Migration Floodgates About To Open

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.

IMG 1491 Edit Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

IMG 1896 Edit Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **One of the birds I look forward to seeing most each year during spring migration is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.**

In my last post The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds I 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.

28393616438 cf181b32be o - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

42091711532 c847d44224 o - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

IMG 1223 Edit Edit 4 - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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 Flight held 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.

IMG 2081 Edit Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

IMG 2126 Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

42420161030 11bbef9996 o - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

IMG 1933 Edit Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

IMG 2937 Edit Edit - Migration Floodgates About To Open — **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.

Good birding,
Paul

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The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds

Feeding your backyard birds year-round can be incredibly rewarding. Observing a male cardinal pass a seed to a female during courtship demonstrates the lengths some birds go to obtain a mate. Similar behaviour can be observed later in the season as many birds will bring their offspring to feeders once fledged and place food in their open mouths. These actions provide hours of entertainment for any backyard birder and are just one of the many reasons I leave my feeders up all year.

IMG 7346 Edit - The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds — **Considered a nuisance by many, European Starlings are not fond of safflower and will often leave this seed alone.**

Year-round feeding can also come with some frustration if your yard is frequented by blackbirds such as Common Grackles or European Starlings. These birds often exhibit aggressive behaviour around feeders chasing away more desirable songbirds. A flock of grackles or starlings can make quick work of a feeder full of seed either by consuming it or scattering mixed blends on the ground searching for their favourite.

34185819885 e9aebe8fda o - The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds — **Purple Finches are one of the many birds that have visited my feeder filled with safflower seed.**

Fortunately, there is something that can be done to combat grackles and starlings from visiting your feeders. The solution is to fill your feeder with safflower seed. Safflower seed is white in colour and similar in shape to black oil sunflower seed though slightly smaller. High in protein, fat, and fibre this seed provides excellent nutritional value for songbirds. Safflower seed has a bitter taste which grackles and starlings will often leave alone while other birds readily accept this offering. Birds that frequently eat safflower seed include:

Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
House Finch
Purple Finch
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
White-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse

Another benefit of offering safflower seed is most squirrels will turn their noses up at it. Chipmunks, on the other hand, love safflower and will make repeated trips to a feeder if accessible filling their cheeks each visit.

IMG 4455 Edit Edit - The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds — **Safflower seed in my fly through feeder is a popular feeding spot for Mourning Doves. This particular bird was photographed as it waited patiently for a spot to open up.**

Safflower seed can be offered in just about any type of feeder including tube, hopper, tray, or fly through. If you are introducing safflower seed for the first time, be patient as it can sometimes take a bit of time for the birds to become accustomed to it. Adding small amounts of safflower seed to your regular seed may help birds adjust to the change quicker. Increase the ratio of safflower seed slowly until you are offering 100% safflower. Some birds may scatter the seed at first as you make the transition but in my experience, many of the birds listed above accept safflower wholeheartedly. If you are hoping to attract Rose-breasted Grosbeaks to your feeder when they return to Southwestern Ontario in a few weeks, fill your feeder with safflower seed, they absolutely love it!

IMG 5031 Edit Edit - The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds — **Black-capped Chickadees are a common backyard bird which readily accepts safflower seed.**

In terms of cost, safflower seed is an economical option. It is roughly the same price as a bag of quality mixed seed while coming in slightly more expensive than black oil sunflower but less pricey than peanuts, a favourite of grackles and starlings.

IMG 3486 Edit Edit - The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds — **Switching to safflower seed during the summer months will help attract Northern Cardinals to your yard while deterring less desirable birds including starlings and grackles.**

If you are looking for a solution to the frustration and terror grackles and starlings can bring to your feeders during the summer months, give safflower seed a try. Remember to be patient when first introducing it as it can be an acquired taste. If given a chance, you might just find that the variety of birds frequenting your feeders increases with the addition of safflower seed.

Good birding,
Paul

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Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard

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.

IMG 4839 Edit Edit 2 - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 2158 - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — 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.

IMG 0950 Edit Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 9561 Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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 at 70birds. 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.

IMG 6277 Edit Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 0365 Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 5345 Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 7570 Edit Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 6417 Edit Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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.

IMG 5556 Edit Edit - Now Is The Perfect Time To Add A Birdhouse To Your Yard — **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

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Good Birding Report: London, Ontario
March 8 – 15, 2019

IMG 6715 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **With warmer weather and plenty of bird activity, March is a great month to get out birding.**

A significant warm-up this past week was not the only indication spring is right around the corner. Bird activity also signalled an imminent change in season as Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and several woodpecker species could be heard singing, calling, and drumming. Each year as the days get longer, these birds exhibit this behaviour in an effort to secure a territory and a mate for the upcoming breeding season.

0 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019

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At this time of year, the sounds are just as rewarding as the sights with the songs, chirps, and calls of a variety of species filling the air. Above is a short video I shot of a male Northern Cardinal singing.

IMG 6480 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **With their large shovel-shaped bill, the Northern Shoveler is one of the more unique looking ducks that frequent our area. This brightly coloured bird is a male.**

Another indicator spring is on the way was two Northern Shovelers observed at Greenway Park. These ducks get their names from their large shovel-shaped bills and are among the many dabblers that migrate to or pass through the area annually in March.

IMG 6846 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **Male Red-breasted Mergansers observed at Greenway Park.**

Other notable waterfowl observed on the Thames River at Greenway Park included Redheads, Red-breasted Mergansers, and a Greater Scaup. Although these ducks are known to overwinter on and around the Great Lakes, chances are these birds recently arrived in the area. With other local waterways still covered in ice, the river’s open water provided a place to rest and feed before continuing north to their breeding grounds.

IMG 6636 Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **This Yellow-rumped was my first warbler observed this year.**

Greenway Park also produced my first warbler sighting of the year, a Yellow-rumped. These birds are one of the first warblers to return each spring; however, this particular bird is likely one of two reported periodically from this location throughout the winter and evidently never migrated. Yellow-rumped Warblers have a unique digestive system allowing them to digest fruit, which is why they are found so much further north during winter than other warblers which feed exclusively on insects. Yellow-rumped Warblers will also consume wild seeds including goldenrod. For this reason, Yellow-rumped Warblers are occasionally found overwintering in our area.

IMG 7278 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **Red-winged Blackbirds were among the first of year species I observed this past week.**

Other first of year species observed this past week included Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. While walking at a local wetland, I was treated to the sights and sounds of these birds.

IMG 6664 Edit 2 Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **Melting snow uncovered plenty of leaf litter providing excellent foraging areas for American Robins.**

For many, their first American Robin sighting signifies the unofficial start to spring. For me, I routinely find this bird throughout the winter months in many of the low-lying wet areas where I bird. That being said, I did see a significant increase this past week as returning robins boosted their numbers.

IMG 5297 2 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **The colorful tail of this adult Red-tailed Hawk contrasted beautifully against the blue sky.**

IMG 7089 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **Red-tailed Hawk**

While birding in the city’s northeast end in the area of Huron Woods, raptor activity was enjoyed. Witnessing the aerial courtship display of two Red-tailed Hawks was certainly a sight to see. After observing this amazing spectacle, one of the birds landed in a nearby tree offering tremendous views.

IMG 6298 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **This mature Cooper’s Hawk was observed in Huron Woods.**

A single Cooper’s Hawk was also observed in this same area, and despite the presence of these birds of prey, songbirds were also quite active and showing themselves nicely. Woodpeckers were most prevalent with Downy and Red-bellied recorded in good numbers.

IMG 7189 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019

IMG 7146 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **Long-tailed Ducks (male top females bottom) were observed on the north branch of the Thames River.**

On this section of the Thames, three Long-tailed Ducks were photographed as they battled the strong current after melting snow and ice increased the river’s flow. These ducks will not remain in the area long as they will be making the long journey far to our north to breed.

IMG 6975 Edit Edit - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>March 8 - 15, 2019 — **White-tailed Deer were observed in many of the areas I visited this past week.**

The melting snow was responsible for nice looks at some nonbird wildlife, namely White-tailed Deer as these large mammals emerged from woodlots to feed on the recently exposed grass.

March is the perfect month to get out and shake off the winter blues or cabin fever. Warmer temperatures, more daylight after work, and plenty of nature is sure to put a smile on your face, I know it has mine. A visit to any of these locations or even your nearby park will most certainly yield nice views of resident birds as well as some early spring migrants. If you have the chance, head outdoors and embrace the magic of the changing season.

Good birding,
Paul

*On Thursday, March 28, 2019, I will be giving a presentation on how to photograph birds. During this 2-hour event, I will be sharing all of my tips, techniques, and secrets to help improve your bird photography, as well as how to locate more birds to photograph. More information, including how to register can be found here.*

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Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds

With March now here and spring on the horizon, many of the birds that overwinter in our area will soon be heading north to their breeding grounds.

In a recent post Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography, I mentioned easing myself back into things while dealing with a recurring and nagging back issue that saw me take a break from photography while on the mend. I am happy to report things continue to improve and I am getting out with my camera more frequently, albeit for shorter durations and distances. Over the past couple of weeks, I took advantage of the cold weather and remaining days of winter to search for some overwintering birds before they vacate the area.

IMG 3822 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **The rusty cap, yellow lower bill, and dark chest spot are key field marks of the American Tree Sparrow.**

I started my search at Fanshawe Conservation Area where several sightings of an Evening Grosbeak have been reported on eBird. According to the observations of others, this bird has been frequenting the start of the Tamarack Trail right next to the parking lot. Admission to this conservation area is free during the winter months and well worth a visit.

IMG 3594 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **Dark-eyed Junco**

Arriving at my destination, I immediately noticed an abundance of birds feeding on black-oil sunflower seeds someone had spread at the start of the trail. I watched for a few minutes and counted a few overwintering species including Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows. A few more minutes passed when suddenly appearing in one of the lower branches of a large spruce tree was the Evening Grosbeak. The bird quickly dropped to the ground and began feeding among the other birds.

IMG 3654 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **Sadly, the Evening Grosbeak was added to Ontario’s Species at Risk list late last year.**

Evening Grosbeaks are infrequent visitors to our area during the winter months and are not present every year. It is only during years when coniferous and deciduous seed production to our north is poor that these birds venture this far south in search of food. In fact, I had not seen an Evening Grosbeak in our area since I was a child. On August 1, 2018, the Evening Grosbeak was added to Ontario’s Species at Risk list due to their declining numbers. With this in mind, I was very pleased to see and photograph this bird.

IMG 4827 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **Male Redhead preparing to set his wings after preening.**

Next, I visited Springbank Park in the city’s west end. An abundance of birds and paths that are plowed daily by park staff make this one of my favourite winter birding hot spots. Each year during the winter months, the small pond adjacent to Storybook Gardens provides great looks of some interesting waterfowl, for those who sort through the hundreds of Mallards to find something different. This winter alone, striking views of a Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, and Northern Pintails have been had from this small pond.

0 - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds

Watch this video on YouTube

On my visit, I enjoyed watching a male Redhead make repeated dives as it fed on submerged vegetation.

IMG 5129 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **Common Redpoll letting out a soft call from alongside the Thames River.**

As I admired this beautiful duck, I could hear the calls of Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins. In this area, alder trees grow along the bank of the Thames River and the seed pods found on their branches are a favourite food of these finches during the winter months. Hoping this was where the calls were coming from, I turned around and approached the bank.

IMG 5241 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **When not feeding on alder seeds, the large cedars provided excellent shelter for the group of Common Redpolls.**

To my delight, I found several redpolls and siskins feeding at eye level within the branches of the alders. Getting a clear shot through the maze of limbs from the various trees lining the bank proved to be a challenge, but I was able to find a few openings where unobstructed views were achieved.

IMG 5477 - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **This was one of four Snowy Owls observed in a small area west of the city. Each year, these large owls can be found overwintering at this location.**

Finally, my last destination took me just outside the city in search of Snowy Owls. A well-known annual overwintering area for these owls is only a 30-minute drive away. I don’t always make a point of finding and photographing these birds each winter, but on this day I was meeting my good friends from Swift Care Ontario in Komoka for coffee and decided to head out a bit early as the area supporting these owls is only 10 minutes further down the road. As I drove along the two lane highway heading west I could see a large white object sitting on a hydro pole. I pulled off to the side of the road and snapped a couple of pictures of this beautiful Snowy Owl as it perched motionless in the morning light. Continuing west along the same road I came across another Snowy Owl and then another. Great views were had from my car as I slowly and safely pulled over onto the shoulder at each owl. Turning north onto one of the county roads I quickly came across a fourth Snowy Owl.

P1020171 Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **As I drove around in search of Snowy Owls, I couldn’t resist stopping to photograph the hoarfrost on this tree.**

I photographed all four of these Snowy Owls from my vehicle, as I always do so as not to stress or disturb the bird. While the images captured were not overly exciting or scenic, I never get out of my vehicle and approach these birds. I live by the adage if my behaviour changes their behavior than I am too close and never flush birds from a perch in hopes of capturing a flight shot. I left these owls exactly how I found them, perched calm and comfortably for others who pass by to enjoy.

IMG 4019 Edit Edit - Time Is Running Out To Observe Overwintering Birds — **Evening Grosbeak feeding on the ground with Dark-eyed Juncos.**

With the first day of spring now only two weeks away, time is running out to observe these overwintering species in our area. These birds will soon be heading north to their breeding grounds not returning to Southwestern Ontario until late fall or winter. If you wish to see any of these birds in the near future and you have the chance, I recommend visiting one of the aforementioned locations sooner than later.

Good birding,
Paul

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Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl

Most mornings after putting in a few hours of work, I check eBird to see if any uncommon birds have been reported in our area. I am not one to jump in my vehicle and drive hundreds of kilometers to potentially see a rarity. In fact, I am just as happy to see a cardinal at my feeder or a woodpecker at the local park as I am to put in hours of driving just to add a lifer to my list. That being said, if a rarity is reported from within my hometown or somewhere close that I have been considering visiting anyway, then I will usually venture out to see if I can locate the bird.

IMG 4465 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **Male Canvasback preening.**

This past week, a Greater White-fronted Goose and several Canvasbacks were reported from a stormwater management pond only a few minutes from home. Greater White-fronted Geese are mainly found west of the Mississippi while Canvasbacks only frequent Southwestern Ontario during migration and the winter months. Seeing either of these birds in the city in a given year is uncommon, but to find both is quite rare. Planning on taking the day off for some birding anyway, I decided to check the pond to see if these birds were still present.

IMG 4341 Edit 2 Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **This past week, 11 Canvasbacks were present at a local stormwater management pond.**

Wanting to be prepared for any potential images upon arriving at the pond, I powered up my camera, removed the lens cap, and placed it on the passenger seat prior to pulling out of the driveway. As I approached the pond a large flock of Canada Geese was evident before even stopping the car.

IMG 4367 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl

IMG 4366 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **For whatever reason this particular male Canvasback did not like sharing the pond with the others; he repeatedly attacked the other males forcing them underwater.**

Next to the pond was a large cedar tree which would help conceal me in case any of the waterfowl present were skittish. I parked my car beside the cedar, grabbed my camera from the passenger seat, and slowly exited the vehicle.

IMG 4454 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **During my visit to the pond, the waterfowl were unperturbed by my presence and proceeded to calmly preen.**

Walking slowly I stayed hidden behind the cedar looking across the pond for my target species. Scanning the water I counted 11 Canvasbacks among the large group of Canada Geese and Mallards. To my delight, the Greater White-fronted Goose was only about 30 yards in front of me in plain view. None of the waterfowl observed on the pond were phased by my presence, and I was able to step out from behind the cedar and capture several images.

IMG 4380 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **Binoculars were not required to achieve great views of these birds. Furthermore, quality images could easily be obtained with a lens in 250-300mm range.**

For those of you in the London area wishing to see these birds, this stormwater management pond is located on Killarney Road across from Cedar Hollow Park just east of Highbury in the northeast corner of the city. Parking is available on the road right next to the pond.

IMG 4520 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **Male Canvasback swimming among the Canada Geese.**

Most stormwater management ponds in our area are frozen at this time of year making them void of waterfowl. Water entering the pond from the subdivision after the recent melt and accompanying rain must have been substantial enough to break up a section of ice exposing the open water.

IMG 4292 Edit Edit - Local Stormwater Management Pond Turns Up Great Views Of Uncommon Waterfowl — **Opportunities to see Greater White-fronted Geese so close to home do not happen every year.**

With colder, more seasonal temperatures in the forecast, this pond will likely freeze over and these birds will move on. If achieving excellent views of a Greater White-fronted Goose and several Canvasbacks is something you are hoping for, I recommend visiting this pond before the opportunity passes.

Good birding,
Paul

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Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography

Winter is one of my favourite seasons to head out birding and photograph the many species found throughout our area at this time of year. Unfortunately, with winter now half over, I have only ventured out a few times with my camera. It’s not that I’ve lost interest in photography, I have been dealing with some persistent back issues that have made walking quite painful.

Those of you who know me personally are aware that it was because of a back injury I became so interested in photography. Back in 2013 after herniating a disk in my lower back I was told if I walked every day and did physiotherapy the issue would likely resolve in 4-6 weeks. At that time, I spent every day walking with my camera and taking pictures. Each afternoon after doing my exercises I would lay flat on either heat or ice (whichever felt best at the time) and watch YouTube videos about the various elements of photography. The following day I would try to improve on these elements during my walk.

IMG 2940 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Northern Cardinal eating a Buckthorn berry.**

This regimen really helped improve my photography but when it came to my back I had plateaued and surgery was required. Following a successful surgery, I was encouraged to keep walking and exercising to maintain a healthy back. This is one reason why I am now such an avid walker. Walking keeps me active and relatively pain-free. Without it, my pain goes up and my mood goes down, so getting out for a walk every day is very important to me. The combination of physical exercise and being surrounded by nature is incredibly beneficial to my mental health as well. I typically take my camera with me on these daily walks to capture the abundance of wildife I encounter along the way.

Last November, this all changed when walking started to become painful. As a result, my walks have been much shorter, slower, and I have been leaving my camera behind as I have not wanted to carry the extra weight. This is why the lack of blog posts recently and so few Facebook updates. I appreciate everyone who has continued to follow during this hiatus and welcome the new subscribers who have been patiently waiting for a post to show up in their inboxes. More x-rays and another MRI helped my physiotherapist come up with a plan of attack, which resulted in new exercises as well as some old favourites, which to my delight, has me feeling much improved. I decided it was time to bundle up and head out with camera in tow to see what I could photograph.

IMG 2547 - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Greenway Park is one of the best locations in London, Ontario to observe Bald Eagles during the winter months.**

Wanting to ease myself back into things, I decided to visit Greenway Park, one of my absolute favourite winter birding locations. The flat ground combined with a lack of snow and ice (the City of London does an amazing job keeping the paved path plowed and salted) would make for easy walking and the adjacent Thames River and surrounding woodlots provides the perfect habitat for a variety of bird species.

IMG 2759 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Brown Creepers display some of the most incredible camouflage of any bird.**

After parking my car and gathering my gear, I followed the river upstream. As usual, there were plenty of Mallards and Canada Geese in the river around the dock hoping to be fed by park goers. Two Muscovy Ducks sat on a fallen log close to the bank nicely sheltered from the cold wind. I could hear the high pitched calls of a Brown Creeper so scanned the nearby Willow Tree. The bird briefly came into sight, but I was unable to get a photo. Luckily, Brown Creepers are very predictable. If you are not familiar with the behaviour of a Brown Creeper they cling to tree trunks similar to woodpeckers and nuthatches looking for food. After ascending the trunk they then fly to the bottom of the next tree and repeat the process. This makes them easy to photograph once located and as result I was able to position myself for a series of shots.

IMG 2600 Edit 2 Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **The odd field marks on this goose left me scratching my head when it came to identification.**

Making my way past the westernmost soccer field, I noticed a goose with some interesting field marks. The bird’s white cheek patch was larger than that of a Canada Goose and its head and neck were mottled brown and white not black. The body resembled a Canada Goose but the bird had orange legs. A prior report on eBird suggested this goose may be a hybrid between a Canada Goose and a Swan Goose, which seems reasonable based on its appearance. Swan Geese are native to Mongolia and China but have been domesticated in North America. I can’t say definitively what this was, other than an interesting sighting for sure.

IMG 2888 Edit Edit 2 - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Red-tailed Hawk perched on a platform installed to attract nesting Osprey.**

Near the small island just downstream from the CN overpass, a single Long-tailed Duck swam amongst a group of Common Mergansers. Common Goldeneyes were also present. These ducks were all a little too far away to achieve a quality image. At the far end of the park, a Red-tailed Hawk surveyed the open meadow from high atop a platform the city erected in hopes of attracting a nesting pair of Osprey.

Heading west back towards my car, a Bald Eagle made its way upstream. I quickly turned my camera’s dial to adjust the exposure to compensate for the heavy cloud cover. Achieving focus, I held down the shutter and captured several images.

IMG 2681 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **American Robins are often observed during the winter months along the Thames River.**

Buckthorn Trees line a section of riverbank in the park and as a result, it is not uncommon to find American Robins here in winter feeding on any remaining berries. In one small tree, I counted seven robins. As I walked past, I could barely hear their soft calls. During the winter months, robins are much less vocal than in spring when they are regularly heard calling quite loudly at first and last light. Northern Cardinals were also observed in the park feeding on Buckthorn berries.

IMG 3145 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography

IMG 3147 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Great Blue Heron attempting to swallow a large fish.**

Most of the waterfowl on this day were close to the near bank as this provided shelter from the wind. Looking over the edge into the water, I noticed a Double-crested Cormorant standing at the water’s edge. Three Great Blue Herons were also observed along the near bank one of which was struggling to swallow a large fish. I estimate this fish to be about 20″ long and watched for several minutes as the heron made repeated futile attempts at swallowing its prey. Eventually, the heron gave up and dropped the fish. I could see the fish’s white belly on the bottom of the river just in front of the heron. Not wanting to interrupt this bird from a potential meal on a cold day, I carried on.

IMG 3246 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **White-tailed Buck at the top of the ridge overlooking Greenway Park.**

Before reaching my car, a young White-tailed Buck made its way into the woodlot behind the parking lot. As it climbed the ridge entering Woodland Cemetery it paused long enough for a few photos.

IMG 2775 Edit Edit - Returning To Greenway Park After A Lengthy Hiatus From Photography — **Brown Creeper**

After such a long hiatus from shooting it was absolutely amazing to be back out with my camera at one of my favourite locations. Greenway Park did not disappoint (it never does)! Much of the wildlife in Greenway Park is accustomed to human activity so a long telephoto lens is not necessary to capture images of many of these species. Before upgrading my lens, I was quite proud of the images I achieved with a 250 mm kit lens while birding at this amazing park. If you get the opportunity this winter, head down to Greenway Park and enjoy the vast array of wildlife that inhabits this great park.

Good birding,
Paul

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Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good birding,
Paul

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Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders

The village of Port Stanley, Ontario located on the north shore of Lake Erie has always held a special place in my heart. As a kid, I spent many weekends there fishing, waterskiing, celebrating holidays, and exploring nature with my Dad. As an adult, I find myself returning to the port often to enjoy the incredible birding opportunities I discovered at such a young age.

IMG 1170 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Ruby-throated Hummingbird photographed at Hawk Cliff just outside the village of Port Stanley.**

Regardless of the season, there is always a multitude of birds to be seen across the various habitats encompassing the village. September and October are two of my favourite months to visit because not only is fall migration in full swing, the post-Labour Day crowds are much smaller and it often feels like I have the entire village to myself.

IMG 0947 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Turkey Vulture doing its part to help keep the village clean.**

On a recent trip, I birded at three of my favourite locations around the village and was rewarded with some nice views of several species. I started my day at the pier and main beach area on the west side of Kettle Creek. With fog still in the air, I saw a large group of Turkey Vultures feeding on a dead Ring-billed Gull in the municipal parking lot. While it didn’t provide the most appetizing view it did remind me of the importance of these large scavengers to our ecosystem. By consuming carcasses that would otherwise be left to decompose, vultures are extremely beneficial in preventing the spread of disease. For this reason, I have always had a fascination and special appreciation for these birds.

IMG 0965 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders

IMG 0984 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Red-breasted Merganser**
Making my way out on the pier two Double-crested Cormorants were observed. An adult bird was rather successful catching several small fish on repeated dives against the concrete structure. An immature bird was busy preening on the rocks abutting the pier. Closer to the lighthouse, a single Red-breasted Merganser swam along as it periodically ruffled its feathers. In front of the main beach Ring-billed, Herring, and Bonaparte’s Gulls could be seen at the water’s edge.

IMG 9447 Edit Edit 2 - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **This flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls was observed from the main beach in the village of Port Stanley.**

After leaving the beach area I made my way to Hawk Cliff. As the name suggests, this is a great location to observe migrating birds of prey. It is not uncommon to see hundreds even thousands of raptors on a given day. On this day as the wind picked up from the northwest and the fog cleared a decent flight was seen. Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks were the most abundant with American Kestrels also being observed in good numbers.

IMG 0300 Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Many of the wooded habitats around the village are home to a variety of birds like this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photographed on my most recent visit.**

IMG 9890 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Despite being situated on a Great Lake, there is far more to see than just waterbirds when visiting Port Stanley. On my last visit, Red-eyed Vireos and other songbirds were abundant.**

Along the roadway and within Hawk Cliff Woods many songbirds were observed. On this visit, I enjoyed great views of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as they perched in the sumacs while taking a break from feeding on the plenitude of jewelweed lining the road. Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, various warblers, and Carolina Wrens were all seen and heard to name a few. Large flocks of blue jays totaling hundreds of birds were also observed overhead as they too were migrating.

IMG 1225 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Late blooming jewelweed lining the road at Hawk Cliff always attracts Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during fall migration.**

Hawk Cliff is also a great location to observe Monarch Butterflies as they migrate along the shoreline. Several Monarchs were observed stopping briefly to nectar on the New England Aster and Goldenrod as they too were taking advantage of the northwest wind.

IMG 1263 Edit 2 Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Monarch Butterfly nectaring on New England Aster at Hawk Cliff.**

For me, no visit to Port Stanley is complete without a stop at the sewage lagoons. Located on Scotch Line there is always something to see from the two viewing stands overlooking the four cells. Water levels varied by cell with Wood Ducks, Northern Shovellers, and Canada Geese observed in the deepest and Lesser Yellowlegs being observed along the muddy edges of the shallowest.

IMG 1208 Edit Edit - Small Village Offers Big Opportunities For Birders — **Fall migration is one of the best times to observe Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the area.**

On top of great birding, the village is filled with unique shops and restaurants that add to any visit. Mackies on the main beach has some of the best fries around and the pralines and cream in a waffle cone from Brodericks’ Ice Cream Parlour on Bridge Street is absolutely delicious. Great birding opportunities exist throughout the fall and into the winter months. I enjoy birding here regardless of the season due to the variety of species present throughout the year. If you’ve never birded in the village of Port Stanley, I highly recommend planning a trip in the near future.

Good birding,
Paul

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Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers

Tuesday, September 11, 2018, was a day I circled on my calendar. Not for the obvious reason this date signifies, but because after several days of rain, cool temperatures, and strong east winds this was the day the sky was predicted to clear and winds were to be lighter out of the northwest. What did this mean and why did I care? Well, if the weather held true the nearly 8,000 Monarch Butterflies mentioned in my last post Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee were destined to depart Point Pelee National Park and continue their journey south under these ideal migrating conditions.

IMG 9660 - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Monarch Butterflies warming their wings in the morning sun.**

The inclement weather brought in by the remnants of hurricane Gordon stalled this huge group of migrating Monarchs for three days, and I knew when the weather finally broke these butterflies were going in exit in epic proportions. Taking my chances on the weather forecast I left London shortly after 4 a.m. so I would be at Point Pelee National Park when it opened at 7 a.m.

IMG 9397 Edit Edit - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Large roosts from the previous night could be seen high in the treetops. Once the sky cleared and the temperature rose, thousands of Monarchs took flight.**

Arriving early, I was the first car at the gate. I exited my vehicle and did some stretching while I waited for park staff to arrive and unlock the gate. I was meeting my friend Darlene, the park’s official Monarch counter, at the gate and after gaining access to the park our plan was to walk from the visitor centre to the tip where the large roosts had gathered. Why walk? Because the first shuttle to the tip isn’t until 8 a.m. and we knew these Monarchs would not wait long once the sun got higher in the sky and the temperature rose. Looking up into the treetops as we made our way to the tip we could see several large roosts of Monarch Butterflies.

IMG 9560 Edit - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Monarchs gathered on the east side of the tip taking advantage of the warm morning sun.**

By 7:30 a.m. we were on the tip ready and waiting for the Monarchs to become active. Unfortunately, there was still a significant amount of cloud cover and it was a bit cool. Looking at the sky there was one small hole in the clouds that could potentially present a window for the butterflies to leave but it was a narrow one. Clear skies could be seen to the west, but with the clouds moving slow, it looked like it would be several hours before the skies cleared completely.

IMG 9646 - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **As the sky cleared and the temperature rose the Monarchs became active.**

With the sun slowly emerging Monarchs became active fluttering high in the treetops. One by one a few Monarchs left the tip riding the wind to where the sand and water meet. With conditions still not perfect, many of the butterflies flew back to the trees. What was amazing to see was the Monarchs formerly roosting on the west side of the tip to avoid the strong winds from the previous day were now relocating to the east side to take advantage of the warm morning sun. As the sky cleared, the patient Monarchs soaked up the sun with outstretched wings.

IMG 0430 2 - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Monarch Butterfly in flight off the tip of Point Pelee.**

With the sky now totally clear and a northwest wind, Monarchs began leaving the tip 5 and 6 at a time. Standing in the sand I watched as a constant wave of butterflies passed by overhead and at eye level. It did not take long for the mass exodus to happen and those arriving at the park late missed the entire spectacle. By mid-morning, almost all of the Monarchs were gone. In fact, I overheard many park visitors remark “where are all the Monarchs”?

IMG 9713 Edit Edit - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Several Monarchs were observed puddling on the beach before crossing Lake Erie.**

As the day progressed, more Monarchs made their way through the park taking advantage of the northwest wind. Most were observed high overhead clearly migrating. By mid-afternoon, a few Monarchs were observed down low nectaring on both goldenrod and woodland sunflowers but it was evident most had left the park.

IMG 9567 Edit - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Grapevine and other vegetation provided the perfect staging area for Monarchs to wait for the cloud cover to pass.**

Since September 11, evening roosts of Monarch Butterflies at Point Pelee National Park have been substantially smaller. Will we see more large roosts of Monarch Butterflies filling the trees at Point Pelee National Park again this year? Only time will tell. It is not uncommon to see Monarch caterpillars on Milkweed plants in mid-September in Southwestern Ontario. Once these large caterpillars form a chrysalis it takes two weeks for them to emerge as butterflies so another large wave of Monarchs could happen. In fact, the largest roost of Monarchs reported from Point Pelee last year wasn’t until October 14.

Watch this video on YouTube

If you missed out on these large roosts and are hoping for another wave of Monarchs to gather within the park, follow Pelee Paradise Sanctuary Monarch Waystation 10275 on Facebook for daily counts.

IMG 9682 Edit Edit 2 - Monarchs Depart In Colossal Numbers — **Monarch Butterfly.**

Witnessing this incredible migration of the Monarch Butterfly was one of the greatest things I have observed in nature. If you have never experienced this yourself, I highly recommend following the daily reports closely and plan your visit to Point Pelee National Park accordingly.

Good birding,
Paul

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