Mild First Week of November 2024

Westminster Ponds

For the first week of November, the weather has been mild with some sunny days and some overcast days.  

Red-bellied Woodpecker

American Goldfinch

Trees across Saunders Pond

Uplands North Wetland

There were 16 Green-winged Teal together in the pond which was nice.

Green-winged Teal

The Coves 

I was watching lots of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings in the berry bushes flying from bush to bush. I looked up and there was a Cooper's Hawk in a tree watching.  There were a lot of American Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, White throated Sparrows, Golden crowned Kinglets in the Goldenrods feeding on the seeds.  I also saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler and four Eastern Bluebirds.  

At Greenway Park. I saw the usual Canada Geese and Mallards, a couple of Killdeers, a Great Blue Heron and a Bald Eagle far up in a tree.

Bald Eagle

Warm Weather Continues End of October 2024

 Week of Oct 21-27, 2024 

Monday at Komoka North - It was sunny and warm 12c to 24c close to a record temperature.  The pond was quiet today with a few Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teals, Pied-billed Grebes and Gadwalls.

On the trail, lots of Dark eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Finches in the goldenrods for the seed.  I was pleased to see an Eastern Bluebird up in a tree.  Also saw a Red-tailed Hawk and two Turkey Vultures.  A few Clouded and Orange Sulphurs were flying around.

Gadwall

Pied billed Grebes

Eastern Bluebird

Clouded Sulphur

I have not been to Fanshawe CA for awhile.  At the pond, Pied-billed Grebes and Mallards.  A Bald Eagle flew by.  At the dam, in the distance a group (15) Common Mergansers were together.  

Bald Eagle

Dark-eyed Juncos were everywhere.

At the Coves was another nice day.  Lots of smaller birds were around, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, and American Goldfinches.  There was a Bald Eagle that flew by very high and a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.  

Hairy Woodpecker

Two Great Blue Herons in the trees.

I had a nice opportunity to take a close photo of a Cooper's Hawk.  My camera did not cooperate.  I had photos that were too dark and ones that were washed out.  This was the best I could do.

Photos in Hyde Park...beautiful colours.

Week of October 13-19, 2024

At the Coves, I saw this juvenile Turkey Vulture up on the light standard at the soccer field.  I was able to get some close-ups pictures.  Very large birds....they are beautiful in their own way.  I love seeing them soaring and sad when they leave to migrate south.

There were lots of birds in the trees especially Cedar Waxwings (flocks) and American Robins.  There are a lot of berry bushes around.  There were a few White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Back-capped Chickadees, Song Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinches, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.   

Wood Duck

Wood Duck (females)

Another Great Blue Heron.  I love taking photos of them.

Hyde Park - October 14, 2024

The trees are very nice this week in Hyde Park.

Uplands Wetland - October 19, 2024

The morning started out in dense fog.  As the fog disappeared, the ducks started to come out of the reeds.  

Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal (female)

Great Blue Heron and Canada Geese in the fog