The familiar call of the Red-winged Blackbird can once again be heard across the region.
Early spring is certainly an exciting time to get out birding. After all, now is when we start to see evidence of migration getting underway here in Southwestern Ontario with many first-of-year species observed. I look for my first Red-winged Blackbird, Tundra Swan, or Killdeer to signify migration has begun. For others, it might be the robin, grackle, or some other species of waterfowl. Fortunately, these familiar faces can all be found once again in our area.
Northern Pintails in a flooded field.
Throughout March I visited many of my favourite birding locations. The results of these jaunts were rewarding regardless of where I went. When searching for spring migrants in March wetlands are where I often first focus my attention. These habitats attract most of the early migrants and therefore should not be overlooked. Waterfowl, Killdeer, and Red-winged Blackbirds can all be found around wetlands.
Tundra Swans at the Thedford Bog.
A flooded field is often all that is required to attract Tundra Swans and other waterfowl to stop for a rest on their migration north. The shallow water provides a familiar setting while the remnants of last year’s crop replenishes spent calories. Once again this year I made my way to the Thedford Bog to see the thousands of Tundra Swans that stop here each year. To see some of the action from the Thedford Bog check out my YouTube video.
This lone Snow Goose was observed with a group of Canada Geese while driving to an area wetland.
When driving to places I am going to bird, I always keep my camera at the ready on the passenger seat as I never know what I might come across. A white bird mixed in with some Canada Geese next to a farm pond caught my eye as I drove to a wetland. To my delight, it was a Snow Goose. After slowing down and making a safe U-turn I stopped at the side of the road and snapped a few photos before carrying on.
Seeing a chipmunk on a sunny spring day always leaves a smile on my face.
Some wildlife that remains in the area year-round but has been nonvisible for several months have once again emerged. Chipmunks and several butterfly species have come out of hibernation and can be readily seen. Mourning Cloak Butterflies overwinter in our area as adults spending the cold months in woodpiles or behind tree bark and are quick to take flight on a warm spring day. Sunny forests are where I often find my first Mourning Cloak of the year.
The Mourning Cloak is the first butterfly to appear each spring.
As you can see it’s a great time to get out birding. With migrants trickling in and an abundance of resident birds around being outdoors surrounded by nature soaking up the sun is a great way to shake the winter blues. With so much uncertainty in our lives these days, many are turning to nature and the great outdoors to get through these difficult times. Personally, I haven’t felt the impacts of the pandemic as much as others have. I worked from home before and always spent time in nature to keep my head in a good place. If you are finding these times of isolation and closures tough, try spending time in nature. The fresh air and calming effects nature has are immeasurable. For me, seeing these familiar faces while enjoying the spring sunshine always leaves a smile on mine.
Good birding,
Paul
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Mourning Cloak Butterflies are among the first to appear each spring in our area.
Last week the mercury rose to the mid-teens and as such, I observed my first butterflies of the year. With new bird species arriving daily, it’s easy to forget about butterflies emerging on a warm spring day; however, seeing the first one of the year is equally exciting.
Not all butterflies overwinter as adults, in fact, there are only a few species that do in our area. In order to survive the cold winter months overwintering butterflies seek shelter behind tree bark, in woodpiles or other crevices and enter a state of dormancy similar to other animals that hibernate. During the first warm days of spring, these butterflies become active and take flight.
My first sighting this year, as is the case most years, was a Mourning Cloak Butterfly. Seeing this while hiking in the warm sunshine instantly put a smile on my face and my smile widened when the butterfly landed in some nearby leaves allowing me to capture a handful of images. On this day I saw several Mourning Cloaks more so than I’ve ever seen in a single day before.
Eastern Comma Butterfly
As I continued on a little further my second species of the day appeared, this time an Eastern Comma. It too landed in the dry leaves after a brief aerial joust with a Mourning Cloak. Seeing the two butterflies spin rapidly in circles was like watching a colourful funnel cloud.
Nearing the end of my hike, I saw my third butterfly species of the day, a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, spreading its wings in the sunshine.
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Finding the first butterflies of the year can be quite easy if conditions are right and you search the best areas. First and foremost temperatures must be warm enough for the butterflies to be active. As mentioned earlier, temperatures in the mid-teens (Celsius) or warmer are required. On sunny days in deciduous forests is where I have the best luck preferably in wet areas near streams or swamps.
As far as photographing butterflies go you can get away with a much slower shutter speed than you can when photographing birds. I follow the reciprocal rule which means my shutter speed is set to at least the reciprocal of my focal length. For me shooting at 400mm this means I use a shutter speed of 1/400 or faster. On sunny days I use a lower ISO as well and typically find myself shooting between ISO 200 and 400 to achieve a shutter speed of 1/400. As in most cases, I shoot at f/8 as not only is my lens sharper at this aperture than it is wide open the added depth helps keep the entire butterfly sharp when I focus on its head.
Though not as colourful from the underside, this Mourning Cloak Butterfly was a treat to see on a sunny spring afternoon.
Remember to use your histogram to check your exposure because in sunny conditions a butterfly’s wings will reflect the light resulting in overexposure and loss of detail. In these situations, I often underexpose my images by 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop to retain as much detail as I can. Lastly, be sure your shadow does not project over the butterfly as this change from light to dark will cause the butterfly to spook and take flight.
With plenty of warm spring days to come there will be ample opportunities to get out and search for these early emerging butterflies. Find a sunny deciduous forest close to water, and keep your eyes peeled for their colourful aerial dance. With a little patience, these butterflies will land displaying their beautiful colours. This experience combined with the warm spring sun is bound to a smile on your face.
Good birding,
Paul
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Canada Warblers, currently listed as a species at risk in Ontario, are easily identified by their black necklace.
As a birder spring is my favourite time of year. With warmer temperatures, longer days, and an inpouring of birds it’s hard not to feel upbeat and excited. Throughout March and April, new species have been arriving almost daily with Killdeer, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Phoebe among the many birds once again present in our area. Early warblers such as Pine and Yellow-rumped are also being reported from the southern reaches of the province. This steady stream of birds entering Southwestern Ontario is merely a precursor of what we can expect come May.
Baltimore Orioles typically return to our area the first week of May.
During the first week of May, we can expect to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles return to our area. It’s a good idea to get your feeders out early in anticipation of their return. Placing orange slices or orange halves around your yard is a simple way to attract orioles. Be aware that squirrels too like oranges so placing them somewhere they are not accessible is a good idea.
One of the birds I look forward to seeing most each year during spring migration is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
In my last postThe Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky BlackbirdsI talked about the benefit of filling your feeders with this energy-rich seed. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, which will also return the first week of May absolutely love safflower seed, so adding this to your feeders now will help attract these stunning songbirds.
Black-and-white Warblers are often observed clinging to tree trunks as they search for food.
For a large number of birders, it’s the arrival of the warblers most of us anxiously await. As mentioned previously, Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers have already returned while Yellow Warblers, Palm Warblers, and Black-and-white Warblers will appear in early May with the remaining species arriving shortly thereafter.
When it comes to warblers the Blackburnian is my favourite.
As I have in previous years, I am planning on taking two weeks vacation in early May to absorb as much of spring migration as I possibly can. Visits to some of my favourite local hotspots will definitely be on the agenda as will some short day trips to enjoy a couple of Southwestern Ontario’s annual bird festivals both of which begin May 1.
The Prothonotary Warbler is currently listed as endangered in Ontario. Rondeau Provincial Park is one of the best locations to observe this rare species.
The Festival of Flightheld annually at Rondeau Provincial Park is well worth a visit each spring. Birds are plentiful with great opportunities to see some rarities including the endangered Prothonotary Warbler. Scarlet Tanagers, vireos as well as an abundance of warblers are among the many birds you can expect to see within the park. The Tulip Tree Trail, Harrison Trail, and the Maintenance Loop are my preferred areas to search.
Chestnut-sided Warblers are among the dozens of warblers that will soon be present in Southwestern Ontario.
Point Pelee National Park is where thousands of birders visit each May for the Festival of Birds. The park’s geographic location and mixed habitat make it a bird magnet during spring migration. Huge concentrations of migrants stop within the park to rest and feed after crossing Lake Erie. Over 20 species of warbler are regularly reported each year during the festival and like Rondeau Provincial Park, there is a good chance of seeing a Prothonotary Warbler at Pelee as well. Other rare warblers including Hooded, Cerulean, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Kirtland’s seem to be found each year.
Large numbers of Swainson’s Thrushes can be observed on or near the forest floor during spring migration.
Excellent views of all the thrush species which frequent our area is something achievable at Pelee. The sheer number of birds within the park during spring migration is truly impressive. If you have never been, I highly recommend planning a trip. Yes, the park can be a bit busy but don’t let the large crowds deter you from this incredible experience. There are no bad areas to bird within the park but my two favourite and most productive areas each year are the Woodland Nature Trail and Tilden Woods Trail. No trip to Pelee is complete without a visit to the tip, the southernmost point in mainland Canada.
The Common Yellowthroat is a warbler found around swamps and wet thickets.
If Rondeau and Pelee are too far away or you are looking to bird closer to home, city parks, ESAs, and conservation areas will be loaded with spring migrants. Most warblers and other songbirds can be found in forests or the shrubby areas adjacent to them. Here in London, the Thames River acts as a bird highway for species migrating north, so birding any of the city parks along its banks is always productive. Komoka Provincial Park is another fantastic location to check out during spring migration.
The American Redstart is a species of warbler which breeds in Southwestern Ontario.
During May, temperatures can vary considerably throughout the day often starting quite cool and being almost hot by day’s end. Dressing in layers will help ensure you are comfortable all day long. If birding at Rondeau or Pelee, keep in mind daytime highs will be slightly lower as Lake Erie’s cool water keeps the temperature down. A breeze off the lake can make it feel even colder so it’s always a good idea to pack a jacket or windbreaker just in case.
The vibrant red of a Scarlet Tanager is truly an impressive sight and one I look forward to each year during spring migration.
It won’t be long now until the migration floodgates are wide open. Planning a visit to any of the aforementioned parks is well worth the driving time, cost of gas, and park admission. If you don’t have a lot of time for a day trip, visiting a local park or conservation can be quite productive as well. Despite occurring over several weeks, peak migration will be over before you know it and is undoubtedly the best time to see the most birds. With so many birds present, it’s no wonder I always have the Andy Williams classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” stuck in my head.
When built to the correct dimensions, you never know whoo might end up using your birdhouse. Eastern Screech-Owls are among the birds of prey that will nest inside a birdhouse.
Adding a birdhouse to your yard is a great way to provide a safe, sheltered location for your feathered friends to nest. Many resident birds begin searching for adequate nest sites two months before nesting while migrants will start their search upon returning to the area. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to introduce a birdhouse to your yard as this will give the birds sufficient time to find it before the fast approaching nesting season.
Black-capped Chickadees are among the common backyard birds that will readily nest in a properly placed birdhouse.
Several common backyard birds will readily accept a properly constructed, properly placed birdhouse including wrens, chickadees, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. Depending on where you live and the size of your property, other birds such as Eastern Screech-Owls, American Kestrels, Tree Swallows, Great Crested Flycatchers, and Eastern Bluebirds will eagerly nest in a birdhouse.
Watching birds raise their young in a birdhouse I built myself is an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the years, I have observed several pairs of Tree Swallows raise broods in houses I built and placed at the family cottage.
Watching birds nest in a birdhouse I built myself is incredibly rewarding; for this reason, I always build my own. Building a birdhouse is an easy project requiring tools most of us have around the house and minimal woodworking skills. A pencil, tape measure, screwdriver, handsaw, cordless drill, drill bits, and either a hole saw or spade bit are all that is required.
House Wrens are one of the easiest birds to attract to a birdhouse.
As far as materials go, all you need is a piece of untreated pine or cedar and a package of wood screws and you are ready to build a birdhouse. I recommend using screws to fasten the pieces together as small nails will pull out over time. Total cost to build the average birdhouse is about $15 to $20 taxes in. Building a birdhouse with a child is a fun project and provides hours of entertainment throughout the season as you watch adult birds bring nesting material to the house, food for their young, and finally the fledging.
Typically nesting in a small shrub, Northern Cardinals will use an open style birdhouse specifically designed for this species.
Robins, cardinals, and doves prefer a covered platform style of shelter for nesting; these too can be easily constructed with the same tools for roughly the same cost. I have had great success with the birdhouses I made from the free plans found at70birds. If you do not have access to tools, or would prefer the convenience of a box that is already made and ready to hang, visit your local independent birding store for a great selection of birdhouses. The knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right birdhouse for your yard based on the birds that frequent it.
If you are fortunate to have Eastern Bluebirds on your property, consider adding a birdhouse as these beautiful birds will often take up residence.
There are several important factors to consider which will increase your chances of success with a birdhouse. First is construction. The house must be well-built to withstand weather and potential predators. Again, this is why I prefer construction with screws over nails. A birdhouse should have ventilation holes or a small gap on each side near the roof. This provides better airflow within the house while allowing rising warm air to escape preventing the birdhouse from getting too hot inside. Drainage holes on the floor are equally important allowing water to run out after a heavy rain.
Constructing a birdhouse with a small hole will be attractive to Red-breasted Nuthatches and other slender birds while keeping House Sparrows and European Starlings out.
Having the appropriate size hole for the species you wish to attract is crucial. It goes without saying if the hole is too small for a bird to enter, it can’t use the birdhouse. If trying to attract larger birds to a birdhouse keep in mind that a house with a large hole may attract less desirable birds like House Sparrows and European Starlings. A birdhouse designed for smaller birds such as wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, and Downy Woodpeckers has a small enough hole to keep the sparrows and starlings out.
Placing wood shavings inside your birdhouse will make it more desirable to woodpeckers including the Red-bellied.
Choosing the right location for a birdhouse is imperative to its success. The height at which the house is mounted is very important and varies by species. Birdhouses should not be mounted in direct sunlight as they will become too warm inside or where they are exposed to prevailing winds. Birdhouses do not have to be mounted to a tree as some birds will accept houses installed on a fence, the side of a shed or garage, and even pole mounted similar to a bird feeder. Follow the installation instructions provided with the plans or the advice of the employee at your local store. Some birds prefer a birdhouse lined with wood shavings (not sawdust) or in the case of chickadees and woodpeckers shavings can be packed tightly into the house to closely mimic a tree limb or trunk. These birds will remove unwanted shavings as they would when excavating their own cavity in a tree.
Downy Woodpeckers and other cavity nesters may be struggling to find potential nest sites near you as mature trees are removed from neighbourhoods.
Here in London, many of the large, mature trees in the older neighbourhoods are being cut down for safety reasons. These trees appear sturdy while standing, but once cut the rot and decay inside becomes evident. In most cases, there is not much solid wood holding these massive trees up and many have come down on their own during heavy winds, hence their removal.
Male Eastern Bluebird.
Mature trees with an abundance of cavities provide great nesting habitat for many of the previously mentioned birds. Unfortunately, their removal means nesting habitat is being lost and it’s up to us to replace it in the form of a birdhouse as simply planting a tree doesn’t always provide adequate nesting habitat especially when it comes to cavity nesters.
This young Eastern Screech-Owl was photographed just minutes before it fledged from a birdhouse located in a friend’s backyard.
If your yard is lacking a birdhouse, now is the perfect time to add one. Many birds will soon be searching for that ideal location to raise a brood. Providing adequate nesting habitat by installing a birdhouse on your property will benefit the birds in your area and provide hours of enjoyment for you and your family. If you are looking for a fun and easy project this weekend, why not build a birdhouse? Your backyard birds will be glad that you did.
Good birding,
Paul
*My presentation next weekHow To Photograph Birdsis now sold out. Thank you to everyone who registered. If you would like to see this presentation offered again in April be sure to contact meas I am considering adding another date if there is enough interest.*
The beautiful red plumage of a male Cardinal will certainly add colour to your day.
If you have had enough of winter and the slow start to spring this year, heading out for a little birding will definitely put colour into your day. For the last several months it seems everything around us has been shades of white or grey. With plenty of snow and ice this past winter, I think we are all ready for the colours of spring.
The orange breast of the American Robin adds plenty of colour and contrasts nicely against most backgrounds.
With the snow taking it’s time to melt, it may be a few weeks yet before we start to see colour in the form of daffodils, tulips, and crocuses emerging from the ground. Luckily there is plenty of colour in the birds around us to help forget about winter.
The female Cardinal is not always considered a colourful bird, but their beautiful red and orange accents show otherwise.
On recent walks around some of my favourite birding hotspots, there has been a wide range of beautiful colours. Bright red male Northern Cardinals can be seen in the tree tops singing; establishing their territories and bringing in their mates. Speaking of mates, the red and orange accents of the female cardinal are quite stunning and can be easily forgotten when thinking of colourful birds. Robins are now more active and can be seen hopping across newly exposed grass searching for food in wet areas as the snow melts. Their bright orange breasts contrast against their dark backs as well as the remaining snow; painting a beautiful picture. Good numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds are around showing their red and yellow wing bars, and the beautiful plumage of Blue Jays really stands out this time of year against a leafless backdrop.
The brilliantly coloured male Wood Duck is perhaps the most colourful bird we have in our area.
The return of some waterfowl to the Thames River this spring is adding some incredible colour. American Wigeons can be seen, the males showing a wonderful green stripe on their heads, with a baby blue bill and rusty patch on their sides. Perhaps the most colourful of all birds is the male Wood Duck. This gorgeous bird is a fantastic combination of green, red, orange, yellow, blue, maroon, purple, and white; impressing birders and non birders alike with it’s beauty.
This male American Wigeon shows off a variety of colour.
If you feel your days are lacking some colour and you want to put the drab winter behind you, then I recommend taking a walk and enjoying the beauty our local birds present.
The Osprey is a large raptor that feeds almost exclusively on fish. They can be found around almost any body of water in our area from April-October.
The Osprey is a large member of the raptor family that feeds almost entirely on fish. They can be found around any body of water from lakes and reservoirs to rivers and ponds. Since the ban of DDT their numbers have increased and can be readily found in the London area once they return in early spring from their wintering grounds, which stretches from the southern United States to Central and South America. Ospreys are tolerant of human activity and several pairs nest within the city limits in parks, Environmentally Significant Areas and along the Thames River.
Ospreys construct their nests of sticks and line them with bark and grasses. The nest is placed in an open area where an easy approach can be made. Look for Osprey nests in tree tops, crotches between tree branches or manmade structures such as telephone poles and lights posts. Ospreys usually mate for life and will reuse the same nest from year to year adding material to it each year. Nests can be as large as 13 feet deep and 6 feet across. Clutch sizes are 1-4 eggs with incubation lasting 5 weeks. Both adults take care of the brood and fledging takes place after 8-10 weeks.
This Osprey is landing on a nest constructed on the top of a light pole illuminating a neighbourhood baseball diamond.
As with most raptors Ospreys have incredible vision and can spot fish underwater from heights of over 100 feet. Once a fish is spotted the Osprey briefly hovers overhead before diving feet first into the water. The Osprey is specially adapted for a fish diet with closable nostrils to keep water out, reversible outer toes and backwards facing scales on their talons to help hold onto fish.
The Osprey is the only large raptor with a solid white belly. This is a key to identification and helps distinguish them from a juvenile Bald Eagle and other birds of prey.Most years Ospreys start to reappear in the London area in early April. Given the cold winter and increased amount of ice across their migration route it may be later this year, unless we experience a significant warm up. Keep an eye out along river banks and shorelines of lakes and ponds once the ice is off. Ospreys are sometimes confused with Bald Eagles but there are several things to look for when identifying them. Mature Bald Eagles are larger and much stockier than the rather slender Osprey and have a solid white head and tail. The body of a mature eagle is solid brown, with the Osprey being a mix of brown and white. Ospreys are the only large raptor with a solid white unmarked belly. Juvenile Bald Eagles are mottled on their undersides and lack a white head.
Keep an eye to the sky and in tree limbs overhanging bodies of water in your favourite birding area. If you see a large brown and white raptor there is a good chance you’ve just spotted an Osprey.
The Killdeer is the first of the Shorebirds to arrive to our area with sightings usually occurring by mid March.
With winter winding down many birders, myself included, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some spring migrants to the area. Spring is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy birding. With so many species returning to the area and the many flowers and trees starting to bloom it is a favourite season of many. So what birds can we expect as the weather begins to warm?
Species that arrive earliest in the spring or even a little before, are the ones that have the shortest distance to migrate north. Many of the blackbird species are first to arrive such as Red-winged and Common Grackles. The Killdeer is the first of the shorebirds to arrive and can usually be seen be seen by mid March. As temperatures rise higher and we get into late April and early May we can expect to be seeing Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Swallows and the beautiful Indigo Bunting.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arrive a bit later, most years by late April. They are easily attracted to backyard feeders by offering safflower seed.
The spring Warbler migration is what birders look forward to the most and best numbers are recorded in early May. The Point Pelee Festival of Birds is a destination of many birders, due to the incredible number of migrating birds that stop there after crossing Lake Erie. This year the festival runs May 1st-19th. More information on the festival can be found here. The Yellow-rumped Warbler is most often the first of the Warblers observed with April being the month when good numbers start to appear followed next by Yellow Warblers.
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the first of the Warblers to show up in Spring.Although Southwestern Ontario falls within the northern most part of many of these species winter range, these birds typically migrate in the fall to the northern United States and further south, especially during harsher winters like the one we have just experienced. Some sightings, including Killdeer have already been reported in our area.
Keeping your feeders full will help attract migrating birds looking to replenish their energy as they journey north. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Red-winged Blackbirds are particularly fond of safflower seed so make sure you are offering it. Other foods to attract spring migrants are nyjer and thistle seed. Not only will your resident Goldfinches love it, it is also a great food for attracting the Indigo Bunting. Slices of fresh orange placed around your yard are great for bringing in Baltimore Orioles.
Several days in a row of warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours help trigger migration. The addition of a south wind helps push these birds north. Migration varies from year to year depending on conditions. Some years the earliest of migrants start showing up by the end of March, while other years it may not be until April. The long range forecast for our area predicts daily high temperatures to be below freezing for most of the next 14 days, so it looks like we will have to be patient yet. Birding this time of year is especially exciting because it is only a matter of time before a species not seen for several months reappears.
