Warm Weather Continues End of October 2024

 Week of Oct 21-27, 2024 

Monday at Komoka North - It was sunny and warm 12c to 24c close to a record temperature.  The pond was quiet today with a few Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teals, Pied-billed Grebes and Gadwalls.

On the trail, lots of Dark eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Finches in the goldenrods for the seed.  I was pleased to see an Eastern Bluebird up in a tree.  Also saw a Red-tailed Hawk and two Turkey Vultures.  A few Clouded and Orange Sulphurs were flying around.

Gadwall

Pied billed Grebes

Eastern Bluebird

Clouded Sulphur

I have not been to Fanshawe CA for awhile.  At the pond, Pied-billed Grebes and Mallards.  A Bald Eagle flew by.  At the dam, in the distance a group (15) Common Mergansers were together.  

Bald Eagle

Dark-eyed Juncos were everywhere.

At the Coves was another nice day.  Lots of smaller birds were around, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, and American Goldfinches.  There was a Bald Eagle that flew by very high and a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.  

Hairy Woodpecker

Two Great Blue Herons in the trees.

I had a nice opportunity to take a close photo of a Cooper's Hawk.  My camera did not cooperate.  I had photos that were too dark and ones that were washed out.  This was the best I could do.

Photos in Hyde Park...beautiful colours.

End of February Birding

I have been out birding but have not seen anything different for the past few weeks.  We've had some really cold days in February.

Last week, I went to Greenway Park to see what was around.  It was a little milder today and sunny.  Most of the ducks were along the banks of the river trying to keep warm.  Lots of Canada Geese, Mallards, some Black Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,  Hooded Mergansers and Common Mergansers.  

Common Mergansers and Mallards

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser (female)

Always nice to see a Robin.

One day, I went out to Killarney Ponds, east London.  There were reports that a Redhead and a Greater Scaup were there.  I saw both of them, first of the year for me.

Redhead

Greater Scaup

While I was out the east end of the city, I went to Fanshawe CA.  It was a very cold day, feeling like -14c so I didn't stay too long.  I checked out the Tamarack Trail Area.  There were lots of Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, White-throated Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Tree Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, and Red-breasted Nuthatches

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Dark-eyed Juncos

Tree Sparrow

Yesterday, I went to Canterbury Park.  I have not been there since the Fall.  The pond is still frozen over.  I saw some Blue Jays, American Robins, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals and American Crows.

Red-tailed Hawk

Looking forward to seeing some signs of Spring next week!