A morning with Sandye

14 May 2018

     Our good friend Sandye Moores had indicated that she had not seen a Bobolink (Dolichonxy oryzivorus) in a while so we offered to take her to our friend's Century Farm where we knew she would be able to connect with this bird.

     It was a beautiful, warm sunny morning with great light and the birds were rejoicing in the conditions as much as we were. Female Bobolinks have not yet returned from South America but the males are busy claiming territory and getting ready for their potential mates to arrive. It is a magical scene to see these ardent suitors fluttering over the grassland uttering their melodic bubbling song. 

     Sandye was enchanted. We all were enchanted. Nothing can possibly surpass the joy of being surrounded by the beauty and timeless rhythm of the natural world. We were at one with it.

     I was at once thrilled with the opportunity that we have at this farm to observe grassland birds in undisturbed meadows, while simultaneously realizing that this is an endangered habitat, with ever more of it being paved over to satisfy the rapacious need of humans for more land for our houses, cities, shopping malls and parking lots. Surely at some point we have to come to our senses and realize that other organisms have a right to their place on earth too, and that we are ultimately sewing the seeds of our own demise. 

     A pair of Northern Ravens (Corvus corax) has nested for several years on an old silo on an adjacent farm and we saw a raven pursuing an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) which was carrying food. They swooped and twisted, keeping pace with each other, with the crow always managing to stay ahead of the raven, food intact in its bill. Suddenly a second crow arrived on the scene, followed in short order by a third, and now the tables were turned. The three crows set off in pursuit of the raven. We wished that Franc had been with us, for with his skill and photographic equipment, he would have captured this drama. The pictures etched in our mind will have to suffice - and perhaps they are the best pictures of all.

     Another enchanting denizen of the grassland is the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) and there were many of them. 

     I don't know whether it is fanciful on my part but it seems as though these little birds are far more confiding at the farm than they are elsewhere. They seem quite unconcerned when we approach them at close distance. Perhaps they know that at this enlightened spot humans are their friends.

     I feel bound to say that Sandye, there to see Bobolinks, was gobsmacked by everything she saw and displayed her joy in the most visible fashion. It was indeed a pleasure to be out with her.

Sandye, David

     Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) swooped and glided across the grassland gleaning insects, twisting and turning with breathtaking speed, yet stopping for a photograph too.

     Some are busy with plans for the next generation.

     Miriam noticed these Tent Caterpillars (Lasiocampidae) when we visited the farm last Tuesday, but there has been considerable expansion since then.

     Black-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) are one of the few bird species to feed on these caterpillars so we have to keep an eye open for birds taking advantage of the feast.

   Our friends have put out their hummingbird and oriole feeders up near the house and this female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) was taking advantage of a free meal.

     Sandye and I had a front row seat.

     And the Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) were anxious to get to the feeders too.

     And what would an old barn on a Century Farm be without a colony of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica)?

     There are several active nests but on this occasion at least we decided not to peer in on them. Let them go about their business in peace.

     As always our thanks go out to our wise and caring friends who permit the birds to prosper and allow birders like us to enjoy them. Beatification is their due!

Bird Banding at SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON, Episode 2

12/13 May 2018

12 May 2018

    The weather forecast for Saturday was pretty dire, with cool temperature, high winds and rain, so Kevin made the call on Friday that banding was cancelled for Saturday. This triggered a chain reaction leading Marg Paré to cancel the planned visit by Waterloo Region Nature Kids.

     As it turned out the weather was quite decent by mid morning and the event could have gone ahead. Kevin actually went out to SpruceHaven early and managed to open a couple of nets for a brief period, so the day was not a complete wipe out. The rest of us got to sleep in a little later.

All species banded 12 May: Red-winged Blackbird (3), Black-and-white Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (1), American Yellow Warbler (1). Total: 4 species, 6 birds.

13 May 2018

     I was up and out of the house in time to get to SpruceHaven by 06h:00; Kevin was already there and was making the rounds to unfurl the nets. Heather and Daina arrived shortly afterwards.
     On our first round of the nets we captured a male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), our first capture of the year for this species.

    We also retrieved a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), already banded, and in fact before the morning was out we had recaptured three individuals of this species banded at SpruceHaven in previous years as hatch year birds.

Details are as follows.

Band No. 278071727  Originally banded 16 August 2017
Band No. 278071701  Originally banded 15 October 2016
Band No. 278071677  Originally banded 02 October 2016

     It is exciting to recapture these birds and to know that they have remained at SpruceHaven but we are anxious for the day when one of our birds will be recovered elsewhere to yield information about its migratory journey, or to the equally exciting prospect of capturing a bird at SpruceHaven banded elsewhere.
     Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) seemed to be everywhere and were very vocal so it was not surprising that we caught both a male and a female. I thought I had photographed both sexes, but I only have this shot of the male.

     On the way around the nets an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) flew out of a fir tree revealing a nest with three eggs.

     Birds' eggs are surely among the most lovely of nature's jewels.
     
     House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) are feisty little birds and we know that at least one pair is nesting in the woodlot. Two individuals were retrieved from our nets.

      A Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) was our first of the year.

  
     Last week we captured a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and I mentioned at the time that the banders are careful to keep their fingers out of the way of the crushing beak of this species. Neither Kevin nor Heather were quite vigilant enough with this male which left each of them with a sore spot. In Kevin's case the bird actually drew blood.
     When Heather held the bird for a photograph she was more careful and the bird attacked the band newly installed on its leg.

       After we closed the nets I took Anita Smith, Conservation Director of Waterloo Region Nature, on a tour of the property, but failed to take her picture, unfortunately. In any event, she thoroughly enjoyed getting to know SpruceHaven, and generously committed her husband, Mike, to building six new chickadee nest boxes for us! Thank you, Anita. We will look forward to seeing you often.

All species banded 13 May: House Wren (2), American Robin (1), American Goldfinch (8), Nashville Warbler (1), American Redstart (1), American Yellow Warbler (1), Baltimore Oriole (2), Red-winged Blackbird (3), Song Sparrow (3), Savannah Sparrow (1), Northern Cardinal (1) Total: 11 species, 24 birds.

   

Tuesday Rambles with David - A Visit to a Century Farm

08 May 2018

     Century Farm is a designation applied by the Province of Ontario to a farm that has been in the same family for one hundred years or more, and a plaque of commemoration is installed accordingly. We are very fortunate indeed to have friends who are owners of such a property and who permit us unfettered access to study and enjoy a memorable suite of grassland birds.

     One of the most visible species is the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), which is seen swooping and gliding in its pursuit of aerial insects from the moment one drives onto the property.

     When it comes to rest this species is quite confiding and permits a close approach.

     Our first Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) of the year was spotted on the farm, albeit at a distance.

     Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is one of the classic birds of unspoiled grassland to breed at this location and even though we saw several they were never close enough or clear enough for a photograph. 

     The other bird so closely associated with this habitat and with this farm is the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and we had been informed that this species had just returned from South America only two days earlier. Experienced males return first to establish territories and attract several females when they arrive about a week later, this species being highly polygamous. The males, as expected were competing for possession of premium sites.

     Here are four in the same tree.

     Bobolink is a very interesting bird, spending its entire life on the grasslands of the Americas. When it returns from the southern Pampas of Argentina to breed here, the musical trill of the male is quite magical as it floats gracefully over the landscape.

     We were first alerted to the presence of a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) by its typical song with repeated couplets and this individual was captured flying in.

     We saw at least two individuals - beautiful birds they are and also emblematic of unspoiled grassland.

     The joy of an encounter with Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is never diminished by its familiarity.

     It could not be said that Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) is "familiar" but I know of no better place to find this elusive species with its buzzy, insect-like song, than on this property.

     Lots of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) patrolled the skies looking for carrion, in the meantime enjoying the strong thermals permitting them to soar at will.

     It is always a pleasure to visit the farm and we will never cease to appreciate the privilege. I have another friend who is anxious to see a Bobolink - just guess where I will be taking her!

All species seen: Canada Goose, Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, American Crow, Northern Raven, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Common Starling, American Robin, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. Total: 28

Woodlot at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

09 May 2018

     For four years now I have been conducting a weekly avian survey, spring and fall, in the woodlot on the campus of the University of Waterloo, for Michael Drescher, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, School of Planning. It has been a distinct pleasure to do this, and Michael has been superb to work with.

     In addition to information on the birds encountered, I have always made Michael aware of other taxa observed, and this morning, for the first time ever, I came across an adult Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) with four kits. They were seen on the bank of Laurel Creek, which flows through the woodlot. For the most part they were heavily concealed by Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and other vegetation, and the photographs are not terrific, but the following shot shows the four kits.

     This picture shows the adult (presumably the female), again not especially clear, but definitive nonetheless.

     Another shot of the adult in Red Osier Dogwood......

     I expected to see high drama for a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was sitting on eggs very close to the foxes. In the second picture you can see just how close.

     I am not sure whether the foxes had not noticed the goose but they made no attempt to drive her from the nest in order to secure a nutritious feast of goose eggs. The goose got up from the nest, quite calmly, covered the eggs and left. Once the eggs were hidden beneath a layer of dried grasses the nest appeared to be nothing more than a pile of dead vegetation.

     One youngster, a little bolder than the others, or perhaps more foolhardy, came out into the open.

     A call from its mother caused it to leave in short order.

     It is around twenty years since I last saw a family of foxes and this morning's experience was quite magical for me. It is good to see this wily creature surviving in this way in the heart of a city; judging from the condition of the young they are feeding well.

    I located several other nests of Canada Goose, including this one.

    The female held tight on the nest while the male postured, hissed and honked at me, but I think we finally parted good friends!

    A male Hairy Woodpecker (Leuonotopicus villosus) foraged for a good while on fallen trees enabling a series of fairly decent pictures.

     In the next picture you can see the divided red patch on the male, one of the characters that separates this species from the similar, but smaller Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens).

     This individual appeared to be enjoying good feeding and remained in view for several minutes.

     I observed several Grey Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) and this one even stayed in one place long enough to have its picture taken.

     As I made my way back to the parking lot I saw the first family of Canada Geese for the year. The parents are quick to move their goslings onto the lawns where the living is easy!

     Before we know it they will be all grown up.