Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City

With a wave of new migrants and beautiful fall colours, it’s the perfect time to head out birding. At this time of year, some birds are returning to our area to overwinter while others are simply passing through on their way further south. Add in the abundance of resident birds and daily counts can be quite high.

IMG 1896 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **White-crowned Sparrows are among the many migrants present within the Forest City.**

Several sparrows including Dark-eyed Juncos once again reappear in our area in October. Thanksgiving weekend is when I typically have my first Junco sighting of the fall, and this year was no different. Juncos are often observed foraging on the ground underneath backyard feeders. White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows also appear in good numbers in October, and in my opinion are often overlooked and dismissed as just a sparrow due to the number of non-native House Sparrows found in our area. In fact, many of our native sparrows display beautiful variations in plumage and produce some of the most beautiful songs.

IMG 1772 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Ruby-crowned Kinglets often present close views but are an incredibly challenging bird to photograph.**

Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets are now present in large quantities. Ruby-crowned Kinglets pass through our area overwintering further south while Golden-crowned Kinglets remain throughout the winter months. Listening for the Kinglet’s high-pitched ascending calls is a great way to locate these birds. Views can often be achieved from close range as these birds feed at eye level or lower on the various seeds produced from Goldenrod and other native wildflowers. Kinglets are an incredibly challenging bird to photograph as they are always on the move. Patience is a must when trying to photographing these tiny songbirds.

IMG 1698 - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **These two Turkey Vultures were part of a large flock observed on my morning walks. The dark head on the bird on the right indicates this is a juvenile bird.**

Raptor migration continues throughout the Forest City with high numbers of Turkey Vultures being observed. On many of my morning walks, I observed large flocks of vultures perched in the same dead tree. These birds seemed to wait for the temperature to climb before taking flight and moving from the area.

IMG 1822 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **This Hermit Thrush was one of many recently observed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.**

One of my favourite locations to visit during fall is the Westminster Ponds ESA located in south London. Not only is there an abundance of birds present, but the fall colours around the series of ponds are also always impressive. On a visit last week, I was treated to pleasant views of the previously mentioned birds as well as several Hermit Thrushes. Hermit Thrushes are easily separated from other thrushes by their reddish tails. Look for these birds on or near the forest floor foraging in the fallen leaves. Other observations included a female Greater Scaup, Brown Creepers as well as a pair of Red-tailed Hawks.

IMG 2060 1 2 tonemapped Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City

IMG 2063 4 5 Painterly 2 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **The beauty of the fall colours surrounding Spettigue Pond each year never ceases to amaze me.**

The trees surrounding Spettigue Pond in the middle of the ESA were particularly impressive as they are each fall. The mix of red, orange, and yellow contrasted nicely against the blue sky and water. While taking in the amazing view it’s easy to forget this oasis is situated in the middle of a city with a population approaching 400,000.

IMG 1922 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Fall is a great time to observe White-throated Sparrows.**

Great opportunities will persist over the coming weeks to enjoy both the birds and the leaves. If you get the chance, I highly recommend spending some time outdoors taking in these annual sights. If you are looking for sparrows and kinglets, focus your attention in areas where goldenrod is present as these birds will be observed readily feeding on the bounty of seeds produced by this plant.

IMG 2085 6 7 Painterly 2 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Red, oranges, and yellows comprise the stunning colours around Spettigue Pond.**

The Westminster Ponds ESA is a must destination, in my opinion, each fall not only for the birding but for the stunning fall colours. I find myself returning each year and have yet to be disappointed by the amazing beauty found within this impressive landscape.

Good birding,
Paul

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Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer

After the rush of fall migration has passed, I often switch my focus to photographing White-tailed Deer. Fall is mating season, also known as the rut, for these large mammals making them highly active at this time of year. Unlike other times of the year when deer are more active at dusk and dawn, during the rut White-tailed Deer are easily located during daylight hours. Large bucks are often observed at close range as they are less wary of humans during the rut as they have only one thing on their mind.

Deer 4 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **During the rut, I try to keep my distance from White-tailed Deer as they can be aggressive at this time of year. This particular buck crossed the path only a few meters in front of me.**

Research suggests the second full moon following the fall equinox triggers the peak of the rut in White-tailed Deer. With last Friday’s full moon being said moon, I grabbed my camera and headed to the woods in search of some White-tailed Deer.

deer 1 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **This doe garnered the attention of several bucks.**

Making my way into the woods the imprints of fresh deer tracks were present in the mud, and I knew that the day’s target species couldn’t be too far ahead. A short distance down the trail rustling in the bushes caught my attention as the first White-tailed buck of the day came into view.

Raising may camera I took several photos as this was a decent sized buck with an imposing set of antlers. As he crossed the trail in front of me, a doe behind him was observed grazing on vegetation. A few minutes passed and a smaller buck came into view. The first buck quickly turned and chased the second buck out of the area.

deer 8 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **Not all of the bucks on this day had impressive antlers. Several younger bucks were mixed in with the herd.**

Doubling back on the trail to not disturb this pair, I made my down another trail. Hearing more rustling in the bushes another buck passed only a few meters in front of me presumably chased by the first buck encountered. Making my way deeper into the woods, several more bucks of various sizes were observed. Some were young bucks with only small antlers while other were mature bucks displaying more remarkable antlers.

deer 6 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **This past week I had great views of several bucks demonstrating their typical rutting behavior.**

In total, six bucks were observed in this small area all within sight of each other. Mixed in with these bucks were several does. Keeping my distance, I watched from behind a large oak tree. A medium sized buck to my right was busy chasing two smaller bucks whenever they came too close to the does nearest him.

To my left, two larger bucks briefly locked antlers but as I attempted to raise my camera for a photo, a smaller buck was running in my direction as he tried to escape the pursuit of a much larger buck. Not wanting to take my eye off these moving bucks, I failed to capture an image of the battling bucks, but no picture is worth risking my safety. The two bucks quickly unlocked antlers as the slightly smaller of the two seemed to give up rather easily as the exchange was short lived.

deer 5 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **This large buck was clearly the king of the forest. Only a subtle movement on his part and the other bucks took notice.**

Watching this rutting behaviour was certainly fascinating, and I was grateful to experience it first hand. One other observation I made was the respect that the largest buck in the group commanded. He was the least active of the group, but his limited actions were responded to most by all of the other bucks. As the other bucks chased each other and defended their own small areas, all activity ceased when the largest buck so much as turned his head. One step in any direction and the 5 other bucks were on the move. Observing this chain of command was truly impressive and I could only imagine the battles this buck has lost and won over the years to achieve his spot in the forest’s hierarchy.

Deer 3 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **From behind a large oak tree, I watched as several mature bucks moved through the forest.**

If you are planning on heading out in search of White-tailed Deer in the coming weeks there are a few things to keep in mind. Be aware of the hunting seasons in your area and whether or not hunting is permitted on the land you plan to search. The area I chose is a public area within the city limits and hunting is not permitted. Remember, White-tailed Deer are wild animals and large bucks do defend their territory and the does within it aggressively so be sure to keep your distance. The average weight of a mature White-tailed buck in Ontario is between 140 lbs and 250 lbs, add in a large set of antlers and this is not something you want to be on the receiving end of. Play it safe and observe and photograph mature deer form a distance.

Deer 7 - Taking Advantage Of The Full Moon For Rutting White-tailed Deer — **Opportunities to observe large White-tailed Deer will continue throughout the fall.**

Despite the peak of the rut coming to an end, White-tailed Deer will continue to breed into December and thus will remain quite active. With the remaining leaves quickly falling from the trees, the added light in the forest makes locating deer and observing them much easier. Many of our ESAs, conservation areas, and other public lands have healthy populations of White-tailed Deer, so travelling far to observe these impressive creatures is not necessary.

Taking in a late fall hike and observing White-tailed Deer is a great way to spend time in nature. Next time you are out at your favorite natural area, listen for movement and keep an eye out for fresh tracks on the ground and you might just be rewarded with an excellent view of a White-tailed Deer.

Good birding,
Paul

Less Yard Work Equals More Birds

Fall and winter months are excellent times to attract more birds to your yard and fortunately there is an easy way to do this. In fact, attracting more birds during these months is so easy it involves doing very little at all. With fall now upon us, many homeowners are reaching for rakes and pruners and are busy bagging leaves, picking up sticks, and cutting back perennials that have long since flowered in an effort to beautify their properties. The truth is many of these items considered yard waste are incredibly beneficial to birds and will actually attract more of them to your yard.

ag1 - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **American Goldfinches are among the many birds attracted to the seeds produced by New England Asters and other garden flowers.**

Seed heads produced by many perennial flowers offer an excellent food source that will attract a wide variety of songbirds to your yard. Refraining from cutting these back until next spring creates a steady supply of natural food throughout the fall and winter months. In my garden for example, the seeds produced by native coneflowers have been attracting American Goldfinches for several weeks now. The asters and goldenrod that were providing a food source for migrating Monarch Butterflies only a few weeks ago are now offering a natural food source as well. White-throated Sparrows have recently migrated back into our area and the bounty of seeds in my garden has attracted good numbers of these birds looking to replenish spent energy.

wts - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **White-throated Sparrow enjoying the seeds from a goldenrod flower.**

By not cutting back perennials until next spring the remaining dry foliage of these plants also provides a home for many insects. Downy Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadees are regularly observed during fall and winter months extracting gall fly larva from goldenrod stalks.

downy 2 - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **Downy Woodpecker preparing to extract a gall fly larva from a goldenrod stalk.**

This past week I observed an Orange-crowned Warbler foraging on insects in my garden as it made a brief stop to feed during its migration south. These insects would not have been present had I cut back the flowers in an effort to make my yard more aesthetically pleasing. Other birds observed feeding heavily on seeds and insects this past week in my garden were both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Tufted Titmouse, and Dark-eyed Juncos which have recently returned to our area to spend the winter months By leaving the remnants of these flowers, my garden offers a natural food source for many songbirds while also providing plenty of cover from predators and the elements.

rcc - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **The dried foliage of garden plants is home to many insects which attracts an abundance of birds during the fall including Ruby-crowned Kinglets.**

After the recent high winds many of us will find tree limbs scattered across the ground on our properties. Rather than bundling them up and dragging them to the curb or breaking them down so they will fit into a container, consider constructing a brush pile by piling them in a corner of your yard. Brush piles attract birds by providing shelter from harsh weather and predators.

card - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **Many ground feeding birds will forage in fallen leaves for both seeds and insects.**

Leaves in a garden may not be the look most of us are accustomed to when it comes to landscaping but this so called yard waste is incredibly beneficial. Allowing leaves to decompose in a garden will enhance soil quality and provide nutrients to trees, flowers, and shrubs. Leaf litter is also home to a multitude of insects which in turn attracts a variety of birds. Rather than bagging my leaves and placing them at the curb, I now mulch all of my leaves with a lawnmower and add them to my gardens while leaving some on my lawn over the winter. I quit using fertilizer years ago and my lawn (excluding this summer’s extended dry spell) has never looked better.

pil1 - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **Woodpeckers and other cavity nesters will be attracted to dead limbs and branches left around your property.**

Another great way to attract more birds to your property with less yard work is by not removing dead limbs or branches from trees if safe to do so. Many birds prefer dead limbs for perching while also being drawn to the bevy of insects found within the wood. Come spring, these same dead branches will provide potential nesting sites for cavity nesters such as woodpeckers and nuthatches.

ats - Less Yard Work Equals More Birds — **After a heavy snowfall, this American Tree Sparrow found food emerging from the snow in the form of seeds from a Calico Aster.**

If you are like me and love attracting birds to your yard, try implementing these methods this fall. I think you will find that soon after taking these measures you will notice an increase in the number of birds visiting your yard. Not only will you enjoy more birds and potentially even a new species or two, spending less time doing yard work will free up more time for birding and other leisure activities on your well-deserved days off.

Good birding,
Paul

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Sanderling and Sunsets Along Beautiful Lake Huron

The Great Lakes are excellent for birding anytime of year, but with fall migration underway now is the perfect time to hit the shores in search of birds. Two flyways, the Atlantic and Mississippi, cross over the Great Lakes with shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, gulls, and waterfowl all following these routes from as far north as the Arctic, all the way to the southern United States, Central and South America. Their shorelines act as natural highways for these birds, as they make their way south to their wintering grounds. Regardless of which Great Lake is nearest you, great birding opportunities await.

IMG 0921 1 - Sanderling and Sunsets Along Beautiful Lake Huron — Birds are not the only things that provide beauty along the Great Lakes; the sunsets are simply stunning.

I recently had a chance to spend some time in Bayfield Ontario, located on the east shore of Lake Huron. The mixed habitat provided a nice variety of birds. Along the lake itself was a typical Great Lake shoreline, consisting of a sand beach with mixed rocks and wood. Adjacent to the beach was a beautiful dune covered in American Beach Grass, new growth Poplars, and White Pines. Behind the dune was a wooded area made up of cedars and a wide variety of deciduous trees.

North winds prevailed during my visit which helped push the migrating birds down the shoreline through the area. Bonaparte’s Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, and a group of six Blue-winged Teal were observed only a few feet from the beach, flying past in a southerly direction. A lone Sanderling walked down the beach foraging in the sand and stones. Monarch Butterflies were also taking advantage of the north wind; I counted twenty three in just a short period of time which is by far the most I’ve seen in recent years. Birds of prey passed overhead, with counts of Turkey Vultures being highest. A Merlin landed briefly in the top of a dead cedar tree before carrying on. As the sun dropped low in the sky prior to setting, sixteen Common Nighthawks moved up and down the beach over the dunes feeding all the while.

IMG 0369 1 - Sanderling and Sunsets Along Beautiful Lake Huron — Bonaparte’s Gulls were among the species using the north winds to propel them along the shoreline.

The mixed forest was full of birds, both migrating and resident species. Listening to the various calls was quite enjoyable. Cedar Waxwings, with their high pitched whistling calls seemed to be the most prevalent, while Blue Jays did their best to drown them out. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds moved along the forest edge feeding on the native Jewel Weed. Swainson’s Thrushes could be seen gorging in the tree tops, both on berries and insects. These same mixed forests provided me with views of two new species for my life list, a Philadelphia Vireo, and a Northern Waterthrush. The Philadelphia Vireo was seen overhead moving from tree to tree, ingesting insects along the way. The yellow underparts clearly distinguished it from other vireos. The Northern Waterthrush provided the best view of all birds as this one was observed after striking a cottage window. Concerned for its well being, I didn’t even think to photograph it. I approached it slowly and quietly. Its wings were tucked in and it was sitting upright, although breathing heavily. Once it gathered itself, the bird took flight and headed back into the forest, appearing no worse for wear.

IMG 0566 1 2 - Sanderling and Sunsets Along Beautiful Lake Huron — The sunsets over Lake Huron are truly breathtaking and making the short drive to take them in is well worth it.

As September progresses along and we move into October, migration and birding will get even better. Peak numbers are typically observed mid September, but anytime you can get out is the best time to go. Research conservation areas, parks, and other public areas on the shores of the Great Lakes and find one close to you. Pack your binoculars, field guide, water and a snack and give birding in one these areas a try. Migration along the Great Lakes will not disappoint.

Good birding,
Paul

The Rut Is On For White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer sightings in our area are quite common. Southwestern Ontario has a rather large population and with not a lot of natural predators, their numbers are on the rise. Deer can be found in every Environmentally Significant Area in the city as well as many parks and cemeteries. This time of year is a special time for the deer as it what is called the rut or simply mating season.

Bucks have only one thing on their minds at this time of year, and that is finding as many does as they can. This makes them much more active and less cautious then usual so an encounter with one is much greater. Keep this in mind when driving in the dark as these bucks travel many kilometers in search of does and collisions with cars increase at this time of year.

During this rutting period bucks will mark their territory by rubbing their antlers on trees and making scrapes on the ground with their hooves. These are excellent indications that a buck in the area so keep an out for these signs if you are wishing to encounter a mature buck. Watching a buck chase a group of does is quite a sight to see. Seeing two bucks lock antlers and fight over a territory is even more impressive. The best times to view this activity is at first and last light of the day as bucks are most active at night.

I like to head out first thing in the morning just as the sun is coming up and get into a location to photograph these animals. Morning works best for me because I find the animals are already out and there is less human activity than in the evening. I like to position myself on the edge of an open field where I know there are good numbers of deer. Keep in mind that a deer’s sense of smell is incredible, so position yourself downwind to avoid alerting the deer to you presence. Remember to keep still and quiet and you will likely be rewarded by witnessing some of the deer’s rutting behavior first hand.

Good birding,
Paul

Think About the Birds When Doing Your Fall Yard Clean Up

By this time of year fall yard clean up is well underway. Many people are spending their weekends cleaning out their gardens of perennials that have succumbed to the cooler temperatures. Before you go cutting, bagging, and bundling everything, stop and think about our feathered friends. Lots of things in your yard can be more beneficial to birds than to the inside of a brown paper bag. Look at what you are about to cut back and see if any of it has produced seeds. Coneflowers and Sedum are examples of common garden plants that birds, especially Goldfinches will feed on in the fall and throughout winter once they’ve gone to seed. By leaving these natural foods for the birds, you are making your yard more attractive to them than your neighbours. I like to leave my Coneflowers, Sedums, and some grasses because not only do they provide food, but the dead stalks and stems also provide excellent nesting material come spring. These can then be cut back and bagged in the spring for collection when the new growth appears.

Dead branches are another thing to consider leaving in your yard, provided they are not at risk of falling and injuring people, or damaging property. Larger birds such as Mourning Doves prefer a dead limb to a live one as a perch, because there is more room for them to land. You will notice this more when the leaves are still on the trees. Dead braches also slowly decay which attracts insects and in return birds. Woodpeckers, and Nuthatches can quite often be seen looking for insects on dead branches. These same dead branches make it easier for birds that excavate a nest site to do so.

Many people put their bird baths away in their sheds at the same time as they do their patio furniture. Consider leaving your birdbath out right up until it freezes. Birds, like all living things require water, and a decent source will attract more birds than food. Moving water is recognized as fresh by birds, so if you have a pond, waterfall, or other type of water feature think about leaving the pump running. If you are serious about providing water for the birds year round, birdbath heaters are available at your local birding shop.

Hopefully this fall you will reconsider some of your old habits when cleaning up your yard and preparing for winter. Some simple practices can make the life of a bird a little easier. When you are all finished sit back and these peaceful little creatures will be the reward for all your hard work.

Good Birding,
Paul