November 29th 2024
| LOCATION: Burlington - La Salle Marina | WEATHER: Mix of snow flurries and sun |
Just back from a couple of hours spent walking the trail at La Salle Marina in Burlington. Nothing much around in the songbird/finch side of things, but lots of other interesting birds. Nothing that was special or rare, but lots of things to point a camera at. It's a 50miute drive for me, so not too far, and so I will check it out again in another week or so!!
November 25th 2024
| LOCATION: Back roads, N, Dumfries | WEATHER: Mainly cloudy, and getting cooler |
Pretty much a normal day, with almost no surprises. The one surprise I did get was a couple of Brown-headed Cowbirds that were foraging along the side of a gravel road. They appeared to be hanging out with a small flock of Starlings ... but separate.
November 24th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries/Brant County | WEATHER: Cool and cloudy, with occasional sun |
 Brown Creeper | This time of year can be a bit flat, and this year is no exception ... but the occasional encounter can make it all worth while, even if that encounter is a bit common. Today was yet another of those kind of days. I keep looking for winter finches and other winter incomers, but for the most part ... nada! Still seeing some late levers and that makes it it worthwhile going out (I think ;)) Have fun, and take what you can when yo can !! |
**As always .. click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title**
November 23rd 2024
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson | WEATHER Mostly cloudy, with occasional shower |
Another pretty good, if not a little short, day down in the location of FWR Dickson. Highlight for me was a small flock of Snow Buntings, that were really, really difficult to locate. I saw them fly in and land, but it took several minutes with the binoculars top locate one of them ... they blended in so well!!
Tip of the Day: Fall/Winter is a challenging time for many birds, so keep in mind that even your presence can be stressful to some birds., so always follow the OFO Code of Ethics when out birding. Remember, the bird's well-being always comes first. !!!
November 20th & 21st 2024
| LOCATION: Day1 FWR; Day2 North Dumfries (gravel) | WEATHER: Cloudy, but generally dry |
working on it
November 19th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries & FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Relatively mild and quite dull |
.Quite a good morning cruising the back roads in North Dumfries, and ending up at FWR. FWR is always seems to be quite active, but right now with only the "regulars" showing up - thankfully the Tufted Titmouse is one of those regulars, so makes it worthwhile !!
November 16th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries gravel road | WEATHER: Mainly cloudy, but dry |
Yet another drive along my favorite, close to home, road. It seldom disappoints !!
I had hoped to see the Fox Sparrow that hangs out with a group of American Tree Sparrows, but not today, sadly.
The Highlight was the Northern Shrike, and an adult this time, at almost the identical; spot I have been seeing a juvenile over the last few weeks. Todays sighting was interesting ... I was watching the flock of Tree Sparrows as they foraged in a tree, when suddenly the whole flock high tailed it ... Had me wondering and then I noticed the Shrike up in the same tree. ah? He left hungry !!
I had hoped to see the Fox Sparrow that hangs out with a group of American Tree Sparrows, but not today, sadly.
The Highlight was the Northern Shrike, and an adult this time, at almost the identical; spot I have been seeing a juvenile over the last few weeks. Todays sighting was interesting ... I was watching the flock of Tree Sparrows as they foraged in a tree, when suddenly the whole flock high tailed it ... Had me wondering and then I noticed the Shrike up in the same tree. ah? He left hungry !!
Tip of the Day: Sparrows are a great subject in the fall!! Overgrown pastures, weedy fields, abandoned lots, fields gone fallow—all are havens for Sparrows. I look for Goldenrod, which is often a food source for lots of Sparrow species.
November 15th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (gravel) & FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Cloudy and a tad damp |
Started off along my usual gravel road close to home, then headed down to FWR, on this, a bit on the cool and damp side, this morning. Saying that it was worth my time as there were a few species willing to sit for me ;) The highlight for me, I think, were the Carolina Wrens (there were two of them) bouncing around in a thicket close to the road, After a few shots of the Carolinas I headed to FWR Dickson, but didn't get there until 10:30an, which was a tad late in the day for any real activity, and it seemed to be the case as there was nothing around, but thankfully after putting a little seed out they started to show up. Oddly though, other than a short burst of song from somewhere beyond the marsh, I never saw a Tufted Titmouse ... which was unusual. Other species seen ... Juncos, Chickadees, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Blue Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches!
November 13th 2024
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, but cool |
When its a bit quiet around my usual spots, then a visit to FWR is worth a try .... most times there are some decent cooperative subjects ... usually!! Today we had both types of Nuthatches, lots of Tree Sparrows and a single White-throated, I caught a glimpse of the Carolina Wren, and heard, very briefly, the Winter Wren. Other species were Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker, lots of Chickadees, Juncos and Cardinals. So if you plan to visit make sure you take some bird seed, as that's what keeps the bird numbers up during the colder months.
November 9th & 10th 2024
| LOCATION: Day1 - Luther Marsh, Day2 - FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Day1 sunny, Day2 cloudy |
Day1 was a bit of a dead loss with almost nothing around other than lots of Sandhill Cranes (100's), but Day2, albeit a little damp, with rain coming mid morning, was quite productive at FWR, with most of the usuals around. The Tufted Titmice were a little thin on the ground, but one did show up for a short time. I could hear a Carolina Wren but it didn't offer itself up for a few photographs unfortunately.
November 8th 2024
| LOCATION: FWR & North Dumfries | WEATHER: Sun & cloud, but way cooler (10C) |
A short drive around the gravel roads before getting to FWR Dickson, was interesting, with the highlight being a small flock of Pine Siskins at one spot that flitted between two trees for a minute or so.
November 6th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (Gravel Road) | WEATHER: Sun/cloud/mild |
After yesterdays rain I noticed a few birds along one of the gravel roads I frequent, were making the most of the puddles along the roadside. I always think that it is super cute when they go splashing in those mud filled puddles - its hard to imaging that they don't end up dirtier than before their dip though.
Tip of the Day: Eliminating distracting backgrounds from any photo is always a good idea. That’s not always easy with birds since they go where they please without any regard for our photo compositions. Sometimes we can move the camera position. If a bird is sitting on a wire or a tree branch, see if you can move so that you photograph the bird against a blue sky or at least a background that isn’t busy looking.
November 5th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries & home in Kitchener | WEATHER: Sun & cloud, and unseasonally warm (22C) |
Boy was it mild today... when I left the house 07:30 it was already 17C, and it eventually climbed to 22C (possibly more) by mid morning. I suppose I should relish it while I can, as I am sure by the weekend we will be seeing temperatures closer to zero. That aside... birds were reasonably active with all the usuals hanging around. Other birds not photographed but seen were a good sized flock of Sandhill cranes (approx 15) along the gravel road, as well as several American Tree Sparrows. I had hoped to see/hear the Fox Sparrow that was hanging out with the tree Sparrows, but unfortunately not. More species .. the inevitable Tufted Titmouse at FWR, and several hawks drifting around looking for a meal !!
November 3rd & 4th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (gravel Rd) | WEATHER: Sun & cloud .. still mild |
... working on it !!
