This Cold Creek never freezes

                                                                                  CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

 

Cold Creek Conservation Area lived up to its name today: COLD!   And yet, down in the bog, in its own micro-ecosystem, the creek burbles along and defies the freezing air temperature.   The water never freezes here, as it is groundwater, newly discharged.   The water here is always cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, than the ponds and streams in the surrounding higher ground.   It also takes some interesting forms, as seen in the top photo, where oxidized iron has turned the water, in a connecting pool, a ruddy-brown colour.   In the second photo, thawing snow-melt forms icy columns above the open creek which runs ice-free.   The bottom photo shows the tracks of small animals that have come to drink.   Birds will drink here also, a welcome alternative to getting water by swallowing snow, too much of which can compromise their body temperature in harsh, frigid conditions.   The Township of King opens the main gates to visitors on weekends at this time of year, which means a lot more area can be covered by driving to the centre of Cold Creek and heading out onto trails from there.   Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is encouraged also.   Today there was a welcoming smell of woodsmoke from the visitors centre.   'Google' Cold Creek Conservation Area or go to http://www.coldcreek.ca/ to check dates and special events in February.   Please comment in you wish.

BtheB                                                                                 

 Photos by BarrytheBirder

At the feeders...

American Tree Sparrow photos by BarrytheBirder

There were 34 American Tree Sparrows at the feeders, at one time, today.   That ties them with the Juncos for 3rd place, so far this winter (go to Jan. 18th blog entry below to see the list).   I took the tree sparrow pictures (above) to show it from different angles, for anyone interested in learning how to identify it.   Of course, the dark 'stick-pin' spot in the middle of its breast is its single most identifiable feature.   Spot that and you've got the ID made.   None of our other sparrows have that.   They're one of the first of our winter birds  to head north in early spring.   The spring breeding grounds for tree sparrows, after wintering in this part of Ontario, are James Bay and Hudson Bay.   Despite the name tree sparrow, they prefer to stay close to the ground.   Bird researchers, Erica Dunn and Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, in their 1999 book Birds at Your Feeder, describe American Tree Sparrows as "bad-weather birds" that usually ignore feeders unless the weather turns severely cold or stormy.   I, for one, have had a  bunch since before Christmas that shows up every day to do battle with the goldfinches, juncos, chickadees, et al, for the buckets of seed I put out.   I'd miss them terribly if they headed out for the fields around the village of King City. 

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder

for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden,

and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance

than I should have been by any epaulette I could have worn.

Henry David Thoreau ~ Walden (1854) 'Winter Animals'

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB      

Excuse me, how do I get to.....?

Homing pigeon photo from Care2.com

Paula Alvarado, of Care2, reminds us that homing pigeons can return from extremely long distances (up to 2000 kms.) without any guidance.   Well, not exactly.   According to research by the University of Frankfurt, these pigeons have iron-containing structures in their beaks, which help them sense Earth's magnetic field, independent of their motion and posture, and thus identify their geographical position.   Undoudtedly, there are reams of of scientific data to back this up but I, for one, will just accept it as one more of nature's miracles.   At 69, I am still young enough to require my daily allotment of worldly wonders.

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB

Birdfeeder update

Redpolls jumped into 2nd place this week on the list of  birds most-seen (of a single species) at one time.   I counted 44 redpolls at the backyard feeders on January 18, an increase of 26 over the previous one-day total of 19. 

American Goldfinches ~ 61

Common Redpolls ~ 44

Dark-eyed Juncos ~ 34

American Tree Sparrows ~ 22

Mourning Doves ~ 19

House Sparrows ~   6
Northern Cardinals ~   5

Blue Jays ~   4

Chickadees ~   4

House Finches ~   4

Red-breasted Nuthatches ~   2

 White-breasted Nuthatches ~  2 

Starling ~   1

Cooper's Hawk ~   1

Downy Woodpecker ~   1
TOTAL SPECIES   ~     15

Photo at left shows a female Common Redpoll (top) and a male Common Redpoll (bottom).   Photo at bottom shows a female Common Redpoll (left) and what could be an Arctic Redpoll (right); although those stripes along the side of the breast as fairly bold.   Until I can be sure, that what I think might be an Artic Redpoll is not a Common Redpoll, I will continue to list them all as 'Common'.   Your opinion or comments would be appreciated.                                             (photos by BarrytheBirder)

BtheB   



New winery ~ a work in progress

  Photo by BarrytheBirder

I've tasted them.   Now I recommend you do so also.   I found both the Holland Marsh Wineries blended reds and whites to be light and clean-tasting, but with faint bouquet and flavour.   They are quite tame and harmless, belying the 12 percent alcohol/vol. and cry out for some flavour, backbone and character.   The bottling is attractive, the wine shop and tasting room are welcoming, and the service very friendly.   This is a work in progress.   I would describe them as being ready now for the faint of heart.   For the rest of us, this wine-making effort will have to grow by leaps and bounds.   Best wishes to proprietor, Roland Nersisyan.   King wine-lovers will be keenly interested to see this home-town effort evolve.   Go to http://www.hmwineries.ca/ for further info or visit the winery at 18270 Keele in the Holland Marsh.   Call for hours at 905-775-4924.   Please comment if you wish.

BtheB  

Snow Buntings

Photos by BarrytheBirder

I finally found some Snow Buntings to photograph today, although they are not quite as in-focus as I would like.   They kept swirling about in a huge flock of over 200 birds and I was constantly re-focussing.   This flock was in West Gwillimbury, just north of my usual King Township stomping grounds.   The search for seeds (in the top photo) led to the usual squabbling among winter foragers.   The temperature was a nippy -14C and a wind chill of -25C.   When not viewing Snow Buntings swooping about in the air, I am accustomed to seeing them on the ground.   This flock, at a couple points, flew up to the high overhead hydro wires and lined themselves up like a gang of starlings or swallows (see bottom right photo).

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB  

Grape vines in Holland Marsh?

                                                                                          Photo by BarrytheBirder

For months now, while out birding, I've noticed the establishment pictured above, the first of its kind in King Township, under development on Keele Street in the Holland Marsh, just north of Woodchopper's Lane.   It is named Holland Marsh Wineries and there are several acres of grapevines under cultivation.   Today, passing it once again, I noticed an 'OPEN' sign and checked it out.   I was greeted by a pleasant young lady who I believe to be the manager and immediately asked her if they were really growing grapes in Holland Marsh muck soil!   She quickly replied that they have sandy soil on their property and the vines are doing quite well.   The winery and vineyard are near to the foot of the north slopes of the Oak Ridges Moraine.   Apparently the location has sandy soil, excellent drainage, and is at the highest point of the marsh (I always thought that all 20,000 acres of the  marsh were as flat as a board).   The owner of Holland Marsh Wineries is Roland Nersisyan and he has created a very attractive wine store and tasting room.   The current wine offerings are three reds and three whites, all blends, using six varieties of grapes.   I purchased one dry red wine and one dry white wine, 2010 vintages, @ $13.95 each.   That's competitively priced with many Ontario wines.   Ahhh, but what about the taste?   Give me a day or two to sample them and I shall report back.

BtheB     

A little TLC...

                                                                                                 BarrytheBirder photo

I was out again today looking for Great Gray and Snowy Owls, as well as Snow Buntings, but they were not to be found.   I did however come across this very pleasant young lady and her horse and dog, at Kelly's Lake, near New Scotland.   She was walking her horse which is recuperating from surgery for colic and apparently is doing just fine.   According to Wikipedia, equine colic is painful and there are a number of different causes, some of which can prove fatal without surgical intervention.   Colic is the leading cause of premature death among domesticated horses and the incidence of it in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 11 percent on an annual basis.   This case appears to have a happy ending.   Best wishes to all.

BtheB

stone and wood barns fall

replaced by plastic and tin

I cannot go in

Please comment if you wish.                                                                           BarrytheBirder photo and haiku

This flag does not flap ~ it sails

                                                                                            BarrytheBirder photo

I've been out trying to get a picture of Snow Buntings for several days and have had no luck so far.   Today was no exception.   I did get a picture of something flying proudly however, just west of Kettleby.   It's apparently the largest Canadian flag in King Township.   It sails proudly above the site of Priestly Demolition Inc. headquarters.   Vic Priestly told me a while back the flag is 200 sq. ft. and stands 70 ft. tall.   Vic founded PDI but his son, Ryan, runs the show now, I believe.   Vic and I go back 45 years ago to Aurora, Ontario, when he was selling snowmobiles and I was selling newspaper advertising.  I salute Vic's accomplishments and his flag.   Now, where are those buntings...
Please comment if you wish.
BtheB 

Birdfeeder Update

                                                                                                                  BarrytheBirder Photo

We have just one Downy Woodpecker visiting our feeders so far this winter and this is him.   If he has a mate and she does show up here, the red patch on the back of the male's head is what will distinguish him from her.   Females don't have a red patch.   The numbers below show the most birds (of a given species) seen at the feeders, at any one time, so far this winter.  

American Goldfinches ~ 61

Dark-eyed Juncos ~ 34

American Tree Sparrows ~ 22

Mourning Doves ~ 19

Common Redpolls ~ 18

House Sparrows ~   6

Northern Cardinals ~   5

     Blue Jays ~   4

Chickadees ~   4
House Finches ~   4

Red-breasted Nuthatches ~   2

White-breasted Nuthatches ~   2

Starling ~   1

Cooper's Hawk ~   1

Downy Woodpecker ~   1

TOTAL SPECIES ~ 15

Rusty Snowman

BarrytheBirder photo

I went looking for Snow Buntings this morning and found some, but was not quick enough to get a photo.   I did however get a photo of the fellow above, just west of Schomberg.   I see him often on my bird-watching jaunts.   It seems these days, that every country lane and byway has its assortment of folk art.   This chap has grown on me.   There's a haunting and knowing look in his face, and he seems ready to pass on some significant thought or stratagem, despite the onset of a snow squall, while posing for me.                                                      

Please comment if you wish.

BtheB

The Butcher Bird

I went looking for Snowy and Great Gray Owls again today but once more had no luck.   There's still lots of winter left and if I don't spot one, someone else will.   The word will then spread quickly and there will be a horde of us standing on some frozen sideroad, spotting scopes and cameras at the ready.   I did however spot a Northern Shrike up in Holland Landing, at the Morning Sideroad and Yonge Street.   It's a smart-looking bird and in the winter, hereabout, it's diet is primarily mice and small birds.   While the shrike is a predator bird, it does not have talons like a raptor.   It does have a sharp curved beak and uses that to give its prey a quick fatal blow to the back of the neck.   It will then often impale its victim on a thorn or piece of barbed wire that makes it much easier for the shrike to butcher it's kill.   Hence, it's nick-name: the Butcher Bird.

Please comment if you wish. 

BtheB

                                                                  



Northern Shrike ~ Lanius excubitor

Wikipedia Photo

Snow Crow

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given me heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued

Dust of Snow (1923) ~ Robert Frost 1874/1963

Muskrats ~ giant water-loving mice

It's that time of the year when every little wild pond, and bit of hidden wetland, reveals a secret muskrat lodge or two.   I'm talking about the ones that are unseen and inaccessible in the deep, dense green of summer.   The pictures here were taken just a few minutes from my home in King City.   Invading the territory of the muskrat, and also that of the more-transient beaver, allows a few insights that are not normally available.   I was not aware, for instance, that a muskrat will build its lodge as a lean-to against or right-around a tree trunk (see photo above).   In this marsh, there are as many of this type as there are stand-alone lodges or bank dens.   Some dens have underwater tunnels, or open-air access holes, or vent holes (see photo at left).   The vent hole may be accidential as a result of little snow, so far this winter.   Evidence of beaver is found on many trees that are still standing or that have been felled by the tough-toothed rodent (see bottom right).   I didn't see any beavers lodges and I assume that they have dug dens in some of the steep banks around the marsh.   The water level is high as a result of the beaver dam that exists.   The beavers have been here for a couple years but are up against municipal workers who breach their dam every so often to prevent flooding of a nearby road.   Meanwhile the muskrats are content

with low or high water levels, it seems, and will likely occupy this wetland for quite some time.   The beavers will move on, but they and generations to follow will return in an endless cycle, unless my fellow citizens and I interfere.   The housing expansion that is occuring nearby in King City is not supposed to encroach here, but humans do prevail with their imperative to intrude upon whatever land they desire.    

Muskrat Photo by Silliopolous 


Please comment if you wish.  
BtheB

A riddle for the new year



What's to be done when

and endangered plant is eaten

by an endangered animal?

At the feeders...

    White-breasted Nuthatch

A pair of White-breasted Nuthatches has joined the throng at the feeders, bringing the number of species seen, so far this winter, to 15.   I was surprised to learn that White-breasted Nuthatches only live for two years, on average.   That is why they lay so many eggs; up to ten at one time, once a year.   Red-breasted Nuthatches, which live longer are content with 6 eggs, on average.   Nature's way is that each species has its own strategy for perpetuating its own kind.   Both of these nuthatches are very successful breeders.   Their numbers are very strong and their ranges are quite large.   If you click on the picture above, you'll get a great view of the nuthatch's huge back talons, which explain its ability to move straight down a tree trunk.  Please Comment if you wish. BtheB                                

                               Red-breasted Nuthatch
Photos by BarrytheBirder

HRHTA hikes

The Humber River is seen from the Kirby Sideroad dead-end, east of Hwy. 27, and south of Nobleton, Ontario.   The direction of view is south by south-west towards Toronto International Airport, approximately 20 kilometres away.  ( BarrytheBirder Photo)

I got an email yesterday from the Humber River Heritage Trail Association about a couple of upcoming hikes.   One of the hikes is on Sat., Feb. 5, on conservation lands just northwest of Kleinburg.   It hadn't visited this area in a while and dropped by yesterday afternoon for a glimpse of this wondeful river valley.   The hike will cover part of the area you see in the picture above.   The river valley here is a tremendous wildlife-viewing area, especially for birds in the summer, but there's lots to see in the winter also, especially with a good guide.   Go to http://www.hvhta.ca/ for details about 2011 hikes.   Please comment if you wish.

BtheB 



Winter foraging...

This is Ben, one of four horses on the Beretta Organic Farm, in King Township.   Ben's your hardy work type.   No custom-fitted, triple-thermal-layered horse blanket for him.   They're for those wussy show horses.  ( Photo by BarrytheBirder)  

At the feeders...

Clockwise from top left:

* Eastern
   Gray Squirrel
   (black morph
   or melanistic
   colour phase)

* Red Squirrel

* Eastern
   Gray Squirrel

Photos by BarrytheBirder