Damp Week for Birding

Last week, we had mostly overcast or rainy days. At Springbank, I had a good opportunity to photo a family of Eastern Kingbirds.  But the photos ended up blurry and with overcast skies, very dull. 

I watched a Green Heron at Westminster Ponds.  A few times, the Red-winged Blackbirds were chasing it around the marsh.

Green Heron

I came across a Red-tailed Hawk having a meal. Blurry photos.

Lots of beautiful water lilies in the marsh blooming.

Black-eyed Susan

Canada Thistle

At the Coves yesterday, I saw my first of the year Great Egret.  We had rain Friday and overnight so the Coves were very wet, muddy and lots of mosquitoes.

I could not find many butterflies or dragonflies.  I hope next week, I can find some.

Back to the Bog

I went to the Sifton Bog this week.  I have not been there since the start of the Pandemic.  The boardwalk is narrow and it's hard to distance from other people.  There were some people that came in and I still don't feel comfortable especially when trying to pass each other.  I was in and out but it was nice to see the bog.

There is a small patch of Butterfly Milkweed near the Common Milkweed.  It's so pretty with its brilliant orange clustered flowers.  

Butterfly Milkweed

The small cranberry bushes already have cranberries showing.

I found a couple of Grass Pink Orchids.

Marsh Ferns

Sphagnum Moss

Red Admiral

There were lots of Midland Painted Turtles.  Across the pond, the turtles were coming out to bath in the sun.  I scanned the edges and counted 25 turtles and they were still coming out of the water.

Lots of turtles

And I found this little turtle just in front of me.

I only saw two different dragonflies.  The Common Whitetail and the Blue Dasher.  

Blue Dasher

At other parks this week, I enjoyed watching Eastern Kingbirds feeding their young.

Young Eastern Kingbird

Dun Skipper

Variable Dancer

Elony Jewelwing

Staghorn Sumac

I decided to go to London Airport to see the Northern Mockingbirds. 

 

Northern Mockingbird

There were lots of Cabbage Whites, some Clouded Sulphurs and a Mourning Cloak.

Mourning Cloak

Savannah Sparrow

Recent Outings - Final Week of June 2021

 Week of June 28, 2021

While birding as I mentioned before I'm looking for butterflies, too.  I got my first Eastern Tailed-Blue in Hyde Park.  Sulphurs are starting to appear as I saw a couple of Clouded Sulphurs.  I also saw first of the year Common Wood Nymph.  There were lots of them flying around this week.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Silver-spotted Skipper

Cabbage White

Common Wood Nymph

I was delighted to see the Black-crowned Night Heron.  They are very hard to find in the trees behind all the leaves.  They are a smaller heron, a little bigger than a Green Heron.  They are stocky with short legs.  There are a pair at the Coves..... with one baby maybe two.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Here are some other photos I took this week.

Great Blue Heron

American Robin

Song Sparrow

Mallard with her ducklings

Midland Painted Turtle