West London Birding - November 2024

Last week, I went to Komoka North.  It was a little cooler, overcast with a strong west wind.  There were lots of Canada Geese, with a couple of Pied-billed Grebes, some Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks and Green winged Teals.  The four Mute Swans were around.  It was really nice to see an Eastern Bluebird, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, American Goldfinches, American Tree Sparrows, and a few American Robins.

Ruddy Ducks

Canada Geese

Mute Swans

Eastern Bluebird

At Hyde Park, it was a warm day, part cloud, 16c-19c.  Unbelivable weather for November.  There was even Clouded Sulphurs flying around.

I saw a nice flyover of a group of Canada Geese, some Mallards, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Dark-eyed Juncos, Song Sparrows, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinal, American Tree Sparrows, American Robins, and Blue Jays.

American Tree Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Yesterday at the Coves, I didn't get any photos of birds but there were three White-tailed Deer around which was very nice to see.

Week of August 11, 2024 Findings

Recently, birding has been slow.  I'm seeing fewer butterflies too.  Here are photos from last week.

Eastern Kingbird

Song Sparrow

Springbank Park - August 12, 2024

Great Blue Heron

Osprey

Spiny Softshells

Baltimore Oriole (Female)

Belted Kingfisher

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Komoka

Autumn Meadowhawk

Eastern Forktail

Black Saddlebags

Common Ringlet

Mid-October Birding

I saw a lot of species of birds at Kilally totalling 36.  Some birds I saw were Swainson's Thrush, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Carolina Wren, Catbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Turkey Vultures, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Towhee (2), and White-breasted Nuthatch. 

Black capped Chickadee

Cedar Waxwing

American Robin

Common Grackle

Swainson's Thrush

On Oct 12, 2023 at Greenway, I saw a lot of the same birds as yesterday at Kilally.  

Song Sparrow

The Osprey was very high up so this is the best photo I can get.  It's getting late for Osprey migration.

Osprey

At Uplands Wetland (Oct 15), the Great Egret is still hanging around.  It was very windy today.  The egret flew up to an old tree trunk hanging on for dear life.  I also saw a Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Green-winged Teals, Ring-billed Gulls, Red-winged Blackbirds, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, Downy Woodpecker,  American Goldfinches, Turkey Vultures (8), and American Robins.  Lots of Canada Geese and Mallards.  

Great Egret

Green-winged Teal

Double-crested Cormorant

Here are some colours from the Coves.

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!

Recent Outings - March 25-29, 2023

I did some birding at the Coves, London Airport and Fanshawe CA this week.  It sure is nice to see migrants coming through.  The Turkey Vultures are really coming through now.  It's wonderful to see them.

At the Coves, I saw 5 Great Blue Herons.  Here are some photos.

There were also some Hooded Mergansers and Common Mergansers. 

Song Sparrow

This Red-tailed Hawk was on a fence at the airport.  Other birds were Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbirds, Dark-eyed Juncos and American Robins.

American Tree Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Turkey Vulture

At the Fanshawe CA area, there were 2 Horned Grebes which were nice to see.