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*

Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario

Early spring is certainly an exciting time to get out birding. After all, now is when we start to see evidence of migration getting underway here in Southwestern Ontario with many first-of-year species observed. I look for my first Red-winged Blackbird, Tundra Swan, or Killdeer to signify migration has begun. For others, it might be the robin, grackle, or some other species of waterfowl. Fortunately, these familiar faces can all be found once again in our area.

IMG 9556 - Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario — **Northern Pintails in a flooded field.**

Throughout March I visited many of my favourite birding locations. The results of these jaunts were rewarding regardless of where I went. When searching for spring migrants in March wetlands are where I often first focus my attention. These habitats attract most of the early migrants and therefore should not be overlooked. Waterfowl, Killdeer, and Red-winged Blackbirds can all be found around wetlands.

IMG 8048 3 - Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario — **Tundra Swans at the Thedford Bog.**

A flooded field is often all that is required to attract Tundra Swans and other waterfowl to stop for a rest on their migration north. The shallow water provides a familiar setting while the remnants of last year’s crop replenishes spent calories. Once again this year I made my way to the Thedford Bog to see the thousands of Tundra Swans that stop here each year. To see some of the action from the Thedford Bog check out my YouTube video.

IMG 9926 Edit 3 - Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario — **This lone Snow Goose was observed with a group of Canada Geese while driving to an area wetland.**

When driving to places I am going to bird, I always keep my camera at the ready on the passenger seat as I never know what I might come across. A white bird mixed in with some Canada Geese next to a farm pond caught my eye as I drove to a wetland. To my delight, it was a Snow Goose. After slowing down and making a safe U-turn I stopped at the side of the road and snapped a few photos before carrying on.

IMG 0547 - Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario — **Seeing a chipmunk on a sunny spring day always leaves a smile on my face.**

Some wildlife that remains in the area year-round but has been nonvisible for several months have once again emerged. Chipmunks and several butterfly species have come out of hibernation and can be readily seen. Mourning Cloak Butterflies overwinter in our area as adults spending the cold months in woodpiles or behind tree bark and are quick to take flight on a warm spring day. Sunny forests are where I often find my first Mourning Cloak of the year.

IMG 0317 Edit - Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario — **The Mourning Cloak is the first butterfly to appear each spring.**

As you can see it’s a great time to get out birding. With migrants trickling in and an abundance of resident birds around being outdoors surrounded by nature soaking up the sun is a great way to shake the winter blues. With so much uncertainty in our lives these days, many are turning to nature and the great outdoors to get through these difficult times. Personally, I haven’t felt the impacts of the pandemic as much as others have. I worked from home before and always spent time in nature to keep my head in a good place. If you are finding these times of isolation and closures tough, try spending time in nature. The fresh air and calming effects nature has are immeasurable. For me, seeing these familiar faces while enjoying the spring sunshine always leaves a smile on mine.

Good birding,
Paul

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Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way

In my last post, Good Birding Report: London, Ontario April 17-24, 2020, I mentioned the migration floodgates are about to open. Here in London, I typically see my first oriole and hummingbird by May 5 each year. Now is the perfect time to get your feeders up in anticipation of these birds returning. Having your feeder out when these species arrive will ensure they have nourishment to replace spent energy after their long migration north.

IMG 1258 Edit 2 Edit - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **Ruby-throated Hummingbird approaching a feeder.**

One of the easiest ways to provide nourishment and attract orioles and hummingbirds to your yard is with a nectar feeder. For both birds, a simple mixture of sugar and water is all you need to make food that will fill their hungry little bellies. In a pot on your stove mix four parts water to one part sugar (1 cup of water to 1/4 cup sugar) and bring it to a boil. Boiling helps dissolve the sugar while removing chlorine and other impurities from our tap water. Once the mixture has cooled simply fill your feeder. A larger batch can be made and stored in the fridge for 7 to 10 days if your feeders are quite busy.

IMG 1271 Edit 2 Edit - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **Red food colouring is potentially harmful to hummingbirds. Please note the glass on this feeder is red not the mixture of water and sugar inside.**

There are conflicting reports about whether red food colouring is harmful to birds. I do not use or recommend using red food colouring as anything potentially harmful to birds does not go in my feeders. The red color on the feeder itself is all that is required to attract plenty of hummingbirds. Orioles are typically attracted to the orange colour on the oriole feeders. That being said, both birds regularly visit feeders designed for the other species demonstrating that color isn’t that important so why bother with food colouring?

48527453946 547aa61e83 o - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **A cedar tree provides not only a windbreak at my feeder but also a place for the hummingbirds to perch en route.**

Properly placing your feeder will help ensure greater success. I like to position mine out of the wind and close to a nearby perch. A tree in the proximity of the feeder works great as orioles and hummingbirds will often land here first before moving on to the feeder. For hummingbirds, a small leafless or dead branch is best to accommodate their tiny bodies.

17680631798 563b8eb36b o - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **The vibrant orange plumage of the male Baltimore Oriole is a welcome sight in any yard.**

A shepherd’s hood works perfectly for hanging either an oriole or hummingbird feeder. Certainly with a sweet mixture of sugar and water you are also going to attract insects. Ants will readily climb the shepherd’s hook to get to the feeder and the nectar in it. Do not spray your hook with AntOut or Raid to kill the ants as orioles will gobble them up off the pole. Some feeders now feature a built-in ant moat or commercial ant moats are also available to hang over both oriole and hummingbird feeders. These moats are essentially reservoirs filled with water causing the ants to fall in and drown before reaching the feeder and are a much safer option than insecticides that will inadvertently harm the birds and beneficial insects.

IMG 1686 Edit Edit - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **A rather wet oriole after an early May downpour.**

Oranges are another great option for attracting orioles to your yard. These can either be cut in half or slices and skewered onto tree branches, shepherd’s hooks, or placed on deck railings. Like the sugar water, oranges too will attract insects so be mindful of where you place them. In my experience, squirrels also love oranges and the fresh fruit often disappears shortly after placing it outside.

IMG 1491 Edit Edit - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **Orioles readily eat insects and will naturally control pests in your yard. Insecticides are never a good idea as inadvertently poisoning birds and beneficial insects is a real possibility.**

Grape jelly is also popular with many homeowners for attracting orioles. Unfortunately, most of the grape jelly made for human consumption is sweetened with fructose or corn syrup and provides no nutritional value for birds. If you are going to offer jelly, make sure it contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavours. BirdBerry Jelly is by far the best option; however, it is pricier. Given the challenges with getting groceries these days, sugar and water is the cheapest and easiest option for feeding orioles and hummingbirds.

44301291684 6e26f87081 o - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **Having areas near your feeder to perch will attract more hummingbirds to your yard.**

Tracking the migration of orioles and hummingbirds is easy thanks to the Journey North maps. Recent sightings for both species can be viewed on the maps while watching their progress each day.

17249796209 19919c4f71 o - Orioles And Hummingbirds Are On Their Way — **Orioles are on their way, be ready for their arrival by placing your feeders out now.**

If you haven’t already, get your oriole and hummingbird feeders out in anticipation of their arrival. Having them out when these birds return will provide nourishment to replace energy burned after their long migration north. With warm temperatures and south winds in the forecast, there is a good chance we could see orioles and hummingbirds by the end of the week, will you be ready?

Good birding,
Paul

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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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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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Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee

During the month of September, I try to make a trip to Point Pelee National Park to observe the annual fall migration of the Monarch Butterfly. I usually schedule my visit for the 3rd week of the month as this is typically when Monarchs move through the area in good numbers. This also coincides with my birthday and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than at this beautiful park.

IMG 9369 Edit Edit - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee — **The sight of a Monarch roost is quite spectacular. Watching these delicate butterflies stack together like shingles on a roof is truly magical.**

In 2015 my timing was pretty good as I was treated to large quantities of Monarchs during the day throughout the park and evening roosts were estimated to contain over 1000 Monarchs.

0 - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee

Watch this video on YouTube

Last year, my timing was not so good, as I only observed one Monarch all day, a lone butterfly seen just off the tip heading south. Monarch migration seemed to take place a bit later last year as numbers peaked in early October.

This year I had planned once again to visit the third week of September and hoped the Monarchs would cooperate. This plan quickly changed Saturday morning.

IMG 9250 Edit Edit - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee — **With so many Monarchs congregating around the tip roosts were easy to find.**

After working for a few hours Saturday morning, I took a break and checked social media. I do this each morning to see what interesting things are happening in terms of birding and nature. After reading a report of a conservative estimate of 10,000 Monarchs roosting the previous night at the tip of Point Pelee I quickly messaged my partners in “Team Monarch” who I spent several seasons raising Monarchs with to see if they had heard the news. It did not take long before a trip to Point Pelee National Park for later that day was organized.

IMG 9322 Edit Edit - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee — **Monarch Butterflies roosting.**

The three of us left for the park at 4:00 p.m. which would give us roughly 2 hours before dark to observe these impressive roosts. Once at the park, we jumped on the shuttle at the Visitor’s Centre and headed for the tip.

Watch this video on YouTube

The wind at the park was strong out of the northeast, so we focussed our efforts on the west side of the tip where the Monarchs would be somewhat protected from the strong winds. Looking up into the trees we were treated to thousands of Monarch Butterflies huddled together, by far the biggest roosts I have ever witnessed. It’s hard to find a word to describe this experience but magical definitely comes to mind.

Roosts were estimated at 6000 Monarchs, a bit lower than the previous night. It was believed that some of the butterflies may have moved north away from the tip to escape the strong wind and were somewhere out of sight.

P1010748 Edit - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee — **Watching this sunset from the West Beach was the perfect ending to an amazing day.**

Leaving the park we could see the colourful sky through the trees to the west. We pulled into the West Beach Parking lot and walked out on the sand. I’m really glad we did as we were treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. This was the perfect way to end an incredible day.

Watch this video on YouTube

Over the coming days, we are expected to receive the remnants of hurricane Gordon. Cooler temperatures and substantial rain will likely mean this large concentration of Monarchs will remain in the park until the weather breaks. When it does, look for these Monarchs to leave the tip heading south continuing their journey to Mexico. With sunny skies and a northwest wind predicted for Tuesday, a mass departure could happen.

IMG 9237 Edit Edit - Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee — **With large numbers of Monarch Butterflies being observed at Point Pelee National Park, now is the perfect time to plan a trip.**

If you are wanting to experience this amazing migration now may be your best chance. For updates on Monarch numbers within the park follow Pelee Paradise Sanctuary Monarch Waystation #10275 on Facebook for up to date reports.

Good birding,
Paul

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Stormwater Management Ponds:
Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots

gbh - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Great Blue Herons are among the many birds you can expect to observe while birding around a stormwater management pond**.

Stormwater management ponds are located throughout large cities and can be found in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. These human-made ponds and their adjacent habitats are often overlooked as birding hotspots. Last week, after receiving a tip from a blog subscriber, I decided to check out a stormwater management pond that I had not yet visited, and was rewarded with great views of a variety of birds.

rwbb - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Female Red-winged Blackbird**.

The pond I visited is located in the northwest part of London, Ontario in the area known as Hyde Park. I accessed the area from Gainsborough Road, where there is a small area for parking. Upon exiting my truck, I immediately heard the calls of the Red-winged Blackbird and American Robin. Grabbing my camera and binoculars, I headed north along the paved path. On each side of the path was a narrow meadow-like habitat consisting of mixed grasses and small shrubs. Hearing rustling to my right, I turned to look, and from the dried stalks of grass appeared an Eastern Cottontail. Further down the path a small pond came into view, with a wooded area on either side. I was eager to see what species I might encounter next.

ec - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **This Eastern Cottontail was the only mammal species I observed on this day**.

As I continued on, a Northern Flicker could be heard calling and drumming from the woodlot to the east, as an Osprey circled the pond. The small shrubs lining either side of the path contained several Field Sparrows. I’m sure anyone who recognizes the song of the Field Sparrow will agree, it is a lovely trilling sound. Other sparrow species observed around the area were Song and White-throated, both singing beautiful songs of their own. Eastern Phoebes could be seen flying within the meadow, briefly landing on the grass stalks.

song - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Song Sparrow**.

ep - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Eastern Phoebe**.

I watched as the Osprey hovered over the pond, and anticipated this bird to plunge into the water after a fish. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. The large raptor banked to the east and disappeared over the treeline. The rattling call of a Belted Kingfisher echoed over the pond as it moved about the small trees that circle the area. On the far bank I could see a Great Blue Heron wading in the shallow water. As I made my way around the pond, it became clear that this bird was more fixated with what was below the surface than it was on my presence. I raised my camera as it slowly stalked its prey. With a quick strike and a large splash, the heron captured something. Whatever the prey was, it was not visible to me and was immediately consumed as the bird threw back its head.

blue - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Great Blue Heron capturing a meal**.

At the water’s edge I could see movement. I raised my binoculars to see a Spotted Sandpiper running along the muddy bank, while a Killdeer called not too far away. Scanning the bank with my binoculars, the Killdeer quickly came into view.. These and other small shorebirds blend in extremely well with their surroundings and can easily go overlooked without the aid of a pair of binoculars. I watched and listened as three Greater Yellowlegs circled overhead, but these birds must have been aware of my presence and continued north.

heron - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **In the blink of an eye, a Great Blue Heron can capture and consume its prey**.

Bank, Barn, and Tree Swallows were all observed darting over the pond while feeding on insects. Surprisingly, waterfowl was almost nonexistent with only a few Mallards and pair of Canada Geese present. Quite often during migration, stormwater management ponds are popular stopover areas for a variety of migrating waterfowl. In total 19 species were observed on this day, which made for a rewarding morning.

kill - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Killdeer and other shorebirds blend in extremely well with their surroundings. Watching for movement and scanning the bank with binoculars is often the best way to locate them**.

Stormwater management ponds are easily found by searching Google maps. These online maps will show the pond itself plus any access points. Be aware that some of these ponds may not be on municipal property, or access may be restricted. Please be sure to obey the rules of any posted signage at the pond you visit.

sandy - Stormwater Management Ponds: <br> Often Overlooked Birding Hotspots — **Spotted Sandpiper**.

Spring migration can be one of the best times of the year to view a variety of birds at one of these habitats. I am a huge fan of shorebirds and these ponds can be one of the best locations to view these birds close to home. It has been at stormwater management ponds that I have achieved some of my best views of Great Egrets in our area during migration. If you have never birded around a stormwater management pond, I highly recommend visiting one in your area.

Good birding,
Paul

Good Birding Report: London, Ontario
April 21 – 29, 2016

yrw - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the first of the warblers to return to our area each spring**.

Late April and early May is my absolute favourite time of year to get out birding. It is an exciting time of year as spring migration starts to pick up, and we birders see an incredible number of first of year species. Each time I venture out, I know there is the possibility to see a bird that I have not seen since last fall. This is what motivates me, and can often keep me out in the field for hours at a time. This past week did not disappoint, as I observed many first of year species, and of course many of the ones I had previously observed this year.

pw - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **Late April and early May is when many migratory birds return to our area including the Palm Warbler**.

The week started out with my first warbler of the year. It came as no surprise it was a Yellow-rumped. These birds have the shortest migration distance to reach our area of any warbler and are always the first to return each spring. Other warblers observed this past week included: Pine, Yellow, and Palm. All in all it was a pretty good week for warblers given it is still the end of April. Expect the number and variety of warblers to increase substantially over the coming weeks. The lack of leaf cover currently on the trees makes finding and photographing these small, fast moving birds less of challenge.

tree - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **I have been observing Tree Swallows in our area for several weeks now, including this pair I photographed today** .

Other than Tree Swallows, I had not observed any other swallows to date until this week. I am happy to report that Northern Rough-winged, Bank, and Barn Swallows have all returned to the Forest City. It is especially great to see Bank and Barn Swallows as these birds are currently listed as at risk in Ontario. The quick aerial maneuvers of any swallow are a treat to watch as they capture insects on the fly.

rws - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **Northern Rough-winged Swallow in flight**.

Other first of year species for me this week were the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Blue-headed Vireo. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can be a tricky bird to locate, but fortunately their nasally zee call will help give away their location. If you hear their call, look up as these birds typically forage on insects high overhead. Blue-headed Vireos are the first of the vireos to return each year and can be found in the same deciduous habitats as warblers and gnatcatchers.

gc - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **For me listening for the call of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the easiest way to locate this bird**.

Watermark - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **Among the vireos, the Blue-headed Vireo is the first to appear in late April**.

A few first of year shorebirds were also observed this past week with the Spotted Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs added to my list. While many shorebirds tend to be found along the beaches of the Great Lakes during migration, others are equally at home along small ponds and rivers. Pay close attention to muddy or sandy shorelines along any body of water if you wish to find these birds.

spot - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **The Spotted Sandpiper, a small shorebird, can be found along riverbanks and pond edges throughout our area**.

I am still waiting to see my first Baltimore Oriole and Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year. I have heard several reports of them in our immediate area, but they have eluded me so far. If you haven’t already, make sure both your oriole and hummingbird feeders are out, and the nectar is fresh. These birds will show up in good numbers any day now. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, another spring favourite of birders and non-birders alike, have been reported in our area, but I have not laid eyes on one yet. Grosbeaks are particularly fond of both black oil sunflower and safflower seed, so keep your feeders full. Like orioles and hummingbirds, grosbeak numbers will increase any day now.

Saturday looks like a beautiful day to get out birding and there are many great places within the city to bird. Remember a few things before you head out. Most of these returning birds consume insects, so look for them where food is abundant. I have the greatest success locating these birds in protected areas out of the wind, where there is the highest concentration of insects. Birds are most active first thing in the morning, making this the best time to head out.

palm - Good Birding Report: London, Ontario <br> April 21 - 29, 2016 — **Palm Warbler**

Birds typically migrate at night, with many of these migrants actively feeding at first light to replenish spent energy after their long journey. With this in mind, carefully plan your route before heading out. If you have the option to, start at the east end of the trail and walk west. This will put the sun at your back, illuminating the birds and avoiding silhouettes. This makes observation and identification much easier, and provides the best light for photographs.

We are in for some great birding action over the coming weeks. If you get the opportunity, head to your favourite park, ESA, or other natural area, and take in the beautiful sights and sounds of spring migration.

Good birding,
Paul

Migration Underway As Shorebirds Move Across The Area

Despite the fact that fall is still more than seven weeks away, it is time to start thinking migration. Many birds, including shorebirds, begin to migrate across our area as early as August. Several sightings have been reported already from around the area; I personally have noticed an increase in Yellowlegs within London, making now the perfect time to get out and search for these early migrants.

With shorebirds having already begun their journey south, there are several locations in and around the Forest City where they can be readily observed. The Coves, located only minutes from the city’s core, is an excellent place to view shorebirds as they stop over to rest and feed. With the lack of rainfall this summer, water levels are currently low; this provides shallow water and exposed muddy flats, the perfect habitat for shorebirds. Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as Solitary Sandpipers are among the species readily observed at The Coves.

Great Egrets frequently stop over at The Coves during August, making it one of the best locations in the city to view these beautiful birds. I recommend weekly visits to The Coves this month, as more birds will show up as the season progresses. To access The Coves, turn onto Greenside Avenue from Springbank Drive. Parking is available at the side of the road. From there, it is a short walk back to Springbank Drive where excellent views of The Coves can be taken in from the sidewalk on both sides of the street. There is a traffic light at the intersection of Greenside Avenue and Springbank Drive, making crossing the four lanes quite easy and much safer.

Solitary Sadpiper - Migration Underway As Shorebirds Move Across The Area — This Solitary Sandpiper was observed from Springbank Drive in London, Ontario as it foraged in the shallow water of The Coves.

Several of the newer subdivisions in the city have stormwater management ponds within them. These too are excellent areas to locate shorebirds within the city. Take a look at a map of London for some of these newly created ponds mostly on the corners of the city. A short car ride to these locations can often yield great results. One pond in particular that seems to attract a variety of shorebirds, herons, kingfishers, and even egrets is located behind the Canadian Tire store on Wonderland Road. Be sure to make these small, man made ponds, a part of your fall birding, as they can provide a temporary home for several species.

Venturing out of London can also be very rewarding for observing shorebirds. One of my favourite locations is the Port Stanley sewage lagoons. This area is birder friendly with two observation towers overlooking the four ponds. Several species of shorebird can be observed foraging along the muddy banks from the elevated towers. Birds at this location are not viewed as close as at other locations, so be sure to take binoculars or a spotting scope. To get to the Pot Stanley lagoons, follow Highway 4 south to the town of Port Stanley. Once you arrive in town, turn right on Warren Street (the first street on your right at the baseball diamond). Proceed through the four way stop (here Warren Street turns into Lake Line). Continue on Lake Line to the top of the hill, and make a right on Scotch Line. Follow the bend in the road and you will see the first of the two observation towers on your left.

Lesser Yellowlegs - Migration Underway As Shorebirds Move Across The Area — Lesser Yellowlegs are one of the most abundant shorebirds observed in our area during migration.

Other popular area spots for observing shorebirds, although longer drives, are the sewage lagoons located on Pike Road in Strathroy, Ontario and the West Perth Wetlands on Frank Street in Mitchell, Ontario. The West Perth Wetlands often attract the widest variety and less common shorebirds, making it well worth the one hour drive from London.

Having success locating shorebirds is very much dependent on water levels. These birds require shallow water with exposed mud or sand for feeding. Too much water and shorebirds simply will not be present. As mentioned previously, water levels at many locations are currently ideal for attracting shorebirds. Having said that, venturing out to find shorebirds after a moderate rain can be quite successful. As the fresh rain is absorbed into the muddy flats, many of the invertebrates that shorebirds feed on are forced to the surface creating a feeding frenzy.

Great Egret - Migration Underway As Shorebirds Move Across The Area — Great Egrets can be observed while searching area ponds for shorebirds.

Shorebirds are among the most difficult when it comes to identification. Many birders struggle to identify the different species that make up this group of birds. Adding to the confusion at this time of year is the addition of juvenile birds, as well as those transitioning from breeding to winter plumage. Remember to observe the subtle differences in field marks when trying to identify shorebirds. Pay close attention to size, leg colour, bill length, as well as any distinct plumage features to assist with identification. Managing a quick photo, even a low quality one, can often lead to proper identification upon returning home. If you have a photo of a bird you are having difficulty identifying, feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help fellow birders with identification.

Although it does not garner quite as much hype as spring migration, fall migration is an exciting time of year. Large concentrations of birds can be observed in rather small areas, providing excellent views and photographic opportunities. If you are like me and keep a life and year list, the large number of shorebirds can boost your totals fast. With their long legs and bills, plus their unique behaviour, shorebirds are among the most interesting birds to observe. Take the time this month to get out to some of these area hotspots, and enjoy the beautiful shorebirds that are passing through our area.

Good birding,
Paul

Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario

Each spring, thousands of Tundra Swans make their way from their wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast to their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Fortunately for area birders, Southwestern Ontario is situated en route and these birds are often observed across our area flying overhead, or on the ground feeding and resting in flooded farm fields. If seeing migrating Tundra Swans is on your spring birding to do list, than consider taking a trip to the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

Watermark 1 2 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — Tundra Swans are constantly coming and going at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

Aylmer Wildlife Management Area is probably the best place in Southwestern Ontario to view Tundra Swans. Each year, these birds notoriously stop here to rest and feed before carrying on with their long migration. Surrounded by farmland, and situated on two large ponds, the habitat at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area is perfect for attracting these large migrants. Four viewing stands overlook the ponds, providing birders with excellent views of the Tundra Swans. Morning feedings provide the birds with adequate nourishment to help them on their long journey north, as well as keep them close to the viewing stands.

Watermark 1 10 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — I can’t say for certain, but I am willing to wager this started over a female.

On Wednesday I decided to take a trip to the Aymer Wildlife Management Area to see the Tundra Swans. Reports from the area had a count of 3000 Tundra Swans that morning, so I knew there would be plenty of Swans to see. Daily counts can be found on the website. According to the reports, there were also two blue morph Snow Geese, a Ross’s Goose, and five Cackling Geese present. This had me excited as I still needed a Ross’s Goose for my life list.

Watermark 1 11 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — Tundra Swan heading for safer waters.

On the way to Aylmer, several small flocks of Tundra Swans were observed flying overhead, all in a northwest direction. These Swans perhaps were on their way to the Thedford bog, another popular location for where Swans layover. Upon exiting the car after arriving in Aylmer, the sound of the Tundra Swans took over. Several birds circled overhead, while thousands of others could be heard and seen covering the north pond. I made my way up onto the first elevated observation stand and quickly realized that the morning count of 3000 swans was no exaggeration.

Watermark 1 21 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — This blue morph Snow Goose was among the waterfowl observed.

As I scanned the area with my binoculars, I quickly picked up the two blue morph Snow Geese on the grassy berm adjacent to the pond, feeding on corn. Further behind them, across the arm of the pond, was the lone Ross’s Goose. Happy to add this to my life list, I realized a better view would be had from stand number three. As I entered the stand, the Ross’s Goose was observed straight ahead. I scanned the pond and the surrounding land, but was unable to locate any of the Cackling Geese.

Watermark 1 8 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — A lifer for me, a lone Ross’s Goose was observed at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

Despite the large ponds and the offerings of corn, there were not many ducks present on this day. In fact, there have not been many ducks reported yet this year from the area. A few pairs of Mallards could be seen around the pond, a pair of Northern Pintails, and a lone Ruddy Duck swam along the far shore of the pond. A Sandhill Crane was reported earlier in the week, but like the Cackling Geese, I was unable to locate it on this visit.

Watermark 1 6 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — Blue morph Snow Geese, Canada Geese, and Tundra Swans resting after feeding heavily on corn.

Three of the four observations stands at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area are elevated, providing great views overlooking the ponds. The third stand is at ground level and is fully accessible for those that require the assistance of a mobility device. It is also fully enclosed in case of inclement weather.

Watermark 1 12 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — Tundra Swan in flight.

For those who have never been to Aymer Wildlife Management Area before, I highly recommended it. Whether you are a birder or not, the sight of so many birds in one place is truly spectacular. Tundra Swan migration was delayed slightly this year due to the cooler temperatures, and lack of snow and ice melt. Migration is now in full swing, and will not last for too long. With warmer temperatures and south winds in the forecast, Tundra Swans will be on the move.

Watermark 1 13 - Tundra Swans Touch Down In Aylmer, Ontario — Close views of the Swans are obtained from any of the four viewing stands.

If you are looking for a fun family activity to do this Easter weekend, consider heading down to Aylmer and observing the Tundra Swans. Centrally located in Southwestern Ontario, Aylmer is a nice day trip from almost anywhere. For more information, including hours, feeding times, directions, and daily Swan counts, visit the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area’s website.

*Click on images in this post to view larger*

Good birding,
Paul