Aylmer Wildlife Management Area - 2024

 March 25, 2024 - Aylmer Wildlife Management Area (AWMA)

For years, I have always seen thousands of Tundra Swans resting at AWMA during the annual Spring Tundra Swan Migration.  This year was different.  There was only 147 Tundra Swans seen...the lowest number I have ever seen for many, many years.  Is it because of the mild winter?  

Birds I saw were 147 Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, Green-winged Teals, Gadwalls, American Wigeon, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gulls, American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Grackles, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, and American Crows.  

Here and There

I was out at Fanshawe Lake and walking along Thames River this week.  Feeling early signs of Spring...warmer temperatures and most of the snow has melted.  It was so nice to see two Eastern Bluebirds, one of my favorite birds.

Early migrants - Tundra Swans

It's always nice to see American Robins.

I saw 2 Muskrats on the ice on a nice sunny day early in the week.

I think this is a Red Fox.  I thought it might be a Coyote...a good size.  It was standing looking at me a distance away...I was getting my camera ready and it turned around and walked away.  I just got the back end.  It was a beautiful animal!