The Coves, ESA

It was another overcast day.  I decided to go to the Coves this afternoon.  I saw two Great Blue Herons, some Canada Geese and Mallards.   I just managed to get photos of the Great Blue Heron today.

A Red-tailed Hawk flew over.  Also saw Cardinals, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Juncos and a Ring-billed Gull. 

Thursday, January 3, 2019, I went to Greenway Park to see if I can find some duck species.  It was cold, -2c. There were lots of Mallards along the bank of the river.  The Thames is very high and fast moving right now.  It was nice to see some Common Goldeneyes moving around and diving for food.  
I went to the spot were I usually see Robins.  I saw one down by the water. 

Common Merganser  (male)

There were 2 Great Blue Herons which was nice to see.  I also saw some Canada Geese and heard a Carolina Wren.

New Year's Day Bird Walk 2019

New Year's Day Bird Walk (Nature London) - Greenway Park

It was -1 feeling like -7.  There was a NW wind so it was cold.  With the rain yesterday, we have no snow.  My first bird for 2019 is the Mallard.

We walked along the Thames River to see what we can find.  The river is very high and fast moving.  

What I saw: Muscovy Ducks (Domestic Type), Mallards, Mallards (Domestic Type), Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Ring-billed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinches, and Dark-eyed Juncos.

Great Blue Heron

Muscovy Duck (Domestic Type)

Muscovy Duck (Domestic Type)

Mallards

My Bird of the Year 2018

Today December 31, 2018 is around zero degrees and overcast with significant rainfall later in the day.  Last year at this time was really frigid cold.

I didn't see any rare birds this year.  I love owls.  So I think the Great Horned Owl will be my bird.  I don't see many owls.  For as long as I have been birding, there are lots of owls I have not seen.  Eastern Screech Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, and the Northern Hawk Owl.  I've seen the Snowy Owl a few times through the years.  When I was in Florida in the '80s, I saw the Burrowing Owl and Barred Owl.

Here are photos of the Great Horned Owl I saw in March and April 2018.

I also want to mention the first time I have ever seen this insect - Snowberry Hummingbird Clearwing.  I read about them and seen pictures of them but never seen one.  I just didn't see one but two this summer!

These photos were taken July 26, 2018 - Snowberry Hummingbird Clearwing.

These photos were taken August 15, 2018 - Snowberry Hummingbird Clearwing.

Happy New Year!