television set watching hockey.

    Strange pastime this hockey. Grown men skate around the ice trying to hit a little rubber disc with a stick. In the process they fight each other, inflicting serious physical harm at times, and trying to draw as much blood as possible. Each team has a player called an enforcer, or a goon, whose primary job it is to wreak mayhem on players of the opposing team. He is paid very handsomely to engage in activities which would land him in gaol if committed anywhere else. Sometimes the players even wield their sticks as weapons and try to kill each other. They blind side each other with bone shattering hits, frequently sufficient to end a career.

   Yet people are glued to their television sets watching this stuff; or, if they can get a ticket to the arena, are willing to pay half a week's wages for the privilege.

    Personally, I'd rather be birding!

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis

    When you hear people speaking of a "Wild Canary" this is the species to which they are alluding. A year-round resident, the birds have now moulted out of their drab winter plumage, and look resplendent in their summer finery. The male is distinguished by the black cap.

House Finch

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus

    The eastern population of the familiar House Finch originated in an accidental release of birds captured for the cage bird trade, on Long Island, NY in 1940. This species is now well established in southern Ontario, and this male added colour to our yard this morning - to say nothing of its musical warbling song.

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys

4 May 2013

    We spotted our first White-crowned Sparrow in the back yard yesterday. This is a fairly large sparrow that migrates through our area, spring and fall, remaining for a a relatively short time before moving on. This species is interesting inasmuch as most populations are migratory, but some birds in the western part of the continent are permanent residents. The White-crowned Sparrow is one of the most studied birds in North America.