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

Revisit Westminster Ponds

Westminster Ponds, ESA, London, Ontario              10c, sunny

I haven't been to Westminster Ponds for awhile so I decided to go there this morning.  There has been big changes since I was there last. Westminster Ponds is going through a restoration to add accessible trails and boardwalk.  Also removing an infestation of buckthorn and standing dead ash trees.
Westminster Ponds is also designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland.

There is some clearing going on...

I didn't go far as the trails are very muddy and wet.  I just stayed around the viewing area. 

Brown-headed Cowbird

Cardinal

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Saw a couple of Horned Grebes.

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Eastern Phoebe

Red-winged Blackbird - female

Bufflehead

Downy Woodpecker

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Viewing Platform

Chilly Day Birding

Springbank Park - Wonderland Rd Area, London, Ontario

Cloudy, cold, high of 5

Took a walk in Springbank Park...walking under Guy Lombardo Bridge over to Greenway Park.  At the river, I saw a Double-crested Cormorant, Mallards, Ring-billed Gulls and a Herring Gull.

I also saw lots of Robins, a Blue Jay, Cardinal, Cedar Waxwings, American Goldfinches, Mallards, Canada Geese, (heard) Red-winged Blackbirds, Crows, Turkey Vulture, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, Song Sparrow and a Common Redpoll.  A nice variety of birds.

Ring-billed Gull

I had to take this photo fast, as the cormorant was really motoring it!

Double-crested Cormorant

I noticed this robin has a leg band.

American Goldfinch

Cedar Waxwing

Herring Gull

Ring-billed Gull

The photo below is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (underside) blurry close to upper right hand corner.  As I was looking at the photos later, I noticed a Common Redpoll...left hand side above the large branch...seeing only the beak, forehead and throat area. It's not very clear.  

Calm before the Storm

Gibbons Park - London, Ontario

This morning was sunny and warm, 16 degrees.  Late morning the clouds started moving in as we are getting rain this afternoon/tonight.  The winds are going to pick up too.  So I'm glad I got most of my birding in earlier this morning.  I saw Carolina Wren, Mallards, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, White-throated Sparrows, American Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cardinal, Cedar Waxwing, Black-capped Chickadees, Downy Woodpecker and Turkey Vulture.  

A big Northern Map Turtle although I don't see any red on it.

White-throated Sparrow

The Black-capped Chickadee is in the middle hanging upside down.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Goldfinch

Cedar Waxwing

Very old Willow Trees

A Variety of Birds......

Gibbons Park, London, Ontario - 4 degrees, a few clouds, chilly

I thought I would go to Gibbons Park for a change this morning.  I walked on the dirt path along the river.  On the water, saw some Mallards and Canada Geese.  I also saw Cedar Waxwings, Blue Jays, Turkey Vultures, American Crows, Carolina Wren, House Sparrow, Starling and White-breasted Nuthatches plus the birds shown below....Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Song Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, and American Goldfinch. 

Mallards

Northern Cardinal

American Robin

Song Sparrow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Downy Woodpecker

Black-capped Chickadee

American Goldfinch

Thames River