500... WOW!

Well it has been over 6 years in the making but I finally hit a big milestone with my volunteer work at the Toronto Wildlife Centre; I released my 500th bird!

When I finally signed on as an official volunteer with TWC, I started keeping a log book of my goings on be it rescues, releases, grocery shopping and anything else. I kept track of the count with my releases as I found it interesting how they added up.

It is never a competition, not even for myself. It's just been something of interest to me. Sometimes it was just one bird to be released, like a pigeon, somewhere in the west end of the city which is where I live. Sometimes it was one, five, maybe eight migratory songbirds either needing a drive north of the city in the spring or west of the city in the fall. I prefer to not go too far out of range especially since I work a 40 hour week, Monday to Friday. I do what I can, when I can. I wish I could do more but other volunteer gigs require more structure like doing an actual 4 hour shift. If Angie and I worked the same hours, then perhaps I could give up a couple weekend mornings each month (she might join me in this too); but we don't so our weekend time together is pretty important to us.

I should add that I am thankful for Angie's support with my volunteer work. She comes along with me on occasion when possible and if something happens to interrupt our weekend, she'll say something along the lines of "What are you waiting for? Go to it! Text me when you are on your way home and I will start lunch (or dinner)".

This spring I figured I would hit #500. I slowly inched my way to that number with a couple robin releases, a few early migrants being some White-throated Sparrows.

This robin I released back in one of my old high school stomping grounds in Rexdale. Driving though an old neighbourhood near Albion Mall sure brought back a lot of memories.

I was at 494 a couple weeks back when the an opportunity arose to help once again. It was a pigeon and a some more WTSP. I picked up the birds, unsure the total until I got there. Was my 500 here? Nope... five birds... so here I was at 499. Oh man, what a tease! I laughed about it and really wondered after the fact on when and what will be the 500th release because that was next.

Here is the pigeon that was almost #500. He's a bit fancy, isn't he?

Unlike migratory birds who go to proper green spaces outside the city during migration, pigeons need to go back to where they were found, which is their home. Their community is there, their family and friends. Yes family, as many are paired up with another. This pigeon was rather freaked out come release time. Who can blame him? He doesn't know what is going to happen to him next. So he spent a lengthy amount of time just cowering in the back corner of the box. I leave the flaps open for him to see the outside world. I stand to the side or behind so he cannot see me. Then it's a waiting game until he's comfortable enough to come out on his own. It sure does help if he can see his own kind which is what happened here. I do prefer them to fly off to higher ground but he plopped right down there near this other bird. He looked around for a while and then began to preen. He was relaxing now, knowing he was back home. After I grabbed the box, got in the car and started it up, both he and the other bird took flight to a nearby roof top. Now I could leave. That's just me of course. He was deemed releasable but I prefer not to leave any birds on the ground like this. Knowing he was high and safe made me feel better.

I'm no hero in this but honestly, it is sad to say, that I know a lot of people who wouldn't drive across the street to release a pigeon. I still get a lot of flack from some about how the centre will rehab pigeons.

I know, "Okay Rob, let's get on with this. Where's #500?" Hey, I have to build up the story just a wee bit.

Moving ahead some days later, a few more birds are ready to go. I was grinning the next 15 hours about #500 coming up. What will the species be? My first bird was a White-throated Sparrow. My 50th bird was a Red-tailed Hawk that someone shot with a pellet gun. My 100th bird was a White-throated Sparrow. My 150th was a Black & White Warbler. My 200th bird was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. My 250th was a Black-throated Blue Warbler. My 300th was a Chestnut-sided Warbler. My 350th was a Swainson's Thrush. My 400th was a Northern Parula. My 450th was an Ovenbird.

Yes, I am still dragging this out.

A few people at the centre knew of my upcoming milestone bird because I told them so. It wasn't bragging rights but just my own excitement to the occasion. They were kind enough to mark the release bags for me, giving species names. It doesn't always happen but I do appreciate it when it does. I don't always see the releases because they can happen so fast, and depending on how the bird takes to the release, some disappear in the blink of an eye, getting lost in the leaves of the nearby trees.

I will admit that a few of my milestone releases I hand picked when there was a few birds to choose from. Other times I just looked the other way and let my hand pick. What was I going to do here? There was a Northern Flicker, a Northern Parula and a couple White-throated Sparrows. As I left the centre, driving along, I pondered this.

Fortunately Angie was able to meet me on her lunch break for this moment. She too had time to think about me, the bird species and what #500 will be. She even said I know what you want to pick and I know what I think you should pick.

The Flicker is a big bird that we could probably get a photo of without too much challenge. Then there's that beautiful little Northern Parula, such a colourful little warbler. NOTE: at the time, I even thought that this was going to be my first Parula to release. Now that would be something! Then there's the White-throated Sparrow who has made it to a couple of my milestones.

In the end, my choice was a White-throated Sparrow. Now why would I pick such a common bird like that? A bird that many barely bat an eye at during migration because they are plentiful. Well the reasons are many...

This sparrow was the first bird I ever banded. Yes, I have banded a few birds in my day.

It is as mentioned my first and 100th bird release as well.

The White-throated Sparrow is a highlight for me during migration. It is an early spring migrant so when I start to hear their song, I know winter is truly behind us even though I can find overwintering WTSP some years. I get excited to hear that call even if I cannot see the bird right away. The White-throated Sparrow adds a soundtrack to our backyard periodically for a week or two every spring. It can be just one bird, sometimes 3 or 4. Then come the fall, they return for another stopover. Their call is rather broken in the autumn season, sounding like a teenager going through puberty. I am happy to see and hear them once again. Of course there is some sadness as well, knowing the warm weather is rapidly coming to an end. Lastly, I can relate to the White-throated Sparrow. Just one of many, an average being, not flashy, and just trying to get through life.

A backyard WTSP from this spring. Well, he is a little flashy, isn't he? HA!

Here is #500. I wish he would have stayed for a better photo opportunity.

Here is me at the release in my usual position to let them fly out. Posing for the camera is not my thing either.

Here is a much better photo of another White-throated Sparrow that was ALMOST 500.

I look forward to many more years of volunteering with the Toronto Wildlife Centre in any way that I can.

If you have time for one more read, not quite as long as this one, you might find this one about my 50th bird release interesting. I'm always saddened that there are people who find joy in hurting animals. Someone shot this Hawk with a pellet gun. BLOG HERE.

Before I go, I should add that there is more to a release than just releasing the bird. There's the driving. Being in a busy city like Toronto, going anywhere takes time, and sometimes a lot of it. The centre is 11 km from our home and 30 minutes to get there is not unheard of. Then to get out to Mississauga or Vaughan as examples for the migrants, maybe mid-town for a pigeon, you're gonna hit some traffic and depending on time and where, it can be a lot. I've had easy drives. I've had unexpectedly long drives due to construction or an accident. It's all a part of the gig. I've had people just assume I am taking all these birds to our backyard. Simply put "NO!" When I explain the finer details, some are rather deterred. You don't stand in front of a release. You don't let your friends stand in front. You do not chase the animals once they are free. They've been through enough. If you want to take photos, take them from where you stand.

Thrush Releases

I was fortunate enough to be the driver and release person for a few migratory songbirds this week. Two of which were my favourite Thrush species, the Wood Thrush. Beautiful birds with beautiful songs; but that can be said for so many bird species, right?

Anyway, it was a great distraction for me to help get these birds back to a wild life.

These guys were pretty stressed out come release time. Understandable because they have no idea what is going on. "Why am I not outside? Why are there these big monsters around me? Why did I just get put in the dark (a wax free paper bag)?" These are things they must wonder while at the rehabilitation centre. The paper bag is what they travel in on their way to release. They won't damage their feathers as they flutter and struggle inside. It's the best we can do for them during this time. We like to think that all the animals know we are only trying to help them, but that isn't so. I have found that warblers are rather quick to going back to business as I call it, forgetting about the past in seconds. Some of the bigger birds, not as fast. Once again, it is understandable to me. They are released and are confused. They cautiously take in their surroundings before flying off.

You see can see in these photos of how the bird is upon initial release to a few minutes later when it realizes it is once again a wild and free bird.

Look how this one stands up straight and narrow.

A few minutes later, he relaxes a little bit. His head feathers still show that he is not completely at ease just yet.

I was hoping to get another photo of him but he flew off. With any releases that I do, I leave it up to the birds on how it plays out. I will not chase any for a picture. If they hang around, okay cool. If not, a silent wish of safe travels as they go on with their life.

This guy wasn't as freaked out upon release as the first but you can see the display of the head feathers that he isn't relaxed. The feathers went up, they went down, they went back up and then down again. He made a funny grunting kind of call in the near 10 minutes he sat on this branch. That's another thing for me with releases; I tend to hang out in the spot until they fly off.

He eventually flew to another shrub nearby. He was starting to relax.

A few more minutes passed and he then flew well off and out of sight.

I don't know if you see what I see in the photos and my attempt to describe what was happening. Maybe you just have to be there? And maybe this was just my attempt at putting out a blog again? I really do have some sort of writer's block going on. The pandemic and everything that goes with it certainly is a factor. The wild ones around me sure do help me though; more than what some people will ever understand. I could never imagine a world without wildlife.

Being a volunteer at Toronto Wildlife is something that I am very proud of. I do wish I had more time to spare than what I do. One day...

Look Who's Back!

I had quite the surprise on Sunday afternoon. I was in the backyard and in flew a male Hairy Woodpecker. He was in our lilac tree and looking at me like he knew me. You know, just looking at me rather intently, head bobbing up and down. Instantly I thought is that you Harry? We call all the male Hairy Woodpeckers "Harry" but last summer we had a unique one some of you might recall. We had a hand feeding Hairy Woodpecker.

Luckily I had some shelled peanuts in my pocket. I pulled them out and extended my hand to the bird. There was no hesitation, he went right for them.

How cool is that?

Harry disappeared early in the autumn season like what happens every year for us and having this species of woodpecker for the most part. We may get random visits through the winter but nothing frequent and he wasn't coming around. I suspect they go off to the nearby woodlot, Lambton Woods. It's also known to some as Woodpecker Woods. Really I don't know but that makes sense to me.

I'm thrilled he is back. He showed up again this morning.

It's this kind of stuff that makes our backyard a very special place. It also makes it a lot easier to stay home like health officials plead all of us to do.

Hopefully Harry shows up with his kids again this summer. They are fun to watch.

Stay tuned.

Robin Kinda Day

While practicing physical distancing as much as possible, I can still volunteer with Toronto Wildlife when the need arises and my schedule is open. Today was one of those times. It was a simple task, pick up a successfully rehabbed American Robin and drive it back to the area where it was found. Funny is it was in one of my old, on occasion, stomping grounds back in high school. Some of my friends lived up in this part of Rexdale. Seeing the old buildings, recognizing some of the side streets and even passing my old high school on the way home was good for a few memories.

The Robin was certainly happy to be free. He burst out of the box when I had barely gotten the top opened.

I get home and spot a robin on our front lawn. As I got out of the car, a robin flies out of one of our hedges at the front of the house. Hmmmm? I suspected a few weeks back that they were looking to build a nest in this hedge. Then at one point I thought they changed their mind(s) and moved to a neighbour's tree across the street. I even looked for a nest a couple times but never saw one. Now, seeing the female jet out of the hedge today, I figured it was time for another look.

I'm unsure the actual species of bush it is but it is a conifer and tightly grown if that makes sense. The branches are firm and close together but there are some openings and the robins chose one to build within. They have a good canopy of foliage above to shelter them from the elements. It's well camouflaged. It's about 5 feet above ground. I'd like to think the nest is quite safe where it is. My only issue is that it is right along the side with our walkway to the front door. I know in the coming weeks, especially after work, I will be entering the house from the back door so as to not disturb them.

Here is an over the nest photo I took with my phone. This is the only way to see what is going on.

I will be sure to update in the coming weeks on how things are going. Let's wish them well.

Meet Timbit

Hey hey, how is everyone today? Still healthy and hanging in there I hope. Thank you to those who have recently commented on my last couple blogs. I've not been "pimping" them out because I am not on the computer as much what with Angie working from home but also it's interesting to see how many hits I get without promotion.

Anyway, a short blog here about a new visitor to the backyard. Probably nothing really exciting to most but it's cool for us. A Red Squirrel. Now this is not the first of this species to pop in here, this is actually the third in the last 5 years, and actually as long as I have lived here (that I have noticed anyway). The previous two were only here for a couple hours before disappearing. This one, he's on 3 days of visiting now. Angie has named him Timbit.

Timbit sure is cute. He's so little compared to our Eastern Grey Squirrels. He's also a nice little distraction during these trying times as we call life now.

Timbit is very quiet compared to other red squirrels I have encountered when out and about. He's afraid of the bigger squirrels. He's also afraid of Mourning Doves which I noticed yesterday. A Mourning Dove fluttered in near him and he spooked, jumping up into the air and then running away, going up a tree. He's not entirely sure what to make of me but I think he realizes I am no threat from a respectable distance.

We hope he sticks around for a while, even though it's only him and no others of his kind. I guess we shall see as time passes.

I know red squirrels can be little buggers, chewing on stuff, getting into roofs and stuff. It's just like learning to live with other wildlife... be aware of them, what they can do, and make sure they don't do those things, but also appreciate and enjoy them, their antics and the entertainment they can bring to a backyard.

Is it just me or does he look rather well fed?

Thanks for stopping in. Stay safe.

Cheers!

Shout Out to You All

What trying times the world is in, eh? How quickly this virus has spread throughout the globe. Pandemic = chaos to say the least.

Here in our home, Angie is fortunate to be able to work from home now. She doesn't have to make the trip to the downtown area via public transit. As for me, it's the opposite. Work is still a thing, which I really am grateful for. It's stupid busy at Pepsi, busy like July kind of busy... summer is our peak for sales. I do my best to stay physically distant from everyone else. I spend most of my work shift on my forklift which is almost the same size as my Mazda 3 but I sit about 4.5 ft up. I disinfect the truck every day before starting my job. Hand washing is a regular thing every time I am off my truck for any reason. Other than that, it's mostly life at home, enjoying the backyard critter crew and the few walks have been in remote areas with the main purpose of getting nest boxes ready for the birds.

I hope everyone who reads my blogs is doing well, both you and your families. We're all in this one together.

Here's a little bit of what's going on over here in way of the animals.

I've recently made a new pigeon friend. He's a big bird. He knows I'm the guy with the grub and he will follow me around, cautiously hanging out with me but won't come to hand. I'm okay with that. I like that he's a daily visitor. He makes me feel special. HA!

After a bit of chit chat on social media, a friend suggested a couple names and one was Churchill. Angie approved. So here you are, say "hello" to Churchill.

We have a pair of Mourning Doves that have been entertaining us for a few weeks now. What's so exciting about Mourning Doves? Well, we don't get a lot of them. Years ago we did but a Cooper's Hawk did a number on them. Both Angie and I like the doves. Their peaceful call can lull us to sleep on the deck during the dog days of summer. Having a bonded pair is quite endearing to watch. Initially we only had one. The bird called day after day for about a week and then another one showed up. Now they're inseparable and are with us every day for a good part of the day. Angie has named them Mildred and Moe. We'd be okay if they set up nest here with us. I'm trying to make the area more appealing to them. We shall see.

Our resident rabbit has been making random day time appearances. I think he is living a couple yards over but with their 2 loud rambunctious dogs, it might be spooking him some days. We both like having a backyard bunny though I am sure at some point in the summer I will be shaking my fist at him for eating one or more of my plants. But that's life with wild ones, eh?

He is caught on the cam fairly regularly too.

The other critters are showing up nightly too.

Opossums. I'm still catching two on the cam. One is smaller and darker than the other.

Numerous skunks. I'd like to think this one is Topper. It sure looks like her.

Topper and another.

This bald one has been around for a couple months now too.

If you looked at the dates with the skunks, they were all here on the same night.

Of course we cannot omit the raccoons. I can't even fathom how many may be around. I've caught five at once in the winter. Two or three together lately plus a lot of lone ones.

One.

Two.

Three.

Here's a funny capture from earlier in March. I got caught on the cam as I tried to take a picture of one.

The creatures seem to tolerate each other too.

I had a new creature on the cam but I cannot find the photos. It was a deer mouse. He lives down near the shed and that's fine, just as long as that is where he stays. Maybe I will get him on cam again soon?

Anyway, ya, this is a bit of a catch up blog and a shout out to you. May we all get through this terrible thing, without too much loss of any kind.

Just hang in there.

And stay safe.

Feel free to say "hello" back and tell me how things are with you.

A Little Bit of Light in Some Dark Times

The whole world has gone mad in the last 72 hours, ever since the World Health Organization declared the Corona Virus a pandemic. People are panicking and grocery stores are being ransacked like this is the end of everything. Yet, so many of us are scratching our heads at it all and especially at the toilet paper hoarding. Seriously?

I do my best to not take in to everything that is being posted on the internet. You can find the worst of the stuff regarding what is happening through your searches. You can probably find the good too if you search harder. I think it really depends on how you choose to handle things.

Personally I am a realist. I go by what I see right in front of me. Elsewhere, I try to look at the facts. It's a battle to not let fear consume me but I am winning. I have to, not just for me, but for my family and friends.

The last number of years I try to find the good in my day, even the littlest things such as making every light on my way to work, no line up at the coffee shop or a lovely nature moment. Today I had one of those moments...

As of today it has been 72 days since the pigeons left our backyard. I watched them all fly off in fear because of the Cooper's Hawk that had been hunting these backyards. As many of you know, I have grown quite fond of them over the last near 8 years. So many birds, so many names. I have been rather sad without them, especially since it is winter and it's the darkest time of the year. My daily Facebook memories of them have tore me up lately. Oh to see some of them again. Of course I know a lot of the birds are gone now, and I still miss them. I also know that some of them are still out there.

Well, early this afternoon I had a look out the kitchen window. Angie and I have been participating in "social distancing" as recommended. It's not a difficult thing for us to do since we kinda live separate lives 5 days a week. Weekends we make the best of our time together. Anyway, back to the story...

I look out to the backyard and I see a pigeon in the garden. I think to myself "is that Charlie?" I say it out loud. I second guess this. Angie says to me what I was already thinking "well you better go out and see for yourself".

As soon as I stepped outside, this bird immediately takes flight and comes right to me. CHARLIE!!!!!

She then flies out to the lawn. I sense she is nervous. I call to her, holding out my hand with sunflower chips. She comes to me and has a feed. I talk lightly to her, asking how she has been, where she has been and that I've missed her. She looks at me periodically in between wolfing down the food. I see another pigeon in the tree. I know it's her "friend". He's too scared to come down. Charlie leaves my hand and goes to ground. I throw some seeds down and she goes for them. I hope the other will come to eat but he does not. A Starling made an odd call and that was enough for these two and away they went.

Seeing her after all this time really lifted my spirits. I forgot about it being winter. More importantly I forgot about what the hell is going on in the world and the madness I have seen in our city.

I hope she comes back again soon and not wait another two months.

If you happen to be a newer reader to my blog, perhaps click on this link and meet a lot of my old pigeon friends.

I am going to try and post blogs more frequently, even if they are just short ones, sharing what I love and what you hopefully do too... animals.

Be safe everyone. And please be kind. We are all in this together.