Popular birdhouse

Phoebe ~ Swallow neighbourliness  

A recent visit to the Pine Farms Apple Orchard, on the 16th Sideroad, allowed me me to watch a Tree Swallow go back and forth to its nest in a colourful birdbox, midst minature apple trees and blooming flower beds.   An Eastern Phoebe was particularly attracted to the same box, which it was using as a launching pad for short forays to snatch insects.   The Tree Swallow seemed quite unperturbed by this double-duty usage of its nestbox.   

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BtheB  

Barred Owls by Dave Kemp

Photos by Dave Kemp

MBARRED OWLM

Strix varia

My new friend, Dave Kemp, from British Columbia sent me these recent photos which he took in Minoru Park, in the centre of Richmond, B.C.   To me, the feather patterns and dark, haunting eyes of these beautiful owls give them an otherworldly look that Dave has captured beautifully.

See more of Dave Kemp's great photographs at by Googling Dave Kemp's Picture Perfect Photo Gallery or go to www.pictureperfect.nu/photogallery/ .

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BtheB

Robin's nest under a deck

Photos by Cam Inglis

My friend Cam Inglis in Kingston, Ontario, is an accomplished photographer and videographer and while I am accustomed to seeing his photos of sailboats, mountains, deserts and other exotic subject matter from around the world, I was surprised to receive these photos of a robin's nest under his deck at home.   These nestlings have that nest pretty much full it seems to me and should be near ready to try flying.   Mom (below) is still very busy feeding these young critters and will no doubt welcome some imminent flight training by her offspring.   Nice shots, Cameron.

 BtheB

My backyard Chickadees

Photo by BarrytheBirder

M Black-capped ChickadeeM

Parus atricapillus

Black-capped Chickadees have been using the birdhouse pictured above, in our backyard in King City, for 20 years.   I'm ashamed to admit that I have never cleaned it out in all those years.   The chickadees seem to cope quite well however.   I'm not sure if they are able to carry off the detritus that's left behind after raising so many broods over the years, or whether it's just about full to the rafters.   I have promised myself that this year, after the breeding/brooding season, I will take this house down, completely deconstruct it, clean it out and return it to its spot on the garden shed.   Chickadees are tame, inquisitive, trusting and ubiquitous (you'll find them from Alaska to Newfoundland and in the northern half of the lower 48 states.   They're one of those birds we all have in common, it seems.   They always seem to be around.   That's because they seldom fly long distances.   According to Wikipedia: "Clutch size is 6-8 eggs...incubation lasts 11 to 14 days and is by the female only, who is fed by the male".   The chickadee's name is imitative of its call (chick-a-dee-dee-dee) and it has been stated that it was Thoreau who gave this bird its American English name in 1838, in his Journal.
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BtheB  

Ospreys at Seneca College disappear

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Actually it's not that the Ospreys have disappeared.   They never showed up at all this year.   The same pair had arrived to nest high atop the same light standard, in the main parking lot, for a couple of decades it seemed.   This year they are no-shows.   The photograph above is one that I took last year.   I've had to look elsewhere in King Township for Ospreys this year.   I found a pair today in a nest on a large private pond, north of Kettleby.   The gentleman managing the property said the large nest has been occupied for years and that he has seen as many as nine fully-grown Ospreys trying to take over the nest at the same time.   The original couple of birds always seem to win the territorial fight with their own offspring and other interlopers.   I was asked not to reveal the location of the pond and the nest, for fear of harassment of the birds.   Illegal duck hunters on ATVs are an ongoing trespassing problem on this property.   After getting a good look at these birds today, I drove off thinking that maybe some of the offspring of these Ospreys will spot the empty nest at Seneca College's Eaton Hall campus, on their way south, and make mental notes to visit there, next spring.

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BtheB   

Winter in South Africa

My bird blogging buddy, Mpho Phiri, in his Mafikeng Birding Blog says: " It's already winter time down here in South Africa.   All migrants are gone and some of the locals are really wonderful and keep the spirit of birding alive".   Three of the locals Mpho refers to are seen here in photos he has taken.   At top is a Bomakierie (or Bushshrike) with its back feathers all blown up.   Below is a Temminck's Courser and at the bottom is a Marico (or Mariqua) Flycatcher.   It's amazing that wherever one goes in the world, flycatchers all look the same.   Good photos, Mpho. 

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BtheB

Whither the Purple Martins?

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Each time I walk under this Purple Martin birdhouse in front of Eaton Hall, at Seneca College's Eaton Hall, I wonder when the last time was that a Purple Martin nested here.   Was it a few years ago, many years ago, decades maybe?   Wouldn't it be a delight to see them once again inhabitat this spot?   Meanwhile, below, the first Canada Goose goslings have hatched at Seneca.   This pair show up about a week ago.

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BtheB

Bluebirds at Cold Creek

Photo by BarrytheBirder

While almost every birdbox at Cold Creek Conservation Area is occupied by Tree Swallows this year, Box 12, near the picnic pavillion is home to Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis).   Pictured above and below is the female, coming and going while tending her young.      While the blue of the female's feathers is quite subdued, there is no mistaking the bright blue of the male.   He is the only small, bright blue bird in most of Eastern North America.

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BtheB

Pacific coast cygnets

Photos by Don Flucker

MMute SwanM

Cygnus olor

My old acquaintance, from his Ontario days, Don Flucker, took these photos of Mute Swans near his home in Ladner, British Columbia.   Don has forwarded Mute Swans pictures before, but these are the first that show so many cygnets.   There were nine of the dear little creatures with their parents when Don captured these images.   Female Mute Swans usually lay 6 to 8 eggs (as many as 11), which is normally a couple more than most other breeds of swans.   Predation of cygnets is a problem for all swan types, but Mute Swans are the most active and fearsome in defence of their nests and young.   Don says that this same pair of Mute Swans started out last year with six cygnets but only two made it to maturity.   Don also mentioned eagles and seals, in particular, as predators of young swans.   When it comes to collective nouns to describe a group of swans there are many choices, far more in fact, than for just about any other bird species.   Take your pick from the following list: ballet, bevy, drift, game, herd, lamentation, regatta, school, team, whiting, or bank (on the ground) and wedge (in flight).   I think I'm rather partial to 'a drift of swans'.   It conjures up such a peaceful image.

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BtheB

Female Red-throated Hummingbird

Photo by BarrytheBirder

What fairer prospect then,

than seeing a hummingbird every day

for the next five months?

B.C. Rufous hummer by Dave Kemp

Photos by Dave Kemp

Dave Kemp of British Columbia sent me a series of photos of a female Rufous Hummingbird and I was particularly drawn to two.   The one above shows graphically how hummingbirds are so adept at reaching into long, tubular flowers in search of nectar.   Meanwhile, below, if one has the ability to reach into long, sticky places, one also has to be somewhat fastidious about keeping all your equipment clean and ship-shape.   Neat photos, Dave. 

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BtheB

Hummingbirds a week earlier this year

I speculated on April 24th about when the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds might show up, in this part of Ontario, a few kilometres north of Toronto.   I mentioned that in 2010 and 2011 they had arrived in my King City backyard on May 10.

Well they were a full seven days earlier this year, when a male and female both arrived on May 3, much to my delight.   The next day there were four and now there are six competing for spots at the 10 nectar feeders.   The photo at right was taken Friday afternoon. 

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Photo by BtheB

Bird-bath or fish-pond?

Photos by BarrytheBirder

A few of the Pine Siskins that showed up this spring appear to be planning to stay around for a while.   The one above seemed confused about whether whether it was in a bird-bath or a fish pond but having got no response from the uncommunicative fish, decided there was room for both.

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BtheB

Eagle in the backyard

I spent Tuesday morning hoping to spot a  warbler, any warbler, in my backyard which I could photograph.   I'm still waiting to see my first warbler of the spring.   After lunch, I thought I'd check my email before heading out into the countryside where the warbler-spotting might be more productive.   One of the emails was from my friend Cam Inglis who lives in Kingston, Ontario.   Cam's eldest son, Bob, lives near Whistler, British Columbia.   He sent his father a photo he recently snapped in his backyard...a Bald Eagle!   Not just any Bald Eagle, but a fully mature, grand-looking specimen.   Am I a tad envious?   Yes.   Am I deterred from heading out this afternoon?   No.

I shall see what I shall see and be content.

Stay tuned.

Later in the day...

Well, my walk along the East Humber River in the Humber Trails Conservation Area did not turn up any warblers (or eagles) but it was pleasant anyway.   I was greeted at the start of my stroll by the Song Sparrow, pictured below.   It was loud, cheerful and persistent and set the tone for the rest of my walk.   I suppose the thing that really caught my eye were the bird boxes pictured below.   Several of these boxes are fairly recent additions to the area and some of them have two holes: one in front and one on the side.   One of them had been left open also.   This is a mystery worthy of pursuing.   More in another blog...   

Photos by BarrytheBirder

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BtheB   

Spotted near Vancouver Airport

Photo by Dave Kemp

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Calcarius ornatus

My new west-coast acquantaince, Dave Kemp, emailed me some photos he took recently at Iona Island, which flanks Vancouver Airport on its north side, in Richmond, BC.   One of the photos was the Chestnut-collared Longspur you see pictured above.   I have never seen this bird, on the wing, and I'm not likely to unless I head to central Canada or the U.S. midwest.   Actually, it was a good sighting for Dave because the longspur is officially described as a 'casual' on the west coast, and then only in the fall and winter (it's described as 'accidental' on the east coast).   This longspur normally summers in southern Alberta and Saskachewan, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.   It winters in eastern Colorado, New Mexico, western Texas and southern Oklahoma.   It is only 6" long with a soft, sweet, and tumbling voice, somewhat like the Western Meadowlark, according to my Audubon Society Field Guide.   It is one of those birds that appears to be in decline because its natural habitat is under pressure from cultivation.

BtheB  

Pine Siskin colour variable

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The Pine Siskins at my feeders have been around for about 3-4 weeks now and I am getting to the point where I will hate to see them leave.   There's nothing gaudy about these charming little birds.   My Petersen Field Guide describes their appearance as: "A small, dark, heavilystreaked finch with a deeply notched tail, sharply pointed bill...A touch of yellow in wings and a base of tail is not always evident".   I find the presence of yellow in this bird is quite variable (see photo at left).   The plumage of some birds has very little yellow, while in others it is quite noticeable.   The gender of the bird does not appear to play a part in the yellow colour prevalence.   I put out Niger seed all summer, mainly for the Goldfinches, but I'm hoping this year, the siskins will make my backyard at regular stop on their noisy rounds.

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB

White-throated Sparrow arrives

Photos by BarrytheBirder

MWhite-crowned SparrowM

Zonotrichia leucophrys

Four of these delightful creatures arrived in the backyard today, seemingly right on time despite the weird weather we have had this spring.   The Royal Ontario Museum Field Guide to the Birds of Ontario has this to say about the behaviour of the White-throated Sparrow: "Hops along ground while foraging.   Kicks leaf litter with two feet simultaneously.   Runs mouse-like into cover when disturbed".   The male and female look alike but it is usually only the male that sings.   The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds says much of what we know about the physiology of bird migration has been learned from laboratory experiments with this species. 

Please comment if you wish.  

BtheB

First Hummers today

My wife spotted the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of the season in our backyard today.   She shrieked at me that I had only put up one feeder and it was empty!   Bedlam ensued as I rushed to prepare nectar and raced around putting up the other nine feeders.   In short order, all 10 feeders were filled and ready to host the hummers.   There was a male and a female.   I apologize for the poor quality photo, at the left.   I waited for an hour to get a shot, then when the opportunity finally presented itself, I wasn't  completely paying attention.   I'll do better tomorrow.   I did get some good shots of Red Admiral butterflies, though, while I was waiting.   See below. 

    Please comment if you wish.
    BtheB

No warblers yet

Photo by BarrytheBirder

I searched far and wide for warblers today (Thursday) but was unsuccessful.   It had rained in the morning and then cleared up and got warm but it did not help me.   I had to be content with the male Hairy Woodpecker you see above and the Mourning Cloak Butterfly pictured below.   Warblers tomorrow perhaps.

Still no Osprey at Seneca ~ but many other birds

Photo by BarrytheBirder

There's still no sign of a return by the Ospreys on Lake Jonda, at Seneca College in King.   But a visit there today (Wednesday) produced Trumpeter Swans, Great Blue Heron, Caspian Terns, Common Mergansers, Mallards, Baltimore Oriole, Savannah and Song Sparrows, and Tree Swallows, plus many other of the usual suspects such as Canada Geese and Red-winged Blackbirds, etc.   There are many birdboxes at Seneca College/Eaton Hall, but they are concentrated in long-grass meadows.   This is fine for the Tree Swallows but is no incentive to Eastern Bluebirds, which prefer short-grass fields and meadows.   There are short-grass fields at Seneca, but no bird boxes on them.   Maybe a modest re-positioning of a few boxes might encourage bluebirds on the college grounds?

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB

No Seneca Osprey yet ... but terns arrive

Photos by BarrytheBirder

My regular morning visit to Seneca College in search of Ospreys went unrewarded again on Tuesday, but I did see this pair of Caspian Terns in the west parking lot, directly under the light standard holding the Osprey nest.   In the photo below, I'm not sure if the tern is giving me a welcome or a warning, but I took my pictures and kept moving.   Incidently, both of these terns have leg bands.   Further along, roosting in some willows at the south pond, I snapped a photo of two Turkey Vultures keeping their eyes on a number of Canada Geese and their nests.

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB