Robins return...

 

                                                                                   Photo by BarrytheBirder

A few friends have mentioned over the last day or so that they have spotted their first Robin in the middle of March.   This week has started out warmer and sunnier

and it's officially spring now.   To me, this past winter is the second one in a row that seemed easier and gentler.   One wonders what else climate change has in store for us.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Winter warriors...

                                                                                                                Photos by BarrytheBirder

Dark-eyed Junco

(Junco hymalis)

In winter found in a wide variety of habitats, usually in flocks.   The Slate-colored Junco winters mostly in eastern North America.

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BarrytheBirder

Beautiful Vancouver Island photos by B.C. naturalist Dave Kemp...

Photos by Dave Kemp

    Please comment if you wish.

    BarrytheBirder

A magnificent-looking creature on the wing.......

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Red-tailed Hawk

(Buteo jamaicensis)

Has a distinctive, harsh, descending "Keeeeer" call.

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BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island Harlequin Ducks by Dave Kemp

 

    Photos by Dave Kemp

Harlequin Ducks 

(Histrionicus

histrionicus)

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BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island birds by Dave Kemp...

Harlequin Ducks

Black Turnstone

                                     Oystercatchers

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Oystercatchers on Vancouver Island...

Photos by Dave Kemp

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Barry the Birder

Coming in for a landing...

More Trumpeter Swans on Vancouver Island

Photos by Dave Kemp

   Please comment if you wish.

    BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island Trumpeter Swans by Dave Kemp

 

Cygnus buccinator

Found in Great Lakes and upper Midwest regions.   Reintroduced into parts of its former range and introduced elsewhere.  Some of these individuals have wandered south in winter to the mid-South and mid-Atlantic regions.  They are similar in size (60" / 152 cm) to Mute Swans.

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Barry the Birder

Vancouver Island Waterfowl by Dave Kemp

Photos by Dave Kemp

Trumpeter Swan

Bufflehead

Common Merganser

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BarrytheBirder

Richmond Hill Mill Pond...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Frozen over ~ no waterfowl

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BarrytheBirder

Wild Turkeys...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Largest game bird in North America, slightly smaller, more slender than the domesticated bird.   Usually seen in flocks.  Restocked in much of its former range and introduced in other areas.   Birds of the open forest, forest openings, and field edges, Wild Turkeys forage mostly on the ground for seeds, nuts, acorns, and insects. Early and late in the day, groups may be seen foraging out into fields, pastures, and open agricultural land.   At night they roost in trees.

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BarrytheBirder

Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb. 17 - 20

Photo by BarrytheBirder

 Red-winged Blackbird near London, Ontario

My sister-in-law Beth and her husband Patrick O'Kelly, of London, Ontario, spotted a Red-winged Blackbird this week in south-western Ontario.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder      

More photos from Vancouver Island by Dave Kemp...

 

Photos by Dave Kemp

Trumpeter Swans

Black Turnstones

Common Goldeneyes

Goldeneye dance

Oystercatcher

Rocks at Ship's Point

View from Ship's Point

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BarrytheBirder

American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea)

Photo by BarrytheBirder

The American Tree Sparrow winters in weedy fields, marshes and groves of small trees between the American/Canadian border and the mid-USA states, from the western Pacific coast to the eastern Atlantic coast.   Winter birds are buffier, with a rufous colour on the crown sometimes forming a central stripe, as seen in the photo above.

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BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island waterfowl by Dave Kemp...

Photos by Dave Kemp

Common Goldeneye

Long-tailed Ducks

Grebe (no treat too small)

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BarrytheBirder

Middle of February...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Fairy Lake at the bottom of Main Street in Newmarket is open water at this point, in the middle of winter.  The temperature on this day was to be 15C.

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BarrytheBirder

Dave Kemp bird photos from Vancouver Island...

 

Photos by Dave Kemp

Male Pin-tailed Duck

Horned Grebes

Sea Lion

Mountain Cloud

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder