One of three Snowy Owls I located in an area where these birds typically overwinter.
While many people may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, the lack of snow in our area has made locating one bird much easier. Snowy Owls have returned to overwinter and new sightings are being reported daily throughout Southwestern Ontario. These large owls are often found sitting on the ground in open fields and are much easier to locate without any snow. Increased sightings and a lack of snow make now the perfect time to search for these owls.
I decided to check out a well-known wintering area west of London for Snowy Owls last week, and quickly located three in a couple of kilometer stretch of road. Knowing that Snowy Owls also like to perch high up on hydro poles, on fences posts, and even on top of agricultural buildings, I scanned high and low searching for these owls. Two of the birds were perched high up on hydro poles, and one was on a fence post. The bird on the fence post could have easily gone unnoticed if there was snow in the background. With no snow accumulation in the forecast for our area until late in the week, I recommend getting out there and searching for Snowy Owls.
When searching for Snowy Owls it is important to look high and low. These owls often perch on hydro poles, fence posts, agricultural buildings, and even on the ground.
When searching for Snowy Owls there are a few things to keep in mind. Patience is key. Snowy Owls will stay in the same area until February or March if not disturbed. Once an owl is located, be prepared to return to the same location many times to achieve and optimal view or photo. Many times these birds will be too far from the road to get a great look or a decent photo. By simply returning another day the same bird may be in a better location providing excellent views and photo opportunities. Remember to be respectful of property owners, fellow birders, and most importantly the owls. So often I see people chasing the owls out in the fields or from post to post hoping to get an optimal look or photo. Keep in mind many of these birds are on private property and land owners do not want birders trespassing on their land. Chasing the owls puts unnecessary stress on the birds, and denies other birders the opportunity to observe the bird. If the view or photo you are hoping for doesn’t present itself, return another day.
This Snowy Owl, photographed last winter, demonstrates how well camouflaged they are in a snow covered field. Increased sightings and a lack of snow make now the perfect time to search for these owls.
When you do come across a Snowy Owl and wish to photograph it, stay in your car. Snowy Owls are less stressed by humans in cars and you will be able to achieve better and longer views than if you try to approach on foot. If needed, circle back to position your vehicle in an ideal location so you are not shooting into the sun, but stay in your car. Again be patient. If you need to drive down the road to safely turn around, do so. There is no need to jam on the brakes and pull a U turn if you suddenly spot a Snowy Owl on top of a hydro pole. In fact, erratic car movements such as quickly braking, accelerating or turning are more likely to startle the owl causing it to fly. Once in position, roll your window down and shut off your car. Use the top of your door to help steady your camera. Turning the car off will eliminate any camera shake caused by engine vibrations.
By staying in my vehicle I was able to achieve great views of this Snowy Owl and managed several photos. The owl was not stressed by my presence and casually turned its head from side to side as other vehicles passed. Satisfied with my views and photos, I carried on leaving the owl unstressed and in the same location for others to enjoy. Would I have preferred a more dramatic background than a cloudy, rainy sky? Of course I would, but I know I can return multiple times this winter to this area and find the same owls perhaps against a different backdrop. It is more important to me as a birder to put the best interest of the birds first, than to achieve the “perfect shot” as a photographer.
Hooded Mergansers are one of the many waterfowl species that overwinter on the Thames River.
Winter is less then a week away and temperatures are not feeling very wintery. However, the Thames River is offering nice views of some winter waterfowl. The Thames River is a popular overwintering area for a wide variety of diving ducks, and many of the regular winter visitors are now present.
Common Mergansers are the most abundant of the winter species currently being observed on the Thames River.
Over the past week I have been checking out various sections of the Thames River between Springbank and Harris Parks. This my favourite section of the river for finding winter waterfowl. The most abundant species present throughout this section is the Common Merganser. Several small groups of Hooded Mergansers, were also observed on this section of river. These small ducks, especially the females, are sometimes difficult to spot from a distance. Their dark plumage blends in against the river, so watching for movement or a ripple on the water can be helpful. The males, with their white feathers on the sides of their crests, are much easier to locate. Many times I spot the males first, then notice the females mixed in within the group upon closer inspection. Buffleheads are also present, but not in the the same numbers as the Mergansers yet. Earlier this week I noticed my first pair of Common Goldeneyes of the season on the river.
Female Hooded Mergansers can be difficult to spot at far distances. Their drab colour tends to blend in with the water.
These, and other ducks, overwinter annually on the Thames river and will be present throughout the winter months. If you wish to view some of these species on the river, but do not want to cover the several kilometer section I mentioned, than I would suggest Greenway Park. I observed the highest concentration of winter waterfowl between the CN overpass and the outflow at Greenway Pollution Control Plant. This narrow section of river provides excellent views, even if you don’t own a pair of binoculars or spotting scope. Make sure to move slowly and quietly along the banks as many of these northern species are not as accustomed to human presence as our resident ducks. The slightest noise or erratic movement will startle these birds, causing them swim to the far side of the river or fly off.
This past week saw a pair of Common Goldeneyes show up on the Thames River.
As winter sets in and temperatures fall, many of our local water bodies will ice up. As the amount of frozen water increases across the area, so too will the number of ducks on the Thames. Often in January and February the Thames River is the only open water in the area for these diving ducks to feed, making it the perfect place to observe winter waterfowl. If observing winter waterfowl is on your birding wishlist this season, than I highly recommend checking out the Thames River.
Camera settings are what make or break a picture. Knowing how to adjust on the fly will greatly increase the number of keepers you shoot. 1/320th second ISO 1250 f6.3 at 400mm.
I am receiving a lot of questions lately from followers asking about my camera gear, camera settings, and any pointers I can offer to help them with their bird photography. This post is designed to help answer some of these questions and hopefully give you something to take away to help improve your shots.
Currently, I am using the Canon 7D with the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. I do like the versatility of the zoom, but have to admit the majority of my shots are taken at 400mm. I love the 8 frames per second on the 7D, especially for photographing birds in flight, and the autofocus on the 100-400mm is accurate and fast. New models of both of these pieces of equipment were introduced this year, so if you are looking to upgrade, prices have been drastically reduced on these noncurrent items.
I like to incorporate my bird photography with hiking, so for this reason, I do not use a tripod and shoot everything handheld. I am not one to stay in the same spot long, so for me setting up and taking down a tripod is too much of a hassle. I do use a tripod for landscape photography.
Under ideal conditions, I like to shoot with low ISO and a high shutter speed. The low ISO results in a less noisy image and the high shutter speed helps freeze the action if the bird moves. 1/1250th second ISO 640 f8 at 400mm.
My first piece of advice, if you haven’t already done so, is to stop shooting in any of the program modes. In these modes, the cameras adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed automatically. The camera does it’s best job to get these settings right, but when it comes to bird photography these program modes will really hold you back.
As far as what settings I use, this obviously varies depending on the conditions. I like to use the lowest ISO possible, but maintain a high enough shutter speed to freeze the action. Unfortunately, with birds this is where the difficulty comes in. In order to get a high enough shutter speed, you must increase the ISO, but if you increase the ISO too much you get noisy images. In order to improve the quality, you must first understand the limitations of your equipment.
Regardless of what camera and lens set up you own, it is going to perform best at certain settings. For example, a camera’s image quality drastically decreases once you reach a certain ISO. Similarly, lenses are much sharper when not shot at their widest apertures. It doesn’t matter if you own an entry-level DSLR and kit lens or a top of the line professional body and super-telephoto lens, each piece of equipment has what I call a sweet spot.
Photographing birds in flight requires a fast shutter speed. Sometimes a little blur on the wings is nice to capture the element of motion. 1/800th second ISO 400 f8 at 400mm.
Finding your camera’s sweet spot is quite easy, but requires the use of a tripod to eliminate any shake factor. Go outside and look for a subject to photograph. Make sure it is something stationary as you are going to take several shots of the same object. Switch your camera to aperture priority mode and extend your lens to it’s maximum range. Adjust the aperture on your camera to the widest aperture for your lens. On most kit lenses this will be f5.6. Set your ISO to 100. In aperture priority mode the camera will adjust the shutter speed for you. Take a photo of the predetermined object. Increase your ISO to 200 and take another photo of the same object. Continue to do this throughout the ISO settings on your camera. This will allow you to see the increased noise as you increase ISO, and where on your camera it becomes too noisy.
Similarly, you are going to want to do the same with aperture. To do this, keep your ISO at the same setting and only adjust your aperture. Again, the camera will adjust the shutter speed accordingly for proper exposure. Take repeated shots of the same stationary object as you narrow your aperture, f6.3, f7.1, f8, etc. You will notice your images become sharper. This will let you know at what aperture your lens is sharpest.
As is the case with anything, practice is key. The more you shoot, the better you will become. 1/1250th second ISO 500 f8 at 400mm.
If you are just starting out I recommend shooting in aperture priority mode. Set your ISO to auto, but a maximum of whatever value your camera still performs best at. In most cases this will be 800. Set your aperture to the sharpest value you determined in the previous test. Note: be sure to keep a wide enough aperture to allow adequate shutter speeds, which are required to capture sharp images of moving birds. Likely f8 is going to be best. By doing this, you are shooting at the best possible aperture and ISO for camera and lens combination, while the camera adjusts the shutter speed. Light conditions are going to play a huge factor so I recommend doing this under good light conditions. By narrowing your aperture and limiting your ISO, I think you will see an improvement in your image quality.
As conditions change throughout the day so too must your camera settings. 1/640th second f8 ISO 800 at 400mm.
I have since moved to full manual mode, which gives full control over shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. With my particular set up, my lens is sharpest at f8 and images start to get increasingly noisy above 800 ISO. For this reason, I try to shoot at these settings and adjust my shutter speed accordingly to achieve proper exposure. Ideally, I like a shutter speed of 1/1000 or slightly higher, especially to freeze a moving bird. For birds in flight, I will increase this even higher. Unfortunately, light conditions do not always allow for this so shutter speed, aperture, or ISO must be adjusted accordingly.
Weather conditions do not always allow fast shutter speeds, low ISO, and optimum apertures; camera settings must be adjusted accordingly. 1/200th second f5.6 ISO 800 at 400mm.
Sharp images are still achievable at lower shutter speeds with the help of image stabilization if the bird holds still. Practice holding your camera steady; keeping your arms close to your body will help eliminate shake. Use your knee or some other object to help stabilize your camera. Breathing can also help reduce camera shake. Once you have composed your shot and focused on a bird, take a breath in. Exhale slowly and gently press the shutter once you have almost expelled your breath. I have found this technique incredibly helpful. Quite often shake is caused by excitement of a new species or anticipation of a shot, and practicing this breathing helps calm and relax you prior to the shot.
Black-capped Chickadee. 1/200th second ISO 800 f5.6 at 400mm.
Shoot often and take lots of pictures. That is the joy of digital. Hundreds of images can be easily discarded without spending a fortune on film or developing charges. Do not get discouraged, use each outing as a learning experience, and try to improve one aspect of your photography each time you are out. Most importantly, only compare your photos against your photos. There will always be photographers who produce better images than you and those who do not. This for me has been the best way to see and measure results.
If you have any further questions regarding bird photography, I am always available and willing to offer assistance. If a private, one on one or small group lesson in the field would be beneficial to you please contact me and we can arrange a time and place.
This Red-bellied Woodpecker displays the reddish belly for which they are named; the grey crown indicated this bird is a female.
When it comes to birds and birding, “What is your favourite bird” is the question I am asked most frequently. It is a difficult question to answer because I can honestly say I love all birds. Some I prefer more than others but I do love them all, even Starlings and Grackles.
If I had name a bird as my favourite, it would be the Red-bellied Woodpecker. I find their black and white feather pattern combined with their red crowns and napes simply striking. Their ascending, rolling call is music to my ears. The fact that these birds are easily found clinging to tree trunks in plain view, is another point in favour for this bird. Their medium size, colour, and call make locating and photographing these birds much easier than smaller birds that prefer a more dense habitat. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often called Red Headed Woodpeckers by mistake, a separate species of woodpecker. The reddish belly for which they are named is most often held close to tree trunks and therefore is seldom seen.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often found clinging to tree trunks and stumps searching for food.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are year round residents in our area and can be found in most forests and wooded areas. These birds also regularly frequent city parks and backyards. If you wish to attract these and other woodpeckers to your property, the addition of a peanut and suet feeder will certainly help.
Red-bellied and other woodpeckers use their powerful beaks to excavate food from trees. The solid red crown indicates that this bird is a male.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers feed on insects, nuts, seeds and berries and are most often seen clinging to tree trunks searching for food. Woodpeckers listen for insects and other arthropods living behind the tree’s bark. Once food is located, they use their powerful beaks to move the bark or excavate a hole in the trunk. Next their long, sticky tongue is used to remove their meal. Red-bellied and other woodpeckers can also be seen storing food such as seeds and nuts behind tree bark and in cavities to be consumed later.
Woodpeckers use their long sticky tongues to extract insects and other arthropods from tree cavities.Success! Today’s meal appears to be some type of larva or grub.
If finding one of these woodpeckers is something you wish to do, start by learning their call. I say this about a lot of birds, but in the case of the Red-bellied Woodpecker their call is easily recognized and they are not shy about using it to give away their location. If one of these birds is in the area you will hear it. Next time you come across a Red-bellied Woodpecker, admire their beautiful colours, markings and call. Once you do, it may become one of your favourite birds as well.
The brilliant red wing feathers of the Cedar Waxwing often go overlooked unless viewed from close range.
If you are looking for excellent views of the beautiful Cedar Waxwing, late fall, and early winter is the perfect time. These colourful birds are a year-round resident of our area, but with leafless trees and predictable movements at this time of year, some of the best views are now achievable.
Cedar Waxwings can be found in a wide variety of habitats including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, city parks, backyards, and alongside rivers and ponds. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and berries, but during summer months insects are also consumed. Waxwings are a common backyard visitor if you happen to have Serviceberry, Mountain Ash, Dogwoods, or other fruit-producing trees and shrubs in your yard. Unless you have a large property with several fruit trees, visits will likely be short-lived as these birds quickly devour all the fruit from a tree and then move on.
The diet of a Cedar Waxwing consists solely of berries during winter months.
During late fall and winter, large flocks of Cedar Waxwings can be found feeding on remaining berries on various trees and shrubs. With a limited diet and food sources this time of year, locating these birds is quite easy. Find berries and you will find Cedar Waxwings. Once a flock is located, they can be observed feeding in the same location for days until all of the fruit is consumed. In areas where fruit trees are abundant, Cedar Waxwings will be found all winter, only moving short distances to search for food.
This past week I discovered a large flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding on berries in Springbank Park. The flock was observed feeding daily in the same group of trees. The birds were more interested in feeding than they were concerned with my presence, and many views were had from merely an arm’s length away. In fact, I had to step back in order to photograph the birds with a 400mm lens. The week passed and the trees are now completely void of berries. Fortunately, the area is full of fruit trees and I located the flock only a short distance away. Knowing these predictable feeding areas and movements will provide excellent views, and photo opportunities all winter as the birds move along the river.
Cedar Waxwing reaching for a berry.
The silent movements of Cedar Waxwings often go unnoticed as they flit around consuming berries. It is not uncommon to be right next to these birds without detecting their presence. Learning their soft whistling call is a great help in locating Cedar Waxwings. Flocks of Waxwings will regularly perch high in trees letting out their soft calls while others feed closer to the ground. It is these faint whistles that will alert you of Cedar Waxwings in the area.
Pay close attention to trees and shrubs that still contain fruit next time you are out birding. When an area is discovered, listen for the soft whistles of the Cedar Waxwing. Once located, these birds will provide colourful views for you all winter long.
Cold temperatures and a dusting of snow had birds like this Black-capped Chickadee seeking food and shelter.
What a difference a week makes. Last Tuesday, temperatures in London spiked to 16°C. For many, outdoor activities were enjoyed in a light jacket or sweater. So far this week, we’ve seen a light dusting of snow and daytime highs hovering around -6°C. Add in the windchill and it feels more like -19°C.
Birds use several techniques to keep warm in cold weather. Feather puffing, demonstrated by this Song Sparrow, creates pockets of air which act as insulation. Shivering increases their metabolism, generating more body heat.
Not one to let the cold keep me indoors and needing my daily fix of birds, I headed to Westminster Ponds ESA. I knew the strong southwest wind blowing at 35kmh and gusting to over 50kmh would make the birding a bit tricky. Finding areas that provide shelter from the wind and a source of food for the birds would be key to having success. Fortunately there are plenty of such areas within the ESA.
I decided to start my walk in the woods knowing that the row of Eastern White Pine trees on the edge of the forest would provide an excellent wind break. Among the pines I could hear the calls of the Black-capped Chickadee. Pausing briefly, I could see several birds flitting amongst the branches, inspecting the cones for any remaining seeds. As I entered the mixed deciduous forest behind the row of pines, more Chickadees appeared. Also present were Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and a White-breasted Nuthatch.
Male Northern Cardinal feeding on a Common Buckthorn berry.
The back edge of the forest is overgrown with Common Buckthorn, an invasive species in Ontario. Despite the fact that they are not native, several bird species feed on their berries during winter months when other food becomes scarce. I have read mixed reports on whether or not buckthorn berries are healthy for birds. Some suggest the berries give birds diarrhea and can lead to dehydration, others claim only unripe berries cause diarrhea. It is believed that buckthorn berries are less nutritious than native berries because they are higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein and fat. Regardless of which theory is true, you cannot argue the fact that birds eat buckthorn berries. Among the tangles of buckthorn branches, several Northern Cardinals were present feeding on the bounty of fruit.
Following the trail through the buckthorn thicket, I could hear the high pitched notes of the Golden-crowned Kinglet. Glancing amongst the maze of branches revealed two of these birds. As is the case with all birds, learning their songs and calls is the best way to locate them. If not for hearing them, these tiny little birds would have gone unnoticed.
Berries from the Common Buckthorn tree, an invasive species in Ontario, are a popular food of the American Robin during winter.
The stand of trees on the west side of Saunders Pond yielded a sufficient wind break for a group of Mallards making their way along the thin ice at the ponds edge. Hooded Mergansers could be seen further out toward the north shore. The row of Common Buckthorn alongside the boardwalk revealed a flock of American Robins feeding on the berries. A single Song Sparrow was present seeking refuge from the wind.
The winter range of the American Robin stretches across our region and even into Quebec and the Maritimes. Look for them in winter along forest edges, rivers, and ponds where berry trees and shrubs are present.
After circling the pond, I came to the open meadow on the east side. The wind was howling across the pond, but I managed to find shelter behind a row of trees. Scanning over what was left of this year’s grasses and wildflowers, I could hear the tweets and chirps of several birds. The most abundant were Northern Cardinals and Dark-eyed Juncos. Further scanning of the area produced a lone Fox Sparrow feeding close to the ground. Having never managed a clear photograph of one of these birds, I was excited for the opportunity. Unfortunately, it never ventured far enough out of the thick cover for me to obtain an obstruction free shot.
Getting a clear shot of this Fox Sparrow was made difficult by the thick cover.
Dressed properly, I was quite comfortable despite the frigid temperatures and strong wind. Even with less than ideal conditions, I still enjoyed a productive day birding. It is important when faced with difficult conditions to always put the odds in your favour. Paying close attention to the conditions and my surroundings, combined with finding locations that provided food and shelter are what made made this outing successful and enjoyable. Keep these factors in mind when you go birding and I think you too will have similar success.
Common Goldeneye are one of several waterfowl species that migrate to the Thames River during winter months. These, and other diving ducks, plunge below the surface to feed on aquatic life making open water critical to their survival. The fast flowing water of the Thames River prevents it from freezing completely, making it attractive to several species.
For avid birders like myself, birding in cold weather is a given. Others who are new to birding, or not as fanatical as I am, may not realize the full potential of winter birding. For me winter birding has several benefits. First it keeps me active. Finding a place outdoors with a network of paths or trails to walk and plenty of birds to see is a great way to combine my favourite hobby with exercise. The combination of the two helps not only my physical health, but my mental health as well. Birding and being active in the outdoors is the perfect cure for the winter blues. Take last winter for instance; so many people were unhappy with the cold weather and relentless snowfall, but I embraced it. I found myself outdoors every chance I had, searching for bird species that overwinter across our region. Without my connection to the outdoors, I definitely would have been left feeling rather down with winter.
During extreme weather, the chances for rare or unusual sightings are much greater. Some birds that do not typically migrate to our area may find themselves here in search of food. This was the case last winter when I observed two Red-throated Loons on the Thames River, the first recorded sighting of this species in Middlesex County since 1898. Irruptions, the sudden increase in a bird population in an area, also can take place during extreme weather conditions as birds follow or search for a food source.
The sighting of two Red-throated Loons on the Thames River in London, Ontario was the first winter sighting in Middlesex County since 1898.
Several bird species do migrate annually into our area to spend the winter. Getting out in the cold is a necessity if we want to view these birds close to home. London is blessed with the Thames River. The number of waterfowl species that migrate from the far north to spend winter on the open river and feed is remarkable. It is only during winter months we can observe White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, and Common Goldeneye to name a few along the river. The narrow watercourse provides excellent views, even without the use of a spotting scope or binoculars.
Observing Snowy Owls is a great reason to get out birding during winter months.
Snowy Owls are frequently seen across our area during winter months. Last season’s irruption was quite spectacular. These large white Owls were seen north, south, east, and west of the city, with a few reported sightings within the city limits. The greatest numbers were to the south of the city, with several sightings coming from the Scotland Drive and Old Victoria Road area, and around the city dump on Manning Drive. Another popular location to observe Snowy Owls is in the Strathroy area. Snowy Owls often return to the same area each winter and have been recorded in this location annually for several years. A local birder reported seeing one along Egremont Drive outside of Strathroy on Friday.
The Northern Shrike, a predatory songbird, is only found in our area during winter months.
Northern Shrikes are another fascinating bird that inhabit London during winter. Westminster Ponds, Fanshawe Conservation Area and Greenway Park are all locations where I have observed these birds. Shrikes are unique in that they are a predatory songbird, feeding on small birds and rodents, often impaling them on thorny trees and wire fences. Roughly the size of a Blue Jay, they can be found over open fields, and along forest edges where they prefer tall trees for perching. Shrikes will often kill more prey than they can consume and store their prey for a later meal.
Bald Eagles are readily observed along the Thames River throughout the winter.
Winter is also a great time of year to view raptors. These large birds are more easily viewed at this time of year when there are no leaves on the trees. Owls are often sought out by winter birders for this reason. Among the largest Owls in our area, the Great Horned, begins nesting as early as February. Listening for pairs hooting back and forth at dusk is great way to locate these birds in winter. Returning under better light conditions to the same area often results in nice views. Remember to respect the birds and not approach too closely especially during nesting season.
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles are a large raptor that are more readily observed during winter months in the city. They too use the Thames River as a food source and are easily found on various stretches of the river. One of my favourite places to view Eagles is at Greenway Park. These birds often perch in the tall Poplar trees directly across from the Greenway Pollution Control Plant, providing excellent views.
American Tree Sparrows are one of several songbirds present only during the winter in our area.
Winter birding is quite enjoyable when dressed for the weather. Let’s face it, no activity is fun if you are not comfortable. Investing in some quality winter clothing is the first step to successful winter birding. If you are wondering what I recommend wearing to stay warm, I wrote a post last winter on this subject which can be read here.
With winter days so short and much of our time spent indoors at work or the hockey arena, getting outside can be a huge benefit. I think if you try it, you will agree that partaking in an outdoor hobby is a great way to enjoy winter. Birding is a low impact, inexpensive, physical activity that is fun for the whole family, regardless of age or gender. If you are looking for new past time this winter, then why not give birding a try?
White-Throated Sparrows can now be readily observed in our area.
Now is the perfect time to get out and search for Sparrows. Several species breed to our north but spend winter months across our region, making fall and winter the only times to see these birds in our area. Among these are the American Tree Sparrow, White-Crowned Sparrow and White-Throated Sparrow. Good numbers of these Sparrows can now be observed across the region.
The winter range of the American Tree Sparrow includes Southwestern Ontario.
Sparrows are an easy bird to find. They prefer a habitat that consists of open areas, thickets, and undergrowth, making forest edges an excellent place to locate them. As with most birds, their diet varies depending on season and is comprised of insects, seeds, and berries. This time of year I prefer to search Goldenrod fields on the edge of a forest for Sparrows, as they can be found feeding heavily on the seeds from this common wild flower.
White-Crowned Sparrows are another species that breed far to our north, but overwinter throughout the area.
Sparrows forage on, or close to the ground so looking low will yield the best results. These birds, especially the ones that have recently migrated from the north can be extremely skittish, so walk slowly and quietly while searching for them. Sparrows can also be located by listening for their songs and calls which consist of various chirps, tweets and whistles. The songs of these birds are quite beautiful, making listening to them as rewarding as observing them.
Juvenile White-Crowned Sparrow
Identifying Sparrows can be far more difficult than locating them. At a quick glance, Sparrows appear as a brown flash, but subtle differences are key to proper identification. In particular, pay attention to crown colour, beak colour, throat and chest colour, wing bars and breast markings. Many Sparrows at this time of year are still displaying juvenile plumage making identification even more confusing. For more advanced birders, Sparrows can also be identified by their song.
House Sparrows are year round residents in our area.
Resident Sparrows are also found throughout our area. These species include: House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Field Sparrows, and Swamp Sparrows. These birds can be found in the same habitat as overwintering Sparrows, with the exception of Swamp Sparrows which prefer areas consisting of marshes, ponds and wet areas.
Field Sparrows are short distance migrators. Some will leave the area, but their winter range extends along the north shore of Lake Erie making winter sightings not uncommon.
Many Sparrows, including the winter species often visit backyards and can be observed around feeders. Most species prefer to feed on the ground consuming seed that other birds have scattered, but some will land directly on a feeder, especially platform feeders. A quality mixed feed consisting of sunflower seed, cut corn, white millet, and peanuts will attract Sparrows. Having cover around your yard will make it more attractive to Sparrows. Hedges, small shrubs and dense gardens are much more appealing to them than an open yard. If your yard lacks cover, but you wish to attract more Sparrows consider adding a brush pile. Instead of bundling sticks from around your yard and placing them to the curb for collection, create a pile of them in one area of your yard. Not only will Sparrows be attracted to a brush pile, other birds including Juncos, Wrens and Cardinals will too. Brush piles provide shelter from the elements and predators and are a great addition to any bird lovers yard.
Song Sparrows can also be found year round in Southwestern Ontario.
If you are like me and keep a life list of birds, then watching for Sparrows and properly identifying them is a great way to add several species to your list. Sparrows are much more colourful than many may realize. Feather colours consist of white, yellow, tan, and rust; in addition their various streaked and striped markings make them a beautiful bird. Next time you are out, pay attention to Sparrows and see how many different species you can identify and add to your own list.
