A Brief Walk in the Heat

Hyde Park Drainage Pond, London, Ontario

Knowing it was going to be a very hot day, I went out for a walk in the morning. It's hot, humid 32c, feels like 37c.  Sounds like the week is going to be very hot.  This is too hot and humid for me.  I hope the whole summer is not going to be like this.  So for birding, it will be short walks.
First, I saw this brown thing swimming in the water across the pond.  I started following it with my camera.  It was swimming at a good speed.  Then it turned and swam across the pond towards me.
It's a Canadian Beaver.  

As it got closer, it started to dive under a few times.  This is the back end, swimming under. 

Wild Lupin

Daisy sp.

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Buttercup

I heard Baltimore Orioles and Field Sparrows. 
Saw Barn Swallows, Common Grackles, Song Sparrows, Killdeers, American Goldfinches, Cardinal, Mallards and Canada Geese.
I also saw some damselflies and a few dragonflies.  I couldn't get any photos as they wouldn't land long enough.

Song Sparrow

Short Walk in Springbank

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - Springbank Park, London, Ontario

The Wisteria vines are always nice this time of the year.

With the leaves out now, it was difficult getting a photo of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I can see this turtle on the rock in the middle of the Thames River quite far out.  I snapped a couple of pictures and when I looked at the pictures at home, there were 2 other smaller ones there too!  I was happy to see that!

Northern Map Turtles

Strathroy Sewage Lagoons

I went to Strathroy Sewage Lagoons this afternoon to see what was around.  It was 16c and overcast.  There were some nice flowering shrubs along the ponds.  Lots of Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows flying over the ponds for bugs.  I saw some Canada Geese, Ruddy Ducks, Killdeers flying around and two Spotted Sandpipers along the edge. There were 6 Turkey Vultures circling around above.  
I saw some damselflies.  They were low in the long grass.  Could not get any pictures - saw blue and red ones. 

Strathroy Lagoons

Red-winged Blackbird - female

Red-winged Blackbird

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

Spotted Sandpiper

Yellow Warbler

Ruddy Ducks

I also went to the Strathroy Wetlands Marsh Walk near Strathroy Conservation Area - The Sydenham River flows from east to west through Strathroy and forms part of a Provincially Significant Wetland.
Here are some photos....a small part of the wetland.

Nice Morning in Springbank

Springbank Park, London, Ontario                 21c, warm, sunny

I went for a morning walk at Springbank.  I went to the area where the trees are full of blossoms.  They are gorgeous.  The Baltimore Orioles were at the blossoms for nectar.

I found a pocket of warblers along the Thames River near Storybook Gardens.  They were very active and singing.  Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, and Black-throated Blue Warblers.
Also saw Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles among others.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

My favourite warbler - Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Hyde Park Wandering

Hyde Park Drainage Pond / Sifton Bog (ESA)                 18c, partly cloudy

This afternoon I stopped at the Hyde Park Drainage Pond.  It felt a little muggy this afternoon. It was quiet.  I saw a Mallard with her ducklings.  I also saw Barn Swallows, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, Robins, and heard Field Sparrows.

Hundreds of Tadpoles

I also went to the Sifton Bog to see what was there.  Again quiet.  The Pond Lilies and lots of flowers are not blooming yet compared to last year.  The Leather-leaf is the only flowers I saw.

Bog

Leather-leaf

Birding in Springbank Park

Springbank Park, London, Ontario         15c  overcast

I went for a morning walk in Springbank Park near the Civic Garden Complex.  It was damp and overcast so for me taking photos was a challenge.
I saw or heard 23 species of birds.
List - Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Killdeer, Barn Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Common Crow, Cardinal, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Canada Geese, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Thrush sp., and American Robin.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Song Sparrow

Yellow Violets

Purple Violet

White Trilllium

Thrush sp.

White Trillium

I finally got a photo of another warbler!  The Yellow Warbler and now the Redstart!

American Redstart

American Redstart

American Redstart

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Northern Map Turtle

Water Lettuce

White Trilliums

Redbud