Raptor Migration Getting Ready To Take Flight

As the days become shorter and summer slowly winds down, bird migration begins. Raptor migration is getting underway now and stretches right into December, with peak numbers being observed in mid September. One of the best places to view large quantities of migrating raptors is at Hawk Cliff in Port Stanley, Ontario. Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch begins September 1st and runs until November 30th. During this time, daily counts of each species of raptor are recorded. As part of Hawkwatch, there are two Hawk Cliff weekends in mid September with ground displays featuring live birds, information sessions, and hawk banding. For more on Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch, including directions to the cliff, click here.

Mid September is the best time to go if you wish to see the most hawks. September 16, 2013 saw over forty six thousand hawks counted, while on September 15, 2012 over twenty thousand hawks were counted. I was there on that day in 2012, and let me tell you, it was a sight to see. The sky was filled with hawks, falcons and eagles, as far as the eye could see. Some, like the Sharp-shinned Hawks and Northern Harriers pass by low overhead, while buteos like Broad-winged Hawks can be seen circling high overhead in large flocks, also known as kettles. Large kettles of Broad-winged Hawks can be made up of thousands of birds. It is these large kettles that lead to daily counts being so high.

9371729791 eabcd48a9b o - Raptor Migration Getting Ready To Take Flight — If the thought of crowds at Hawk Cliff may deter you, raptors can be found throughout the area. This American Kestrel, along with many others, was located west of town resting on a hydro pole.

Hawk Cliff is located at the end of Hawk Cliff Road overlooking Lake Erie. Parking is permitted at the sides of the road and this area gets quite busy especially during peak migration times. Carpooling is a good idea as I have heard complaints in the past about parking and accessibility at these times. Don’t let the crowds keep you from experiencing this incredible event. Crowds are much lighter during week days, so keep this in mind. You do not need to be right at the cliff to observe the migrating hawks. Great views of the birds are had along many of the county roads to the east and west of Port Stanley or from within the town itself. In fact, many species like Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Northern Harriers pass by inland of the cliff itself.

Songbirds and butterflies also migrate through this area as they too follow the north shore of Lake Erie. Warblers, swallows, and vireos are among the many bird species that are observed. Before their decline, hundreds of Monarch Butterflies could be seen migrating through.

11240676706 4a518fb5fe o - Raptor Migration Getting Ready To Take Flight — On cloudy or foggy days, raptor migration is slower. Birds like this Cooper’s Hawk will wait in the area for more favourable flight conditions.

9675028020 d03cfa095c o 267x300 - Raptor Migration Getting Ready To Take Flight — Osprey prefer to migrate during a southwest wind. The wind hitting the bank at Hawk Cliff creates lift for them

Weather plays an important role in raptor migration. Wind, cloud cover and rain all factor in. Birds follow the shoreline looking for a the shortest distance to cross over. This typically occurs at the western basin of Lake Erie. Many hawks use northwest winds to push them towards the shoreline of the lake. They then lower their altitude to avoid being pushed out over the lake, making for excellent views. Falcons, Eagles, and Osprey tend to prefer a southwest wind as they use the lift created by the wind hitting the cliff to push them along. Migration slows on rainy, foggy days as most birds wait for more navigable conditions. If planning a trip, pay close attention to the weather. Look for a northwest wind following a couple days of rain to produce the best flight.

For me, no trip to Port Stanley is complete without a visit to the sewage lagoons. Located on the cliff west of town, great views of raptors can be seen soaring over the open fields. Two large observation towers overlook four lagoons, a great place to observe migrating shorebirds. Yellowlegs, sandpipers, and Great Egrets can all be seen. Many waterfowl species also stop over to rest and feed on the lagoons. As is the case near Hawk Cliff, Eastern Bluebirds are present in this area. Keeping an eye on the wire fences and power lines overhead often produces good views. To access the lagoons, turn west on Warren Street from Colborne Street (Highway 4). Go straight up the hill at the four way stop. Here it turns into Lake Line. From Lake Line turn right onto Scotch Line and follow the curve in the road. The first observation tower will be visible on your left.

IMG 6374 1 - Raptor Migration Getting Ready To Take Flight — Lesser Yellowlegs foraging along the mud bank at the Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons.

If you are looking for a great place to do some late summer and fall birding, then check out the Port Stanley Lagoons and Hawk Cliff. Given the right weather conditions, you could be in for some of your highest day counts ever.

Good birding,
Paul

Plenty Of Colour Around To Help Us Put Winter Behind Us

If you have had enough of winter and the slow start to spring this year, heading out for a little birding will definitely put colour into your day. For the last several months it seems everything around us has been shades of white or grey. With plenty of snow and ice this past winter, I think we are all ready for the colours of spring.

IMG 9680 1 - Plenty Of Colour Around To Help Us Put Winter Behind Us — The orange breast of the American Robin adds plenty of colour and contrasts nicely against most backgrounds.

With the snow taking it’s time to melt, it may be a few weeks yet before we start to see colour in the form of daffodils, tulips, and crocuses emerging from the ground. Luckily there is plenty of colour in the birds around us to help forget about winter.

IMG 9695 1 - Plenty Of Colour Around To Help Us Put Winter Behind Us — The female Cardinal is not always considered a colourful bird, but their beautiful red and orange accents show otherwise.

On recent walks around some of my favourite birding hotspots, there has been a wide range of beautiful colours. Bright red male Northern Cardinals can be seen in the tree tops singing; establishing their territories and bringing in their mates. Speaking of mates, the red and orange accents of the female cardinal are quite stunning and can be easily forgotten when thinking of colourful birds. Robins are now more active and can be seen hopping across newly exposed grass searching for food in wet areas as the snow melts. Their bright orange breasts contrast against their dark backs as well as the remaining snow; painting a beautiful picture. Good numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds are around showing their red and yellow wing bars, and the beautiful plumage of Blue Jays really stands out this time of year against a leafless backdrop.

IMG 9774 1 - Plenty Of Colour Around To Help Us Put Winter Behind Us — The brilliantly coloured male Wood Duck is perhaps the most colourful bird we have in our area.

The return of some waterfowl to the Thames River this spring is adding some incredible colour. American Wigeons can be seen, the males showing a wonderful green stripe on their heads, with a baby blue bill and rusty patch on their sides. Perhaps the most colourful of all birds is the male Wood Duck. This gorgeous bird is a fantastic combination of green, red, orange, yellow, blue, maroon, purple, and white; impressing birders and non birders alike with it’s beauty.

IMG 9842 1 - Plenty Of Colour Around To Help Us Put Winter Behind Us — This male American Wigeon shows off a variety of colour.

If you feel your days are lacking some colour and you want to put the drab winter behind you, then I recommend taking a walk and enjoying the beauty our local birds present.

Good birding,
Paul

Spring Marks The Return Of Osprey To London Ontario

The Osprey is a large member of the raptor family that feeds almost entirely on fish. They can be found around any body of water from lakes and reservoirs to rivers and ponds. Since the ban of DDT their numbers have increased and can be readily found in the London area once they return in early spring from their wintering grounds, which stretches from the southern United States to Central and South America. Ospreys are tolerant of human activity and several pairs nest within the city limits in parks, Environmentally Significant Areas and along the Thames River.

Ospreys construct their nests of sticks and line them with bark and grasses. The nest is placed in an open area where an easy approach can be made. Look for Osprey nests in tree tops, crotches between tree branches or manmade structures such as telephone poles and lights posts. Ospreys usually mate for life and will reuse the same nest from year to year adding material to it each year. Nests can be as large as 13 feet deep and 6 feet across. Clutch sizes are 1-4 eggs with incubation lasting 5 weeks. Both adults take care of the brood and fledging takes place after 8-10 weeks.

IMG 5501 1 - Spring Marks The Return Of Osprey To London Ontario — This Osprey is landing on a nest constructed on the top of a light pole illuminating a neighbourhood baseball diamond.

As with most raptors Ospreys have incredible vision and can spot fish underwater from heights of over 100 feet. Once a fish is spotted the Osprey briefly hovers overhead before diving feet first into the water. The Osprey is specially adapted for a fish diet with closable nostrils to keep water out, reversible outer toes and backwards facing scales on their talons to help hold onto fish.

9675028020 d03cfa095c o1 - Spring Marks The Return Of Osprey To London Ontario — The Osprey is the only large raptor with a solid white belly. This is a key to identification and helps distinguish them from a juvenile Bald Eagle and other birds of prey.

Most years Ospreys start to reappear in the London area in early April. Given the cold winter and increased amount of ice across their migration route it may be later this year, unless we experience a significant warm up. Keep an eye out along river banks and shorelines of lakes and ponds once the ice is off. Ospreys are sometimes confused with Bald Eagles but there are several things to look for when identifying them. Mature Bald Eagles are larger and much stockier than the rather slender Osprey and have a solid white head and tail. The body of a mature eagle is solid brown, with the Osprey being a mix of brown and white. Ospreys are the only large raptor with a solid white unmarked belly. Juvenile Bald Eagles are mottled on their undersides and lack a white head.

Keep an eye to the sky and in tree limbs overhanging bodies of water in your favourite birding area. If you see a large brown and white raptor there is a good chance you’ve just spotted an Osprey.

Good birding,
Paul

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Spring Migration; What We Can Expect And When

With winter winding down many birders, myself included, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some spring migrants to the area. Spring is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy birding. With so many species returning to the area and the many flowers and trees starting to bloom it is a favourite season of many. So what birds can we expect as the weather begins to warm?

Species that arrive earliest in the spring or even a little before, are the ones that have the shortest distance to migrate north. Many of the blackbird species are first to arrive such as Red-winged and Common Grackles. The Killdeer is the first of the shorebirds to arrive and can usually be seen be seen by mid March. As temperatures rise higher and we get into late April and early May we can expect to be seeing Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Swallows and the beautiful Indigo Bunting.

IMG 2528 1 - Spring Migration; What We Can Expect And When — Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arrive a bit later, most years by late April. They are easily attracted to backyard feeders by offering safflower seed.

The spring Warbler migration is what birders look forward to the most and best numbers are recorded in early May. The Point Pelee Festival of Birds is a destination of many birders, due to the incredible number of migrating birds that stop there after crossing Lake Erie. This year the festival runs May 1st-19th. More information on the festival can be found here. The Yellow-rumped Warbler is most often the first of the Warblers observed with April being the month when good numbers start to appear followed next by Yellow Warblers.

8742001481 331c258327 c1 11 - Spring Migration; What We Can Expect And When — The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the first of the Warblers to show up in Spring.

Although Southwestern Ontario falls within the northern most part of many of these species winter range, these birds typically migrate in the fall to the northern United States and further south, especially during harsher winters like the one we have just experienced. Some sightings, including Killdeer have already been reported in our area.

Keeping your feeders full will help attract migrating birds looking to replenish their energy as they journey north. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Red-winged Blackbirds are particularly fond of safflower seed so make sure you are offering it. Other foods to attract spring migrants are nyjer and thistle seed. Not only will your resident Goldfinches love it, it is also a great food for attracting the Indigo Bunting. Slices of fresh orange placed around your yard are great for bringing in Baltimore Orioles.

Several days in a row of warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours help trigger migration. The addition of a south wind helps push these birds north. Migration varies from year to year depending on conditions. Some years the earliest of migrants start showing up by the end of March, while other years it may not be until April. The long range forecast for our area predicts daily high temperatures to be below freezing for most of the next 14 days, so it looks like we will have to be patient yet. Birding this time of year is especially exciting because it is only a matter of time before a species not seen for several months reappears.

Good birding,
Paul

Do Your Part To Help The Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly numbers are fast declining. In the Monarch butterfly’s wintering area in Mexico, scientists recorded the lowest levels of Monarchs ever in December 2013, a decrease of 44% from the previous year. They are declining everywhere. Here in Ontario, the destruction of Milkweed is the leading factor contributing to their dropping numbers. Common Milkweed up until this year was considered an invasive species in Ontario, and is destroyed every year by farmers using herbicides. Milkweed’s sap is toxic to some livestock and the stickiness of it can cause combines to become clogged during the harvest. Large quantities of Milkweed mixed in with a crop decreases yields and farmers profits; three factors leading to it’s eradication on farms. Milkweed is the only plant Monarch caterpillars feed on and thus the only plant where female Monarchs lay their eggs. As the Milkweed declines, so too does the Monarch.

The life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly is quite interesting. The life span of most adults is two to six weeks. Monarchs that have spent the winter in Mexico are about to start their migration north through the United States and into Canada. As the butterflies migrate north they lay their eggs on Milkweed plants. After laying the eggs the adult butterflies will die two to six weeks later. The eggs then hatch into caterpillars and they begin to feed on the Milkweed plant. After about two weeks the caterpillar attaches itself to a leaf using silk and becomes a chrysalis. This is when the caterpillar begins to change into a butterfly. The chrysalis phase lasts ten days and then the adult butterfly will emerge. Once the adult Monarch has emerged it will feed on the nectar from a variety of plants but the caterpillars only eat Milkweed. The new generation of Monarchs continue north with the new females laying eggs on Milkweed and then dying two to six weeks later. The entire migration consists of four generations of Monarchs with the last ones becoming butterflies in September or October. This generation has a longer life span, six to eight months, and is the one that migrates south to Mexico for the winter. After wintering in Mexico it is this fourth generation that migrates north the following spring to start the cycle again.

Common Milkweed has now been removed from the invasive species list in Ontario, in an effort to save the Monarch Butterfly. If you are reluctant to plant Milkweed because of the potential of it being poisonous to some animals if consumed, simply plant it in an area where your pet can’t access it. Take a look at a list of other common garden plants that are considered poisonous to dogs; many of these plants you may already have in your yard, for instance: Hostas, English Ivy, Clematis and Rose of Sharon to name a few. Adding Milkweed to your yard or not pulling existing Milkweed is the best way to help by giving these butterflies a place to lay their eggs and continue their life cycle. There are several species of Milkweed, so find out which is best suited to your area and yard conditions. Any member of the Asclepias (milkweed) family will do. Have several flowering bushes or fruit tress to first attract Monarchs to your yard and they will quickly find and use the Milkweed for laying their eggs. Flowers that bloom into early fall are important too, as their nectar will provide necessary energy for the Monarch’s long migration south.

Milkweed is the key to the future of the Monarch Butterfly. As it migrates north these plants are imperative to the Monarch’s life cycle and the existence of the species. We can only control what happens in our own backyard so don’t sit back and watch this species decline further. Do your part to help these beautiful butterflies survive and rebound. If you only plant one thing in your garden this spring, make sure it is Milkweed.

Good birding,
Paul

Fall Migration: It’s More Than Just Birds Leaving

With fall upon us bird migration is well underway and many people believe it to be over. Sure the big numbers of Warblers and Shorebirds have moved through and Raptor numbers peaked about a month ago, but there is still plenty out there to see. In fact fall migration isn’t just about what’s leaving or moving through, but what calls our area home for the winter. Several species of birds that spend their summers north of here have started moving in. Dark-eyed Juncos have appeared in good numbers this past week. Other species that can be seen are the various Sparrow species such as, White-throated, White-crowned, and American Tree Sparrows to name a few.

As fall progresses and turns to winter watch for more and more birds to arrive. Raptors like the Rough-legged Hawk and Owls such as the Snowy generally set up shop for winter in our area sometime in December. Bald Eagle numbers also increase in our area during winter months. Eagles are less territorial in winter and several can be seen in the same area. Many species of waterfowl will show up as cooler weather arrives. Buffleheads, Mergansers, and Goldeneye are all duck species I’ve photographed all winter long on the Thames River. Each of these species of duck dives for it’s food so they require open water for survival. The Thames River with it’s constant flow provides just that.

Winter months provide an amazing opportunity to see several bird species that just are not around at other times of the year. Pick a species that resides here for the winter that you have never seen before. Do a little research as to what type of habitat it prefers and think of places you know that fit that description. Bundle up and head out to those places and see if you can locate one. If you prefer the comforts of a warm car and a Timmies many of these species can be found while driving on county roads. It is a great way to make the winter feel shorter and you’ll be surprised at how rewarded you feel when your hard work pays off.

Good birding,
Paul