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*

Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River

It started as a typical day. I was at my desk at 5 a.m. with a cup of coffee ready to put in a few hours of work before the sun came up. With the sun rising, I decided to take a break for breakfast. As I sat eating my oatmeal I could see it was going to be a nice day with a predominantly clear sky. Having not experienced many sunny days of late I was excited to get outside for a walk with my camera. After a quick shower and donning some warm clothes I grabbed my camera, leashed Molly (my 75lb Bouvier mix and best birding buddy), and headed out the door.

IMG 0680 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **The white cheek spot of this Harlequin Duck caught my eye as it dove repeatedly in the fast water.**

We were off for a walk along a section of the Thames River where there are always plenty of birds present. This is an area I recently started birding and have had great success at. I was hoping to get some shots of the Bald Eagles I often observe in the area. I’ve photographed eagles a lot here over the past few months but I was eager to get some shots of these majestic birds against the blue sky.

IMG 0780 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **I found this lone Harlequin Duck associating with a small group of Mallards.**

Having walked around for about an hour I had tallied a nice mix of birds and captured a few photos I was happy with. Cardinals, Cedar Waxwings, Carolina Wrens, as well as several woodpecker and sparrow species were among the birds observed. I had seen one juvenile Bald Eagle perched in a tree as well as flying up and down the river but didn’t capture the image I was hoping for.

IMG 0738 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **After watching the Harlequin Duck feeding in the middle of the river it swam over to the near bank and began to preen.**

Deciding I should probably get home and back to work Molly and I picked up our pace. Walking by a section of fast-moving water a duck diving in the rapids caught my eye. As I watched the bird dive and surface repeatedly I noticed it had a white spot on its cheek. Could it be? I raised my camera and zoomed in for a closer look. It was in fact a Harlequin Duck.

IMG 0909 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **The faint white body stripes and chestnut flanks indicate this is a male Harlequin Duck.**

The eastern population of Harlequin Ducks is listed as endangered and overwinters on the Atlantic Coast making them extremely rare in our area. In fact, this is only the third time I’ve ever seen this species in London. Back in 2015, birders flocked to the banks of the Thames River trying to get a glimpse of a Harlequin Duck that spent several weeks on the river. That bird made headlines in the London Free Press and I was even interviewed by Wei Chen of CBC radio about my experience observing the rare bird.

IMG 0809 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **First-year male Harlequin Duck found on the Thames River.**

The Harlequin Duck I found on this day wasn’t a vibrant male like the one of 2015, but rather a less colourful first-year male. At first, this bird resembled a female Harlequin but upon closer look, it faintly displayed the white stripes and chestnut flanks indicative of a first-year male.

IMG 0985 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **Harlequin Duck surfacing after a dive.**

Moving slowly along the bank I got into a position where I could photograph this Harlequin Duck. It seemed a little skittish at first but with Molly leashed and keeping her behind my crouched body it quickly realized we were not a threat. As I watched intently, the Harlequin Duck which was associating with a small group of Mallards proceeded to feed and preen unperturbed by our presence. After capturing several images and a few videos of this rare duck, we backed away slowly and left it to go about its business.

IMG 1333 - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **Harlequin Duck preening with a pair of Mallards.**

Over the years, I’ve become reluctant to give out specific locations of rare birds. With so many social media groups and other on-line avenues for reporting rare sightings these birds often become subjected to harassment by birders and photographers wanting to get a look. Too often I see the best interest of the bird as well as the habitat in which they live not being respected and therefore I no longer share locations of rare sightings. Furthermore, with COVID-19 cases raging out of control in Ontario publically sharing this or any rare bird’s location only encourages non-essential travel as photographers and birders are bound to flock to the area in an effort to get a photo or add the bird to their lists.

IMG 1042 Edit - Rare Harlequin Duck A Pleasant Surprise On The Thames River — **What started as a typical day quickly became out of the ordinary when I found this Harlequin Duck on the Thames River.**

With any luck at all this Halequin Duck will remain in the area as it seemed to be finding plenty of food and the rapids where I found it was prime Harlequin habitat. If you are out walking along the river in the city of London keep your eyes peeled for this rare duck.

Good birding,
Paul

*Watch my latest episode of Explore The Wild to see videos of this Harlequin Duck.*

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First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds

With snow in the forecast, I had Tuesday circled on my calendar as a day to head out with my camera. The potential for snow had me excited as it has been months since I have photographed birds under these conditions. In my opinion, snow provides one of the most beautiful scenes to capture images in.

Fortunately, the forecast was correct, and squalls overnight Monday and into Tuesday left a thin blanket of snow on the ground and trees presenting a gorgeous backdrop. Having readied my gear the night before, I grabbed my coat and walked out the front door.

IMG 1594 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **The yellow plumage of this American Goldfinch really pops against the snow-covered ground.**

I decided to visit a small park walking distance from where I live. The mixed habitat complete with a creek and small pond is home to a variety of birds, and I had seen a good number of species just a few days prior. Arriving shortly after 9:00 a.m. I was instantly treated to plenty of songbird activity. Goldenrod and aster line the path here and Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinches could be seen feeding on the seeds of these native wildflowers.

IMG 1562 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Female House Finch**

Goldfinches weren’t the only finches present as several House Finches were also observed feeding on the bounty of seeds. Carolina Wrens could be seen and heard as they moved through the underbrush but capturing a picture proved impossible on this day.

IMG 1229 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Male Mallard preening as the snow fell.**

As I carried on further down the path the sky became dark as another squall moved in. Reaching the pond the snow was coming down rather quickly now. I watched as several Mallards were busy preening to protect themselves from the elements. Birds have a gland located at the base of their tails called the uropygial gland or preen gland. This gland contains oil that birds pick up with their beaks and rub on their feathers making them waterproof.

IMG 1761 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **This male Red-bellied Woodpecker was one of three woodpecker species observed.**

Three woodpecker species were observed including Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy. White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches were among other tree-clinging birds present. Large numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches have moved south this year, known as an irruption, due to a poor cone crop to our north resulting in a lack of food.

IMG 1387 Edit 2 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Golden-crowned Kinglet showing off its golden crown.**

Hearing the soft calls of the Golden-crowned Kinglet I scanned the goldenrod and other vegetation beside the path to see several of these tiny songbirds flitting about. If you ask me kinglets are by far the most challenging bird to photograph as they do not hold still for more than a second. A fast shutter speed is crucial for freezing the action of these birds. With the autofocus system no longer working on my primary lens photographing them was even more challenging and I missed a lot of shots as a result.

IMG 1145 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Male Northern Cardinal**

London has long been known as the cardinal capital of Canada and this certainly was evident with roughly a dozen of these beauties seen. Their soft chip, chip, chip calls coming from the dense thickets filled the air. Fortunately, a few of these birds offered reasonably unobstructed views allowing me to capture a few images. The snow-covered branches were exactly the backdrop I was hoping for when I ventured out.

IMG 1639 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Eastern Grey Squirrel**

When photographing birds and wildlife in the snow be extra cognizant of your exposure. It’s easy to end up with underexposed images based on the fact that all camera meters are programmed that an even exposure is mid-grey. What this means is when you look through your viewfinder and press your shutter halfway to meter the shot, when your meter is at 0 this is mid-grey or halfway between white and black.

The problem is snow is white, not mid-grey something not recognized by your camera. Further pressing the shutter all the way and taking the shot in this situation often results in an underexposed image and the snow appearing grey. In most cases when photographing birds in snow you need to overexpose your images to achieve white snow. That being said, on really sunny days you can end up overexposing your images as the sun reflects off the snow. Be sure to use your histogram and turn on your highlight alert or “blinkies” to ensure proper exposure and always expose for the whites.

IMG 1749 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **This male Downy Woodpecker found something tasty in the remains of a wasp’s nest.**

With temperatures expected to return to double digits this week the recent snow will be short-lived. Who knows how long it will be before we see another snowfall so I’m glad I took this opportunity when I did. The birding around the Forest City has been fantastic this fall and regardless of the weather conditions or backdrop, I can’t wait to get back out there again soon with my camera.

Good birding,
Paul

*Since taking pre-orders for my 2021 calendars earlier this week they are now over 50% sold. If you are wanting to get a copy don’t delay supply is extremely limited.*

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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

Watch this video on YouTube

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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Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds

Thursday December 28, 2017, marked the first in my series of photo walks taking place at several of my favourite birding locations. During these two hours walks, participants are guided through the area while I offer birding and photography tips as we stop along the way to photograph birds and wildlife in their natural environment. To make sure everyone receives personal attention and instruction, group size is limited to six participants.

The inaugural photo walk took place in London’s Spingbank Park. This location was chosen due to the abundance of birds and wildlife found here throughout the winter months and the close proximity at which these species can be observed and photographed. The walk began at 10 a.m. as by this time the sun is high enough in the sky to clear the treetops providing excellent light on our subjects. Between 10 a.m. and noon also happens to be a time of day that I find birds quite active, often feeding, which makes for more successful birding and photography.

IMG 2699 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **Northern Cardinals were a favourite bird among the group. Several pairs of these birds were located along our chosen route.**

This past week we experienced the first real cold snap of winter with wind chills between -20 and -30 Celsius every day. Fortunately on this day winds were quite light, and we were treated to the warmest day of the week so far.

Heading west, we observed a variety of waterfowl on the Thames River including Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, and Hooded Mergansers. These three species regularly overwinter on the river each year and with more cold weather in the forecast expect their numbers to increase as the Thames will be the only open water available in the area.

IMG 2857 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — ***Male Northern Cardinal.***

Making our way through a stand of cedar trees, Black-capped Chickadees were the first songbird to be observed. Hearing the high pitched calls of the Golden-crowned Kinglet we looked up and saw several of these birds feeding on the seeds high up in the cedars. Even higher up, among the tops of the cedars, a flock of Pine Siskins were observed feeding.

As we continued west past the defunct Springbank Dam, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and American Goldfinches were seen and heard. Out on the river, hundreds of Canada Geese and Mallards were observed. This particular section of the park is typically best for waterfowl, so our observations were quite typical.

IMG 2959 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **Despite being a species in decline, several American Black Ducks were observed during the photo walk.**

In my last blog post, A Proven Hot Spot For Winter Waterfowl, I mentioned the small pond adjacent to Storybook Gardens and the wide variety of waterfowl I have observed here over the years during winter. This was our next stop to see if any unusual ducks were present. As we combed through all the Mallards a few American Black Ducks were observed.

IMG 4028 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **This male Northern Northern Pintail was the most notable dabbling duck observed.**

IMG 4022 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **Male Northern Pintail preening.**

As I scanned the far bank, a patch of white caught my eye. This easily could have been dismissed as snow on a fallen log, but as I looked closer I could see that this was in fact the breast and neck of a male Northern Pintail. This duck was sleeping comfortably with its head under its wing not presenting well for photos. We decided to leave this bird and look again on our way back in hopes that it may be awake and more acitve. Fortunately, we did later relocate the male Northern Pintail as it provided better views and images of its beautiful plumage.

Northern Cardinals were a favourite bird of the group and several pairs were located on this day. At various locations, the light through the clouds illuminated these birds beautifully as we made our way through the park. Several questions were asked regarding proper exposure and I was happy to provide advice on this with participants quite satisfied with the images they were able to capture.

IMG 3873 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **As is the case most times when walking through Springbank Park during the winter months, a Bald Eagle was observed. This juvenile provided great views as it passed by at close range.**

Continuing along, a juvenile Bald Eagle made a close pass providing great views. Later in the walk, this bird was observed again soaring high overhead. A lone Belted Kingfisher was located perched high above the river on a wire and observed trying to capture food as it dove repeatedly into the water.

As we made our way back through the park in the direction of our vehicles, more songbirds were encountered. Dark-eyed Juncos were observed low to the ground feeding on the various seeds from this year’s wildflowers. White and Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen foraging along tree trunks while the calls of two Brown Creepers alerted us to their location.

IMG 2363 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — **Dark-eyed Junco feeding on the seeds of one of the park’s many wildflowers.**

All in all it was a great day birding with several species observed, many of which presented great opportunities for photographs. Participants were happy with the birds encountered and the images they captured, while I was grateful to share my passion for birding and photography with the group. If you would like to be among the first to register for upcoming photo walks, please contact me and I will notify you once they have been scheduled.

IMG 3841 Edit Edit - Inaugural Photo Walk Reveals A Nice Mix Of Birds — ***The white feathers around this female Northern Cardinal’s eye indicate leucism, a condition where there is a partial loss of pigmentation.***

I would like to express my appreciation for those who braved the cold weather and made this day such a success. With another photo walk scheduled next week at another location, I look forward to seeing more familiar faces while meeting a few new ones. London, Ontario truly has some excellent birding opportunities and sharing my knowledge of local areas is something I am really looking forward to in the new year.

Good birding,
Paul

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Good Birding Report: London, Ontario
November 10 – 17, 2017

waxwing - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **The movements of Cedar Waxwings can be incredibly predictable during the month of November. I often find flocks of these birds each year in the same fruit trees.**

I have always enjoyed birding in November. Sure the big push of migrants has already moved through and the weather can be fickle at best, but great birding opportunities exist for a variety of species. It is at this time of year that I have some of the best views of Cedar Waxwings as their movements can be extremely predictable.

With seasonal temperatures not conducive to insect activity, waxwings are easily located feeding on fruit. Find fruit trees and you will most likely find waxwings. That being said, be extra observant when searching for Cedar Waxwings in November. During spring and summer months waxwings will regularly give away their location with their high-pitched whistles, but at this time of year they tend to remain almost silent as they gorge themselves on berries.

cw1 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **With most of the leaves now gone from the trees, locating birds is less challenging and one of the many things I like about birding in November.**

This week I decided to check one of my favourite locations for finding Cedar Waxwings and in particular a few specific trees. Sure enough, as in previous Novembers, waxwings were present. Also observed among the sizable flock of Cedar Waxwings were large numbers of American Robins also enjoying the bounty of fruit.

As I watched this feeding frenzy I heard the occasional soft call of a robin and the odd whistle from a waxwing, but otherwise this group of hundreds of birds was silent. Cedar Waxwings will not remain in one area long at this time of year though, as once the berries are gone so too will the birds. Finding more fruit trees in areas that are close by and following the flock is key to achieving continued views over the course of the month.

be - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **This Bald Eagle was observed along the Thames River in Springbank Park. This is one of my favourite sections of river for observing these majestic raptors all winter long.**

November is also when Bald Eagle activity along the Thames River in London, Ontario begins to increase. Eagles that have migrated from our north are often attracted to the river due the fact many sections remain open year round, offering a sustainable food supply throughout the winter months. Combine this with the local population consisting of many first year birds from several nest sites in the area and chances of spotting a Bald Eagle along the river are pretty good. This week I had great views of a mature eagle as it flew downstream in Springbank Park.

bj - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **This Blue Jay added a touch of colour to an otherwise grey day.**

Other plentiful birds around the Forest City in the past seven days were Blue Jays. These birds are often quite vocal revealing their whereabouts making them an easy bird to locate. Speaking of vocal birds, I was treated to great views of a male Red-bellied Woodpecker as it called from high up in a dead tree. Northern Cardinals were yet another songbird heard long before they were seen.

rbw - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **A male Red-bellied Woodpecker takes a break from trying to extract a meal from beneath the bark of a dead tree.**

Waterfowl numbers on the Thames River really seemed to increase this week, with mostly Canada Geese and Mallards observed. I always look closely at these large flocks for any ducks that look slightly different as November is when I often find the odd Gadwall or other dabbler mixed in with all the Mallards. This week I did locate an American Black Duck/Mallard hybrid while birding along the river. Within the next month, good numbers of overwintering waterfowl including mergansers and Common Goldeneye will appear on the river for another season.

nc - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **This male Northern Cardinal was busy foraging on cedar seeds that had fallen to the ground.**

If you are not convinced that great birding opportunities are available throughout the month of November, I encourage you to get out and give it a try. Resident birds are always abundant and overwintering species will continue to arrive in the area as the weeks progress. Dress accordingly to the day’s predicted forecast and always be prepared for rain or wet snow as weather in November can change at a moment’s notice. Be extra observant as sometimes birds can be right in front of you while not making a sound, as evidenced by the Cedar Waxwings.

cw2 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br>November 10 - 17, 2017 — **Cedar Waxwings are just one of the many songbirds I target at this time of year.**

Birding in November has always been rewarding for me and is why I look forward to the change in weather so much. I think if you visit your favourite natural area this month you too will agree November birding is incredibly rewarding.

Good birding,
Paul

*If you were unable to attend one of my November workshops, I have added more dates in January. If you were able to participate, I have added a couple of new workshops that might interest you as well. Please view my upcoming events for more details.*

Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor

Wednesday started in a similar fashion to most of my days, with a trip outside to fill my feeders. I like to ensure my feeders are full to start the day, so I am ready to enjoy the birds when they arrive at dawn and throughout the day as I work from home. After filling the feeders, I returned inside and sat down at my desk ready to begin my workday. As I glanced over my computer screen out the window, I noticed a flash of red at the feeder where I had just placed a handful of peanuts in the shell. Naturally, I assumed it was one of the Red-bellied Woodpeckers that regularly visit, but upon closer look I realized the bird was not a Red-bellied Woodpecker, but a much less common Red-headed Woodpecker.

Having only seen a Red-headed Woodpecker a few times in my lifetime, words cannot describe how excited I was to see this bird at my feeder. Red-headed Woodpeckers are currently listed as a species at risk in Ontario and therefore rare in most areas. The majority of reported sightings in Southwestern Ontario come from within two of our provincial parks, Rondeau and Pinery, as well as Point Pelee National Park.

redhead - Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor — **I was rather shocked Wednesday morning to look out my window and see a Red-headed Woodpecker on my feeder.**

Typically when a new species or first of year migrant arrives in my yard, I am quite content to watch from indoors and let the bird feed undisturbed while getting accustomed to my yard before I venture outside in an attempt to capture an image. I would much rather enjoy viewing the bird from inside and not have a photograph than risk spooking the bird and have it leave my yard just for the sake of an image. On this day there was construction going on in the yard behind me with dump trucks, a backhoe, and several men working. I watched as the Red-headed Woodpecker made several trips to and from my feeder unfazed by the loud noises coming from the adjacent yard. Given the nearby commotion, I decided that my presence in the yard was unlikely to startle the bird if I kept my distance and avoided sudden movements. As I slipped quietly out the back door with my camera in hand I could hear the bird calling form a tree in the corner of my yard.

I positioned myself partially hidden on the corner of my deck at a 90 degree angle to the sun. This was not my first choice in terms of light or background for a picture, but again first and foremost, I did not want to frighten the bird. Only a few minutes passed when the Red-headed Woodpecker swooped down from the tree and landed on my feeder. I quickly pressed the shutter button capturing several images before the bird grabbed a peanut and flew off over the yard behind me. My excitement level was so high that I was actually shaking and uncertain how sharp my images would be knowing that there was a high probability of camera shake. I realized the presence of a Red-headed Woodpecker in my yard would be a major distraction from my work not to mention I may never get another opportunity like this again, so I decided to spend the day in my yard observing and photographing this rare visitor. Fortunately, my schedule allows me to set my own hours and the lost time can be made up by working evenings and on the weekend, a small sacrifice I was more than willing to make in order to enjoy this beautiful bird.

woody 3 - Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor — This large tree behind my house proved to be a favourite perch of this Red-headed Woodpecker. Each time the bird returned to my yard it would pause briefly on this tree before continuing on to the feeder.

As time passed, it became even more evident that this bird was not perturbed by me or the loud noises coming from my neighbour’s yard. Even the loud banging of a dump truck tailgate did not prevent this Red-headed Woodpecker from making frequent trips to my feeder. Realizing that the bird was likely to return multiple times, I decided to switch positions in order to achieve better lighting and backdrops for my images. Still, I kept my distance from the feeder and stayed hidden behind various trees and shrubs in my yard.

woody - Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor — **Great views of this Red-headed Woodpecker were had as it perched high above my feeder in a large sycamore tree.**

I first observed the Red-headed Woodpecker on my feeder around 7:30 a.m. and watched as it made regular visits throughout the day. Sometimes an hour would pass without seeing the bird, but its pattern of approaching from the south continued for several hours. When I finally went inside for dinner after 5 p.m. the bird was still making frequent trips to my feeder. I had to step out at 6:30 p.m. to run an errand, but when I looked out the back door before leaving, there it was grabbing a peanut and heading off to the south.

When I awoke Thursday morning, I headed back out to fill the feeders and hoped that the bird may still be around. After returning inside, again at about 7:30 a.m., I heard the Red-headed Woodpecker call and glanced out the window. High up in the sycamore tree I could see the morning sun glistening off its black back and red head. My schedule the remainder of the week did not allow me to devote as much time watching the bird, so I am unsure if it is still present. Having this bird stick around would be incredible, but despite plenty of food and adequate habitat, I imagine with such low numbers of these birds in our area it will move on to explore new areas in search of a potential mate. I will be sure to provide updates if the bird remains in the area.

red - Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor — **Peanuts, both in the shell and halves kept this Red-headed Woodpecker returning to my feeder throughout the day.**

Despite being a species at risk in Ontario, a number of Red-headed Woodpecker sightings have been reported in 2017 to the various bird observation websites including eBird. As many as 6 Red-headed Woodpeckers were observed during this spring’s Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park. Other sightings from Elgin and Middlesex counties have also been submitted. Friends of mine who live in Orillia, Ontario informed me that they had a Red-headed Woodpecker visit their feeder in early May. Closer to home, a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker was reported last December along the Thames River near Civic Gardens Complex. This particular bird remained in that area throughout the winter. and I was fortunate enough to view it back in January. Unfortunately, I have not seen any recent reports indicating that it is still in the area. Perhaps this is the same bird now displaying adult plumage. Whether or not these increased sightings are a sign of hope for this fragile species only time will tell.

woody 2 - Red-headed Woodpecker: An Unexpected Backyard Visitor — **Having this Red-headed Woodpecker spend the day in my backyard visiting my feeder is a memory I will always remember and certainly a highlight in my life as a birder.**

As is the case with all species at risk, habitat loss is one of the biggest factors leading to their reduced numbers. Red-headed Woodpeckers nest in dead trees, so the removal of these potential nest sites due to development, agriculture or safety reasons likely has contributed to their 60% decline in Ontario over the past 20 years. If you have dead trees on your property and it is safe to do so, leave them. Dead trees and branches not only provide potential nesting locations for many cavity nesting birds including the Red-headed Woodpecker, many birds prefer dead branches over live ones for perching. Decaying wood also houses plenty of insects which will in turn attract more birds. Dead and decaying trees may not be as aesthetically pleasing as live ones, but they are a key element to the survival of so many birds. By leaving some dead trees on your property you will certainly attract more birds, and who knows you may just save a species at risk in the process.

Good birding,
Paul

Good Birding Report: London, Ontario
February 17 – 24, 2017

wbn - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **White-breasted Nuthatches were observed in good numbers this past week while birding in the Forest City.**

With record breaking temperatures and plenty of sunshine, it was a great week to get out birding. In my last post Early Spring Migrants Highlight The Family Day Long Weekend, I reported observing several first of year species including Red-winged Blackbirds and an Eastern Meadowlark. As expected, this week’s continued warm temperatures and south winds brought even more first of year species back to our area.

sw - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Tundra Swans are now making their way through Southwestern Ontario as they migrate north.**

Each spring, Tundra Swans can be observed throughout our area as they make their way north to their breeding grounds across the arctic. This past week, I observed my first flock after hearing their calls from high overhead. Learning and recognizing the call of the Tundra Swan is one of the best ways to locate them. Surprisingly, these large birds can pass by overhead often going unnoticed if not for hearing their call. Two of the best places in our area to observe large flocks of Tundra Swans as they migrate north are the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area and the Thedford Bog. Information on these two areas including how to get there and dally swan counts, can be found in the provided links.

kd - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Killdeer are among the many birds that have returned to our area ahead of schedule.**

Another first of year species I observed this past week was a Killdeer. Like most of the birds I observe, this bird was first located by ear. After hearing its call, I observed this bird foraging in the wet grass at a local park. Killdeer are the first of the shorebirds to return each year, and like the Red-winged Blackbirds and Tundra Swans have arrived early.

rnd - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Several ducks have begun their migration north and are now present in our area including this female Ring-necked Duck photographed on the Thames River at Greenway Park.**

Having seen both Northern Pintails and American Wigeons on the Thames River earlier this month, I was optimistic more dabbling ducks may now be present. Unfortunately, after multiple visits to the river this week, only Mallards and Canada Geese were observed. I did locate a lone female Ring-necked Duck while birding at Greenway Park. These divers are frequently observed in our area each spring during their migration north. As area lakes and ponds become free of ice, we can expect to see an increase in migrating waterfowl in our area.

cg - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Large flocks of Common Grackles were observed throughout the city.**

Other early migrants seen in good numbers this past week were Common Grackles. These birds like the others mentioned are ahead of schedule. Despite their early arrival, this was not my first grackle sighting of the year. Back on February 5, I had one in my backyard feeding on peanuts.

dw 1 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Downy Woodpecker excavating a tree cavity.**

Resident birds were also seen in good numbers this week with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees being the most prevalent. Many of these cavity nesters were observed either exploring or excavating tree cavities.

Watermark 1 35 - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> February 17 - 24, 2017 — **Aylmer Wildlife Management Area and the Thedford Bog are two of the best places in our area to achieve close views of migrating Tundra Swans.**

Many of the early migrants that are typically observed in our area in mid to late March have arrived in our area ahead of schedule. Despite cooler weather in the forecast for next week, above seasonal temperatures and more south winds are predicted. These are ideal conditions to bring even more migratory birds back to Southwestern Ontario. If you get the chance, spend some time outdoors enjoying this beautiful unexpected weather and the birds that have accompanied it. If you are interested in seeing large flocks of swans as they migrate through our area, follow the daily reports from Aylmer or Thedford and plan a trip accordingly. Visiting either of these locations and seeing such a large concentration of birds is well worth the short drive from London.

Good birding,
Paul

Common Loon On The Thames River In Springbank Park

Today started the same way many of my Sundays do, with a call from my Dad. Most weekends, my Dad and I try to meet for a walk somewhere and enjoy the various sights and sounds of nature while we catch up on each other’s week. This morning we decided on walking along the Thames River in Springbank Park. Those of you that have followed my blog for a while will know that this is one of my favourite locations to bird during the winter months. With an abundance of waterfowl, songbirds, and birds of prey, there is always something to see.

Our walk started out with us observing many of the usual species including Mallards, Canada Geese and a few American Black Ducks. Among the diving ducks present were small numbers of Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, and Common Merganser. Some of the more abundant songbirds present were Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, and a large flock of American Robins calling from the trees along the near bank of the river. Many of these birds could also be observed foraging on the ground in area where melting snow was running down the bank into the river. A lone Red-tailed Hawk was observed as it left its perch from high in a tree and soared out over the river.

All in all it was a pretty typical walk for us along the Thames River with a nice variety of birds, ones that we would expect to see at this time of year. As we made our way further through the park, just upstream from the old pump house, a large bird in the middle of the river caught my eye. After stopping to take a closer look, I could identify the bird as a Common Loon in winter plumage. This bird sat motionless as we watched it for several minutes. The whole time we watched, it never dove, and spent periods of time with its head under its wing.

Common Loons typically overwinter along the Atlantic Seaboard, with some birds overwintering on the Great Lakes, This is not a bird we would regularly see inland on the Thames River at this time of year. Common Loons; however, are known to make brief stops on inland bodies of water in our area during migration, so this particular bird may be late making its way south or early making its way north. Another possibility is that with the cold weather this past week, the area in which this Common Loon came from may have recently iced up.

I don’t imagine this bird will remain in the area for very long, so if you are interested in viewing it, I would try to get to the river as soon as you can. The closest access to this bird is from the park’s easternmost parking lot (the one nearest Wonderland Road). From the parking lot there is a set of stairs leading to the pathway adjacent the river. These stairs are not maintained during winter months, so exercise caution if using them. After reaching the path, walk slightly downstream towards the old pump house. When I left the park, this bird was still visible at this location in the middle of the river.

Good birding,
Paul

A Proven Technique For Easily Locating The Subject In Your Camera’s Viewfinder

Wildlife photography can be quite challenging. Unlike landscape or portrait photography where the subject is large and stationary, nature photographers must deal with much smaller subjects, and ones that are almost constantly moving. Whether its a bird of prey in flight, a small songbird flitting among the branches, or a butterfly moving from flower to flower, one of the hardest elements of wildlife photography can be locating the subject in your camera’s viewfinder.

Fortunately, there is a simple trick photographers can use to make locating their subject much easier. By using your camera’s hot shoe as a sight, locating your subject will become much faster. If you are unfamiliar with what a hot shoe is, it is the mount on top of your camera where an external flash or other accessories attach. If your camera is not equipped with a hot shoe, you can simply use the top of the camera body itself as a sight.

ar - A Proven Technique For Easily Locating The Subject In Your Camera's Viewfinder — **This well camouflaged America Robin was quickly found in my viewfinder by following this simple technique.**

Once you have determined your subject, instead of looking through your viewfinder trying to locate it, simply look above the viewfinder through your hot shoe moving the camera until the subject is located. When your subject appears, slowly lower your eye into the viewfinder and you will see your subject in the viewfinder. Next, acquire focus and take the shot..The key to this technique is moving only your head slightly, enough to see through the viewfinder without moving your arms and subsequently the camera, losing sight of your subject.

This technique can be practiced with larger, stationary objects until perfected. Once you are comfortable with moving just your head slightly and not your arms and camera, you can move on to smaller moving subjects. As I mentioned above, this technique is incredibly helpful for photographing birds in flight as locating a bird against a large expansive background through your viewfinder can be incredibly difficult. It is equally effective for quickly locating a bird surrounded by branches or other objects. In fact, this technique can be used in any in any situation regardless of the subject.

st - A Proven Technique For Easily Locating The Subject In Your Camera's Viewfinder — **Using my hot shoe as a sight, I was able to easily track this Black Swallowtail Butterfly as it moved from flower to flower.**

If locating the subject in your camera’s viewfinder is something you struggle with, give this technique a try. I think you will find that with a little practice this approach will alleviate a lot of frustration and ultimately lead to more keeper images.

Good birding,
Paul