Findings in April 2025

I have been birding around the Coves, Hyde Park and Westminster Ponds lately.  I'm seeing a nice variety of birds as birds are returning.  I have seen Turkey Vultures and Eastern Phoebes recently.  We had one day last week that was warm and sunny but other days have been cooler with rain and even freezing rain/sleet.  Here are some of the birds I saw.  

Wood Duck

Northern Flicker

Ring-necked Duck

Common Merganser

Hooded Merganser

American Robin

Great Blue Heron

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Turkey Vulture

American Kestrel

Killdeer

Pied-billed Grebe

American Coot

This Red-tailed Hawk came flying in and landed on a light standard looking around.  Then it took off right over me to the ground in a field.  I was taking photos of it when it took off.  It is rare for me to get flight photos.

Late September and Early October Birding

Uplands North Wetland

Yesterday, I walked around the wetlands to see what was around.  There was a nice movement of Turkeys Vultures flying over.  A lot of Killdeers and one Greater Yellowlegs.

Greater Yellowlegs

Small flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers were flying around.  The photo below is the best I could get.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Way back in the swamp, I found one American Wigeon preening.

American Wigeon

I spotted this Wilson's Snipe on a small mud flat.  The sun was harsh and it was well hidden.  I took a quick photo and decided to go around the corner for a better look.  At that time, 3 people were walking by with dogs and I waited for them to go by first (water on the walkway).  The walkway is not too wide.  Then I went across the overflowed water....got my shoes a bit wet.  By the time I got around the corner I could not find it.  I spent the rest of the time trying to look for it but could not.  The photo below is the only one I got against the harsh morning sun.

Wilson's Snipe

I also saw lots of Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds. Green-winged Teal, Red-tailed Hawk and American Crows.  It was a nice day, 20c and sunny.

Westminster Ponds

Last week at the Ponds...another nice day 15c, sunny.  Photos again are not good as I was taking them with the sun in front of me.  It was a nice surprise to see an American Coot.  

American Coot

American Coot

Flocks of American Goldfinches were feeding on Goldenrod seeds.

American Goldfinches

Eastern Phoebe

I also saw this Phoebe, lots of Blue Jays, Mallards, Canada Geese, Great Blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, American Robins, Song Sparrows and Mourning Doves.

More Ducks!

 March 1, 2021

I took this photo of the Harlequin Duck, January 16, 2021.

This photo was taken today, March 1, 2021.  Notice his plumage is slowly changing.

A sleeping Green-winged Teal.

A pair of American Coots was nice to see.

Oak Hammock Marsh

September 11, 2017 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Winnipeg area was in a heat wave - temps above 30, sunny. 


Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area north of Winnipeg, Manitoba joint project of Ducks Unlimited Canada and Government of Manitoba.

I saw 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Gray Catbird, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, Red-winged Blackbird, Canada Geese, Bank Swallows, Crows, Coots and Mallard.  

Gray Catbird

Restored wetland of 3600 hectares.  The marsh supports as many as 299 species of birds, hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.

The pictures I took from above are from the rooftop of the building observation deck.

American Coot

Lots of Canada Geese

I took a walk around the marsh.  There are many walking trails.

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk?

Prairie Grasses

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

Greater Yellowlegs

Clouded Sulphur

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre

?

Wilson's Snipe

Greater Yellowlegs

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre is a very nice looking building. Below are stain glass windows overlooking the marsh.  There are exhibits, displays, a scenic cafe, a gift shop, theatres, and meeting rooms.