Ciao For Now

It's late May now, the weather is finally getting nicer and staying nice too. I plan to spend a lot more time out in the yard over the next few months, as I normally do every year, minus the high humid or stormy days (who doesn't?).

I don't plan on blogging/writing a whole lot but will probably share photos every week or so from somewhere in my travels. Unless, of course, something big happens and I will make the time. You may have noticed that with my last few blogs, more pics, less chit chat from me.

Anyways, I wish everybody a very happy, healthy, fun summer...

This was the highlight of my one outing this past long weekend... seeing this pair of Wood Ducks down at High Park. I never gave Ducks much thought over the years. I mean, nothing against them, just since they don't hang in my yard and visit my feeders, they kinda get pushed to the back of my mind. I normally see lots and lots of Mallard Ducks in my travels. So, when Angie and I discovered Wood Ducks in the area... we were in awe. The male looks like he was painted by Picaso! The colors, the lines, those red eyes! The female, not quite as spectacular looking, but still one fine looking Duck as well.



Our first time trying to see them was at a Bed and Breakfast who boasted having a pair in the pond on the property. We never saw them. The mosquitoes sure didn't help us look too hard either. About 5 months later we stumbled across a pair accidentally in our travels which made the day out all the better. This is the second time I have ever seen a pair of Wood Ducks. If you ever happen to spot a pair, please take a moment to view/enjoy them as they swim about.



Oh, and please do not feed them bread... do not feed any water fowl bread, or any bird for that matter. I plan to write about that in the future, how bad it really is for them. I see people with bags of Wonder bread in the parks and I just want to run over and kick them.

See Yas all another time... cheers! \"/

High Park in early May

This weekend we went to High Park on our annual May search for the Orioles return to the city; but with it came some other great surprises.

The Orioles were found within minutes from exiting the car where we parked at High Park. I haven't heard that song since last August but I didn't forget it. Funny how it sticks with me even if I only see these birds for maybe a span of 4 weeks per year.



We know a "hot spot" in the park where we are pretty much guaranteed to see some Orioles and were not disappointed. That rush of excitement upon first glances of their return is something only one who appreciates our feathered friends can understand. I bet more people would be stunned by the visual beauty of an Oriole if they just stopped and looked at one (not that they are easily seen).




In the span of the next hour or so we happened to see a number of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds in the same area. I didn't expect to see them in the area already. It is early May and frost is still happening the occasional night. They were quite attracted to some shrubs we learned are called "Weigelas". The bright red flowers and the nectar within are a real treat for the Hummingbirds. The one thing about Hummingbirds is that they do not stop moving... so good luck in photographing one, especially still in the ranks of being an amateur photographer like myself.



A number of very small birds buzzed about the area too and we had no idea what they were. We made mental notes of a lot of the details about them... blue grey backs, dark wings, white undersides, long tails, white rings around the eyes, overall size, etc. With the help of our friend Lynda at our local Wild Birds Unlimited store, and a guide book we saw a new species to us... a Blue Grey Gnatcatcher. Another tough one to photograph, constantly moving and often higher up in the trees.



A lot of other new calls and songs were heard but nothing else stood out in our sights as a new species to identify.

I wanted to make mention that a visit to High Park is not just about the birds. Sure, it's a big part of it, but any outing to a park/forest/waterfront is also just about enjoying the day. Taking in the warm sun and enjoying all around us. To be surrounded by trees or water sure is nice. The less concrete I see, the better. The lack of noise of the passing cars and trucks as we go deeper into the park is great. I have learned over the last couple years that going out with just the mindset of seeing some birds is not the best way to go about things. I would get so wrapped up in just that, ignoring the beauty around me, the joy of what else the day and area had for me... and there are times when the birds just weren't around for whatever reason.

As the forests get greener everyday, the window for good bird spotting lessens... something others interested in attempting to watch the birds need to keep in mind. I will attach a few other of my favorite photos from this day out... enjoy! I am off to research these little Blue Grey Gnatcatchers as I know nothing about them, only now, that there is such a species.

A Chipmunk enjoyed our company as we tossed him peanut after peanut.



A male Red Winged Blackbird up in the tree, singing a song, waiting for some grub or enjoying the sun. Notice how the trees are still quite open? When it's full of leaves, the birds can hide in there quite well and then you can only hear them.



I am not sure what this flower is called but I saw a large patch of them. I got in close for this shot and didn't even notice the couple insects within until after I loaded the photo to the computer. Looks like 'Skeeters to me!



A bazillion red ants! Where's a Flicker when you need one? I've only seen it once when a Flicker attacks an ant site... quite a sight!



One of the many American Robins running about the grounds.



The Weigela plant as I mentioned... Hummingbird attractor and the Orioles seem to like it too.



Another neat looking flower off the path in the park. Please don't step on them.


The next Blog of mine below is also full of photos from High Park, the day before this one. If you like Northern Cardinals, check it out!

Trying to make the best of a rainy day...

The weather people couldn't make up their mind for today. I heard rain, chance of rain, cloudy, occasional showers, partly sunny. It almost all sounds the same, eh?

So, with a number of hours to myself, not sure what to do because of the weather... I finally packed up some seeds, peanuts and the camera; got in the car and just started driving. I visited a couple cemeteries, local parks and finally got out for a walk when I heard quite a few songs through the air.

It would rain for 10 minutes, stop for 10, rain again, stop again. I was only out of the car for maybe 45 minutes and got some pretty good shots of a few of my faves in the area... oh, and I got pretty soaked too but I kept that camera covered at all costs.

It's amazing, to me anyways, what one can see if they have a bit of nuts and seed along with patience. A decent camera to share the adventure later is a bonus. I hope you enjoy a few of the moments of my outing today.

The Red Winged Blackbirds are pretty aggressive; hence leaving this male Cardinal off to the side hoping for some leftovers. Boys will be boys...



The male House Sparrow didn't mind sharing the feasty find with a female Cardinal.



This one didn't come out so clear but it was cool to see all 3 of them sharing the small pile of food. Blame my shaky hands and the damp windy weather.



I put some more food on another fence post and the male quickly came over.



I wandered around a bit and followed the girl Cardinal to this spot. I really like this shot of her.



As always here and just about anywhere in North America you can be guaranteed the visit from a Squirrel or two or twelve.



One of the many flowers in the area...



On my way back to the car I ran into this guy, a Raccoon. Wonder what it was doing out and about in the early afternoon?

A Bird for the Season(s)

Ever since I got into birding, and as I learned more about them; I began to not use the calendar to rely upon seasonal changes. I don't need an exact date told to me by anyone when spring, summer, autumn or winter is here. All I need to do is look for the signs and listen to the sounds right outside the kitchen window.

Let us roll through a year together, using my backyard as the example...

They've always told me that the American Robin is the first sign of spring. Some years ago that was very true. Nowadays, many of the Robins do not fly south anymore. I see them all winter long, just deeper in the forests, near my house.



Personally for me these days, the first true sign of spring is the arrival of the Red Winged Blackbirds. They fly south every fall between late September thru late October, and begin returning at some point in March. Their familiar calls and flashy red banded wings are a welcoming sound/sight after a long Canadian winter.



My summer bird is the return of the Baltimore Orioles. A stunning visual for sure. The males look like fireballs as they fly low across the grounds. Their first sightings are earlier than what our calendar defines the arrival of summer; usually 3 to 4 weeks prior. As it goes here in Toronto, we can get some very extreme summer weather in the first week of June. I know this for a fact because there is an annual car show, the first Saturday of every June. My friend and I have not gone the last two years because of the weather being up around +40c with the humidity. So, I end up sitting at home, staying in the shade out back, keeping cool and watching my feathered friends, including a pair of Orioles who have stopped in the last 3 years (so far). They do go further along in their journey to where they nest, as they disappear for up to two months during the summer season. Although last year I believe they nested much closer since they were seen more often.



Here in Toronto, people often say "Summer is over when the Canadian National Exhibition opens in late August". Which I can agree upon and I used that as an awareness to the end of the season for some years after I graduated high school. During school years it was Labor Day. Now though, I definitely know summer is coming to a close as the Orioles pass through once again in late August. They will be around daily for up to ten days before they are gone again until the following year.

The first true signs for me that autumn is here are when I begin to see large flocks of Red Winged Blackbirds and the Common Grackle (pictured below). An afternoon in mid-September can have the backyard filled with 40 to 50 Grackles. They, as many other birds, have some very distinct sounds. I would say that a few of their noises are almost machine-like. It's a peanut scramble out in the back as I toss handful after handful to assist them all in their long journey ahead. They never spend the night and within a day or two another flock will show up and it goes like this for at least two weeks.



So, here we are now in October of a calendar year, the leaves are changing and falling to the ground. We have frost one morning and +25c in the afternoon. People get confused. What season is it now? The calendar says fall but there are so many changes in the weather. Up and down it goes. Deep down we know it's only a matter of time before it stays cold constantly. The calendar says winter arrives officially on December 21st of every year. For me, I call it winter when I first see the next bird below, which is the Dark Eyed Junco (tuxedo bird). When do they arrive? Last year my first sightings were the third week of October. The year prior it was the end of November. Years before that were anywhere in between.

The Juncos prefer cooler climates. It's hard to believe this is "flying south" for them. I am believing they probably spread out more in the winter months as part of their survival and search for food.

I hope with this blog, that maybe someone out there reading this will have learned something and perhaps at sightings of some of the birds I have mentioned, they will think back to this post.

Chick-a-dee-dee-dee! Come live with me!

So, the last few weeks a pair of Black Capped Chickadees have been buzzing about the yard and beyond (not so unusual really). The thing is it is nesting season or mating season, whatever you prefer, and they have taken notice to one of the bird houses out back. I find this all very exciting especially since that house has only been out there for four years now and has never had never any residents. I find it funny too because this house was more show out in the garden and not one of the few out there where I really thought a bird might move in.

I asked some questions at a bird magazine web site over their message board. A great place to find answers (usually) from other friends of the feathered. Google was a big help too... gotta love Google.

It seems the Chickadees will excavate a number of nests for a short bit until they decide upon which one is best for them. Where does my bird house stand in this all? I have no idea. It is such a tease watching them arrive daily, play in and out of the house for up to two hours at a time. I guess in the coming weeks we will find out for sure.



They don't like the camera much when around the house. So, getting one good shot of the action has not happened yet.

In the coming weeks I will let you know if we have new neighbors.

Don't Hate The Cowbirds

So, I posted this photo on Facebook the other day. I also made mention of them including a link to some small tid-bits on this species of bird. It seems to have raised a bit of a stink because they do have a bit of a bad reputation when it comes to nesting or rather "egg laying" by leaving their eggs in another birds' nest and have that other bird raise their baby. Call them mean. Call them lazy. You cannot deny they are clever.

The most interesting is their "mafia style" to ran-sack a nest where they dropped an egg which got rejected by the other family of birds who knew it was not one of theirs'.

Anyways, don't hate the Cowbirds, it's just what they do. Here's some further info on this species of bird that you may find interesting. Enjoy!

They occur in open or semi-open country and often travel in flocks, sometimes mixed with Red Winged Blackbirds (particularly in spring) and Bobolinks (particularly in fall), as well as Common Grackles or European Starlings. These birds forage on the ground, often following grazing animals such as horses and cows to catch insects stirred up by the larger animals. They mainly eat seeds and insects.

Before European settlement, the Brown-headed Cowbird followed Bison herds across the prairies. Their parasitic nesting behavior complemented this nomadic lifestyle. Their numbers expanded with the clearing of forested areas and the introduction of new grazing animals by settlers across North America. Brown-headed Cowbirds are now commonly seen at suburban birdfeeders.

This is a nest of an Eastern Phoebe with one Brown-headed Cowbird egg

This bird is a brood parasite: it lays its eggs in the nests of other small perching birds, particularly those that build cup-like nests. The Brown-headed Cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors. The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed Cowbird females can lay 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds.

Unlike the Common Cuckoo, it has no gentes, whose eggs imitate those of a particular host.

Host parents may sometimes easily notice the cowbird egg, to which different host species react in different ways. Rejection manifests in three forms: nest desertion (e.g., Blue-gray Gnatcatcher), burying of the egg under nest material (e.g., Yellow Warbler), and physical ejection of the egg from the nest (e.g., Brown Thrasher). Brown-headed cowbird nestlings are sometimes expelled from the nest.

The House Finch feeds its young a vegetarian diet, which is unsuitable for young Brown-headed Cowbirds. Although the Brown-headed Cowbird eggs laid in a House Finch nest will hatch, almost none survive to fledge.

It seems that Brown-headed Cowbirds periodically check on their eggs and young after they have deposited them. Removal of the parasitic egg may trigger a retaliatory reaction termed "mafia behavior". According to a study by the Florida Museum of Natural History published in 1983, the cowbird returned to ransack the nests of a range of host species in 56% of the time when their egg was removed. In addition, the cowbird also destroyed nests in a type of "farming behavior" to force the hosts to build new ones. The cowbirds then laid their eggs in the new nests 85% of the time.

This is the male Brown Headed Cowbird...


This is the female Brown Headed Cowbird...


I have 3 pairs about the property right now yet as far as I can tell there are no nests on the go suitable for the Cowbirds. I'd hope for them to stick around for the summer, as any insect eating birds on the property are definitely welcomed.

I never thought there was such thing as a good fire!

Imagine walking through one of your favorite parks/forests and as you come up a hill you smell the after-math of a fire. It's not overwhelming by any means but your instincts tell you that it definitely was not a family BBQ. You get to the top of the hill and pictured below is what you see...



The first few moments I am in a state of confusion. It's blackness about the ground for some distance, lots of ash and burnt foliage (don't know how else to describe it). I don't pay attention to the trees being barely touched by the fire. I also ignore that there is like a path going through the destruction. I've not seen anything like this before... and I don't understand it. I have my camera with me and I start taking pictures. I know as soon as I get home one of the first things I will be doing is trying to Google what exactly happened here in a very southern part of Lambton Woods. I need to know!



I walk about the grounds, taking in the view and pick my brain on the how's and why's of this. After the shock of it, reality sets in that this was a deliberate and controlled fire but I still had no idea why it was set.

Much to my relief on the way home we pass a notice stating the fire was to be set by the City of Toronto. It is part of the protection and restoration of a Black Oak Savannah... something I have never heard of, and will look into it further, as the posting also states it is one of the most endangered ecosystems in Ontario and one of the last in Toronto.


So yes, I will do some study on this further... always good to learn something new that I have interest in, and see if there is something further I may do, or get myself involved in to help with the restoration and preservation of this part of the Lambton Woods. One of my absolute most favorite places within the city to get away from it all and see lots of wildlife.