The Coves

Here are some photos I took today.  I was up early, so starting out it was a little cool and cloudy but the sun finally came through by mid-morning.  A lot of singing birds.

Great Blue Heron

Northern Flicker

Carolina Wren

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.

Finally Some Spring Arrivals

Greenway Park - London, Ontario

I have been out birding this past week.  The weather has been very unpleasant walking as it has been cold and very windy at times.  We've had overcast and some sunny days.  It has been very slippery on pathways.  I haven't seen any Spring arrivals until today.

Today, I walked along the Thames River in Greenway Park.  There is always Canada Geese and Mallards around.  The river is high so the little islands in the river are pretty much covered in water.  There was a nice group of Ring-necked Ducks....most of them sleeping.  I counted 13.  I also saw 4 Buffleheads.

Mallards

A Carolina Wren started singing which caught my attention.  I was able to get a few photos. 

I finally saw my first Red-winged Blackbirds today.  The earliest I've seen a Red-winged Blackbird is February 22.  This is a real late first this year.  They were singing.  I was here a couple a days ago and didn't see or hear any.  I didn't get any great photos of them through all the branches, twigs and overcast sky. 

I was taking some photos of the Downy Woodpecker and a small bird below caught my eye.  I couldn't believe it, a Yellow-rumped Warbler!  I have been looking for this bird for a long time.  It's been around all winter.  I just keep missing it. 

This is the only photo I got before it flew off. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

I also saw Cardinals, Blue Jays, Common Crows and Rock Doves.

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The Coves

I thought I would go to the Coves. I looked at the first pond only and it was still frozen.  I saw Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatch and the Great Blue Heron standing on a large branch over hanging the frozen pond.

Some Boxing Day Birding

Greenway Park, London, Ontario

I went to Greenway Park this morning to see what I can find.  It's been a couple of days since I've been out birding.  At the start, light snow was falling.  It was cloudy, -1c.  There were Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, lots of Mallards and Canada Geese.  

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

I never get tired of American Robins (8) especially seeing them in December.

This immature Double-crested Cormorant was at the edge of the river.

I also saw a Great-Blue Heron, Common Crows, Cardinals and Ring-billed Gulls.

Bufflehead

There was a nice flurry of  Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches, and White-breasted Nuthatches.

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

I enjoyed hearing the Carolina Wren singing away.

Carolina Wren

Quiet Birding Day

Springbank Park, London, Ontario                 -2c, cloudy, strong NE winds

It was cold today with blustery NE winds. The ducks I saw were Mallards and Common Mergansers.  I also saw Canada Geese and a Red-tailed Hawk.  It was a quiet walk with few birds. 

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mallard

For smaller birds, I saw Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, Song Sparrows and Carolina Wrens.

Red-winged Blackbird

There were 2 Carolina wrens bouncing around in the small bushes.  This is the best I got.  My camera kept focusing on the twigs.

Carolina Wren