Francine requests, we deliver.

22 May 2018

Pinery Provincial Park,

Lambton Shores, ON

     Francine, for some time, has been asking that we take a trip somewhere that she can see Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), the latest bird of her dreams. We had initially planned to go to Rondeau Provincial Park last week, but we got rained out, and there was quite serious flooding in the park in any event.

     So we opted for Pinery Provincial Park where this species, along with a couple of other regionally significant species, is known to breed.

     Mary is away in Europe on a cycling trip, but Judy came over just before 07h:00 and we set off from home. Franc and Carol picked up Jim and Francine and they left around the same time. 

     We met just past the park entrance. It was cool but not unpleasant; a tad cloudy, but with light still adequate for photographs. We started our day at the Visitor Centre where most of us took advantage of the washrooms, and checked out the birds at the well-stocked feeders and in the surrounding woodland.
     A Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) announced its presence by continually repeating its rising "whee-eep" call, a sound we would hear oft repeated during our day in the park.

     A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) was defending a territory and yielded to no one.

     It gave us all pause to contemplate the epic journey this tiny gem weighing a mere 3 grams has made from Central America to breed here in Ontario. According to The Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 5 there are 328 species of hummingbirds, all in the Americas, and this is the only species we regularly see in Ontario. How fortunate we are to spend our summer with this jewel.
     Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is not an uncommon species, but due to its habit of skulking in dense undergrowth and coming into the open for brief forays only, it is not a bird I see often. The Pinery seems to be the best place of all to see this species and a couple were active at the feeders.

     Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) were common there too, feeding on the ground underneath the feeders, and squabbling with each other as birds are wont to do.

     A male and female American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) obligingly perched together on the same feeder. 

     A Brown-headed Cowbird (Moluthrus ater) came to get its share of the bounty.

     Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) is a delicately plumaged emberizid, often partly hidden when observed, so it was delightful to see one in the open at the feeders.

     This was not to be our final encounter with this species and you will see the remarkable sequence that Franc captured a little later on.
     Judy had checked with one of her contacts who knows Pinery Provincial Park well and was informed that at least three breeding pairs of Red-headed Woodpeckers are known from The Heritage Trail, so we made that area the focus of our efforts.

     The open Oak Savannah woodland, characteristic of this area along the  southern shore of Lake Huron, is a very pleasant area to explore.

     Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) was there to be enjoyed.

     Poison Ivy to be avoided!

     Great Crested Flycatchers were hardly ever out of earshot and several were  in clear view. 

     Francine is blessed with an "enthusiasm gene" and part of this trait manifests itself in her penchant to have a conversation with the birds, so she was often heard to say, "Good morning Mr. Great Crested," or other similar expressions of affectionate salutation. I have no doubt that the birds appreciated it.
     Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is not a common bird in Ontario, but The Pinery harbours a robust breeding population and we saw it frequently. I don't think any of us quite appreciated the amazing range of vocalizations of this species. I certainly didn't.

     We were getting towards the end of the trail and it was approaching lunch time, when I spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker fly into a tree, its white wing patches a veritable semaphore, but I lost it in the foliage. Within minutes, however, it flew to another tree and perched briefly in the open. Miriam got her binoculars on it, but unfortunately no one else did. Francine was disappointed, but bravely said, "I'm glad that you got to see it," and we left to find a picnic table where we could eat the copious quantities of food and drink we had all brought from home.
     A discussion ensued as to where we should go to next and it didn't take long to arrive at a consensus that we should give The Heritage Trail another try. It had been very active in the morning and we felt that this was the trail for the woodpecker.
     Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) were quite common and Franc got great shots of both an adult male and a first summer male.

          A Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) was a lifer for many of our group.

     Suddenly, a Red-headed Woodpecker was there right in front of our eyes, It moved, perched, flew to a nearby branch, its white wings flashing, perched again and nodded a greeting to Francine. 

     She replied effusively as befits such a momentous event, accompanied by a little victory dance I believe, and hugs all round. Before the day was out we would have two more sightings so her rapture was magnified.
     We did not really expect to see Field Sparrows in the forest, but there they were. It became obvious very quickly that they were a pair and ardour was the order of the day for them. Franc captured this remarkable copulatory sequence.

     In the final shot as the male is released from his ecstasy you can even see the cloaca. Were I a smoker, I would have lit my cigarette slowly and inhaled deeply in celebration of this tryst.
     Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) was seen several times.

     The incessant song of the Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) was a constant background sound and there were many individuals present in the woodland.

     Judy and Miriam were having an invigorating conversation about the songs of various species, their similarities and differences, and I am sure they both learned a good deal, and reinforced their earlier knowledge of the song and calls of familiar birds.
     A Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) is always a delight.

     As is a Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata).

     Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a hardy bird and is generally the first tyrant flycatcher to arrive from the south, but I had not seen one earlier this year.

     I mentioned earlier that I was surprised to see Field Sparrows in the woods and I was equally surprised to find this male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) in this habitat.

     Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoenecius) are especially fond of marshes but can be found in many other vegetational zones too - witness this female.

     It was time to leave and we decided to make one last stop at the Visitor Centre. On the way we spotted a half dozen Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and Miriam managed this quick shot as they scurried off into the undergrowth.

     We needed a bathroom stop before leaving the park and I visited the bookstore where I bought a copy of Tim Birkhead's latest opus, The Most Perfect Thing - Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg. Great book! If you don't have a copy rush out and get one.
     We hugged each other as we always do, well satisfied with a "walk in the park" and left for the hour and a half (or thereabouts) drive home. I am sure that Francine was wracking her brain the whole way to think of the next bird she wants to order up!

All species 22 May: Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Grey Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal.  Total: 42

Bird Banding at SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON Episode No. 3

20 May 2018

     The weather has not been kind to us this weekend and our banding activity has been fairly dismal. Yesterday, without checking the weather, I went outside a little after 05h:30 only to find it raining, so I went back into the house.

     This morning I was a little later getting going having spent a wonderful evening with Francine and Jim and Franc and Carol and getting to bed later than normal. At least it was not raining.

     When I arrived at SpruceHaven Kevin, Heather and Daina were already there, having completed the first round of the nets in fact. My friend Khurram Janjua was also there with his young son Zacariya who is passionate about birds; their first visit to SpruceHaven and their first experience at a banding operation.

     It was wet underfoot, with cloudy conditions and a little cool, but we had high hopes for a series of migrant species. And we were not disappointed in the variety of species, but the numbers were low.

     We were excited to capture a Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata), a species only trapped previously in the fall. 

     It is a constant source of amazement to me that so many birds are black-and-white yet they are all distinctive in so many ways, and this species is handsome indeed, and its autumn migration is the stuff of legend.

     Flycatchers are moving north to their breeding territories and we were very pleased to capture this Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus).

     Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) and Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) are indistinguishable in the field unless they are singing. In fact they were formerly considered to be one species, Traill's Flycatcher. Even in the hand, other than for a very narrow range where the wing length differentiates one species from the other, it is well nigh impossible for a bander to establish the species with confidence. Thus, most birds are still recorded as Traill's Flycatcher - and this is the procedure we followed for this bird.

     Most warblers have now migrated north, but as evidence that a few are still moving through here we captured this female Blackburnian Warbler (Setphaga fusca). 

     We hope that she will find a mate and produce a fine clutch of healthy youngsters to journey to their home in South America.

     Judy Wyatt came out to help and Daina brought her boyfriend, Rob, a splendid young man, and very agreeable company. Daina also has a friend visiting from Copenhagen and she and her significant other also paid us a visit. It was a highly sociable morning and as always it was good to share our banding experience with others.

     I will leave you with this picture of Heather, our dedicated volunteer, who contributes so much to our success, and who delights me every time I see her.

     I had intended to take a picture of Daina too, our other biologist par excellence, but I neglected to do so, so here is a picture from my files.

     I cannot emphasize too much what these young women have meant to us, and how much they have contributed to the success of SpruceHaven banding and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) monitoring. 

     And they are truly delightful to be around. I must confess that as I get older I am ever more aware that we need to pass the torch onto younger generations. In Daina and Heather we are handing off to the very finest. It is a happy experience in every way for me to be associated with them.

     Thank you Heather and Daina!

All species banded 20 May:  Traill's Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Grey Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, American Yellow Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, White-crowned Sparrow.  Total: 9 species, 9 birds.

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