Happenings March 25 & 26

Hyde Park Drainage Pond - March 25, 2019

I checked out the drainage pond in Hyde Park to see what was there.  It was a nice sunny day but still a little cool 1c.  The ice has melted on the water now.  I found two Hooded Mergansers and 3 Ring-necked Ducks.  There were also some Mallards and Canada Geese.  

Hooded Mergansers

Ring-necked Ducks

I saw 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds (FOY).

Lots of Cardinals singing away.

Song Sparrows were singing too.  

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Springbank Park - March 26, 2019

Today again a nice sunny day but cool 1c.  It's nice to walk along the banks of Thames River and hearing the sounds of Spring.  Lots of Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds and Robins.  Also, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatch.  

Common Merganser

Looking down the bank of the river, I saw a groundhog scurrying along.  It stopped and I had a good opportunity to get some photos.

Tundra Swan Migration - 2019

Aylmer Wildlife Management Area          0c, sunny, NW winds..35km gust 

I went to the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area today to view the Tundra Swans on their journey to the high Arctic.  The count was approx. 750 swans and Canada Geese mixed in too.  There was some open water and also ice.  Here are some of the photos I took.

I also saw Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Juncos, Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, a Ring-billed Gull and a Tree Sparrow.

Gibbons Park Walk

I decided to go to Gibbons Park this morning.  It has been awhile.  It was cool, 0c, and sunny.  The ground is still hard with frost with a little bit of snow around.  I first heard the Red-winged Blackbirds.  They were singing from every direction.  There were Common Grackles flying over and some Robins on the ground.  A nice first taste of Spring.  
There are usually lots of Woodpeckers in Gibbons.  I saw both Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.  
The Thames River is still very high and fast flowing.  

The Great Horned Owl in her nest having a sleep.

Here are a few more photos from today.  I also heard a Carolina Wren, many Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays and Mourning Doves.

Red-tailed Hawk

Finally Some Spring Arrivals

Greenway Park - London, Ontario

I have been out birding this past week.  The weather has been very unpleasant walking as it has been cold and very windy at times.  We've had overcast and some sunny days.  It has been very slippery on pathways.  I haven't seen any Spring arrivals until today.

Today, I walked along the Thames River in Greenway Park.  There is always Canada Geese and Mallards around.  The river is high so the little islands in the river are pretty much covered in water.  There was a nice group of Ring-necked Ducks....most of them sleeping.  I counted 13.  I also saw 4 Buffleheads.

Mallards

A Carolina Wren started singing which caught my attention.  I was able to get a few photos. 

I finally saw my first Red-winged Blackbirds today.  The earliest I've seen a Red-winged Blackbird is February 22.  This is a real late first this year.  They were singing.  I was here a couple a days ago and didn't see or hear any.  I didn't get any great photos of them through all the branches, twigs and overcast sky. 

I was taking some photos of the Downy Woodpecker and a small bird below caught my eye.  I couldn't believe it, a Yellow-rumped Warbler!  I have been looking for this bird for a long time.  It's been around all winter.  I just keep missing it. 

This is the only photo I got before it flew off. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

I also saw Cardinals, Blue Jays, Common Crows and Rock Doves.

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The Coves

I thought I would go to the Coves. I looked at the first pond only and it was still frozen.  I saw Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatch and the Great Blue Heron standing on a large branch over hanging the frozen pond.

Fanshawe/Gibbons Findings

Fanshawe Conservation Area, London, Ontario

It was a sunny morning but very cold...feeling like -20c.  I decided to go to Fanshawe Conservation Area to try to find the Evening Grosbeak.  This is my third attempt and it was no where to be found.  I stayed at the Tamarack Trail entrance and waited for awhile.  There were lots of Dark-eyed Juncos..the most abundant species.  

Black-capped Chickadee

The White-crowned Sparrow is still here...

A few White-throated Sparrows....

There were 7 Blue Jays around flying in and out.....

A few Cardinals.....

I got my FOY Song Sparrow....

The Fox Sparrow is still around.  It stayed in the tangle to the right of the trail.  

I also saw a Red-tailed Hawk, Common Crows, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

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Gibbons Park, London

I stopped by Gibbons on the way home to check on the Great Horned Owl.  They are nesting in the same tree as last year. 

Great Horned Owl