Happenings March 25 & 26

Hyde Park Drainage Pond - March 25, 2019

I checked out the drainage pond in Hyde Park to see what was there.  It was a nice sunny day but still a little cool 1c.  The ice has melted on the water now.  I found two Hooded Mergansers and 3 Ring-necked Ducks.  There were also some Mallards and Canada Geese.  

Hooded Mergansers

Ring-necked Ducks

I saw 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds (FOY).

Lots of Cardinals singing away.

Song Sparrows were singing too.  

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Springbank Park - March 26, 2019

Today again a nice sunny day but cool 1c.  It's nice to walk along the banks of Thames River and hearing the sounds of Spring.  Lots of Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds and Robins.  Also, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatch.  

Common Merganser

Looking down the bank of the river, I saw a groundhog scurrying along.  It stopped and I had a good opportunity to get some photos.

Drizzly Walk in Springbank

Springbank Park - Civic Gardens Area, London, Ontario

We've had a lot of rain so I have not been out much.  I decided to go to Springbank Park this afternoon which was 5c, cloudy, light rain/drizzle.
The Thames River is very high because of the rain and flowing fast.  The photo below shows the water over the banks.  These little trees and shrubbery usually are not in the water.

I took more photos of trees as they are so beautiful.  A lot of leaves have fallen, but some trees are still full of colour.  The photo below, Woodland Cemetery is to the left at the other side of these trees.

The photos of the birds I took are terrible with the dull sky and drizzle.

American Robin

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The photos below are around the Civic Gardens area.  The birds I saw were 4 Canada Geese flying over, American Robin, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jays and Northern Cardinals. I didn't see any birds in the river where I was.

Flowers in Springbank

Springbank Park, London, Ontario                11c, overcast

There was no sun but it was a nice pleasant morning.  I went to Springbank to see what I can find.  I heard and saw a lot of birds but could not get photos.  I was so happy to see some Chimney Swifts which are a threatened species.  There was about 7 or 8 of them flying around overhead.  Other birds were a Catbird, Yellow Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos, 2 Carolina Wrens, Baltimore Orioles, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, a flock of grackles, Cardinals, Barn Swallows, Bank Swallows, American Goldfinches, Robins, lots of Canada Geese on the grassy areas, Mallards and Mourning Doves.

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium

Wild Columbine

Wild Blue Phlox

Water Lilies

Short Walk in Springbank

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - Springbank Park, London, Ontario

The Wisteria vines are always nice this time of the year.

With the leaves out now, it was difficult getting a photo of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I can see this turtle on the rock in the middle of the Thames River quite far out.  I snapped a couple of pictures and when I looked at the pictures at home, there were 2 other smaller ones there too!  I was happy to see that!

Northern Map Turtles

Birding in Springbank Park

Springbank Park, London, Ontario         15c  overcast

I went for a morning walk in Springbank Park near the Civic Garden Complex.  It was damp and overcast so for me taking photos was a challenge.
I saw or heard 23 species of birds.
List - Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Killdeer, Barn Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Common Crow, Cardinal, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Canada Geese, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Thrush sp., and American Robin.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Song Sparrow

Yellow Violets

Purple Violet

White Trilllium

Thrush sp.

White Trillium

I finally got a photo of another warbler!  The Yellow Warbler and now the Redstart!

American Redstart

American Redstart

American Redstart

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Northern Map Turtle

Water Lettuce

White Trilliums

Redbud