Losts of Swainson's Hawks around and about...

 

                                         Photos by BarrytheBirder

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BarrytheBirder

First humminbirds of the season...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Finally, after a few tentative starts, the Red-throated Hummingbirds have settled in at the feeders.   They are more than welcome, needless to say.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only 'hummer' regularly seen in eastern North America.   The adult male has an iridescent red throat, green sides and a black forked tail.

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BarrytheBirder

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

                                                                           Photos by BarrytheBirder

The American Goldfinch has quite s poetic name in Irish.

The Irish for goldfinch is 

laisir choille /los-irr khwil-leh/

which tanslates as

 "flame of the forest".

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The European Starling was brought tp North America in 1890 and is now one of the most abundant species in North America.   They are found from from southeast Alaska, across southern Canada and south throughout the United States to Mexico.   

They are usually found in flocks when not nesting and may gather in big roosts that number in the tens of thousands.

Ken Kaufmann in his BIRDS of North America says Starlings nest in holes in trees, birdhouses, crevices in buildings, etc., competing with native birds for nest sites, even evicting woodpeckers from their own holes.

The Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds says they are found almost everywhere, but especially in areas associated with man's activities.

Starlings are highly gregarious, their large flocks occurring in fields  and on lawns, often with cowbirds, grackles and blackbirds.

While their plumage is primarily black, they have a green and purple gloss in spring and summer.

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BarrytheBirder

                                                                     

                                                                       Photo by BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawk

A number of Swainson's Hawks are currently flying around Delmanor Retirement Residence  in Aurora, Ontario, 35 kms. north of Lake Ontario.   This is the third year in a row this species has been hereabouts.   They are normally found much further west in the central United States, particularly in Kansas.   They have been breeding here and are becoming a regular sighting by local birders.

They are similar in size to the Red-tailed Hawk, and are slim with a small head and long narrow wings.   When soaring, its wings are held above the horizontal, and wingtips are long and pointed.   Tips of feathers can be widespread in flight (note photo above).

They feed mostly on large insects like crickets and grasshoppers.

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BarrytheBirder

Still no warblerrs yet...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

......but lots of Goldfinches!

If I can't have warblers, I'll take Goldfinches any day.

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BarrytheBirder

Looking for warblers yesterday..

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

...had to settled for a Turkey Vulture

I keep hearing that warblers are back but I haven't seen any yet.   Yesterday produced only the Turkey Vulture seen above.   Maybe tomorrow.

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BarrytheBirder

First hummingbird up Ottawa way...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

My daughter Auralee who lives in Metcalfe, just south of Ottawa, Ontario, told me she saw her first hummingbird of the season at one of her feeders this morning, May 7th.   I have yet to see my first 'hummer' of the season, but have a couple of feeders ready to fill up and set out later today.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovisianus)...

 
Photo by BarrytheBirde

It's always a treat to welcome the first Red-breasted Grosbeaks in the spring migration.   They are black and white and red show-stoppers.   The adult male is unmistakable with its rosy triangle on its chest.   They are found in eastern forests as well as in thickets and suburbs with suitable cover, plus they are common in open, second growth woddlands and dense trees along water courses..

Males help to incubate eggs during the mating season, singing from the nest.

Their song is rich and clear, like a Robin's but faster. 

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BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawks may have reproduced already...

 

Photosby BarrytheBirder

s

Swainson's Hawks have been circling over Aurora for several weeks now, and may have already raised a brood of young hawks.   Several birds, more than what should be the usual number, have been seen in the past few days, and I have the feeling that some may be new, first year birds.   Swainson's Hawks are normally found in the U.S. midwest, but have been showing up in southern Ontario in recent years.

Swainson's are about the same size as Red-tailed Hawks, but have a noticeable white belly (see photo above).

This is third consecutive year these birds, normally found in places like Kansas, have appeared hereabouts, just north of Lake Ontario.

Although this hawk can take rodents, reptiles and birds, it prefers large insects, which makes me wonder how much they have been getting to eat in the cold spring, before the insect advent.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Early warblers...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Yellow Warbler hits window

This migrating Yellow Warbler hit a window, knocking itself senseless momentarily, but did recover quickly and then moved on.

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BarrytheBirder

First Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrived last year in mid-May.

Photos by BarrytheBirder

The first mention of hummingbirds last year in this blogsite was May 18th, when I reported that the 'hummers' were arriving each morning at 5 a.m., here in Aurora, Ontario, north of Toronto.!

I said there were 100 to 200 visits each day lasting anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds, up to 60 or 70 seconds each time.

My partner Pat and I can hardly wait for this year's first arrivals on her balcony.

Male - photo by Brian Kulvete, Macauley Library

Female -  Photo by German Garcia (macauley Library)

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Barry the Birder

Great Blue Reflectons by Phil Chadwick

by Phil Chadwick
Great Blue Reflections 

'Great Blue Reflections' is a work by former Canadian weatherman and resident of King Township, Ontario, Phil Chadwick.   Prints of this work are available at Fine Art America.

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BarrytheBirder