Recent April Findings

I was able to see a rare Red-necked Grebe and a Common Loon at Pond Mills Ponds, Apr 2/24.  It was far out at the other end of the pond in a windy, drizzly day so photos are not clear.

Common Loon

At the Coves, April 5, 2024, I saw my first of the year Osprey.

At Uplands Wetland today, I saw my first of the year Tree Swallow!  There were also 3 female Common Mergansers, 3 Green-winged Teal and some Killdeers.

Tree Swallow

Green-winged Teal (male)

Killdeer

Searching Ponds

Since the beginning of April, I've been going around to different ponds in London.  A pond in southeast London had some Hooded Mergansers, Bufflehead, a Pied-billed Grebe.  The area around the pond, I saw Killdeers, Turkey Vultures, Song Sparrows, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Red-Winged Blackbirds. 

Hooded Merganser

Bufflehead

Turkey Vulture

At Greenway. the Common Mergansers are still around.  Also some Wood Ducks.

Common Mergansers

Wood Duck

I checked out Westminster Ponds one day.  A Red-necked Grebe was reported there.  The grebe was way out at the other end of the pond at one point.  It was diving and eventually came closer.  I have seen a Red-necked Grebe but it was a long time ago.  It was nice to see this beautiful bird. 

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I noticed a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers.  It was a very dull day, so my photos are dark.

Song Sparrow

Northern Flicker

Variety of Wildlife

 Birding around London Area

I love the diving ducks.  I watch them as they dive under the water and I look to see where they come back up.  Sometimes a few are diving and sometimes like the Hooded Mergansers (9) I saw the other day, they all went under together and watch them pop up at different times.  

Hooded Merganser (female)

                                        

The American Wigeon surface-feeds like Mallards.

American Wigeons

American Wigeons

There has been lots of finches around lately.....especially Goldfinches.

American Goldfinch

Blue Jay

I really like sparrows.  This time of year one can see White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Fox Sparrows.

Song Sparrow

Red-tailed Hawk

American Robin

On November 5, 2020, I saw an American Toad on the trail.  It was a warm day, high of 17c which toads like.

At Springbank Park, a Red-necked Grebe showed up at the Thames.  This is a juvenile bird.  I have not seen one for years.

Cedar Waxwing

Great Blue Heron

I was looking for sparrows and a White-tailed Deer was staring at me.

Northern Cardinal

Mallards

Black-capped Chickadee

Downy Woodpecker