Signs of Spring

London Area

Lovely morning for birding.  It's nice to see and hear more signs of Spring.  The Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, and Carolina Wrens.

I saw a pair of Wood Ducks...they will probably nest in this area.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are already building their nests. 

Starlings are finding a suitable place for nesting.

Song Sparrow

Great Horned Owl - Her babies are underneath her while she is having a sleep.  The babies are probably getting big as she is more propped up.  Last time I could only see the top of her head.  

Great Horned Owl

First Week Birding in February

February 3, 2020 - Greenway Park

Nothing much to report lately.  I went to my usual favourite places.
We had a couple nice sunny days this week.  Monday, was a nice day for a walk...sunny and high of 3c.  I saw a nice variety of birds along the Thames River......American Robins, Northern Flicker, American Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Black-capped Chickadees, six Common Mergansers, lots of Canada Geese and Mallards.  The birds were very active and some were singing.  

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common Mergansers

Yesterday, I went to the Coves to see what was around.  Most of the coves are still frozen with some small open areas with Canada Geese and Mallards.  I started my walk and looked up and the Red-tailed Hawk was in the tree looking down at me.  Last month, he was in a tree very close to where I was standing.  I continued on and coming back the hawk had not moved.  He flew to another tree not far from me.  I think he was enjoying the warm sun.

I went to Melbourne (2 times) the last few weeks to find the Short-eared Owls.  No luck!
Last week, I saw the Rough-legged Hawk, a Kestrel, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawks.  This week there were 3 Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks. 

Birding - Week of January 20-24, 2020

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 - Fanshawe CA, London, Ontario

I decided to go to Fanshawe this morning to see if I can find the Chipping Sparrow.  Watching the birds feeding at the entrance of Tamarack Trail, there were lots of Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, White-throated Sparrows, and Mourning Doves.  I did finally see the Chipping Sparrow.  It was nice.

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal and Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

I went to the Dam to see what was in the water.  The one side the water was frozen.   The other side was open water.  All I saw was Canada Geese.  I scanned around the edges looking for ducks and found a busy Muskrat...swimming around and eating.
 

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - The Coves

It was quiet at the Coves this morning.  The water is frozen again.  I saw Downy Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Tree Sparrows, heard Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals and the Red-tailed Hawk.

Thursday, January 23, 2020 - Greenway Park

There were a few ducks in the Thames River today.  Lots of Canada Geese, Mallards, some Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, and Common Goldeneyes.  Along the edge of the river, the Red-bellied Woodpeckers were active, Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jays, heard a Carolina Wren and an American Robin.  

Bufflehead

Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Mallards and Canada Geese

 

Common Goldeneyes

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Red-tailed Hawk

Springbank Action

Springbank Park, London, Ontario

I thought I would go to Springbank on this chilly morning to see what I can find.  First, I spotted this Red-tailed Hawk.  After a few minutes, it flew to the opposite side of the parking lot.  This is when I noticed it had something in his talons.  I thought it looked like a squirrel...a really big squirrel as I just saw the tail at that point.
I got closer to the hawk again and couldn't figure out what he had.  I realized then it's way to big for a squirrel.  Looking closer....it was a skunk!

Lots of Canada Geese and Mallards.  Also, there were Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes.

Hooded Mergansers

There were a nice variety of birds today.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch

Downy Woodpecker

Dark-eyed Junco and Northern Cardinal

The Coves ESA

The Coves, ESA, London, Ontario

I went for a walk in the Coves this morning.  It was -1c, feeling like -8c, and cloudy.  I saw Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches.  

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

It was really nice to see the Belted Kingfisher.  It was on a branch right beside the water.  After I took the second photo, it plunged head first right into the water.  Then it flew to the other side of the water and I lost sight of it.

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Further down the water were Canada Geese and some Mallards.  This is the only open water I found.  Most of the cove sections are frozen.

Not too far from there, this Red-tailed Hawk was in the tree looking around.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

There were a few Cardinals around plus American Goldfinches.  I also saw a Bald Eagle flyover.

Northern Cardinal