June Birding - Very Warm and Dry Conditions

Continuing from mid-May and into June, we've had no rain.  It is getting so dry that some small ponds I go to are dried up.  It's not good hearing about the wildfires across north Canada.

For the start of June, I have been out birding at a few spots.  Out in open fields, I love hearing the Eastern Meadowlark.  Also seeing Song Sparrows, Killdeers, Mourning Doves, Red-tailed Hawks, Ospreys, American Robins, American Goldfinches, Savannah Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Grasshopper Sparrows are very tiny sparrows....one would see them out in fields. grasslands and prairies.  They have been in steep decline in some areas due to habitat loss.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Song Sparrow

Mallard family

Female Wood Duck and ducklings

In the butterfly category, I saw my FOY Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Eastern Giant Swallowtail.  The last few days while birding, I have not seen any butterflies (not even Cabbage Whites) anywhere.  Also, have not seen any dragonflies.  I'm getting concerned about this.  Maybe it's still too early, I don't know.   

It is very, very dry...we need rain!

Findings End of May 2021

I got a Northern Mockingbird last year for the first time.  It was nice to see it again.  It's so lovely listening to the vocals.  They are excellent mimics.

Northern Mockingbird

Chipping Sparrow

The Eastern Meadowlark is another bird I love to hear.

Eastern Meadowlark

This bird...the Grasshopper Sparrow is a new lifer for me.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Here are some of the other birds I saw through the week.

Red-tailed Hawk

Song Sparrow

Right now, there are lots of ducklings around.  For this Mallard, I counted 10 babies.

Mallard

For the Wood Duck, I counted 9 babies.  The female tends to the young.

Wood Duck

Early May Birds

 May 4, 2021

The birds are migrating through now and every day I see different species.  I've seen Yellow Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat so far.  My first vireo...a Blue-headed Vireo was seen today.  I hope to see more warblers in the coming days.  Here are some photos of some birds I've seen in the first few days for the month of May.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Mallard

Killdeer

Solitary Sandpiper

Eastern Phoebe

Tree Swallows

I got my first photo of a warbler.

Yellow Warbler

A Nice Mixture of Birds

Birding Week of November 23-28, 2020

November 23, 2020 - The Coves

At the Coves, I saw four Great Blue Herons.  The photos below shows each one.  I also saw Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Robins, Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyes Juncos, a large flock of Cedar Waxwings over 60+ eating berries, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Ring-billed Gulls, Carolina Wren, Bald Eagle, American Goldfinch and American Crows.  

American Robin

Here are some photos of the Cedar Waxwings.

November 25, 2020 - Fanshawe CA

I took a walk around the Dam area and the Tamarack Trail.  There is a separate large pond beside the lake which had over 100 Mallards.  I also saw two Great Blue Herons, and a couple of Hooded Mergansers.  It was a dull, overcast, drizzly day.  I had problems getting the right settings on my camera.  The photos were dark and most photos blurry.  At the Tamarack Trail there were White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-throated Sparrows, a Song Sparrow and Mourning Doves.

November 28, 2020 - Hyde Park area

It was a quiet day today.  The highlight was seeing two immature Bald Eagles fly over.  I was looking for finches but didn't see any.  Saw some Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, American Tree Sparrows, Mallards, Canada Geese and American Crows.  Although it was sunny, there was a cold westerly wind.

Gibbons Park Walk

I decided to go to Gibbons Park this morning.  It has been awhile.  It was cool, 0c, and sunny.  The ground is still hard with frost with a little bit of snow around.  I first heard the Red-winged Blackbirds.  They were singing from every direction.  There were Common Grackles flying over and some Robins on the ground.  A nice first taste of Spring.  
There are usually lots of Woodpeckers in Gibbons.  I saw both Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.  
The Thames River is still very high and fast flowing.  

The Great Horned Owl in her nest having a sleep.

Here are a few more photos from today.  I also heard a Carolina Wren, many Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays and Mourning Doves.

Red-tailed Hawk

Blustery Cold Brief Walk

Springbank Park, London, Ontario

I popped over to Springbank Park this morning to see if I can find the Redhead.  It was really cold (feels like -17c) with strong westerly winds gusting 65 with some light blowing snow.  I finally found it....took some photos and by then my hands were freezing and my fingers were numb.  I was done.

Mallard  (male)

Mallard  (female)

The Redhead was swimming around with the Mallards.  A very nice looking duck.

Redhead