Variety of Wildlife

 Birding around London Area

I love the diving ducks.  I watch them as they dive under the water and I look to see where they come back up.  Sometimes a few are diving and sometimes like the Hooded Mergansers (9) I saw the other day, they all went under together and watch them pop up at different times.  

Hooded Merganser (female)

                                        

The American Wigeon surface-feeds like Mallards.

American Wigeons

American Wigeons

There has been lots of finches around lately.....especially Goldfinches.

American Goldfinch

Blue Jay

I really like sparrows.  This time of year one can see White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Fox Sparrows.

Song Sparrow

Red-tailed Hawk

American Robin

On November 5, 2020, I saw an American Toad on the trail.  It was a warm day, high of 17c which toads like.

At Springbank Park, a Red-necked Grebe showed up at the Thames.  This is a juvenile bird.  I have not seen one for years.

Cedar Waxwing

Great Blue Heron

I was looking for sparrows and a White-tailed Deer was staring at me.

Northern Cardinal

Mallards

Black-capped Chickadee

Downy Woodpecker

American Toad

The American Toad is one of only two toad species in Ontario.  The other one is the endangered Fowler's Toad.

On my afternoon walk today, I found this American Toad.  If it didn't move I would not have noticed it.  It's blended well in its surroundings. This one was an olive colour and a good size. The status and protection of the American Toad is Least Concern.

I also found this toad.  It was smaller with a brown tone colour blended in with the dead leaves.

A little bit of everything

I went to Springbank Park this morning.  It was a nice warm sunny day.  The high today is 28 degrees, humidex 35.  Just within an hour, I can feel it getting warmer and warmer. 
I didn't see a lot of birds as the larger trees are getting leaves and the smaller trees and bushes are filling out so I relied on bird sounds....Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole.   I saw Barn Swallows, Gray Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow and American Goldfinch.

Thames River

Trails

Trails

White Trilliums

Soloman's Seal

Thames River

Red-winged Blackbird

The water of the Thames has been going down so I can see some rocks and the river edge.  This is the first week I was hearing the toads croaking.

American Toad

White-winged Dove!

I headed down to Rondeau Park for the day.  It was sunny and warm high of 13.  I started the day at the VC looking at the feeders to see what was there.  There were Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Rose-breased Grosbeak, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches.

White-crowned Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

At the side of the VC, I found this beautiful House Wren singing.

House Wren

Took at walk around the Tulip Tree Trail.  I saw my favorite warbler the Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Also saw a Veery, Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, and Gray Catbird.  I missed the Prothonotary Warbler.

After lunch went to look for the White-winged Dove....went back and forth looking for the Dove between about 5 cottages.  Could not find it. 

Then went to the beach, it was very quiet....some barn swallows.

The end of Harrison Trail was the next stop.  There still is some water on the trail entrance...got a soaker.  It was nice to see the White-eyed Vireo. 

Wild Columbine

Then back to find the White-winged Dove.  A couple of staff were there looking for it and they found it!  It was in a tree preening. 

White-winged Dove

White-winged Dove

The white-winged Dove is a lifer for me.  It's hard getting lifers anymore.

Eastern Kingbird

Also saw an Eastern Kingbird.

Then went to the Spicebush Trail...saw a Black-and-White Warbler, Black-throated Blue again, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, American Toad, Northern Leopard Frog and a Eastern Gartersnake.

Yellow Water Buttercup

Dutchman's Breeches

Red Trillium

White Trillium

American Toad

Northern Leopard Frog

Eastern Gartersnake

Marsh Trail - saw my first Blanding's Turtle, a lifer, an endangered species.  There were also Painted Turtles.

Blanding's Turtle

Midland Painted Turtles