Looking for Raptors? Start With The Red-Tailed Hawk

If seeing a large raptor is on your birding wish list, look to the sky for the Red-tailed Hawk. They are equally at home in an urban or rural environment and can be found throughout a wide variety of habitat including forest edges, farmland, city parks, and even backyards. These large raptors are frequently seen perched on fence posts, hydro poles, or in large trees, and are the bird of prey that is most frequently seen when traveling along any highway.

Red tailed Hawk - Looking for Raptors? Start With The Red-Tailed Hawk — **The reddish orange highlights of an adult Red-tailed Hawk’s tail are visible from underneath when in flight.**

For the most part, Red-tailed Hawks are easily identified. Large stocky bodies, rounded wings, and a short wide tail are key features that assist in positive identification. Adult birds have dark brown backs and are streaked brown and white underneath. As the name suggests, adult Red-tailed Hawks display a reddish-orange tail most visible from the topside. In flight, the reddish highlights of the tail are visible from the underside. Juveniles, as with many raptors, are a little tougher to identify. Their tails lack the reddish colour and are dark brown with narrow darker bars. Sometimes a view of the tail is not always available. If this is the case, juveniles are also distinguished from adult birds by their eye colour. A yellow iris indicates a young bird. As the birds mature, the iris becomes a reddish-brown.

IMG 7018 1 - Looking for Raptors? Start With The Red-Tailed Hawk — **The brown tail with dark narrow bars combined with the yellow iris of its eye, identify this as a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk.**

Small mammals including rabbits, squirrels, mice, and voles make up the majority of the Red-tailed Hawks diet, but they will also consume birds and reptiles. Their diet varies depending on range and season. In my travels, I have personally seen Red-tailed Hawks eating squirrels, rabbits, starlings, and frogs. Their varied diet and habitat are things that lead to their wide range and abundance.

IMG 7022 1 - Looking for Raptors? Start With The Red-Tailed Hawk — **The loud screech of this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk quickly gave away it’s location.**

The loud screeching call of this raptor is most often heard during courtship and when juveniles leave the nest. If you hear this call look up, as this large hawk is most likely overhead. On one of my recent walks through a city park, I came across a group of young hawks that had recently fledged. Their sharp calls quickly gave away their location and their short flights were a joy to watch and photograph.

10380144924 2b2773292a o - Looking for Raptors? Start With The Red-Tailed Hawk — **The red tail for which this hawk is named is most visible from the topside.**

Keep an eye to the sky and treeline next time you are out for a walk or traveling down your local highway. Chances are you will see one of these beautiful raptors.

Good birding,
Paul

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Nature, Fun and Free; The Perfect Family Activity

Are you looking for an activity this long weekend that is fun for the entire family and doesn’t cost a thing? Then why not explore nature? City parks and ESAs are loaded with all kinds of wildlife and admission to them is free. Regardless of where you live in the city, a park or ESA is just minutes away. These areas provide hours of entertainment for all ages and a quick walk though will reveal an abundance of nature.

IMG 4330 1 - Nature, Fun and Free; The Perfect Family Activity — White-tailed Deer are prevalent in many city parks and all the ESAs within the city.

Nature in the city comes in all shapes and sizes. From the tiniest of insects, to the largest of mammals, London has it all. Birds, butterflies, snakes, turtles, and deer make up only a portion of the beautiful wildlife our great city has to offer.

IMG 6960 1 - Nature, Fun and Free; The Perfect Family Activity — Groundhogs are one of the many mammals found in the city. They can be found in open areas, such as fields and meadows.

Any park will do, but ones with mixed habitat will produce the best variety of wildlife. If quantity is what you desire, look for parks that have a combination of forests, meadows, and a water source, such as a pond or river. Greenway, Springbank, and Gibbons along the Thames River are perfect examples of parks with mixed habitat. London’s seven public ESAs all have mixed habitat, making any one of them a great choice. If you are unfamiliar with London’s ESAs, a complete list as well as locations and maps can be found here.

IMG 6365 1 - Nature, Fun and Free; The Perfect Family Activity — Butterflies such as this Black Swallowtail can be found feeding on nectar from the various wildflowers throughout the city.

No special equipment is required to enjoy nature, just your eyes and ears. A digital camera will capture and save the memories of your encounters, but is not necessary. If you happen to own a pair of binoculars take them along. They can be advantageous when viewing smaller animals such as birds or ones at a distance, but again not a necessity. Much of the wildlife in the city is accustomed to human activity and close encounters are often had. The key thing to remember when searching for wildlife, especially with excited children is to stay quiet. Animals will quickly run, fly, slither, or swim away at the sound of shouting children.

IMG 6899 1 - Nature, Fun and Free; The Perfect Family Activity — Encounters with baby animals are always exciting, like the one I had with this Red-winged Blackbird fledgling. Wild animals can become aggressive protecting their young, so viewing from a distance is best. Approaching too closely puts added stress on the parents, which in some animals can cause the young to be abandoned.

Exploring nature is a fun and relaxing activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. The physical and mental health benefits are tremendous. Combine that with the look on a child’s face when an animal is encountered, make this an activity all families should try at least once. I am willing to bet that you will be hooked, just as I was many years ago when my Dad first introduced me to nature. So give it a try, put down the smartphones, Xboxes and other electronic devices this weekend and explore the beautiful nature that London has to offer. I would be happy to hear about your encounters with nature in the comment section below.

Good birding,
Paul

Dragonflies Play An Important Role In Our Ecosytem

So many insects these days seem to be frowned upon. They are quickly swatted or sprayed in an effort to rid them from our homes and gardens because they bite, sting, eat our flowers and vegetables, or to many just simply appear gross.

One group of insects that play an important role in controlling the population unwanted insects are Dragonflies. These fast flying insects are incredibly maneuverable and do an excellent job of naturally controlling the numbers of many unwanted insects, including mosquitoes. Dragonflies are voracious eaters and can consume their own body weight in as little as thirty minutes. This translates to hundreds of mosquitoes a day. The diet of a Dragonfly is not limited to mosquitoes, as they eat other insects including flies and ants.

IMG 6187 1 - Dragonflies Play An Important Role In Our Ecosytem — Dragonflies play an important role in naturally controlling unwanted insects and are beneficial to our ecosystem.

With the increased risk of West Nile Virus in Southwestern Ontario, mosquito control is on the minds of everyone. What better way to control these pesky insects than a chemical free natural approach? If see a Dragonfly on your property, consider yourself lucky. It is likely there because it has found a source of food and is probably ridding your yard of unwanted insects. Admire it’s beauty and leave it be. Appreciate the fact that Dragonflies are not only saving your garden plants from destruction caused by other insects, but you from mosquito bites as well.

Good birding,
Paul

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Milkweed Attracts More Than Just Monarch Butterflies

If you still haven’t added Milkweed to your garden to help save the Monarch Butterfly, what are you waiting for? Not only is Milkweed essential to the monarch’s survival, it also looks and smells great in any garden. When in bloom, the fragrance from a patch of Milkweed can be taken in from quite a distance. With it’s height, Milkweed is the perfect plant to add to the back row of a garden, or use to conceal unsightly objects, such as gas meters or telephone boxes on front lawns.

A native species to Ontario, Milkweed is perfect for attracting not only Monarch Butterflies but other insects as well. Several species of butterfly readily feed on the nectar from it’s beautiful flowers and other pollinators like bees can be seen gathering pollen throughout it’s bloom. Aphids, gnats, and spiders can also all be found on Milkweed. Dragon and damselflies will quickly be attracted to Milkweed patches to feed on these smaller insects.

IMG 5099 1 - Milkweed Attracts More Than Just Monarch Butterflies — This Great Spangled Fritillary feeds on the nectar of a Milkweed flower.

IMG 4363 1 - Milkweed Attracts More Than Just Monarch Butterflies — Several species of butterfly, like this Red Admiral, are drawn to the nectar of the Milkweed flower.

As the quantity and variety of insects increases in a Milkweed patch, so too will the number of bird species. Insects are a food source to almost all birds and they will soon find quite the smorgasbord within the Milkweed. Some of the bird species I observed this past week feeding on insects in various Milkweed patches include: Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Kingbirds.

As you can see, adding a section of Milkweed will not only help the future of the Monarch Butterfly, but will create a diverse habitat for other organisms and thus increase the amount of wildlife in your yard. Definitely a win-win situation for both the monarch and nature lovers too.

Good birding,
Paul

Unique Reptiles Found in London, Ontario

While they may not garner the same hype as the Caiman discovered in Toronto’s High Park this week, there is an indigenous reptile found within London, Ontario that is worth searching for. With their long snorkel-like noses and soft leathery shells, the Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle is a unique looking creature. These turtles are classed as threatened under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act and the Species at Risk Act, but thanks in large part to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, their numbers are increasing.

Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle’s as well as other native turtles. This can be caused by shoreline development, stabilization and changes in water levels. Lower water levels resulting from the Springbank Dam not being in operation has improved their habitat.

IMG 3568 1 - Unique Reptiles Found in London, Ontario — It is not uncommon to see several softshell turtles sharing the same rock.

If seeing one of these turtles is on your bucket list, they can be viewed from the banks of the Thames River throughout the city. By scanning the the river, paying attention to exposed rocks and logs will reveal these turtles basking in the summer sun. Softshell turtles in the Thames River range in size from only a few centimeters to much larger specimens exceeding 40 centimeters.

IMG 3416 1 - Unique Reptiles Found in London, Ontario — Turtles of all sizes are present, so keeping an eye out for smaller specimens is important.

Turtles are less visible during high water times because many of the rocks and logs they bask on become submerged. For this reason, success will be much greater if you avoid searching for softshells after heavy rains.

Remember that these turtles are protected and cannot be harmed or harassed in any way. Stay on the trails adjacent to the river as these and other turtles nest on the sandy banks of the river, and walking on them can damage the nests. Poachers often raid the eggs from nests for either the pet or food trade. It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess protected species and any illegal activity regarding these or other plant or animal species should be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667).

Good birding,

Paul

One For The Yard List: The Eastern Towhee

Tuesday’s much cooler temperatures and high winds were not ideal conditions for spring birding. This didn’t stop a new spring migrant and first time yard species from showing up at my feeder. Looking out the back window over my backyard I noticed a female Eastern Towhee on the ground foraging amongst the leaves under a row of Cedar trees. The bird then hopped along the grass and ended up underneath one of my feeders where it found some millet on the ground that had been scattered by Mourning Doves. I have never had one of these birds in the yard before and in fact had not seen one since I was a boy, so it was a pleasant surprise. I watched the bird feed for several minutes and when frightened it would retreat to the cover of the thick cedars and dense shrubs across the back of my yard. I looked out periodically throughout the afternoon and could see it either feeding beneath the feeder or foraging under the cedars.

The Eastern Towhee is typically found along forest edges, woodlands, and thickets where there is plenty of dense cover and leaf matter on the ground for them to forage in. Their diet consists of insects, seeds and fruit; which they scratch up from within the leaves using their feet. The back of my yard where this bird was first spotted matches this habitat perfectly. Towhees build a nest on the ground amongst the fallen leaves, with the female doing all of the construction.

It is likely that this bird will move on in search of a less busy area to build a nest, but was a nice surprise and one to cross off my yard list. If you tend to only feed the birds throughout the winter months, I recommend keeping your feeders full at least through spring migration. This Eastern Towhee is a perfect example of a bird that you may not otherwise see, but could visit your backyard feeder looking to replenish energy after a long flight.

Good birding,
Paul

Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014

This past week saw more consistency to the daytime highs and consequently more migrating bird species arriving in our area. Several first of year species were seen and with the weather looking to remain stable for the upcoming week, more will follow.

I finally saw my first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the year this past week after mentioning them as early returnees in previous posts. The number of sparrow species that have returned continues to grow with Field Sparrows now being added to the list. Chipping Sparrows have been regular morning visitors to my feeders this past week and White-throated Sparrows are more abundant. Northern Rough-winged Swallows can now be seen, along with increased numbers of Tree Swallows flying overhead in search of insects in areas close to water.

Many of the local ponds in the area are turning up several waterfowl species. Saunders Pond located in the Westminster Ponds ESA is a perfect example of this. Wood Ducks, Horned Grebes, American Coots, Common Mergansers, and Pied-billed Grebes were all present. A Great Egret was also observed on the north side of the pond, visible from the lookout behind Tourist Information on Wellington Road. In fact, the entire Westminster Ponds ESA provided great looks at many birds. The forest floor was alive with activity, with Hermit Thrushes and Brown Thrashers sifting though the leaf matter in search of insects. Eastern Meadowlarks could be seen and heard in the open field areas within the ESA. Five woodpecker species, the highlight being a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, were also found deep in the forests. A rather early Blue-headed Vireo was seen on the edge of the forest capturing insects. Vireos typically arrive later in April or early May, so this was a nice surprise.

IMG 1795 1 2 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — This Blue-headed Vireo was seen at Westminster Ponds ESA.

A complete list of birds observed this week is as follows:

IMG 1985 1 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Brown Thrashers could be seen sifting through leaves on forest floors in search of insects.

American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Wigeon
Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Brown Headed Cowbird
Brown Thrasher
Canada Goose
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Merganser
Dark-eyed Junco
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
European Starling
Field Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Great Egret
Hairy Woodpecker

Hermit Thrush
Horned Grebe
House Finch
House Sparrow
Killdeer
Mallard
Mourning Dove

IMG 1825 1 2 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Hermit Thrushes are another species that can be found on or near the forest floor searching for insects.

Merlin
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Osprey
Pied-billed Grebe
Pileated Woodpecker
Song Sparrow
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Tree Swallow
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Wood Duck
Yellow-rumped Warbler

IMG 2003 1 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Several Butterfly species emerged this past week including this Milbert’s Tortoiseshell.

It wasn’t just bird activity that increased this past week. Reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies were all more prevalent. The calls of Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs echoed from within flooded wooded areas. Painted Turtles could be seen basking on logs in the warm sun, and several butterfly species including Mourning Cloaks and Milbert’s Tortoiseshells emerged.

Spring Migration is really starting to pick up now that spring-like weather is finally here. The numbers of species previously reported will increase and new arrivals will be appearing over the next couple of weeks. If you get the chance over this period, head out to your local park, ESA, or Conservation Area and see what incredible nature we have right here in our own backyard.

Good birding,
Paul

Despite The Weather Spring Migration Is Right On Schedule

Don’t let the return of snow and seemingly slow start to spring dampen your spirits when it comes to bird migration. Many species have returned to our area and many more will soon follow. One of the things I enjoy most about photographing so many birds each year is cataloguing them by both species and date. I am able to look back to this date in previous years and compare what birds have been present from year to year.

According to my records things are not as slow as they may seem. Many of the previously reported birds such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and Osprey have returned right on schedule with previous years. The forecast for the end of the week is calling for warmer temperatures and south winds. Anyone who reads my blog regularly knows this is the perfect recipe for migration and has me pretty excited about what we may see. Looking back to my records for 2013 and 2012 here is what we can expect over the next couple of weeks.

IMG 1876 1 - Despite The Weather Spring Migration Is Right On Schedule — If history repeats itself, Northern Rough-Winged Swallows should appear any day now.

The third week of April last year saw me photographing Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Spotted Sandpipers and Northern Rough-Winged Swallows that had just returned. Barn Swallows were also present. The first couple of days of May saw the return of Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and the Yellow Warbler. By the second week of May there was a rush of warblers moving through and more shorebirds including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Solitary Sandpipers could be found in the city. If the weatherman is right and history repeats itself, this weekend and the start of next week could reveal new migrants. What better way to spend the Easter long weekend than birding and finding some first of year species?

This cold snowy day won’t interfere with the imminent return of many birds that are currently positioned just to our south. We are a few warm days and a south breeze away from new arrivals showing up in our area. Days like these are perfect days to clean binoculars, scopes, and camera lenses or brush up on your identification skills in preparation for the influx of migrating birds. I know it may not look like it by looking out the window but spring migration is moving along right on schedule.

Good birding,
Paul

April Fools Day Brings New Species To London, Ontario; And That’s No Joke

Monday’s high temperature of sixteen degrees Celsius accompanied by south winds brought with it some new species of migrating birds. It may have been April Fools Day but the birds arriving in our area were no joke.

South winds help push birds along during spring migration. Any day that is significantly warmer in late March or early April, along with a south wind, is a great day to go birding. The weather we experienced on Monday fit this to a T. New arrivals to London included: Osprey, Tree swallows, and the Eastern Phoebe.

Several Osprey sightings were reported, with birds being seen in Springbank Park, Greenway Park, over the Coves, as well as a pair retuning to the nest at Labatt Park. The Osprey feeds almost exclusively on fish so with the Thames River being free of ice, food won’t be a problem. For more information on the Osprey see my previous blog post Spring Marks The Return Of Osprey To London, Ontario.

IMG 3501 1 - April Fools Day Brings New Species To London, Ontario; And That's No Joke — The Eastern Phoebe is a member of the flycatcher family and eats mostly insects.

Tree Swallow’s and Eastern Phoebe’s diet consist of insects, so with cooler temperatures in the forecast for the remainder of the week, these birds may have a bit tougher time than the Osprey. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website indicates that the Eastern Phoebe will also eat small fruits and seeds when insects are scarce. It also states that the Tree Swallow will consume plant foods during these same conditions. Hopefully these species will find enough food to replace energy spent on their migration north. April 1st is not early by any means for these birds to return to our area, in fact they are right on time. According to local records, the average arrival date over the past 80 years for the Tree Swallow and Eastern Phoebe is March 28th and March 26th respectively.

IMG 1612 1 - April Fools Day Brings New Species To London, Ontario; And That's No Joke — Tree Swallows are also back in the city, and like the Eastern Phoebe are likely going to have to resort to alternate foods in order to survive.

Tundra Swans have been making their way across Southwestern Ontario, and along with them many dabbling ducks. American Wigeon, Wood Ducks, and Blue-winged Teal have all been seen on the Thames River. As more lakes, rivers, and ponds become clear of ice, waterfowl will become more abundant. Fanshawe Lake, Westminster Ponds, and Komoka Ponds are all great places to view migrating ducks once the ice is gone.

IMG 9921 1 - April Fools Day Brings New Species To London, Ontario; And That's No Joke — The Blue-winged Teal is one of the many dabbling ducks that is retuning to our area.

Looking ahead to the Environment Canada extended forecast I don’t see any days that appear to have a real spike in high temperatures or south winds. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out birding; any day is a great day to bird, and there is always plenty to see around our great city.

Good birding,
Paul

Tundra Swan Migration About To Reach Full Height

Another bird that lets us know spring is knocking on our door is the Tundra Swan. These swans, as the name suggests, breed on the Arctic tundra of both Canada and Alaska; they migrate through the London area every year, often stopping over to rest and feed. These birds have been delayed this year due to the extreme winter and lack of open water, but several sightings in our area are starting to come in. Flocks of Tundra Swans can be seen flying overhead in the typical V formation, their white bodies contrasting against the blue sky. If you hear a goose-like call, only higher pitched, look to the sky as there is likely a flock of swans overhead. Swans can also be found in farm fields feeding on the remains of last fall’s harvest.

IMG 8082 1 - Tundra Swan Migration About To Reach Full Height — **This large flock of Tundra Swans touched down to feed and rest just north of Lake Erie. In areas such as Aylmer Wildlife Management Area or Thedford bog, 1000’s of swans can make up these flocks.**

S2 1 - Tundra Swan Migration About To Reach Full Height — **Flooded farmland is an excellent place to find Tundra Swans in our area as they migrate through**.

The majority of Tundra Swans that migrate through our area spend their winters along the Atlantic coast, with Chesapeake Bay being their desired winter location. This estuary surrounded by Maryland and Virginia is the perfect habitat for thousands of overwintering swans. As the swans migrate in a northwest direction to their Arctic breeding grounds, it puts the Great Lakes and Southwestern Ontario right in their flyway. March and April are the spring months for viewing these beautiful birds in our area. These birds can be readily found along the Lake Erie shoreline resting in the lake or feeding inland in corn and soybean fields. A couple of famous stopover locations in our area for Tundra Swans are the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, and the Thedford Bog just south of Grand Bend. The Aylmer Wildlife Management Area has several viewing towers overlooking the ponds as well as a Swan hotline you can call with a daily swan count. For more information, including directions and the swan hotline number click here. Daily updates for swan numbers at the Thedford Bog can be found here. Calling ahead to the hotline is a good idea before making the drive to optimize viewing success. Closer views are usually achieved in Aylmer, but I have experienced hundreds of swans right next to the road in Thedford. Either way, the sight of these birds won’t disappoint.

IMG 8642 1 - Tundra Swan Migration About To Reach Full Height — **Tundra Swans flying overhead.**

Tundra Swans can be found feeding and resting in these areas by the hundreds and many times the thousands. The sight and sound of this is simply amazing and is something every birder and non-birder should experience a least once in their lives. Planning a road trip to one of these swan destinations is something the whole family will enjoy. Check out the daily reports of whichever location is closest to you and make it a destination when Tundra Swan numbers increase. I think you will be glad you did.

Good birding,
Paul