March 29th 2016
I was prompted to commenting, on the sometimes hypocritical approach by other birder photographers, the subject of ethics. My commentary can be found here. It's a WIP so it's a little rough around the edges, so my apologies in advance.
March 27th 2016
Weather: A cool +2C up to a spring like 17C
Location: Cambridge & Kitchener
Today was another of the Bird ID Group ramblings in search of birds and photo opportunities. The outing today was centred in and around Kitchener & Cambridge. I joined the group for about 50% of their itenary and as always it was a lot of fun. Some of the spots we visited were Riverbluffs Park, Rare Property (both riverside & quarry areas), Steckle Woods, Homer Watson Park, Riverside Park & Valens Road. Generally, as you would expect for this time of year, birds of note were few & far between. However ... highlights were Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet & Eastern Meadowlark. Another few weeks and I'm sure sightings will escalate. I didn't carry a camera today so no images to show. After getting home I noticed that a posting of the Grand River bridge Ospreys was published, including images of the pair collecting twigs to rebuild their nest ...
Location: Cambridge & Kitchener
Today was another of the Bird ID Group ramblings in search of birds and photo opportunities. The outing today was centred in and around Kitchener & Cambridge. I joined the group for about 50% of their itenary and as always it was a lot of fun. Some of the spots we visited were Riverbluffs Park, Rare Property (both riverside & quarry areas), Steckle Woods, Homer Watson Park, Riverside Park & Valens Road. Generally, as you would expect for this time of year, birds of note were few & far between. However ... highlights were Eastern Phoebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet & Eastern Meadowlark. Another few weeks and I'm sure sightings will escalate. I didn't carry a camera today so no images to show. After getting home I noticed that a posting of the Grand River bridge Ospreys was published, including images of the pair collecting twigs to rebuild their nest ...
March 26th 2016
Weather: A chilly -2C up to (I think) 7C
Location: Stoney Creek to Burlington
A fine morning forecast - still a tad early for spring birds, but we headed down to 10th Line in Stoney Creek. On arrival we, almost immediately, saw (2) Northern Mockingbirds, Eastern Meadowlark and a few Song Sparrows. After a quick break we headed back to find same birds but also a Northern Shrike. The Peregrine Falcon showed up on his usual perch. for a short time. After 10th we headed to 5th Line and managed to spot several Wilson's Snipe as they flew over and landed in a muddy cornfield. Their camoflage is very effective - and even though we knew almost exactly where one landed we couldn't spot it with bins, even after 10 mins of scanning. We did however meet birders a little later who with the aid of a scope, point out one of the birds. Along 5th we also spotted a Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted KIngfiisher and a few Song Sparrows. On a lead from a fellow group member we headed to a spot in North Burlington to look for some Eastern Bluebirds that had been spotted there. With 10 mins I spotted a female feeding on some Sumac, and although we did not get any shots of this bird we did see and photograph a male on a close-by Sumac. Not a bad day ..
Location: Stoney Creek to Burlington
A fine morning forecast - still a tad early for spring birds, but we headed down to 10th Line in Stoney Creek. On arrival we, almost immediately, saw (2) Northern Mockingbirds, Eastern Meadowlark and a few Song Sparrows. After a quick break we headed back to find same birds but also a Northern Shrike. The Peregrine Falcon showed up on his usual perch. for a short time. After 10th we headed to 5th Line and managed to spot several Wilson's Snipe as they flew over and landed in a muddy cornfield. Their camoflage is very effective - and even though we knew almost exactly where one landed we couldn't spot it with bins, even after 10 mins of scanning. We did however meet birders a little later who with the aid of a scope, point out one of the birds. Along 5th we also spotted a Golden-crowned Kinglet, Belted KIngfiisher and a few Song Sparrows. On a lead from a fellow group member we headed to a spot in North Burlington to look for some Eastern Bluebirds that had been spotted there. With 10 mins I spotted a female feeding on some Sumac, and although we did not get any shots of this bird we did see and photograph a male on a close-by Sumac. Not a bad day ..
March 22nd 2016
White-throated Sparrow Weather: A chilly -4C
Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge
A member of our birding group (Rob) posted a few pics of a Brown Thrasher at Riverside Park yesterday the 21st, so I made a couple of 1 hour visits through the day to see if this early visitor was still around. Unfortunately, he (or she) didn't show his face, at least not while I was there. Between waits I snapped a few of the resident birds that people come to feed at this very popular location.
Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge
A member of our birding group (Rob) posted a few pics of a Brown Thrasher at Riverside Park yesterday the 21st, so I made a couple of 1 hour visits through the day to see if this early visitor was still around. Unfortunately, he (or she) didn't show his face, at least not while I was there. Between waits I snapped a few of the resident birds that people come to feed at this very popular location.
March 20th 2016
Gyrfalcon kDate: Sun 20th March 2016
Weather: Cool -2C rising to +7C
Location: Warwick & Grand Bend
On the trail of a lifer, we headed to Warwick, near Sarnia. The bird in question is the widely reported Gyrfalcon, that after a half hour of searching & scouring the trees along the roadside etc, we came across said falcon in a tree at the end of Brick Line Road. The Gyrfalcon was exceptionally calm and for the most part of the time we viewed the bird (about 15mins) it had its eyes closed, but we did manage to get a couple of shots with the eyes half open. Shots were all taken at some distance from the bird, as always we try to disrupt the bird, as little as possible. Before leaving the area we checked out The Pinery, and initially headed to the Visitor Centre to check out the feeders. As it it turned out we didn't progress beyond the Centre, as it was quite active with Siskins & Titmice etc.
Weather: Cool -2C rising to +7C
Location: Warwick & Grand Bend
On the trail of a lifer, we headed to Warwick, near Sarnia. The bird in question is the widely reported Gyrfalcon, that after a half hour of searching & scouring the trees along the roadside etc, we came across said falcon in a tree at the end of Brick Line Road. The Gyrfalcon was exceptionally calm and for the most part of the time we viewed the bird (about 15mins) it had its eyes closed, but we did manage to get a couple of shots with the eyes half open. Shots were all taken at some distance from the bird, as always we try to disrupt the bird, as little as possible. Before leaving the area we checked out The Pinery, and initially headed to the Visitor Centre to check out the feeders. As it it turned out we didn't progress beyond the Centre, as it was quite active with Siskins & Titmice etc.
March 19th 2016
Date: Sat 19th March 2016
Weather: Chilly -5C
Location: Stoney Creek
Reports for the 10th Line on the mountain above Stoney Creek were encouraging so this became the primary destination for this blue skied, but chilly morning. On arrival I spotted (3) Northern Harriers circling some way off (too far for a decent pic). Two of the Harriers seem to be in what I suspect was some kind of mating ritual as they circled together (very tight together, up and down. A Peregrine Falcon was on one of his common perches near the quarry. Other visuals included (2) Eastern Meadowlarks, (1) Northern Shrike, (1) Northern Mockingbird, (3) Kildeer, (10) Song Sparrows (singing up a storm), (10) Red-winged Blackbirds.
Weather: Chilly -5C
Location: Stoney Creek
Reports for the 10th Line on the mountain above Stoney Creek were encouraging so this became the primary destination for this blue skied, but chilly morning. On arrival I spotted (3) Northern Harriers circling some way off (too far for a decent pic). Two of the Harriers seem to be in what I suspect was some kind of mating ritual as they circled together (very tight together, up and down. A Peregrine Falcon was on one of his common perches near the quarry. Other visuals included (2) Eastern Meadowlarks, (1) Northern Shrike, (1) Northern Mockingbird, (3) Kildeer, (10) Song Sparrows (singing up a storm), (10) Red-winged Blackbirds.
March 15th 2016
Tue 15th & Wed 16th 2016
Weather: Chilly +2C
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Since I have retired I've taken on the occasional mini-project. From the the 10th - 16th March I was on one of these projects, which took place in Winnipeg (often known locally as Winterpeg, for obvious reasons). The project was supposed to be complete by 14th, which then gave me two days to go birding, but unfortunately things ran over, so I only managed 2 hours on the Tuesday, and 5 hours on the Wednesday before my flight. :(
Anyways, late in the day Tuesday I headed north of Winnipeg and was initially amazed that there were almost zero birds around, other than a few scattered Canada Geese in the waterlogged fields. I headed into a forested area and was delighted to see a few birds albiet, sparodically. At the drivedway of a house I came across my first group of Black-billed Magpies, but because of the very poor light the images I managed are of equal poor quality (I used a 5D2 and 100-400). A Bald Eagle was next and after that a few Chickadees, before the light failed. Next morning, on the advice of a local I headed to, in yet again in attrociously bad light, Fort Whyte on the SW side of the city. Fort Whyte is a recreational complex more than a nature habitat, but they put out a few feeders which has the effect of attracting a few birds, but not many!! I did however come across a small flock of Common Redpolls, (1) White-breasted Nuthatch, (10) Chickadees, (1) Downy Woodpecker and a pile of Canada Geese sitting on the ice of the frozen ponds. Fort Whyte has an indoor nature centre that houses a good display of stuffed Canadian Wildlife and an indoor prairie enclosure complete with Burrowing Owls & Prairie Dogs ...
Weather: Chilly +2C
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Since I have retired I've taken on the occasional mini-project. From the the 10th - 16th March I was on one of these projects, which took place in Winnipeg (often known locally as Winterpeg, for obvious reasons). The project was supposed to be complete by 14th, which then gave me two days to go birding, but unfortunately things ran over, so I only managed 2 hours on the Tuesday, and 5 hours on the Wednesday before my flight. :(
Anyways, late in the day Tuesday I headed north of Winnipeg and was initially amazed that there were almost zero birds around, other than a few scattered Canada Geese in the waterlogged fields. I headed into a forested area and was delighted to see a few birds albiet, sparodically. At the drivedway of a house I came across my first group of Black-billed Magpies, but because of the very poor light the images I managed are of equal poor quality (I used a 5D2 and 100-400). A Bald Eagle was next and after that a few Chickadees, before the light failed. Next morning, on the advice of a local I headed to, in yet again in attrociously bad light, Fort Whyte on the SW side of the city. Fort Whyte is a recreational complex more than a nature habitat, but they put out a few feeders which has the effect of attracting a few birds, but not many!! I did however come across a small flock of Common Redpolls, (1) White-breasted Nuthatch, (10) Chickadees, (1) Downy Woodpecker and a pile of Canada Geese sitting on the ice of the frozen ponds. Fort Whyte has an indoor nature centre that houses a good display of stuffed Canadian Wildlife and an indoor prairie enclosure complete with Burrowing Owls & Prairie Dogs ...
March 8th 2016
Tuesday 8th March 2016
Weather: Warm & pleasant +8C
Location: Hamilton & area
I have read recently (and in the past) about a spot I had never really tried, so today seemed as good a day as any to take a walk through McMaster Forest. The trail was ultra muddy, and after about 200M and with no sign of anything, I decided to cut my losses and head elsewhere, with the thought that I would return during drier conditions. Next location on my mental list was 10th line in Stoney Creek. I spent the next couple of hours cruising and waiting and was rewarded with long distance sightings of a Northern Mockingbird, a Northern Shrike (same bird several times) and a delightfully surprising Eastern Meadowlark. A Red-tailed Hawk was present along the roadside, and I watched him (at a distance) for some time. On one occasion he (or she) dropped down and flew of with breakfast, but I couldn't make out what this meal was, but I suspect it was a tree sparrow, as there was a few along the hedgerow close by. During the hawk's absence a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds (about 10 or so) landed in the same tree the hawk had been in. A few minutes later the hawk returned to the same perch in the same tree ... Funnilly enough not a bird moved from the tree even the birds that were only a couple of feet from the RTH. Lots of high level flyby's of Tundra Swans as they make their return journey north. Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere today, staking out their territory from their long grass perches, and singing up a storm - Spring, as they say, is in the air. I have added a couple of very bad record shots of todays birds.
Weather: Warm & pleasant +8C
Location: Hamilton & area
I have read recently (and in the past) about a spot I had never really tried, so today seemed as good a day as any to take a walk through McMaster Forest. The trail was ultra muddy, and after about 200M and with no sign of anything, I decided to cut my losses and head elsewhere, with the thought that I would return during drier conditions. Next location on my mental list was 10th line in Stoney Creek. I spent the next couple of hours cruising and waiting and was rewarded with long distance sightings of a Northern Mockingbird, a Northern Shrike (same bird several times) and a delightfully surprising Eastern Meadowlark. A Red-tailed Hawk was present along the roadside, and I watched him (at a distance) for some time. On one occasion he (or she) dropped down and flew of with breakfast, but I couldn't make out what this meal was, but I suspect it was a tree sparrow, as there was a few along the hedgerow close by. During the hawk's absence a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds (about 10 or so) landed in the same tree the hawk had been in. A few minutes later the hawk returned to the same perch in the same tree ... Funnilly enough not a bird moved from the tree even the birds that were only a couple of feet from the RTH. Lots of high level flyby's of Tundra Swans as they make their return journey north. Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere today, staking out their territory from their long grass perches, and singing up a storm - Spring, as they say, is in the air. I have added a couple of very bad record shots of todays birds.
March 4th, 5th & 6th 2016
Saturday 5th March 2016
Weather: cool to start (-5C) but warmed up to close to 0C
Went out with the Bird ID group to check out the Lakeshore from Etobicoke to Hamilton Lift Bridge .. mainly looking for ducks and the like. Started off a bit slow at Humber Bay, with no sightings of note. At one point we ended up at Oakville Yacht Club, where we were able to get some good views of Long-tailed Ducks, Hooded Merganser, Goldeneyes, Greater Scaup and a few Buffleheads. A stop at Sedgewick was pretty good with sightings of Palm and Yellow-rumped Warbler, as well as (2) Carolina Wrens. I counted about a dozen American Robins and a mixed bag of the usual winter species. Our final stop with the froup was at Hamilton Lift Bridge. The resident Northern Mockingbird cooperated nicely and we were all able to get some decent pics of this quasi-unlikely species. The gallery immediatly below is images from the group outing.
Weather: cool to start (-5C) but warmed up to close to 0C
Went out with the Bird ID group to check out the Lakeshore from Etobicoke to Hamilton Lift Bridge .. mainly looking for ducks and the like. Started off a bit slow at Humber Bay, with no sightings of note. At one point we ended up at Oakville Yacht Club, where we were able to get some good views of Long-tailed Ducks, Hooded Merganser, Goldeneyes, Greater Scaup and a few Buffleheads. A stop at Sedgewick was pretty good with sightings of Palm and Yellow-rumped Warbler, as well as (2) Carolina Wrens. I counted about a dozen American Robins and a mixed bag of the usual winter species. Our final stop with the froup was at Hamilton Lift Bridge. The resident Northern Mockingbird cooperated nicely and we were all able to get some decent pics of this quasi-unlikely species. The gallery immediatly below is images from the group outing.
... images from the 4th at Horner Creek Floodplain, near Drumbo, on the 4th
.. and a couple from the 6th, from my cruise along the back roads near Bright.
