April 30th 2016
Location: Tilts Bush, Kitchener
Weather: Bright, but cool start, but warmed up quickly.
Weather: Bright, but cool start, but warmed up quickly.
Well that's another month pretty much gone, and it wasn't a terrible month for sightings. Next entries will be for May and that, I'm pretty sure, will improve the quality of the sightings immensly, as the migrants start to filter through this area. Today I was fortunate to see a FOY warbler - a Black & White Warbler, as well as another PIne Warbler. I had hoped for an early Yellow Warbler and possibly a Palm Warbler, but I should be gratefull for the sightings I did get. As well as the two warbler species I also saw several Hermit Thrushes and a few Swamp Sparrows. All the shots were taken at Tilts Bush in Kitchener ..... I also bumped into a birding aquaintance (Jamie) and so we had a good discussion on birding places to go - Thanks Jamie :)
April 28th & 29th 2016
Location: (28th): Kitchener Tilts Bush - Weather dry but cool
Location: (29th) Stoney Creek 5th, 8th & 10th Line - Weather dry but cool
Location: (29th) Stoney Creek 5th, 8th & 10th Line - Weather dry but cool
Northern Waterthrush I had some surgery last Friday that left me pretty sore, and was therefore unable to get out until the 28th. I didn't feel like driving too far so headed to Tilts Bush, a hidden Gem, located in the Pioneer Park area of Kitchener, a mile or so from my house (a nice change to driving all over the province, which has been the norm lately). Tilts Bush consists of a rickety boardwalk that winds down to the creek and is, in the spring & summer, a great place to find birds. Today there were a half dozen or so Hermit Thrushes, a couple of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a dozen or Cedar Waxwings, a single Brown Thrasher that didn't want to be photographed ;) several Swamp Sparrows and a single Northern Waterthrush (today's highlight) which gave me a 10 second look at him and a couple of mediocre record shots.
Northern Flicker Today Friday the 29th, my friend Steve & I headed down to Stoney Creek to check for shorebirds in the flooded fields along the side roads mentioned above. We arrived 7:30 or so and almost immediately we spotted approx 4 Wilson's Snipe fairly close to the road, but they took off before I could get a shot (Steve managed a few though). Around the same time we saw several Kildeer, and a few Lesser Yellowlegs. Unfortunately Steve had a work shift around noon, so we headed back to KW. I dropped Steve off and on the way home I went into Lakeside Park (Steve had showed me a good spot in the park earlier) and I was able to get a few shots of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet that foraged in the low trees along the creek. A Northern Flicker dropped by for a few minutes as well and so I was able to grab a few fairly distant shots of this beauty, as well - not a terrible day :)
April 20th 2016
Eastern Towhee Location: Long Point & Area
Weather: Sunny, cool ( +3 rising to +18C)
I had such a good day at Long Point on Saturday that it seemed to be worth repeating. Steve was on vacation today so he & I headed down early, but boy had things cooled off (both temperature & birding). We started at Old Cut, but also visited Port Rowan Wetlands & Bird Studies HQ, and on the way back some back road exploration. Unlike the earlier trip there were almost no Kinglets or Creepers around. The Hermit Thrush quantity had also dropped significantly as well. However we did see Towhees, Brown Thrasher, Ruby & Golden KInglets, (1) Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, lots of Tree Swallows, a couple of Barn Swallows and a few Eastern Phoebes. Out in the marsh we could hear the occasional rumble of the Amrican Bittern (a strange sound indeed - almost that sound you hear when making wine - the bloop sound as the gas escapes through the air lock)......
Weather: Sunny, cool ( +3 rising to +18C)
I had such a good day at Long Point on Saturday that it seemed to be worth repeating. Steve was on vacation today so he & I headed down early, but boy had things cooled off (both temperature & birding). We started at Old Cut, but also visited Port Rowan Wetlands & Bird Studies HQ, and on the way back some back road exploration. Unlike the earlier trip there were almost no Kinglets or Creepers around. The Hermit Thrush quantity had also dropped significantly as well. However we did see Towhees, Brown Thrasher, Ruby & Golden KInglets, (1) Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, lots of Tree Swallows, a couple of Barn Swallows and a few Eastern Phoebes. Out in the marsh we could hear the occasional rumble of the Amrican Bittern (a strange sound indeed - almost that sound you hear when making wine - the bloop sound as the gas escapes through the air lock)......
April 18th 2016
Pine Warbler - "breakfast" bug Location: Oakville & Hamilton
Weather: Sunny, pleasant & warm
I wanted to go back to Sedgewick in Oakville after the great day we had on Friday. I arrived around 8:00 but unlike last week the park was almost devoid af any birds - a few Chickadees and a single Pine Warbler ... looks like they have moved on as part of the migration process, I suppose. From here I headed to Valley Inn - another spot that was enterataining on Friday. The prediminent bird at the pond was a small group of Caspian Terns that were actively feeding in the middle of both ponds (Unfortunately I never saw a fish taken - next time down I will spend a bit more time trying to get this kind of shot. Before heading home, I walked the trail and like Sedgewick it was painfully quiet, but did watch a Great-blue Heron for some time as he foraged along the edge of the Creek.
Weather: Sunny, pleasant & warm
I wanted to go back to Sedgewick in Oakville after the great day we had on Friday. I arrived around 8:00 but unlike last week the park was almost devoid af any birds - a few Chickadees and a single Pine Warbler ... looks like they have moved on as part of the migration process, I suppose. From here I headed to Valley Inn - another spot that was enterataining on Friday. The prediminent bird at the pond was a small group of Caspian Terns that were actively feeding in the middle of both ponds (Unfortunately I never saw a fish taken - next time down I will spend a bit more time trying to get this kind of shot. Before heading home, I walked the trail and like Sedgewick it was painfully quiet, but did watch a Great-blue Heron for some time as he foraged along the edge of the Creek.
April 16th 2016
Hermit Thrush Location: Long Point area
Weather: Sunny & warm (up to) 22C
Over the last few years it seems that, according to my notes, I have made a trip to Long Point on this weekend. Usually the trip was pretty good and today was no different with a ton of birds. Unfortunately a lot of them were higher in the trrees than I would have liked for photography, but some did cooperate in lower location. My first spot was Old Cut where the predominent birds were Hermit Thrushes, Kinglets (both types) and Brown Creepers. Other good sightings were Fox Sparrows, PIne Warblers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Winter Wrens & Eastern Towhees.
Next spot was the Wetlands in Port Rowan, but other than a ton of Tree Swallows, and a few distant ducks (some I didn't identify) including Buffleheads, it was not too productive.
Over to one of my favorite places in Port Rowan - Bird Studies HQ where as well as more Tree Swallows, there was lots of Ruby & Golden-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes. on the small pond there were a few Blue-winged Teal (a nice surprise) but they were a tad distant for decent shots. ... I did a few back roads as I wound my way home, but nothing of note.
Weather: Sunny & warm (up to) 22C
Over the last few years it seems that, according to my notes, I have made a trip to Long Point on this weekend. Usually the trip was pretty good and today was no different with a ton of birds. Unfortunately a lot of them were higher in the trrees than I would have liked for photography, but some did cooperate in lower location. My first spot was Old Cut where the predominent birds were Hermit Thrushes, Kinglets (both types) and Brown Creepers. Other good sightings were Fox Sparrows, PIne Warblers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Winter Wrens & Eastern Towhees.
Next spot was the Wetlands in Port Rowan, but other than a ton of Tree Swallows, and a few distant ducks (some I didn't identify) including Buffleheads, it was not too productive.
Over to one of my favorite places in Port Rowan - Bird Studies HQ where as well as more Tree Swallows, there was lots of Ruby & Golden-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes. on the small pond there were a few Blue-winged Teal (a nice surprise) but they were a tad distant for decent shots. ... I did a few back roads as I wound my way home, but nothing of note.
April 15th 2016
Locations: Sedgewick Park & Valley Inn
Weather: Cool start, but warmed up to 18C
With my long time photo buddy Steve, we headed out to Sedgewick Park in Oakville. Reports were out that a Pine Warbler was spotted there a day or two before ... things are looking up :) .
We arrived just after 8:00am and stayed until nearly 11:00 am and the place to ourselves in all that time (nice). Soon after we arrived we spotted a Pine Warbler, who cooperated quite well for a short time and so a lot of shutter clicking went on for the time he did (it did look like an adult male). Thereafter we had a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers and several Kinglets (both Golden & Ruby-crowned) entertain us for the next couple of hours. We also spotted Hermit Thrush, Winter Wrens & Brown Creepers during this time.
From Sedgewick we headed to Valley Inn. Valley Inn is often a location that produces some interesting birds, and today's specials were a very cooperative Osprey who made repaeted dives into the pond in front of us, a Caspian Tern that swung past our location a few times and a Double-crested Cormorant that had a monster fish that he was hab\ving a lot of trouble with. ... a very good day!!!
Weather: Cool start, but warmed up to 18C
With my long time photo buddy Steve, we headed out to Sedgewick Park in Oakville. Reports were out that a Pine Warbler was spotted there a day or two before ... things are looking up :) .
We arrived just after 8:00am and stayed until nearly 11:00 am and the place to ourselves in all that time (nice). Soon after we arrived we spotted a Pine Warbler, who cooperated quite well for a short time and so a lot of shutter clicking went on for the time he did (it did look like an adult male). Thereafter we had a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers and several Kinglets (both Golden & Ruby-crowned) entertain us for the next couple of hours. We also spotted Hermit Thrush, Winter Wrens & Brown Creepers during this time.
From Sedgewick we headed to Valley Inn. Valley Inn is often a location that produces some interesting birds, and today's specials were a very cooperative Osprey who made repaeted dives into the pond in front of us, a Caspian Tern that swung past our location a few times and a Double-crested Cormorant that had a monster fish that he was hab\ving a lot of trouble with. ... a very good day!!!
April 11th - 14th 2016
American Kestrel (F) 11th April - Location: North Dumfries - Weather: warming up
12th April - Location: Grimsby - Weather: Sunny, but cool in the shade
13th April: Location: Pusclinch - Weather: Sunny, but cool in the shade
14th April: Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge - Weather: Sunny again
One of the huge advantages of being retired is that I now am able to pick my days for birding. This week every day looked like good birding days, as it was pleasantly sunny, but a trifle cool, especially in the shade. Migration is heating up, but we are still missing the glamour birds (warblers & similar songbirds) - every day I've been keeping my eyes & ears open for Pine Warbler - often the warbler vanguard, but so far nothing. Although I have been out every day I limited these jaunts to a few hours and in some cases I did a bit of exploring along some of the back roads, which was interesting but not very productive.
Anyways ... on the 11th I revisited a pair of Eastern Phoebes in North Dumfries and was able to grab a few shots of them keeping an eye on me, from the comfort of the car. A Cowbird pair were also lingering in the area, so I suspect they were keeping an eye on this obviously nesting pair of Phoebes.
The 12th I headed to Grimbsby to check out 11th, 10th 8th and 5th line, which over the last few weeks had been pretty good, with lots of interesting birds around, but not this time - the bushes and trees that had held Meadowlarks, Shrikes & Mockingbirds a week ago were now bare. I did, however, come across a FOY Greater Yellowlegs pair foraging in a flooded field on 5th Line.
Next day, the 13th, I went to check out 2nd Side Road in Pusclinch Township, which I hadn't been to for a few weeks, and I was delighted to find a pair of American Kestrel. The female was quite bold and allowed me some reasonable close-up shots. Before heading out to Pusclinch I had dropped by Riverside, and while I was standing on the boardwalk with a couple of other birder/photographers a mystery bird landed on the railing for a few seconds before dropping back into the scrub alongside the boardwalk - my first thought was Ovenbird and after a review of the Field Guide we all agreed it looked good, but after discussions later in the day I decided that it was more likely to be a Northern Waterthrush ... who knows!!
Thursday the 14th found me at Riverside Park again, this time in search of the day before's mystery bird. Unfortunately it was a no-show.
12th April - Location: Grimsby - Weather: Sunny, but cool in the shade
13th April: Location: Pusclinch - Weather: Sunny, but cool in the shade
14th April: Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge - Weather: Sunny again
One of the huge advantages of being retired is that I now am able to pick my days for birding. This week every day looked like good birding days, as it was pleasantly sunny, but a trifle cool, especially in the shade. Migration is heating up, but we are still missing the glamour birds (warblers & similar songbirds) - every day I've been keeping my eyes & ears open for Pine Warbler - often the warbler vanguard, but so far nothing. Although I have been out every day I limited these jaunts to a few hours and in some cases I did a bit of exploring along some of the back roads, which was interesting but not very productive.
Anyways ... on the 11th I revisited a pair of Eastern Phoebes in North Dumfries and was able to grab a few shots of them keeping an eye on me, from the comfort of the car. A Cowbird pair were also lingering in the area, so I suspect they were keeping an eye on this obviously nesting pair of Phoebes.
The 12th I headed to Grimbsby to check out 11th, 10th 8th and 5th line, which over the last few weeks had been pretty good, with lots of interesting birds around, but not this time - the bushes and trees that had held Meadowlarks, Shrikes & Mockingbirds a week ago were now bare. I did, however, come across a FOY Greater Yellowlegs pair foraging in a flooded field on 5th Line.
Next day, the 13th, I went to check out 2nd Side Road in Pusclinch Township, which I hadn't been to for a few weeks, and I was delighted to find a pair of American Kestrel. The female was quite bold and allowed me some reasonable close-up shots. Before heading out to Pusclinch I had dropped by Riverside, and while I was standing on the boardwalk with a couple of other birder/photographers a mystery bird landed on the railing for a few seconds before dropping back into the scrub alongside the boardwalk - my first thought was Ovenbird and after a review of the Field Guide we all agreed it looked good, but after discussions later in the day I decided that it was more likely to be a Northern Waterthrush ... who knows!!
Thursday the 14th found me at Riverside Park again, this time in search of the day before's mystery bird. Unfortunately it was a no-show.
April 9th 2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Weather: Sunny and a bitterly cold -5C
Location: Whitby/Ajax
Migration is still very slow, with very few new birds showing up, but looking is half the fun. Sonya & I headed initially to Thicksons Woods with high hopes for a few early migrants and some of Thickson's specialities, including owls. Unfortunately we were disapppointed somewhat to see very little at this, one of SW Ontario's premium birding locations. We walked the north side first, which is more open with low trees, and lots of dogwood etc, where we hoped for Kinglets and possibly Towhees, Thrashers, and interesting Sparrows, but other than the inevitable Chickadees it was pretty barren. We headed next into the wooded section and were now hoping for Kinglets, Brown Creepers & Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. The Sapsuckers we were able to spot, and in fact we had (3) individuals in the one tree at the same time. Other than those guys and a well hidden Coopers Hawk we found Thicksons pretty lean.
Next stop was Halls Road, which when we first arrived, I spotted a small bird with yellow features, but it was so quick, I didn't get a good visual, but my "wishfully thinking" brain had it pegged as a possible Pine Warbler, before it, almost instantly, disappeared into the heavy cover, never to return. Almost as soon as that bird vacated it's spot on the branch a 2nd bird landed and than immediately took off, I didn't get a possitive ID, but the breast markings I saw ,as it flew diagonally across my vision, had me thinking this was another Warbler - a Yellow-rumped this time. Both of these species had been seen here earlier this week, but both my ID's were weak, so not reported to ebird. Just as we were about to leave a birder, I'm aquainted with, signalled me to come back down the trail and we were richly rewarded with sightings of a Fox Sparrow that they had located. Unfortunately it was too deep in cover that I was unable to get a shot, other than a blurry record image.
Last spot of the day was Rotary Park, Ajax, a location I had never been to before. I found it pretty interesting, and definately a spot I will return to (probably during Warbler migration). Sonya was very familiar with the park and guided us to location she said would produce Kinglets, and true to her word, we came across a small group of Golden-crowned Kinglets, but boy! were they hard to photograph. After a poor start it turned out to be decent day.
Location: Whitby/Ajax
Migration is still very slow, with very few new birds showing up, but looking is half the fun. Sonya & I headed initially to Thicksons Woods with high hopes for a few early migrants and some of Thickson's specialities, including owls. Unfortunately we were disapppointed somewhat to see very little at this, one of SW Ontario's premium birding locations. We walked the north side first, which is more open with low trees, and lots of dogwood etc, where we hoped for Kinglets and possibly Towhees, Thrashers, and interesting Sparrows, but other than the inevitable Chickadees it was pretty barren. We headed next into the wooded section and were now hoping for Kinglets, Brown Creepers & Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. The Sapsuckers we were able to spot, and in fact we had (3) individuals in the one tree at the same time. Other than those guys and a well hidden Coopers Hawk we found Thicksons pretty lean.
Next stop was Halls Road, which when we first arrived, I spotted a small bird with yellow features, but it was so quick, I didn't get a good visual, but my "wishfully thinking" brain had it pegged as a possible Pine Warbler, before it, almost instantly, disappeared into the heavy cover, never to return. Almost as soon as that bird vacated it's spot on the branch a 2nd bird landed and than immediately took off, I didn't get a possitive ID, but the breast markings I saw ,as it flew diagonally across my vision, had me thinking this was another Warbler - a Yellow-rumped this time. Both of these species had been seen here earlier this week, but both my ID's were weak, so not reported to ebird. Just as we were about to leave a birder, I'm aquainted with, signalled me to come back down the trail and we were richly rewarded with sightings of a Fox Sparrow that they had located. Unfortunately it was too deep in cover that I was unable to get a shot, other than a blurry record image.
Last spot of the day was Rotary Park, Ajax, a location I had never been to before. I found it pretty interesting, and definately a spot I will return to (probably during Warbler migration). Sonya was very familiar with the park and guided us to location she said would produce Kinglets, and true to her word, we came across a small group of Golden-crowned Kinglets, but boy! were they hard to photograph. After a poor start it turned out to be decent day.
April 2nd 2016
Weather: A cold north wind making it extra chilly
Location: Toronto & area
Along with friends, Helen, Sonya & Rico we explored some of the birding spots on the west side of Toronto - Sam Smith, Humber Bay & High Park. Targets initially, were the mating Red-necked Grebes, but strong winds were kicking up the water somewhat keeping the Grebes a bit far away for decent photography. We did, however, see a few GC Kinglets. Humber Bay was a little quiet, but we did see a few - incl Gadwall, Buffleheads, Pied-billed Grebes, etc. Next stop was High Park, but as we were leaving Humber Bay I spotted a Black-crowned Night Heron in a tree, so after skidding to a halt we managed a couple of flight shots as the bird high-tailed it. While we stood there lamenting on a missed opportunity, an Eastern Bluebird was spotted and posed quite nicely for us .. On to High Park (at the big pond .. not sure of it's name) and here we saw lots of Gadwall, Northern Shovellers, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, Ruddy Ducks and a few other odds & ends. Before we left we headed to the small pond down by the zoo and was rewarded with great views of several Wood Ducks at close range. An excellent day, but surprsingly no Creepers or Golden-crowned Kinglets...
Location: Toronto & area
Along with friends, Helen, Sonya & Rico we explored some of the birding spots on the west side of Toronto - Sam Smith, Humber Bay & High Park. Targets initially, were the mating Red-necked Grebes, but strong winds were kicking up the water somewhat keeping the Grebes a bit far away for decent photography. We did, however, see a few GC Kinglets. Humber Bay was a little quiet, but we did see a few - incl Gadwall, Buffleheads, Pied-billed Grebes, etc. Next stop was High Park, but as we were leaving Humber Bay I spotted a Black-crowned Night Heron in a tree, so after skidding to a halt we managed a couple of flight shots as the bird high-tailed it. While we stood there lamenting on a missed opportunity, an Eastern Bluebird was spotted and posed quite nicely for us .. On to High Park (at the big pond .. not sure of it's name) and here we saw lots of Gadwall, Northern Shovellers, American Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, Ruddy Ducks and a few other odds & ends. Before we left we headed to the small pond down by the zoo and was rewarded with great views of several Wood Ducks at close range. An excellent day, but surprsingly no Creepers or Golden-crowned Kinglets...
