November 26th - 27th 2020
Location: Luther Marsh area | Weather: Mix of sun and cloud |
Day2: we returned with a hope that the Crossbills were still in the same area, but unfortunately, they had skedaddled through the night, but after checking a few of the other roads we found a decent sized Snow Bunting flock, so the day wasn't a total dud. A little earlier we came a distant flock of Sandhill Cranes, that we estimated was around 250 birds, but way too far for a shot, but nice to see nevertheless.
November 23rd 2020
Location: South and West of Cambridge | Weather: Dry, and slightly warmer +2C |
A fairly short drive around one of my favorite local areas ... Grass Lake, Glen Morris and surrounding area. It turned out to be reasonably fruitful in the afternoon, after the heavy snow yesterday. Back roads were a little slick, but with the nice light, it was an enjoyable cruise, and with one or two interesting birds to show for it. I headed to the one spot just beyond Glen Morris, hoping for Redpolls and the Fox Sparrow, that's been hanging out there. I saw a good sized flock of Common Redpolls numbering I would estimate in the 60 range, and although I did some looking and hoping for a Hoary Redpoll, I couldn't find one in the mix. As for the Fox Sparrow, I never even caught a glimpse of it .. oh well. However I did see lots of American Tree Sparrows, and one or two of them perched, albeit momentarily, in trees close to where I was. The big surprise was a small group of Eastern Bluebirds, that were perched along a hydro line, but even though I sat around (and even played a call at one point), they didn't venture off the line., so I had to be content with a shot on the wire. |
November 22nd 2020
Location: My back yard in Kitchener | Weather: Light to heavy snow |
November 18th - 19th 2020
Location: Amherst Island | Weather: Day1 cold - Day2 really windy |
The main focus of the trip was to see and photograph the Short-eared Owls of which, at least on day one anyways, we were not disappointed. Late in the afternoon we counted somewhere around thirty individuals of which at least 20 of them, were in the air, buzzing around socializing with each other. ... blew my mind. Unfortunately for us they were somewhat too far away for decent shots, but the sight of the all the activity, was more than worth the trip. On Day 2, because of the very high winds the owls kept down, and didn't surface (other than a couple of bold ones, who braved the storm).
November 17th 2020
Location: In and around Cambridge | Weather: Sun and cloud |
November 11th 2020
Location: Paris area | Weather: Bright and sunny, and continuing warm - 23C |
November 8th & 9th 2020
Location: Paris area on 8th and Burlington on 9th | Weather:Continuing warm with sun & cloud |
9th: Today I met up with a couple of friends and headed to a park area in Burlington, where the target was very much finding and photographing a Fox Sparrow. We were knocked out by the fact that at one spot we could see 5 separate individuals kicking up leaves and generally foraging for food. I managed a few dozed shots but the one below I especially liked.
November 6th 2020
Location: Around Elmira | Weather: Sun and cloud ... and warm |
After getting a few shots I cruised around the area looking for other opportunities. I came across a few locations that I though were good spots for Winter Wren, so I was delighted when I saw a couple out in the open.
November 3rd 2020
Location: Sensitive species, so held back | Weather: Sun and cloud |
I had heard through one of the many grapevines that birders and photographers, to some extent, live by of a few Long-eared Owls that were inhabiting a small forest area in SW Ontario. So, along with my regular birding partners, Steve & Helen, we wandered around that forested area with much anticipation. At one spot we briefly caught a glimpse of two birds, which flushed almost immediately .. so we were very disappointed to say the least, but that disappointment turned to excitement when a third bird was spotted. We managed several shots, and so after a few minutes we left the bird alone and returned to our vehicles ..... Awesome day. I have to apologize for the withholding of the sighting location. Owls are very sensitive and it's become common practice to keep sightings somewhat secret, in order to protect them from unscrupulous birders and photographers. |
November 2nd 2020
Location: Kitchener | Weather: Snow overnight, but clear & occasionally sun |
After getting back home, I set up my camera in my dining room, and spent an hour or two photographing a few of the birds as they visited the feeders. Lots of Juncos & House Sparrows, but also a few Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Also there were both Nuthatch species and a few House Finches.