Findings End of September 2023

This week, I went to the Coves and Uplands Wetland a couple of times.  Rusty Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Grackles are migrating through this area.  The trees would be covered with blackbirds and groups of them flying around.

Green Heron

Green Heron

I always enjoy watching Great Blue Herons and Green Herons.

Great Blue Heron

Killdeer

Rusty Blackbird

Sandpipers have been migrating too.

Solitary Sandpiper

Mourning Doves

It was a nice surprise to see an American Wigeon and a Northern Pintail at the wetlands.

American Wigeon

Northern Pintail

There are still some Great Egrets around.

Great Egret

Great Egret

A different day at Uplands Wetland, I still see Rusty Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Turkey Vultures, some Green-winged Teals, Belted Kingfishers, Killdeers, lots of Blue Jays, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Palm Warblers.

Immature Green Heron

Eastern Phoebe

I was looking up at a woodpecker high in a tree when I came across this guy sleeping in a hole.

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.

The Coves

The Coves - London, Ontario

This past week, I've been out a few times.  Have not seen anything much to report.  Today, in the morning I decided to go to the Coves.  It was 14c at the time, partly cloudy and windy.  I didn't see any unusual birds.  There were many Song Sparrows singing, Northern Cardinals, American Robins and Carolina Wrens. 

Brown-headed Cowbird

I saw my first turtle...FOY.  A Midland Painted Turtle. 

Midland Painted Turtle

Carolina Wren

Song Sparrow

A Woolly Bear crawling along the pathway.

Woolly Bear

Greenway Park

I saw another turtle.  There were American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, Mallards, Mourning Dove and Turkey Vulture.

Hyde Park Drainage Pond

I saw my FOY Tree Swallows (2) in Hyde Park this afternoon.  It was 15c, overcast and still very windy. I also saw a Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, some Canada Geese, Mallards and a lone American Wigeon.

Starling and Tree Swallow

American Wigeon

Horned Grebe

Not a great photo of the Osprey.  It flew over carrying nesting material.