Marveling the Bog

Sifton Bog ESA

Tuesday, May 14, I decided to go to the bog...haven't been there for awhile.  The first warbler I saw was my favourite - Black-throated Blue Warbler.  It was working on a downed tree. 

The first small pond had some Mallards and Canada Geese with goslings.  There were some turtles sunning. 

White-breasted Nuthatch

At the bog pond there were a nice group of warblers bouncing around. I also saw Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-bellied Woodpecker,  Catbirds, Wood Duck, Song Sparrows, Northern Flicker, and heard a Warbling Vireo.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-and-White Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

The other warblers I saw were American Redstart, Yellow Warblers, and Palm Warbler.

The deciduous swamp has a lot of water. This is the most water I've seen for awhile.  It usually dries up in the summer months.

More turtles!

Painted Turtles

Nice Morning in Springbank

Springbank Park, London, Ontario                 21c, warm, sunny

I went for a morning walk at Springbank.  I went to the area where the trees are full of blossoms.  They are gorgeous.  The Baltimore Orioles were at the blossoms for nectar.

I found a pocket of warblers along the Thames River near Storybook Gardens.  They were very active and singing.  Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, and Black-throated Blue Warblers.
Also saw Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles among others.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

My favourite warbler - Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

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