June Birding - Very Warm and Dry Conditions

Continuing from mid-May and into June, we've had no rain.  It is getting so dry that some small ponds I go to are dried up.  It's not good hearing about the wildfires across north Canada.

For the start of June, I have been out birding at a few spots.  Out in open fields, I love hearing the Eastern Meadowlark.  Also seeing Song Sparrows, Killdeers, Mourning Doves, Red-tailed Hawks, Ospreys, American Robins, American Goldfinches, Savannah Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Grasshopper Sparrows are very tiny sparrows....one would see them out in fields. grasslands and prairies.  They have been in steep decline in some areas due to habitat loss.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Song Sparrow

Mallard family

Female Wood Duck and ducklings

In the butterfly category, I saw my FOY Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Eastern Giant Swallowtail.  The last few days while birding, I have not seen any butterflies (not even Cabbage Whites) anywhere.  Also, have not seen any dragonflies.  I'm getting concerned about this.  Maybe it's still too early, I don't know.   

It is very, very dry...we need rain!

Some Pleasant Days Birding

This past week I was birding in the Hyde Park area, Springbank Park and Kilally Meadows.  There were a nice variety of birds.  In Hyde Park, I saw my FOY Eastern Kingbird.  Also Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Canada Geese with their goslings, Turkey Vultures, Killdeers, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Yellow Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Common Yellowthroat, Catbirds, and Baltimore Orioles. 

I'm looking for butterflies and dragonflies too.  I've only seen Cabbage Whites and no dragonflies so far.

Green Heron

Eastern Kingbird

I was watching the Great Blue Heron for awhile.  The Red-winged Blackbirds were not happy with the heron around so the heron was being harassed.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common Yellowthroat

There were some nice birds at Springbank Park.  Here is a Wood Duck having a sleep on a rock.  

Carolina Wren

Solitary Sandpiper

At Kilally Meadows there are a lot of Yellow Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles.  The Eastern Towhee was nice to see.  I heard it singing and found it in an open bush.  

Two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Saw my first Bullfrog of the season.

American Bullfrog

Local May Birding

I did some birding around London area this week....got a few first-of-year birds which is nice.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Eastern Meadowlark

The Northern Mockingbird is a rare bird for our region.

Northern Mockingbird

Baltimore Oriole

Killdeer

Birds I found in Springbank Park.

Least Sandpiper

I watched a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers.  They have a nest in a tree cavity...busy catching bugs for their young.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Hyde Park Area

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Yellow Warbler

Tree Swallow