Thames River....Greenway

Greenway Park, London, Ontario      1c, overcast, cold, damp

I decided to go to Greenway Park this morning.  With the rain all day yesterday, it was quite wet on the grass, etc.  I saw a variety of birds.  Lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, Grackles, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrows, Mallards, Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, Rock Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadees. 

I heard a Carolina Wren and a Northern Flicker. 

Red-winged Blackbird

Bufflehead

Saw two pairs of Common Mergansers.

This robin looks cold.

I saw a flurry of woodpeckers....a pair of Downy Woodpeckers

.......and a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers.  

Hairy Woodpecker

Gusty Windy Day

Gibbons Park, London, Ontario

sunny, 4c, strong winds SE gusting 42km/h

I went for a walk in Gibbons Park today.  It was 4c but it didn't feel like it!  It was cold especially with the strong SE winds. 
There were a few Turkey Vultures flying above.
I also saw Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Robins, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Mallards, Canada Geese, White-breasted Nuthatch and Red-bellied Woodpecker.  It was hard keeping the camera steady this morning.

Turkey Vulture

I checked the Great Horned Owls.  I see two owlets in the nest. 

Walking along the river bank, there are a few trees showing roots from the flood.

Quiet Birding Day

Springbank Park, London, Ontario                 -2c, cloudy, strong NE winds

It was cold today with blustery NE winds. The ducks I saw were Mallards and Common Mergansers.  I also saw Canada Geese and a Red-tailed Hawk.  It was a quiet walk with few birds. 

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mallard

For smaller birds, I saw Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, Song Sparrows and Carolina Wrens.

Red-winged Blackbird

There were 2 Carolina wrens bouncing around in the small bushes.  This is the best I got.  My camera kept focusing on the twigs.

Carolina Wren

Great Horned Owls

-1c, sunny, strong easterly winds

I checked out the Great Horned Owl this morning.  There was an owlet peeking up from the nest.  So far, I see one.  

It's a very windy day as you can see her tufts blowing.

Tundra Swan Migration - 2018

Aylmer Wildlife Management Area     -4c, cold, strong NW winds, cloudy

I went to the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area today to view the Tundra Swans.  It's NE of the town of Aylmer in Elgin County.  There were approx. 1,100 swans.  I also saw Canada Geese and Mallards.  The swans fly in to refuel on their migration to the high Arctic.

Feeding on corn

I'm wondering if this is a Cackling Goose.  I've never seen one. 

I also saw Blue Jays, Tree Sparrow, Killdeers, Common Grackles, 
Mourning Dove, and Robins. 

Checking out Gibbons Park

Gibbons Park, London, Ontario                        -4c, cloudy, chilly

It was chilly this morning.  I saw a lot of robins on the grass and robins singing. The cardinals were singing, too.  I walked along the river where I saw my first of year Killdeer.  It's nice to see the river down at its normal level.

I saw a number of nice birds....Ring-billed Gull, Red-tailed Hawk, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Common Crows, Mallard, Canada Geese, Robin, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Great Horned Owl, Killdeer, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Common Merganser, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, and Carolina Wren.

I checked out the owl. 

FOY Killdeer

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Nature London Springbank Walk

March 10, 2018             -1c, sunny with some cloud

Springbank Park

I went to a Nature London outing this morning in Springbank Park.  We  walked along the Thames River.  We saw some nice birds.  I didn't see all of them as I couldn't get my eye on them.  So, I will just mention the ones I saw.....Black-capped Chickadee, Common Merganser, Mallards, Canada Geese, Black Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Robin, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Ring-billed Gull,  Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Goldeneye, and House Sparrow.

Common Mergansers

Common Mergansers

Here is a Black Duck in the foreground, Mallard background. 

Black Duck

It was really nice to see the Common Mergansers.  The female has quite the hairdo. 

My first Turkey Vulture of the year.

Springbank Park Birding

March 7, 2018            1c, light snow

Springbank Park, London, Ontario

I got up this morning with snow on the ground again.  Being March, It's good to know the snow will not stay long.  I went to Springbank Park today.  It was pretty with the snow on the trees.  It was quiet and peaceful.

I saw some Black-capped Chickadees and a Red-bellied Woodpecker in the same tree.  I've noticed that I have been hearing and seeing Red-bellied Woodpeckers a lot more these last few years.  In the 1980's and 1990's they were rare.  In the early years, I could go years without seeing one. 

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-bellied Woodpecker

It was nice to see a pair of Common Goldeneyes.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

The cardinals were singing away.

Cardinal

There was a small group of Blue Jays high up in the trees.

Blue Jays

I also saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and Canada Geese.

Red-winged Blackbird