March 19th, 23rd & 26th 2024
| LOCATION: around North Dumfries | WEATHER: Generally sunny |
With a little bit of sunshine had an increase in the arrival of the earlier migrants. Robins were in abundance - generally common, but nice to see then around. The other species that has arrived in force is the Song Sparrow .. it seems every back road has at least one every couple of hundred metres or so. Females of both the Red-winged Blackbird and the Brown-headed Cowbird are very few and far between, but I did se one of each over the last few days.
March 13th, 14th & 15th 2024
| LOCATION: Grass Lake & North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mix of sun & cloud, but mild |
I spent these three days doing generally the same drive around some of my favorite spots in North Dumfries. Spring migration is making a little bit of headway, but still many of the winter residents still around too.
Tip of the Day: Among the first groups of birds to move north are waterfowl: ducks, geese, and swans may begin migrating as soon as frozen lakes and marshes start to thaw. Even in the northern areas flocks of waterfowl may arrive in early March. Also on the move this early are some species that migrate mostly within North America, spending the winter as far north as they can. They include killdeer and red-winged blackbirds.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
March 12th 2024
| LOCATION: Around Mountsberg | WEATHER: Mild with some sun |
I hadn't explored much of this area in the past, but after taking a look through Google Maps, the habitat looked interesting soo .. off we go!! Highlights were the Nuthatch and the Brown Creeper, but other than those two there wasn't too much - I might be tempted to try again when spring is into gear a bit more... the habitat looked good!!
March 11th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (Grass Lake) | WEATHER: Spring like |
Nice to see some new faces in the area ... This Killdeer was quite cooperative and gave me a couple of decent views. I could hear a few Eastern Meadowlarks, but they kept their heads down, unfortunately.
March 8th 2024
| LOCATION: Huron County | WEATHER: Mix of sun and cloud. mild |
On impulse ( I awoke real early) I headed up to the Lake Huron coast area. My initial target was for anything that might be at Ripley Sewage Lagoons, but it was quite dry of anything to shoot, although I could hear a Few Eastern Meadowlarks. Unfortunately they kept their heads down. After there I drifted along some back roads down towards Goderich (needed a coffee, and not too many Tims in this area), then headed to a favorite spot in this area .. Hullett Wildlife Area near Clinton
March 5th & 7th 2024
| LOCATION: Back roads around North Dumfries | WEATHER: Sun and a little cloud .. and continuing mild |
It was a pleasant morning, with a few pockets of activity.
March 3rd 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mild, but dull |
Later !!
March 2nd 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (again) | WEATHER: Milder, but cloudy, damp and misty |
As the days generally get a tad warmer, we are beginning to see more and more migrants heading into our area. Over the last few days it has been Robins, Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds, but today I was delighted to see a few Song Sparrows as well.
I came across a Sandhill Crane pair, where the male was actively trying to get his female partner into the spring mood. In the image below he was picking up grass stalks and tossing them in the air in an attempt to impress his female partner
I came across a Sandhill Crane pair, where the male was actively trying to get his female partner into the spring mood. In the image below he was picking up grass stalks and tossing them in the air in an attempt to impress his female partner
March 1st 2024
| LOCATION: Guelph Line area | WEATHER: Sunny, but still cool |
It had been a while since I drove some of the back roads off Guelph Line, but this morning, on my way to a meeting in Mississauga , I though I would check it out ... it was pretty good and I made a mental note to head back in the coming days for a longer forage !!
Tip of the Day: Shooting from your vehicle in winter: In the cold days of winter heat waves escape from the interior of the car, and will for the most part have a negative affect on the clarity and focussing of your images, resulting in softer or unsharp images, so whenever possible avoid taking the comfortable option (ie shooting from the vehicle) and get out there!!
