Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario

Growing up, our family cottage was on Lake Couchiching, and each summer my sisters and I looked forward to our dad’s famous “nature cruises.” This was where Dad would take us in a 16’ aluminum boat along a marshy, uninhabited section of shoreline, and we would search for turtles, birds, and whatever wildlife we could see. The water was shallow, and we often had to paddle or propel the boat along by pushing off the bottom with a long pole. Dad would share his knowledge of nature, and it was a great learning experience and family outing.

F2A7748 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Trumpeter swan cygnet against a backdrop of mallards.**
**1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800**

As teenagers, a nature cruise seemed like the only thing we could agree on when one of us kids asked our dad, “What are we going to do today, Mr. Fun?” Now, as an adult returning to that same stretch of shoreline by myself in my pack boat for a nature cruise is something I still love to do.

F2A5944 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **There was no shortage of open water or swans on this visit. This pose if typical bonding behaviour of a pair.**
**1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, +0.7**

Each summer, I have been fortunate to see and photograph a few pairs of trumpeter swans and their cygnets on Lake Couchiching while paddling the marshy bays and the area known as “The Narrows” between Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching. In fact, all of the trumpeter swan images featured in my book Waterbirds and More I took here.

F2A4302 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400, +1.3**

Over the years, one species that has appeared on the lake is the trumpeter swan, the largest species of waterfowl found in North America. Due to overhunting more than 200 years ago, the trumpeter swan was extirpated from Ontario, with the last recorded wild swan shot in 1886. Back in 1982, Ministry of Natural Resources biologist Harry Lumsden had a vision to restore the trumpeter swan population to its pre-colonial range. Now, known as Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario, a self-sustaining and expanding population has been achieved.

F2A6517 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Your camera, regardless of make and model, thinks a properly exposed image is mid gray. In order to avoid an image that was too dark, I overexposed this image.**
**1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400, +0.7**

I’ve heard of large numbers of trumpeter swans overwintering or stopping over at the north end of Lake Couchiching at Centennial Park in the town of Washago. It is here that the Severn River flows out of Lake Couchiching, and the current often creates enough movement for open water to occur, attracting the swans and other waterfowl. I’ve visited a few times in the past during the winter months, but have never seen much open water or waterfowl. After watching eBird closely, I saw several hundred trumpeter swans reported and decided to plan a day trip.

F2A5323 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Trumpeter swan cygnet.**
**1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 200, +1.0**

With plenty of sunshine in the forecast, I decided to make the 1-hour drive to see the swans. The image in my head of beautiful blue skies, water, and white swans had me itching to hit the road. My only concern was that, since the last eBird report, we had entered a major cold snap with nighttime lows around -30 C, and I wondered whether there would be any open water or swans remaining.

F2A5999 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Tundra swan family in flight. The darker three top birds are full-sized cygnets with their white parents below.**
**1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, +0.7**

As I was about to exit Highway 11 into the town of Washago, I noticed an adult bald eagle soaring high above heading in the direction of Centennial Park. I was hopeful this was a sign of good things to come.

F2A6526 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Adult trumpeter swan with two cygnets behind.**
**1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, +0.7**

As I made my way into the park, I could see a large expanse of open water filled with hundreds of trumpeter swans and smaller ducks. A juvenile bald eagle took off from a tree at the water’s edge. A smile came across my face, and I said to myself, “Today is going to be a great day!”

F2A4903 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Common goldeneyes**
**1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 640, +1**

Many of the swans and ducks were right next to the boat ramp and dock, including the best looks I’ve ever had of common goldeneye. For those of you not familiar with Lake Couchiching, the water is gin-clear, so being able to watch these diving ducks swim underwater and resurface with beaks full of snails and mollusks right at my feet was incredible.

F2A8076 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **American black duck/mallard hybrid. Note the second one in the background. These ducks resemble an American black duck but have a streak of green on their heads.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 800, +0.3**

There were so many swans present that isolating individual birds for photos was a real challenge. Adult and full-sized cygnets swam together as families while small flocks of swans continued to fly in

F2A7796 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **This female red-breasted merganser was one of the many ducks that passed by the dock at close range.**
**1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 800, +1.3**

As I enjoyed the sights and sounds, two cars pulled up, and four people got out. The one young woman grabbed two pails of corn from the van and approached the water’s edge. I noticed she was wearing a blue jacket that said Swan Bander on it. I asked whether she was here to feed the birds or to band them. She replied, “Band them, we got four yesterday.” I saw no net or other way of capturing these huge birds, so I asked the other woman, “How do you catch them?” She replied, “By hand, just watch, she’s really patient.”

F2A5517 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Trumpeter swan landing on Lake Couchiching.**
**1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 320, +1**

I stood back and watched as the first woman dropped pieces of whole corn at her feet and into the shallow water at the shoreline. Slowly, the swans came closer to eat the corn, and when the closest swan’s neck was outstretched enough, the woman quickly grabbed the bird by the neck, lifted it, and got its wings under control. The team quickly placed the swan in a hammock-like bag and began their research. The Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario team collected data, including the bird’s weight, a lead test, and other information pertinent to their research, before the bird was outfitted with a yellow wing tag and released.

F2A5187 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM**
**1/2500, f7/1, ISO 320, +0.7**

In total, I saw the team capture, tag, and release four trumpeter swans in my time there. Watching a woman catch a bird whose average weight is 15-30 pounds with an average wing span of 8 feet by hand was truly impressive!

As it was getting late in the day and I had captured thousands of images, I decided to head home. I grabbed a coffee at the Tim Hortons in Rama before jumping back on Highway 11 north.

F2A4142 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — I have always wanted to capture a pair of swans with their heads in the shape of a hart.
1/6400, f/7.1, ISO 800, +0.3

Centennial Park is less than 5 minutes off Highway 11 and truly beautiful. It is an eBird Hotspot, so you can see what has been reported before you stop. The park, complete with an off-leash dog area and washrooms (perhaps seasonal), is a perfect place to break up a long drive by getting out to stretch and enjoy nature. If you forgot any items for your trip, Washago has many amenities, including an LCBO, Home Hardware, and Canoe Fresh Food Market for all your grocery needs.

F2A6896 1024x683 - Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario — **Waterfowl as far as the eye could see in Washago, Ontario.**
**1/1250, f/9, ISO 500, +0.7**

Next time you’re travelling Highway 11 and need a break, I recommend stopping at Centennial Park in Washago.

Good birding,
Paul

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Join Me For A Presentation On Backyard Birds

In June 2024, my niece Megan and I published our first book, Backyard Birds: A Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Birds in Southwestern Ontario. Sales of this book have far exceeded our expectations (thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy and/or attended one of our events). Books are available through my website or several stores throughout Southwest Ontario.

Cardinal - Join Me For A Presentation On Backyard Birds — **Looking to attract more cardinals to your yard? We’ll share how at this event.**

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Megan and I will give a presentation at Wild Birds Unlimited in London, Ontario, about backyard birds and how to attract each of the 24 species featured in our book to your yard. The advice shared is based on our own experience including what feeder and seed combinations work in our own yards and have for decades. We’ll also share advice on how to deter some of the less desirable backyard visitors, such as grackles, starlings, and squirrels.

17223872502 3a929c2d49 o - Join Me For A Presentation On Backyard Birds — The photos of birds on feeders in our book were captured by me in our yards on feeders we use. At this presentation we will share what feeders and seed we use to attract each of the 24 species found in our book.

After the event, grab a copy of our book, have your current copy signed, or feel free to ask questions. We can even help you choose the perfect new feeder and seed combination to take home for your yard!

IMG 9533 - Join Me For A Presentation On Backyard Birds — **At this event we’ll share what suet is our favourite and can be used year-round.**

Space is limited, so registration is required. If you want to attend this event, please email cathy@wbulondon.ca to register.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Good birding,
Paul

London Calling

My first full winter living in the Algonquin Park area has gone exactly, if not better than, I hoped for. There has been plenty of snow and wildlife to photograph, specifically moose, wolves, otters, and several bird species, with winter finches being a highlight. The birds visiting my feeders include a flock of about 20 common redpolls, which has been a pleasure to watch.

F2A9160 1024x683 - London Calling — **Red-bellied woodpecker enjoying some black-oil sunflower seeds at the start of the Tamarack Trail.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/500, f/7.1, ISO 1600**

Despite this, I found myself missing some birds that do not reside in this area, particularly the northern cardinal and my favourite bird, the red-bellied woodpecker.

F2A0386 - London Calling — **Dark-eyed juncos are a winter resident of London and can usually be found in the city from Thanksgiving to early May.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/400, f/7.1, ISO 1250, +0.3**

I travel back to London twice a month for a day trip to visit my dad, who now resides in long-term care as he lives with dementia. It’s a long day, but I love seeing him light up when I enter the room, and despite him being mostly non-verbal, he still laughs when I do something immature or say something off-colour. Our shared warped sense of humour has been a big part of our relationship, just like our love of nature has.

F2A0417 1024x683 - London Calling — **Downy woodpecker.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/320, f/7.1, ISO 1250, +0.3**

Last week, I decided to take my camera with me on my trip back to The Forest City and visit a couple of my favourite hotspots before heading over to see my dad. I hoped to see and photograph the cardinals and red-bellied woodpecker I had been missing.

I left home just after 5:00 a.m. and headed straight to Fanshawe Conservation Area, where there is always an abundance of cardinals to see. Arriving just after 10:00 a.m., it wasn’t long before I saw my first cardinal. Several other birds I hadn’t seen in a while were also present, with dark-eyed juncos, white-throated sparrows, and American tree sparrows also perched in the dense thicket. Juncos and American tree sparrows do overwinter in my current location; however, eBird lists them as rare, and I’ve only seen a few.

F2A9568 1024x683 - London Calling — **The American tree sparrow is one of my favourite sparrows and only found in the city during the winter months.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/200, f/8, ISO 1250**

Most times when I visit Fanshawe in winter, I take some black-oil sunflower seeds to feed the birds, and I put some out on the ground on this occasion. After doing so, quite a variety of birds appeared, and in the tree behind me, I heard the churr, churr, churr call of a red-bellied woodpecker.

Paper 768x1024 - London Calling — **Normally you have to do something wrong to make the front page of the local paper. Thanks Mike for taking my picture and the chat and to Christine for sending me this pic.**

While at Fanshawe, I had my picture taken by Mike Hensen of the London Free Press. Mike is a blog subscriber, and we’ve met a few times in the past. We chatted for a bit, and Mike asked me about the gloves I was wearing, which I recently blogged about in my post Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026. Having spent a few hours at Fanshawe, I decided to head to my favourite birding area in London, Greenway Park, to see if any bald eagles were present and what interesting waterfowl might be on the river.

F2A9986 1024x683 - London Calling — **After placing some seeds in the snowbank, I was photobombed by this female northern cardinal.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1600, +1**

As I approached Greenway while still driving, I saw an adult bald eagle soaring overhead. I hoped this was a sign of good things to come. Entering the park, I saw another bald eagle perched in a tree across from the outflow of the pollution plant.

I parked at the main parking lot and headed for the lookout over the river. I observed hundreds of mallards and Canada geese, two more species that are almost nonexistent where I currently live. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve heard the honk of a Canada goose.

F2A0970 1024x683 - London Calling — **Redheads on the Thames River.**
**Canon R6 MKII, RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM 1/640, f/7.1, ISO 1000, +1**

Making my way upstream in the direction of the eagle, many of the ducks that typically overwinter on the Thames were seen: hooded merganser, common goldeneye, common merganser, and bufflehead. As I carried on, I saw a small group of my dad’s favourite duck, the redhead, both males and females. Further upstream, two greater scaup were swimming on the far side of the river.

F2A2720 1024x683 - London Calling — **Bald eagles regularly perch across from the Greenway Pollution Plant during the winter months.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/1600, f/8, ISO 1600**

Now at the eagle, I raised my camera and captured several images. I waited here patiently for several minutes, hoping the eagle would take to the air and I could capture some flight shots. A fellow birder approached, and we shared our observations. I didn’t catch the woman’s name, but she asked, “Did you see the harlequin duck?” I asked where, and she divulged it was in the rapids under the Guy Lombardo Bridge.

F2A1771 1024x683 - London Calling — **Female harlequin duck making her way up the rapids.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/2000, f/7.1 ISO 1600, -0.3**

I dropped the eagle like a hot potato and headed back across the park towards the bridge. Looking in the rapids on the near side of the first abutment, there was a female harlequin duck. I dialed in my settings and captured several images as the bird moved upstream. I have observed harlequin ducks on the Thames River before and have always been amazed at how powerful swimmers they are in the strong current. On a few occasions, the bird flew just upstream of the fast-moving water and drifted back with the current as it dove, searching for food. I really liked the images I shot of the bird with its wings up against the white water and thought to myself, “If only this were a stunning male in breeding plumage.”

F2A2740 1024x683 - London Calling — **When photographing wildlife in the snow it’s easy to end up with underexposed images. In most cases, I overexpose my images by at least one stop to preserve the whites.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/2000, f/8, ISO 1250, +1.3**

Checking the time, I had to be on my way, as I was meeting my sister at 3:30 to see Dad, so I headed for the car. Exiting the park, two white-tailed deer bedded down in the snow caught my eye. I pulled over and captured a few images before saying to myself, “I really have to get going.”

I had a nice visit with my dad and sister, and left after getting Dad seated for dinner. I had a long drive ahead of me, but the memories of the day felt like adrenaline and kept me alert on route, or maybe it was the 20 ounces of coffee my sister poured in my travel mug.

F2A8283 1024x683 - London Calling — **Male northern cardinal.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/800, f/8, ISO 1600**

If you are looking for great places to observe birds in London, Ontario, I can’t recommend Fanshawe Conservation Area and Greenway Park enough. Admission to Fanshawe is free during the winter months, and all of the birds I mentioned can be seen at the start of the Tamarack Trail. If you don’t want to spend time in the cold or have mobility issues, you don’t even have to exit your car.

The City of London parks department plows and salts the asphalt bikeway from Greenway Park to Springbank Park, as far as the Byron bridge, making it easy to walk in winter conditions.

F2A9648 1024x683 - London Calling — **I have always preferred the more subtle beauty of the female cardinal.**
**Canon R6 MKII 1/640, f/7.1, ISO 1000**

Getting out and enjoying nature is a great way to make the winter months fly by, so if you’ve had enough of winter, need your fix of birds, or want to introduce your kids or grandkids to nature this Family Day long-weekend, give these locations a try, I’m sure you’ll be happy you did.

Good birding,
Paul

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An Unseen Act Of Care

In June 2025, I was on my way for a sunrise paddle. Arriving at the launch, just off a major highway, I discovered a beaver that had been hit by a car. I have to admit, it was a gruesome sight, and I felt upset for the beaver who had lost his life. As I sat in my car, feeling my emotions, a fox emerged from the dense vegetation along the road. I watched as the fox ventured onto the highway to help itself to an easy meal. Realizing the fox was also likely to be struck and killed by a passing vehicle, I knew I had to do something.

I decided to move the beaver off the highway so the fox or other scavengers wouldn’t meet the same fate. I didn’t want to touch the beaver with my bare hands, so I considered my options. Using my paddle was the only solution I found.

F2A2522 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **The fox’s fur was wet from rubbing against the dew-covered foliage at the side of the highway.**

Traffic was light as it was an early weekday morning. I deemed it safe to enter the middle of the highway with my paddle and attempt to move the beaver. An adult beaver can weigh 35-50 pounds, and this large one easily fell within that range. Hoping to balance it with my paddle, I exited my vehicle.

Before starting, I checked for cars and, reassured by the empty road, took a moment to pick up my camera from the passenger seat and snap a few images of the fox. Afterward, I opened the hatch and grabbed my paddle, wondering if my Werner Camano composite paddle would be up to the unusual challenge ahead.

F2A2377 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **Capturing these images of the fox in the early morning light required a higher ISO. These images were all shot at ISO 1250, f/7.1, which resulted in a shutter speed of 1/640.**

After checking for traffic, I walked to the highway’s center. The skittish fox moved to the shoulder but watched me closely. As I lifted the beaver onto my paddle, the fox ran up and eyed me, as if to ask, “Where are you going with my breakfast?” The beaver was heavy, but surprisingly, I balanced it. The smell was indescribable.

F2A2632 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **After clearing the beaver off the highway, the fox could safely enjoy its easy meal.**

With the beaver balanced on my paddle, I crossed to the far side of the highway. The fox stayed right beside me. In fact, he was better at heeling than most dogs I know. Stepping over the guardrail, I brought the beaver into a gravelly clearing, far from the road, for the fox and other scavengers to enjoy. Some entrails remained on the road. To finish my deed, I needed to move these too.

IMG 9587 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **Even when my subject is slow moving like this great blue heron, I use a fast shutter speed. My camera settings for this shot were 1/1000, f7.1, ISO 800.**

I scooped what I could with my paddle, and as I did, the fox reappeared at my heels. The fox grabbed about three feet of what I think was intestine and pranced across the highway, shaking it in its mouth like a dog with a rope toy. Despite how gross it was, it was kind of comical as the fox looked quite proud.

F2A3203 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **Unsure how close I could get to this cow moose, I used my Canon RF 1.4 extender on my RF 100-500 mm lens. My camera settings for this shot were 1/400, f/10, ISO 1600.**

With the beaver clear of the highway and the fox left to his meal, it was time to unload my pack boat and begin my paddle. As I crossed the lake, I heard the haunting call of a common loon. A great blue heron foraged along the shoreline, and at the far end of the lake, I saw a cow moose.

The day began unexpectedly, and the initial sight left me unsettled. Still, knowing I likely saved the fox and later seeing more wildlife made it a good day.

F2A3561 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **I underexposed this shot by 2/3 in order to properly capture the darks in this scene.**

I now carry disposable gloves and garbage bags in my car. If I come across roadkill again without my paddle, I can move it and dispose of the gloves at the next garbage bin.

F2A3424 - An Unseen Act Of Care — **After getting a little close to the moose I removed my extender. 1/800, ISO 1600, f/7.1**

These images and story are more graphic than usual for me, but I wanted to share this message in hopes of preventing more unnecessary roadkill.

Good birding,
Paul

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Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026

Back in 2017, I published a blogpost recommending the Manzella Bruin as The Best Gloves For Winter Birding and Photography. The reason I chose these gloves is their combination of warmth, dexterity, and waterproofing.

Before landing on Manzella as my go-to glove, I had tried plenty of others. There were plenty to choose from that were warm enough; the problem was they were too thick to allow me to operate the buttons and switches on my camera and lens, making adjusting my settings on the fly impossible. Conversely, any glove I tried that was thin enough to allow me to operate the buttons just wasn’t warm enough, let alone waterproof and breathable.

F2A9911 - Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026 — **Having gloves that allow me to operate the buttons on my camera made adjusting my exposure easy and helped me capture this barred owl with a red squirrel.**

After all these years, considering improvements in technology and materials, do I still wear the Manzella Bruin for wildlife photography? No, I don’t, and the reason why is that they were discontinued. Fret not, they were replaced by the Manzella Woodsman, and you can buy them at your local Canadian Tire store.

Since I posted that original blog, I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from people who tried the gloves themselves and were very pleased with them. The original pair had lasted me over 10 years, so there is no question regarding their durability. As my long-time subscribers know, most of my winter outings have had my old dog, Molly, at my side, and now my new dog, Hulk. Even holding on to a rope dog leash doesn’t wear through the reinforced palms of these gloves.

F2A8687 - Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026 — **Thanks to my Manzella Woodsman gloves, my hands were toasty warm as I waited for this moose to pop its head up from behind the evergreens.**

On Canadian Tire’s website, they only list large and extra-large sizes. Make sure you get a proper fit, because if they are too big, the air at the tips of your fingers will get cold, and these gloves won’t be as effective. Also, if your finger doesn’t reach the tip, it will be hard to operate the buttons, as you will be trying to use the material rather than your finger.

Ladies, these gloves may be too big for you. Manzella does make women’s gloves, but I have not seen them in the Woodsman model. If you find these gloves too big, you could wear a thinner glove underneath to take up some of the slack. Manzella has three warmth ratings: warm, warmer, and warmest, with the Woodsman falling in the warmest category.

F2A3976 - Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026 — **Waiting for a beaver to surface and climb up on the ice takes a lot of patience. Warm hands makes the wait more comfortable.**

This winter, I’ve taken up skiing to get deep in the backcountry in search of wildlife to photograph. These warm gloves have been perfect because not only do they keep my hands at a comfortable temperature, but they’re also breathable for this increased activity. Again, the reinforced palms show no wear from the poles. I am not the best skier and have fallen a few times, which has led to my hands being buried in the snow, and these gloves are definitely waterproof.

F2A5824 - Warm Gloves For Wildlife Photography In 2026 — **I have yet to try a glove that can beat Manzella when it comes to warm, breathability, and waterproofing while allowing me to operate my camera properly.**

These gloves are also great for using my binoculars, as I can easily adjust the focus dial, eyecups, and diopter without removing them.

If you’re in the market for warm gloves this winter, or if you’re like me, you finally wore out your Bruins, head into your local Canadian Tire and pick up a pair of Manzella Woodman gloves.

Good birding,
Paul

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Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date

It started out like any other day. I got out of bed at 4:00 a.m., turned on the coffee maker, and started to work. The commute from my bedroom to the desk in the living room was uncongested, as it is every morning. After a few hours of work and a couple cups of coffee, it was break time. For me, break time typically consists of a 20-30 minute ride on a stationary bike followed by free weights, breakfast, then a shower, and this day was no different.

F2A2428 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **Evening grosbeaks and blue jays at my feeder.**

I had planned on putting in a full day of work, but was quickly distracted by a flock of evening grosbeaks at my feeders, so I put on my warm clothes, grabbed my camera, and headed into the backyard. I managed to capture a few images of the grosbeaks, but most were on the feeders and not in the adjacent trees. I much prefer to capture birds in a more natural setting than on feeders. It was a cold day with a wind chill of -26, but clear blue skies. There were lots of birds active, and the sunshine was incredible, so I decided to make the short drive into Algonquin Park.

F2A2370 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **Every seed-eating bird that has visited my yard has used this tray feeder. Here, female evening grosbeaks are enjoying black-oil sunflower seed.**

As I made my way through the park, an Algonquin wolf crossed the highway in front of me. I pulled safely off the road, rolled down my window, and enjoyed watching this beautiful animal. I tried for some images, but the light was poor, and the wolf was positioned slightly down a hill, so it was hard to get its entire body in the frame. The wolf stood motionless, looking back at me.

The eye contact we shared was pretty amazing, well, at least for me! I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, and a second wolf appeared. Once the two were together, they high-tailed it into the woods. I’m not one to chase wildlife anyway, but especially ones that have left in such a hurry. I was a little disappointed I didn’t capture any images, but this was the best look I’ve ever had at an Algonquin wolf.

F2A3044 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **As the shoulder narrowed, the wolf made its way into the forest.**

I’ve been fortunate to see Algonquin wolves a few times, but the encounters have been brief and often in poor light. I’ve also heard packs howling, and this is an amazing experience too. As the wolves were now long gone, I pulled back on the highway and carried on through the park.

About one kilometer down the road, a third wolf was running along the shoulder. With the freshly plowed snow, there was no room for me to pull over, and the wolf kept moving. I slowed down in case the wolf entered the road, and fortunately, oncoming traffic did the same. With no safe place to pull off, I did what I often do when photographing wildlife: I don’t go where the animal is; I try to anticipate where it’s going and put myself there.

F2A3176 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **Words can’t describe how excited I was to see the wolf emerge from the trees.**

Knowing there was a trail down the road, I decided to go there and wait for the wolf. It was a long shot that the wolf would travel this far, but I knew it was my best opportunity to see and photograph the wolf.

After parking my car, I climbed up on a ridge. Sure enough, the wolf was still travelling down the highway. If it kept coming my way, I was going to get some shots. My only gripe was that the wolf would pass by me with a guardrail behind it, and not the natural forest scene I was hoping for. To my delight, the wolf crossed the road, the side with no guardrail. I quickly crossed the road and hid behind a snowbank. As the shoulder narrowed, the wolf entered the woods. I’m not surprised, as my long-shot plan was unfolding too perfectly.

F2A3502 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **Those are my tracks just in front of the wolf. It seemed very curious about them, smelling and evening peeing on them.**

The wolf continued east just at the edge of the forest. I snapped what images I could, but with so many trees, there were lots of obstructions. To make things even more challenging, the trees were casting shadows, and the wolf was moving from full sun to full shade to everything in between. I thought my chances of getting a clear shot were done.

I don’t think the wolf knew where I was, as I was very concealed. Not only did I not want the wolf to see me, but I also didn’t want any motorists to see me taking pictures of something in the woods, or they’d be sure to stop. This is how Algonquin’s infamous “moose jams” happen. The wolf made it to the area where I had previously been standing on the ridge and was quite interested in the smell of my footprints in the snow. The wolf moved along slowly with its nose to the ground and even peed several times in my tracks.

F2A3083 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **The trees made getting an unobstructed shot challenging as well as casted shadows on the wolf.**

At this point, the wolf began to emerge from the trees, offering an opportunity for a photo. It was then that I realized the wolf knew I was there as it looked right at me. The wolf continued to make its way along the tree line following my tracks before disappearing into the woods. This was truly an incredible encounter, and I was sure I captured some images I’d be happy with.

F2A3585 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **One final glance before disappearing back into the forest.**

After making my way back to my car, the wolf appeared out of the forest again. This time, it was walking right toward me. Not wanting to be too close, I opened the car door and got in. As I sat in the driver’s seat, the wolf passed by, only a car width away, before disappearing into the woods for the last time.

In my last blog post, My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026, I mentioned several species I wanted to photograph this winter. Although it wasn’t mentioned in that post, the Algonquin wolf was on my list.

F2A3736 - Algonquin Wolf: Perhaps My Best Wildlife Encounter To Date — **I’m glad I was in my car for this shot. This photo is uncropped taken at 100 mm.**

The Algonquin wolf, also known as the Eastern wolf, is often the subject of debate when one is sighted. Often, Algonquin wolves are mistaken for coyotes. In fact, when I first moved to the area, the first one I saw, albeit briefly, I thought was a coyote. Algonquin wolves are typically larger than coyotes and smaller than gray wolves. Proper identification requires genetic testing, but when I spoke to a member of Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources a few years back, he said there are no coyotes in this area; they’re all Algonquin wolves.

Algonquin wolves are currently listed as threatened on Ontario’s Species at Risk list and are a fragile species. This is yet another reason to drive slowly when visiting the park. I consider myself very fortunate to have had this experience. I’ve had many great encounters over the years in Algonquin Park, but I think this one might take the cake. Seeing three of these elusive animals, one of them so photogenic, is a memory I’ll never forget.

Good birding,
Paul

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My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026

In late 2019, I purchased a small travel trailer as an experiment to see if I could live in a tiny space. My end goal is to build a small cabin in the woods if I can find land and if living small works out. I was fortunate to find a location for my trailer not too far from Algonquin Provincial Park and have been living in it from May to October since 2020. Happy with the small space and location, it was time to experience a full winter here. I’ve spent time in the area during the winter months in each of the past six years either winter camping, house-sitting, or staying in motels, but I felt experiencing snow from November to April was a good idea before committing to buying land.

F2A3708 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Canada jays are always a treat to see and photograph in Algonquin Park.**

In October, I rented a small cabin a stone’s throw from where my trailer is located. What was nice is I didn’t have to commit to a full year lease but chose eight months so it overlaps with my time at the trailer allowing me to take my time moving in and out. The cabin is simple, nothing fancy, just the amenities I need (a roof over my head, heat, water, and a place to work).

F2A6815 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Looking out over Lake of Two Rivers on a frosty morning.**

With a full fall and winter ahead of me, I created a wish list of things I wanted to see and photograph. In past years when I’ve visited Algonquin in late fall and winter, the longest I’ve stayed each time has been a week, so have felt a bit rushed to see as much as I can and found myself visiting only the well-known, well-travelled areas in search of wildlife. I still visit those areas on my trips into the park, but I’ve also spent a lot of time off the beaten path searching areas few or no human ventures once the snow flies.

F2A5736 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Male pine grosbeak**

So far, I’ve already crossed several items off my list. The first item was to capture an image of a bull moose in late fall posing in front of some golden tamarack trees. Tamaracks have a special place in my heart because we had one in the backyard growing up my dad planted. It was in that backyard my love of nature was sparked. When I bought my first home, I purchased a tamarack tree for my own yard. At the time, I was recovering from back surgery and couldn’t dig, so my dad came over and dug the hole and planted the tree for me. Needless to say, when I see a tamarack tree I think of my dad.

F2A2511 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Though not on my wish list, this Harris’s Sparrow was a pleasant surprise. These birds rarely venture this far east and are more commonly found in Central North America.**

Early in November, while driving through the park, I noticed a bull moose standing at the edge of a pond. There was a nice spot I could pull completely off the highway and watch/photograph the moose. I was fortunate to watch this bull for an extended period of time and capture several images. During this time, it fed on water lilies and even crossed the pond. It glanced over at me several times but since I kept a respectful distance it didn’t care I was there and went about his business.

F2A7984 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **One of the items on my wish list was to photograph a bull moose in front of golden tamarack trees.**

After watching for several minutes, the bull made its way along the edge of the pond. In the direction it was heading were three small tamarack trees sporting their golden fall foliage. My excitement built (I was already pretty excited) as I said in my head, or maybe even out loud, “keep going, keep going.” Sure enough, the bull walked right in front of those tamaracks. Now it wasn’t the biggest bull in the forest, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers!

F2A2746 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **This red fox was photographed just before dark at high ISO. I’ve been very impressed with my new Canon R6 MKII.**

Another item on my list was a fox in the snow. Late one afternoon, after one of our first snowfalls, I was following two sets of moose tracks and several wolf tracks. I’m not sure if the wolves were following the moose or just using the same trail, but the tracks were fresh, and it looked promising. I was losing daylight, but after hearing a pack of wolves howl, I decided to continue on. A lone Algonquin wolf appeared briefly, then darted back into the woods. What an amazing experience! Realizing I was about an hour from the car and had about the same amount of time before it was completely dark, I turned around.

F2A8028 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **If you are planning a trip to Algonquin Park, the Visitor Centre feeders are a good place to search for pine grosbeaks.**

On my way back to the car, something appeared on the trail. It was far away, and I couldn’t tell what it was other than it moved. I raised my camera to zoom in, and sure enough, it was a fox. It sat on the middle of the trail watching me. As I moved towards the fox, it would move a few feet then sit back down. The fox repeated this several times as I got closer. I snapped several images at a high ISO but didn’t expect much.

F2A8766 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Even when I don’t find something on my list, there’s always something to see. I watched this otter catch and eat several catfish in a short period of time.**

Since the spring, I’ve been using a new Canon R6 MKII mirrorless camera but haven’t really pushed its low light capabilities until now. Eventually, the fox disappeared off the trail. When I reached the area I last saw the fox, I took my time and looked around. Sure enough, to my left I located the fox standing next to a tiny patch of snow. It wasn’t the completely snowy scene I envisioned, but I’ll take it! More importantly, given the distance the fox was (the images are heavily cropped) and the lack of light and high ISO I was impressed with the R6’s performance.

F2A8108 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Female pine grosbeak**

According to the annual finch forecast, an irruption is predicted for this winter. An irruption is when a large number of a species migrate south due to a lack of food in their typical winter range. In the case of birds this is common with finches, red-breasted nuthatches, and even owls. These irruptions are cyclical and happen every few years. I’ve experienced finch irruptions over the years including the winter of 2024 when evening grosbeaks, redpolls and purple finches were abundant in the park. In fact, I wrote a blog post called Finch Me I’m Dreaming about my week in Algonquin at that time.

F2A5674 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Male pine grosbeak eating grit and salt at the side of the road.**

Up until this year, I had never seen a pine grosbeak. With an entire winter ahead of me and an irruption predicted, would this finally be the year? As you might have guessed pine grosbeak went on my list. Despite the name grosbeak, like the evening grosbeak, pine grosbeaks are in the finch family.

F2A8414 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **I’ll take any opportunity I get to photograph a spruce grouse. I love the intricate feather patter on these birds.**

I did some research on pine grosbeak habitat to hopefully improve my chances of locating these. It turns out their preferred habitat and food essentially comprises all of Algonquin Park. Fortunately, grosbeaks are often found along roads, consuming grit and salt. The grit ingested enters the bird’s gizzard and grinds up seeds, aiding in digestion, while sodium is an important mineral in their diet. So far this winter, I have seen several flocks of pine grosbeaks feeding on or beside Highway 60. If you are planning a trip to Algonquin Park this winter, drive slowly and watch out for flocks of birds on the road. The feeders located at the visitor centre is another spot where pine and evening grosbeaks can be found.

F2A4681 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **Evening grosbeaks have migrated south in large numbers as part of this year’s finch irruption.**

So far this winter, I’ve crossed several items off my photography wish list, and this post shares my encounters with only a few. I have several other exciting sightings to share in future posts including barred owl and Algonquin wolves! If you haven’t already, subscribe to my blog, and be notified via email of new posts once published.

F2A5286 - My Photography Wish List For Winter 2026 — **The fresh snow on Christmas Eve day added to the beauty of the landscape.**

I’ve been on a real hiatus from updating my blog but am going to do my best to post more frequently. Since 2024, along with my niece, Megan, we have published two books featuring my images and bird knowledge combined with her writing skills, so much of my time focused on them. A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased copies, we can’t thank you enough for your support! I appreciate everyone who reads my blog and follows along on my adventures, and I’m looking forward to sharing more in 2026.

Happy New Year and of course,

Good birding,
Paul

* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*

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Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City

Returning to London this fall left me with mixed emotions. Having spent so much time up north, I didn’t want to return to the city but tried to see the silver lining. Being back in town means I’m close to my Dad and can resume more frequent visits with him. After all, it was my dad who got me interested in birds. Also, it allows me to return to some of the areas I love birding at and see several bird species I haven’t seen for months.

IMG 3935 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **My favourite bird is the Red-bellied Woodpecker.**

London is known as the cardinal capital of Canada, and I have to admit having lived here my whole life, I have taken these birds for granted. Spending the summer outside the cardinal’s range, I go six months without seeing one. Also, absent each summer for me is my favourite bird, the Red-bellied Woodpecker.

One of the most productive areas in London for birding at this time of year is the Westminster Ponds ESA. It also happens to be a great place to enjoy the fall colours. With temperatures still feeling like summer, I waited for a cooler day to head over to the ponds. After all, if I was doing some fall birding, I wanted it to feel like fall.

IMG 2836 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow.**

The open meadow south of Commissioners Road was where I started. There is an abundance of goldenrod here and with it having gone to seed I knew there would be lots of small songbirds drawn to this food. Sure enough, not long after entering the field, I could hear a variety of bird calls coming from the dried stalks.

IMG 3995 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **Small songbirds like the American Goldfinch can be found feeding on goldenrod seed during the fall.**

Goldfinches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and several sparrows were present including White-throated, White-crowned, and Song. Some White-throated Sparrows were trying to break out into their signature Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada song but stopped after only a few notes. The goldenrod here was almost as tall as me keeping me well hidden; however, made picture-taking a real challenge. Juncos typically return to London for the winter around Thanksgiving each year and were also present enjoying the bounty of seeds.

IMG 4092 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **This Great Blue Heron was perched overlooking Saunders Pond.**

Happy with my sightings, I headed through the woods to Saunders Pond. The loud shriek of a Great Blue Heron could be heard from the pond. On the far side of the pond, I heard a strange call and saw a large bird which I presumed was a raptor up in a tree. As I did not recognize the call as a raptor I was confused by what I was seeing. It was a large bird with its wings spread wide appearing to be falling out of the tree. As it flapped its wings to keep its perch, it made a sound I had never heard. I still had no idea what I was seeing and was torn between making my way down to where I could still hear the heron or trying to figure out what this was.

My curiosity got the best of me and I got into a position where I could see better through the trees and identify this bird. I raised my binoculars and as the bird came into focus I could see it was a Wild Turkey. It had regained balance and was perched high in a tree adjacent to the pond. The sound it was making was no gobble, cluck, yelp, or cackle I’ve ever heard from a turkey but I guess when about to fall 60 feet into water Turkeys make whatever sound they want.

IMG 4061 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **This male Wood Duck gave the leaves a run for their money for best fall colours.**

I quietly snuck down to the pond and saw the heron that was making a ruckus earlier. I raised my camera and snapped a few pics. Swimming on the surface just in front of the heron was a stunning male Wood Duck.

IMG 4220 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **In my opinion, the west side of Saunders Pond is the best place to find Rusty Blackbirds in the Forest City during fall migration.**

I made my way around the north side of Saunders Pond to the boardwalk and lookout behind Tourist Information on Wellington Road. My hope here was to see some Rusty Blackbirds. These are one of my favourite birds to see in the fall because as their name suggests their fall plumage is a beautiful rusty colour. This location is the best place to see Rusty Blackbirds in the fall. These birds are listed as special concern on Ontario’s Species at Risk list. The water level was low so I scanned the low shrubs and mudflats for movement as I’ve seen Rusty Blackbirds foraging here in previous years.

IMG 4318 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **White-crowned Sparrows are migrating through London in good numbers. These birds will frequent backyards and can be seen on the ground under feeders.**

Movement caught my attention. Sure enough, a Rusty Blackbird appeared from the thick brush. Achieving focus I fired off a series of images. Several other Rusty Blackbirds could be seen down low and higher up in the trees as well as flying overhead mixed in with grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. I couldn’t help but get a little emotional as this is where I saw my first Rusty Blackbird so many years ago with my dad. Unfortunately, my dad can’t get out with me anymore and I find myself cherishing memories like this one more and more.

IMG 4342 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **Northern Cardinal**

Next, I heard the churr, churr, churr call of the Red-bellied Woodpecker. As I looked up a stunning male flew in and landed right in front of me. A broken snag on a dead tree made a perfect perch. A male cardinal landed in the tree next to where I was standing. There certainly was a lot of bird activity in this spot. Out on the pond were a pair of Pied-billed Grebes and the fall colours along the north side of Saunders Pond looked good with the beech and maple trees showing off some nice reds and yellows.

IMG 3806 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **Cedar Waxwings were observed on the west side of Saunders Pond.**

For anyone wanting to see these birds or the leaves, this area is fully accessible. There is plenty of parking behind Tourist Information and the wide, asphalt path takes you down to the recently resurfaced wood lookout.

IMG 4196 - Fall Birding At One Of My Favourite Locations In The Forest City — **Many Robins overwinter at Westminster Ponds due to the abundance of berry-producing trees and shrubs but their numbers increase during migration.**

Returning to Westminster Ponds after such a long hiatus certainly made for a great day of birding. We are so fortunate as Londoners to have this gem and I look forward to spending more time there this fall and winter. If you are looking for a great place to enjoy nature and forget you’re in a city of over 400,000 people, I highly recommend visiting Westminster Ponds.

Good birding,
Paul

*My new book Backyard Birds: A Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Birds in Southwestern Ontario is available now. Together with my niece Megan, we’ve written a book to help identify and attract 24 species of birds living in Southwestern Ontario. This book is geared towards beginners young and old making the perfect gift for anyone introducing a child to birding, a new homeowner unfamiliar with the birds in their yard, or someone new to Southwestern Ontario. Find out more and order here*

Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price

Whether you are an avid birder or someone who enjoys watching the birds at a backyard feeder, binoculars are a great investment.

The magnification binoculars offer allows us to identify birds more easily while better admiring their stunning plumage and intricate feather detail.

IMG 2740 2 - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **The Vortex Triumph HD binoculars come with a case that doubles as a chest harness.**

Over the years, I have tried a multitude of binoculars and own three pairs by different manufacturers that provide 8X magnification. Wanting something more powerful for smaller songbirds and far away subjects, I found myself in the market for another pair.

I currently own a pair of Vortex Vanquish compact binoculars and love everything about them, so naturally I looked at Vortex again when searching for a new pair.

White crowned Sparrow - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **The Vortex Triumph HD magnify the subject 10X which makes identifying similar songbirds like sparrows much easier.**

Wanting something high quality without breaking the bank I decided on the Vortex Triumph HD 10 x 42 binoculars. I was drawn to this pair by Vortex claiming these binoculars to be their class’s best image quality, ergonomics, and durability. At a price of only $159.00 and backed by Vortex’s unconditional, unlimited lifetime warranty, I was certainly intrigued and eager to see how they perform.

Black capped Chickadee - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **With 10X magnification you can really see all the intricate feather detail.**

Birders often shy away from binoculars that offer higher magnification as it narrows the field of view, but the Vortex Triumph has a field of view of 334’ at 1000 yards which is comparable to the 8X magnification pairs I own by Vortex and Nikon.

Red bellied Woodpecker - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **Whether you are an avid birder or someone who enjoys watching the birds at a backyard feeder, binoculars are a great investment.**

My biggest issue in the past with binoculars featuring 10X magnification has been holding them steady. Not only is the subject magnified so too is any shake. What is the point of having a closer view if the subject is bouncing up and down? The other pairs of 10 power binoculars I have tried have been too big and heavy, while others are too small to manage a steady grip. At 6.1” x 5.0” inches and weighing only 1.43 pounds the Vortex Triumph features a rubber armour non-slip coating allowing me to easily hold these binoculars steady. The rubber armour also adds protection making these binoculars shockproof.

Canoe 2 - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **Waterproof binoculars are not only great on land in a rainstorm, they are perfect when searching for birds and wildlife from a canoe.**

The multi-coated lenses deliver exceptional clarity and light transmission even in low-light conditions. Nitrogen purged and sealed with an O-ring these binoculars are waterproof and fogproof.

IMG 2730 3 - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **The GlassPak harness makes carrying the binoculars incredibly comfortable while providing quick access.**

Carrying these binoculars on my chest with the included Vortex GlassPak harness was incredibly comfortable and provided quick access when hiking outdoors. The mesh side pockets and zippered rear pouch fit a variety of items like the eyepiece covers and cleaning cloth.

The adjustable eyecups are a key feature for those who wear glasses as this allows you to leave your glasses on while looking through the lenses.

Eastern Chipmunk - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **Small mammals appear much bigger when viewed through binoculars.**

The neoprene neck strap is the most comfortable factory strap I have ever worn on any pair of binoculars and is another welcome feature.

Using these binoculars with 10X magnification made identifying confusing fall warblers and other small songbirds much easier and I could not be more pleased with my purchase.

The performance and features packed into this pair of binoculars that arrived at my door for under $200 taxes in is quite impressive. The unconditional, unlimited lifetime warranty gives me peace of mind that Vortex stands behind its product.

453490364 508184885119611 3735667305528690766 n - Vortex Triumph HD: High-Quality Binoculars at an Affordable Price — **As someone who struggles with butterfly identification, the 10X magnification makes seeing fine details on butterflies much simpler.**

With the holiday season fast approaching, these binoculars are a great gift idea for any bird lover regardless of whether they are a beginner or advanced. The price point, features, and high-quality construction of these binoculars make them a perfect choice. If you are looking for a great pair of binoculars at an affordable price, I highly recommend the Vortex Triumph HD 10×42 binoculars.

Good birding,
Paul

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Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps

Northern Cardinals are one of the most recognized birds throughout their range and a favourite backyard visitor of many. Cardinals are often the bird homeowners most wish to attract when placing a feeder in their yard.

This winter I regularly have a dozen cardinals visiting my feeders at the same time providing an incredible sight. To entice cardinals to my yard I have implemented a few simple measures to make my landscape more enticing. Attracting cardinals is quite simple if you follow these four easy steps.

33113972041 8cd6ceba9d o - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Cedars provide shelter from the elements and predators making them a perfect tree for attracting cardinals.**

Provide Adequate Habitat

Northern Cardinals prefer a habitat consisting of dense thickets that provide cover. If your yard is void of this type of vegetation, add a few trees and shrubs. I know what you are thinking, “Trees take years to grow, and I won’t see cardinals for decades.” By carefully choosing which species to plant the benefits will be reaped much sooner. Fortunately, cardinals tend to hide low to the ground, which means large mature trees are not required to attract cardinals.

Two of my favourite native species which provide great cover for cardinals are Red Osier Dogwood and Eastern White Cedar. Both are readily available at area nurseries, are inexpensive to purchase, and as is the case with all plants native to our area are extremely easy to grow even if you lack a green thumb.

IMG 2683 Edit Edit - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Female Northern Cardinal perched in the safety of a dense thicket.**

Fruit from the Red Osier Dogwood is consumed by over 100 bird species in Ontario making it my favourite native shrub. Since introducing this species to my landscape several years ago, I have seen an increase in the variety of birds visiting my yard and an increase in the number of cardinals. This plant is incredibly hardy and does best in full sun to part shade. An incredibly versatile shrub, it can tolerate dry conditions but will also grow in standing water.

Red Osier Dogwoods are fast growing reaching a maximum height and spread of 12 feet in only a few years. Dogwoods are easily pruned if a smaller shrub is more suited to your yard. Comprised of multiple stems, Red Osier Dogwoods provide excellent shelter to a multitude of songbirds including the cardinal. The deep red branches add a beautiful element of colour to any landscape, especially during the winter months when colour is absent from most yards.

16155723715 c6347c7bab o - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Female Northern Cardinal**

When searching for a cedar tree, make sure you purchase an Eastern White Cedar. Emerald Cedars are often sold in mass quantities at every garden centre, home improvement store, and just about any other retailer selling live plants come spring. The reason to avoid these trees is their foliage is too dense denying birds access to the inner branches, thus providing no shelter at all. The Eastern White Cedar’s drooping branches and dark green foliage provide protection from the elements and predators not to mention the perfect location to construct a nest.

Tolerant of some shade, the Eastern White Cedar can reach a height of 50 feet and prefers moist soil. These trees can be purchased at area garden centres as 3 to 4-foot specimens, sufficient size to attract cardinals. Like the Red Osier Dogwood, Eastern White Cedars can be topped and pruned to contain their size and make beautifally dense hedges the perfect cover for birds.

16537658466 b258d96452 o - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Regardless of time of year, a source of fresh water will attract more cardinals.**

Add A Water Source

Fresh water is an excellent way to attract more birds and is an even bigger draw than food as not every yard has a water source. Water can be offered in various ways, from a simple dish to an elaborate water feature. Bird baths are one of the most common ways to provide water as birds can both drink and bathe. For the chilly winter months consider a heated bird bath to prevent the water from freezing.

Despite frigid temperatures across our region during winter months, birds still need to bathe as feather maintenance is vital to their survival. A heated bird bath will certainly attract more cardinals to your yard as this can be the unique feature that makes your yard more attractive than your neighbour’s.

15576809603 0ab9a33273 o - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **After clearing the seed ports of my feeders, cardinals will readily cleanup spilled seed from the ground.**

Offer Their Two Favourite Seeds

Cardinals will consume a wide variety of seeds, but they do have two favourties, sunflower, and safflower. Black oil sunflower seed is the most economical seed on the market and is consumed by all songbirds that frequent our area. If I could only have one type of seed to offer in my feeders, black oil sunflower would be my choice.

IMG 6922 2 - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Female Northern Cardinal and male House Finch feeding on black oil sunflower seeds in my Squirrel Buster Classic feeder.**

If cleaning up shells from beneath your feeder is something you wish to avoid, hulled sunflower seed is the perfect choice. Hulled sunflower is simply black oil sunflower seed out of the shell. This is more of a premium seed and costs a bit more money due to processing costs, but will keep your lawn or patio much cleaner. Keep in mind that when buying a bag of hulled sunflower seed, you are only paying for seed and not the shells. A good portion of a 10-pound bag of black oil sunflower seeds is shell weight, so once this is factored in paying extra for hulled sunflower is easier to swallow, for you and the birds.

Safflower seed is another great option for attracting cardinals. This white seed is a favourite of cardinals and is also consumed by Mourning Doves, House Finches, and Black-capped Chickadees. Another benefit of safflower seed is that it is less desirable to squirrels and blackbirds. If squirrels, Common Grackles, and European Starlings are a problem in your yard, try switching to safflower seed.

IMG 2575 Edit Edit 2 - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Northern Cardinals prefer to feed on the ground. During the winter months be sure to keep the snow beneath your feeders packed down to provide these birds an added place to feed.**

Choose The Right Feeder

Northern Cardinals are ground-feeding birds by nature, so this is important to keep in mind when choosing a feeder. Cardinals prefer feeders with large perching areas.

8883649210 494e34c56a o Edit - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Tray-style feeders are perfect for attracting Northern Cardinals.**

A hanging tray feeder offers plenty of room for cardinals to land and is a great option. These feeders feature a mesh bottom made of metal which allows rain and snow to drain keeping the seed fresh longer. These can be hung from any pole system or shepherd’s hook and using a squirrel baffle will keep the squirrels from getting to the seed.

Something to keep in mind when choosing a feeder is cardinals prefer to face forward when they feed. This is another reason tray feeders work so well. If however, a tray feeder is not what you are after then other great options exist.

A hopper feeder that can be hung or pole-mounted will entice cardinals to feed. These feeders typically have a ledge or perch where cardinals can sit and feed or a large tray incorporated on the bottom, which makes them a great choice for cardinals.

8830816424 8f1c5b4f78 o Edit - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **This tube feeder with a large perch ring filled with black oil sunflower seed is a favourite combination of the cardinals that visit my yard.**

Tube feeders are also great for attracting Northern Cardinals. Remember, cardinals like to face forward to feed so make sure the tube feeder you choose has large perches to accommodate this. Two excellent choices are Brome’s Squirrel Buster Plus and Squirrel Buster Classic. Both of these feeders are squirrel proof with the seed ports closing off under the weight of a squirrel.

Choose the feeder style that is best suited for your yard and fill it with either sunflower, safflower or a mix of both. Remember to keep your feeder clean and the seed ports free of snow and ice during the winter months.

IMG 2857 Edit Edit - Northern Cardinals: How To Attract Them In 4 Easy Steps — **Attracting cardinals to any yard is simple by following the above-mentioned four easy steps.**

At dawn, cardinals are often the first bird to arrive at a backyard feeder and the last to leave at dusk. Sometimes they can only be identified by their silhouettes and soft calls during these low-light conditions. Attracting cardinals to your yard is quite easy if you follow these four steps. If you lack cardinals in your yard, recognize which of these elements is missing and make a point of implementing them. By providing these necessities, I’m sure you will see an increase in the number of Northern Cardinals frequenting your yard.

Good birding,
Paul