October 26th & 28th 2021
LOCATION: Near Stratford (26th), North Dumfries (28th) | WEATHER: Dull and wet on the 26th, Sun & cloud (28th) |
Today (28th) I kept local to KW today as my car was in the shop, so I "borrowed" my wife's car for a few hours, and ended up in North Dumfries. Weather was cold but not too windy (although wind did pick up later). My targets were Winter Wren and Fox Sparrow, but both species evaded my viewfinder, or even a glimpse through the bins ... oh well. However I did find my first of season, Tree Sparrow, as well as a small flock of Rusty Blackbirds.
October 22nd 2021
LOCATION: In and around Waterloo Wellington Airport | WEATHER: Sun and Cloud, but cold!! |
On another road close by I saw movement in the hedgerow, which turned out to be a few Kinglets (both Ruby & Goldens), and while I was s\waiting on them resurfacing a couple of Hermit Thrushes popped up ... That was a distinct highlight to my morning, and one I hadn't expected.
October 17th & 19th 2021
LOCATION: 17th North Dumfries + 19th Long Point area | WEATHER: 17th Sun/Cloud + 19th pure sun |
The last couple of days have been tough trying to find songbirds other than Kinglets of course, which are still plentiful, almost everywhere. I had hope to see a few Warblers, and maybe a Vireo or two during my visit to the Long Point area, and yes I did stumble across a Blue-headed Vireo, but he wouldn't come into the open, so although I did manage a crappy shot, I didn't get anything "worthy" of inclusion here, and as you have likely seen these aren't the greatest, so that gives you an idea how bad the actual shot was of the Vireo.
October 13th 2021
LOCATION: Drumbo to Woodstock | WEATHER: Cloudy, mild and almost no wind |
Today I headed down into an area I haven't really checked out in the past , but it wasn't too bad. There wasn't anything really exciting but there were a few pockets of the run of the mill birds that are still great to photograph . I started on the north side of the 401 near Drumbo and cruised a few of the gravel roads in and around that area, and ending up closer to Woodstock/ Sightings were patchy, but every now and then a would see a couple of birds, then hang out and wait for motion etc ...
October 4th & 5th 2021
LOCATION: Breslau ..again! | WEATHER: Cloudy both days |
October 2nd & 3rd 2021
LOCATION: near Breaslau ..both days | WEATHER: generally sunny, some rain but getting cooler |
Being in the area I headed along some of the back roads in the same general area and was delighted to find a small flock of American Pipits rooting around in a ploughed field that had some standing water near the road. I watched them from my vehicle for about an hour and was rewarded with several decent shots.
Next day (3rd) I headed back hoping for a similar batch of sightings but unfortunately they had apparently moved on. Name of the game, I suppose. As a consolation I found a small flock of Dark-eyed Juncos, which posed for a few shots. Kinda depressing ... these guys herald the cold weather, that isn't too far away ie winter ... YUK!