End of February Birding

I have been out birding but have not seen anything different for the past few weeks.  We've had some really cold days in February.

Last week, I went to Greenway Park to see what was around.  It was a little milder today and sunny.  Most of the ducks were along the banks of the river trying to keep warm.  Lots of Canada Geese, Mallards, some Black Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,  Hooded Mergansers and Common Mergansers.  

Common Mergansers and Mallards

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser (female)

Always nice to see a Robin.

One day, I went out to Killarney Ponds, east London.  There were reports that a Redhead and a Greater Scaup were there.  I saw both of them, first of the year for me.

Redhead

Greater Scaup

While I was out the east end of the city, I went to Fanshawe CA.  It was a very cold day, feeling like -14c so I didn't stay too long.  I checked out the Tamarack Trail Area.  There were lots of Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, White-throated Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Tree Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, and Red-breasted Nuthatches

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Dark-eyed Juncos

Tree Sparrow

Yesterday, I went to Canterbury Park.  I have not been there since the Fall.  The pond is still frozen over.  I saw some Blue Jays, American Robins, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals and American Crows.

Red-tailed Hawk

Looking forward to seeing some signs of Spring next week!

Here and There - February 7-12, 2022

 February 7, 2022, Fanshawe CA - Tamarack Trail Head

This is a nice area to see a lot of birds as people leave bird seed around the posts and trees.  Today, there were a number of White-throated Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays and Cardinals.  

White-throated Sparrow

Cardinal and Dark-eyed Junco

Tree Sparrow

Mourning Doves

Fox Sparrow

Downy Woodpecker

Common Goldeneyes below the dam area.

Common Goldeneye

February 8, 2022 - Greenway

Great Blue Heron

Canada Geese

February 10, 2022 - Springbank

I decided to go to Springbank to see what was around.  It was snowing at the time.  The Wood Duck is still hanging around Storybook Gardens area.  I found it in the river with a group of Mallards just down from Storybook Gardens.  Other birds I saw were Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Mourning Doves and Cardinals.

Wood Duck

Common Merganser  (female)

Hooded Merganser  (female)

Common Mergansers

February 12, 2022 - Greenway

A cold day today, feeling like -15c with light snow and NW winds.  There were not much around but some ducks in the river.  Many Common Goldeneyes and some Common Mergansers.  Lots of Canada Geese and Mallards resting along the banks of the river.  There were about 12 Goldeneyes constantly diving.

Common Mergansers

Common Goldeneyes

Visiting Local Parks

February 1, 2022 - Gibbons Park - A sunny day today feeling like -9C.  It sure is nice to see Robins in February.  I never get tired of them.  There was a flock of 16 along the river.   I also saw Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Bald Eagle and lots of Canada Geese and Mallards.  

Hooded Merganser (female)

Mallards

I checked out the Great Horned Owl in her nest.

February  2, 2022 - Thames River - east end of Springbank Park - Today, it started with light rain.  I walked east to the Guy Lombardo Bridge to see what was around.  There were some Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, Mallards and Canada Geese. Most of my photos were blurry.  After I finished my walk, it started to snow.

Common Goldeneyes

February 5, 2022 - Springbank Park - There was a Wood Duck reported at the park so I went to see if I can find it.  I finally did!

I came across a fir tree loaded with Mourning Doves trying to keep warm.  There were at least 20 or more in there.  It was -18c, freezing cold.

I saw some Robins, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers,  In the river, Canada Geese, Mallards, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, and Black Ducks.