Baltimore Orioles are one of the more vibrant birds that regularly visit backyards. These colourful birds are easy to attract by offering their favourite foods.
The next big wave of migrants is set to descend on Southwestern Ontario. Included in this group will be the Baltimore Oriole. Orioles overwinter in the southern United States, Central, and South America returning each spring in late April or early May. Reports of these birds in our area are beginning to come in, so it is time to think about attracting them to your yard.
The striking plumage of the male Baltimore Oriole is a welcome sight in any yard.
Feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar the Baltimore Oriole doesn’t visit your typical backyard feeder filled with seed; however, they will visit a feeder designed specifically for orioles. A nectar feeder, similar to those used for hummingbirds, is one of the more popular feeders used by homeowners to attract orioles to their yards. Since orioles have larger bills than hummingbirds, these feeders have larger ports for the birds to access the nectar.
Nectar can be made easily at home by mixing four parts water with one part sugar. In a pot, bring one cup of water to a boil on your stove. Add 1/4 cup of white sugar and stir as the sugar dissolves. Remove the mixture from the stove and allow it to cool before filling your feeder. Be sure to replace the nectar in your feeder regularly, especially in warmer weather.
As is the case with most birds, female Baltimore Orioles are not as colorful as their male counterparts.
Oranges are another great option to offer orioles that visit your backyard. By placing either orange slices or halves around your yard, orioles will quickly move in to consume the fruit. Orange halves and slices can be stuck on tree branches, shepherd’s hooks, or anywhere the birds can access them. It has been my experience that squirrels too will eat oranges, so it is a good idea to place them in a location where these small mammals cannot access them. Commercial feeders designed specifically for offering oranges are also available at your local seed retailer.
Regardless of which food you decide to offer orioles, make sure it is fresh. Nectar, oranges, and jelly all spoil faster than traditional bird foods, especially in warmer temperatures.
Grape jelly is another excellent food for attracting orioles to your yard. Be careful though, as not all jellies are created equal. Many grape jellies available at your local grocery store are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and contain other artificial sweeteners and colours that offer no nutritional value and could potentially be harmful to the birds. Check the ingredients on the label and ensure that the grape jelly you buy is either unsweetened or sweetened with sugar only. If you are unsure, commercial jelly designed specifically for birds is available at your local seed retailer.
Grape jelly can be placed outside in a shallow dish, or again commercial feeders are available specifically for jelly. Some of these feeders are combination feeders, meaning they will accommodate oranges and jelly, or oranges, jelly, and nectar. Visit your local seed retailer to see the wide variety of commercial oriole feeders available. As is the case with nectar and oranges, replace the jelly regularly, especially in warmer weather. When replacing the food, whether it’s nectar, oranges, or jelly, clean the feeder at the same time. This too will ensure the health of the birds.
Oriole sightings are being reported from around our area. If you haven’t already, add an oriole feeder to your yard and attract this stunning beauty.
Orioles are one of the more vibrant birds that will visit a backyard and are easy to attract. If you haven’t put your oriole feeder out yet, now is the time. If you don’t own an oriole feeder, I highly recommend adding one to your yard. These feeders are inexpensive to purchase and well worth the investment once you see that first flash of black and orange in your backyard.
While birding in seclusion this past week I had some amazing views including this Pine Warbler in a pine tree.
In my recent post, Underutilized Area Houses An Array Of Spring Migrants I wrote about birding lately at a secluded location while achieving great views of a variety of species. This past week I returned to this area several times to bird in seclusion which resulted in great birding and many more first of year species.
Large quantities of White-crowned Sparrows, a first of years species for me, were observed this past week.
As was the case last week Eastern Towhees, Brown Thrashers, and Gray Catbirds were among the most abundant species. Several first of year sparrow species were observed including White-crowned and Lincoln’s. As I scanned the open fields and forest edges with my binoculars the sight of these birds strewn across the ground could be seen while the sounds of leaves rustling under their feet as they foraged could be heard. It truly was impressive.
Several thrushes were observed including Veery
Thrushes were also abundant with Hermit, Gray-cheeked, Wood, and Veery all recorded. When it comes to thrushes, Veery seem to be the least concerned about people and incredible views from a few feet are often obtainable if you move slowly.
The Ovenbird can easily be mistaken for a thrush as they are similar in appearance and are typically observed on the forest floor. Despite these similarities, Ovenbirds are a warbler.
Several first of year warblers were observed with Black-throated Green, Nashville, Common Yellowthroat, and Ovenbird all seen. Other warblers present were Pine, Palm, Yellow-rumped, and many Yellow.
This past week I saw an increased number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles were noticed in higher numbers this week as were flycatchers with several Least Flycatchers observed.
This cute baby Raccoon and its siblings emerged from a broken-off tree.
While working my way along a trail I heard a familiar sound. With my brain focussed on birds, I couldn’t place the call I was hearing. I then realized the sound was not a bird but in fact raccoons. As I looked around I saw several cute baby raccoons spilling out of a broken-off tree as their mom wandered down into the ravine.
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Chipmunks could be seen scurrying along the forest floor and across fallen logs while their chip and chuck calls could be heard throughout the property.
Male Yellow Warbler singing
I still haven’t seen an impressive number of warblers in this area as I have with some of the other species mentioned. Geographically and in terms of habitat this area has plenty to offer warblers so it may be a case of these birds running a bit late this year. Whether this will happen or not at this location remains to be seen. Every aspect of this spring has been unusual so far including the weather and lack of winds with a southerly component so I am still optimistic large quantities of warblers will appear and I will certainly be returning next week to find out.
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The element of seclusion added to the experience as it was just me and the birds. It’s not that I’m antisocial or don’t like people, birding in seclusion is my way to distress, let go of any unwanted emotions, and reset my brain. While some may meditate or turn to other self-care activities, I go birding. Given the uncertainty of everything going on in the world right now and the advice to continue with physical distancing, I have been avoiding any location I feel will be too busy. This includes all of the locations I would typically visit at this time of year. Being able to relax and unwind in nature has been something I am grateful for.
Unlike many other warblers that are typically observed high overhead, the Palm Warbler prefers to spend most of its time on the ground.
I have uploaded a new video to YouTube from my visit to this area last week titled A Great Day Birding At A Secluded Areawhere you can see many of the aforementioned species in action. If you enjoy my videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
This area of seclusion has been full of Eastern Towhees over the past several weeks. Pictured here is a male.
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I am still seeing good numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in our area leading me to believe that migration may be a little bit behind this year.
If you have the opportunity, find your own secluded area and get out and enjoy nature. I think with more consistent weather, warmer temperatures, and a south wind we could see a big movement of birds, in particular, warblers to our area. With parks and conservation areas opening up remember to take the necessary precautions and continue to physical distance. With a little forethought, we can all enjoy the great outdoors while not setting society back or making our sacrifices over the past two months for nothing.
Great views of Eastern Towhees and a variety of other spring migrants have been achieved while birding an underutilized area.
Birding this spring has certainly been unique. Unique in the sense that with provincial parks and many conservation areas closed the obvious destinations for taking in spring migration have been off-limits. As a result, I have found myself frequenting an area that remains open and is underutilized to get my fix of spring migrants.
Yellow Warblers are one of the earliest arriving warblers in Southwestern Ontario and can now be readily observed.
Now when I say underutilized I don’t just mean in regards to birding I mean underutilized period. This area has been almost absent of birders, dog walkers, runners, you name it. If fact, having spent all day at this location multiple times this spring the busiest day saw just three other users over the course of the entire day. I’ve had this area virtually to myself all day and the birding has been great.
Brown Thrasher
All of the migrants I would expect to see the first week of May have been present with some seen in greater numbers than others. On one visit, I saw more Brown Thrashers in a single day than I have before in my entire life. Warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, as well as a plethora of resident species, have also been plentiful.
On one visit to this area, I was greeted to the calls of a Wood Thrush as I exited my car. After scanning with my binoculars I located the bird foraging under a spruce tree.
Wood Thrushes, a species currently listed as special concern on Ontario’s species at risk list, have been surprisingly prevalent at this location. These birds along with the aforementioned Brown Thrashers, Eastern Towhees, and White-throated Sparrows could be heard scratching in the leaf litter on the forest floor.
Gray Catbirds can be a challenge to see due to their propensity to frequent thick cover. Fortunately, their cat-like call helps reveal their location.
Working my way along the dense thickets at the edge of the forest, the cat-like meow of Gray Catbirds could be heard. Fortunately, some birds could be observed on top of the thickets feeding on berries affording me the opportunity for a photo or two.
This Black-and-White Warbler is one of the many warblers I have observed while birding in this area.
Most of the warblers that return the first week of May have been recorded including Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Palm, and Black-and-White. Large numbers of Chipping Sparrows have also been seen and heard from around the property.
The White Trillium is the provincial flower of Ontario. In the underutilized area I have been birding lately these gorgeous wildflowers are abundant. Red Trillium also known as the Wake Robin
This area is home to a multitude of wildflowers including Trilliums, Trout Lillies, Mayapples, and a host of others I have yet to identify. Wildflower identification is something I continue to work on with the help of myPeterson Field Guide To Wildflowers. The sight of the forest floor displaying a rainbow of colours was something to behold.
Red Admiral Butterfly
Mornings last week started cool but each day the temperature quickly climbed and the birds and wildlife became more active. As the mercury rose Red Admiral, Mourning Cloak, and Eastern Comma Butterflies were observed flying in and around the forest.
The bold white eyering of the Least Flycatcher helps separate it from other Empidonax flycatchers.
With Doug Ford announcing the opening of provincial parks and conservation areas next week I imagine many birders will be flocking to Rondeau, Komoka, and the Pinery as well as everyone else who has been missing these great parks. I think I’ll sit this spring at the usual hotspots out and continue to physical distance just to be on the safe side. After all, I have found an underutilized area I have enjoyed all to myself and plan to return this week.
Baltimore Oriole
Normally I am happy to share where and provide directions to the areas I bird, but given the current situation I’m keeping this area a secret and I hope you support my reasoning for this. If you get the chance this week, head out for some birding and enjoy the great outdoors. Remember we still need to physical distance as we are not out of the woods yet. The second week of May is typically the best week of spring migration and I’m curious to see what species will appear at this amazing location. Stay safe and as always
Good birding,
Paul
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*I’ve uploaded a new video to my YouTube Channel titledBirding At My Local Patch. In this video, I find several species including warblers, Wood Ducks, and a Bald Eagle to name a few.*
Chestnut-sided Warblers are one of the many birds that return to Southwestern Ontario each May.
Each year, waves of birds pass through Southwestern Ontario in early May. Like most other birders, this is my favourite time of year, and I book vacation accordingly during the first two weeks of the month. I try to get out birding every day visiting many of my favorite areas. Some of these locations are a 2-hour drive away while others are mere minutes from home. As is the case every year, May has been quite productive thus far with a variety of species observed and photographed.
This Spotted Sandpiper was the only shorebird found at the tip of Point Pelee.
Last Monday, I made the drive west to Point Pelee National Park. Arriving at the park shortly after 9 a.m. I found a parking spot at the visitor centre and from there it was a short shuttle ride to the tip to begin my day of birding. At the tip, Baltimore Orioles were seen reverse migrating as they headed south out over Lake Erie. Horned Grebes were observed to the west while a mix of warblers foraged high in the treetops on the east side as the morning sun had the insects and thus the birds quite active.
The Woodland Nature Trail at Point Pelee National Park revealed great views of this Blue-winged Warbler.
Once finished at the tip, I was back on the shuttle heading north to complete a loop of the Woodland Nature Trail. Parts of this trail were quite wet and a small section was underwater. Despite this, I was able to cover most of the trail and was treated to some great views with the highlight being a Blue-winged Warbler feeding low to the ground.
With the help of other birders, I was able to locate this red morph Eastern Screech-Owl camouflaged among the leaves and branches.
Having completed the Woodland Nature Trail, I went back to the car to re-hydrate and have a quick sandwich before heading to the Tilden Woods Trail. While having my lunch, I overheard a woman talking about a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl on Tilden. Locating these small owls in a forest is like finding a needle in a haystack, but I figured there would be several people gathered in the vicinity of this bird. Sure enough, shortly into the trail was a congregation of owl seekers. Thanks to other birders describing where to look among the maze of branches, I was able to locate the owl. After adjusting my camera settings I managed to obtain focus through the leaves and limbs and capture several images. As an added bonus, this owl had its eyes open and was staring at the gaggle of birders admiring its beauty.
The habitat along the West Beach Trail is perfect for attracting Indigo Buntings.
To wrap up the day I walked the trail along West Beach. Warblers, thrushes, and a kingbird were noted, but I was most excited about the stunning male Indigo Bunting perched beautifully in the sun. In total, I observed 61 species under sunny skies. A great day birding for sure and quite typical for the first week of May at Pelee.
Palm Warblers are regularly found foraging on the forest floor.
Tuesday morning I awoke to rain. This didn’t dampen my spirits as I had an appointment with my physiotherapist scheduled and was hoping to head out birding in the afternoon after the showers quit. Birding after a rain is always productive especially in May when migrating songbirds actively feed after seeking shelter from the precipitation. By late afternoon the sun was out, so I headed to the Westminster Ponds ESA. For those of you who attended my How To Photograph Birds presentation last month I focussed my efforts in the area I shared with you. As expected, the birds were positioned out of the strong west wind actively feeding on insects that had emerged with the warming sun.
Blue-headed Vireo photographed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.
In total 50 species were seen in only a few hours including 8 different warblers. Palm Warblers were the most abundant with Yellow-rumped a close second. Nashville, Yellow, Black-and-White, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, and American Redstart were the other warblers present. Happy with my observations, I returned to this same area Wednesday morning and was treated to much of the same with the addition of Black-throated Green Warblers.
Black-throated Blue Warblers were observed at all of the areas I birded this past week.
After spending the morning birding, I headed home to prepare for my presentation that evening for theWoodstock Camera Club. What a fun night it was talking about bird photography with so many great people who share the same passion. The comradery of the group was evident as there were plenty of jokes and laughter which only added to the enjoyment of the evening. Thanks again to Kim and Linda for inviting me to speak.
Blackburian Warblers were one of the most prevalent birds on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.
My best birding of the week was Friday at Rondeau Provincial Park where I observed 79 species. Blackburnian and Cape May Warblers were seen throughout the park in large numbers and were two of the more prevalent birds. Eastern Towhee, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula were also observed. With the strong west wind off Rondeau Bay, I concentrated my birding in the centre and east side of the park. The most productive areas were Warbler’s Way (formerly known as the Maintenance Loop), Harrison Trail, and Tulip Tree Trail.
The vibrant red plumage of the male Scarlet Tanager is something I look forward to seeing each May.
Scarlet Tanagers were observed in good numbers at Rondeau. These vibrant red birds are simply stunning and always a treat to see. The strong winds and lack of leaf cover in the forest canopy kept most of the birds low to the ground making for optimal views and photos. It was a cool, cloudy day for the most part but when the sun did peek out and the temperature rose a few degrees, the birds became even more active.
Northern Parula photographed at Rondeau Provincial Park.
With the amount of rain we received this past week, all of the areas I birded were wet and muddy. I recommend wearing rubber boots if you plan on visiting any of the aforementioned locations. I’ve never considered rubber boots to be the most comfortable footwear, but knowing the amount of rain forecast and expecting messy conditions, I went out and bought a new pair. Fully expecting sore feet, sore legs, and a sore back I was surprised at how comfortable these boots are. Purchased on sale for $30 at my local TSC Store, I am very happy with these Oxgear boots. If you are looking for a pair of rubber boots, these are definitely worth checking out.
Large numbers of White-crowned Sparrows were observed this past week.
Along with plenty of warblers, large quantities of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows were observed in all areas I visited this past week. We can expect another big wave of birds in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t had an opportunity to get out birding there is still lots of time. In town, the leaves are emerging fast which makes locating and photographing birds a challenge; however, closer to Lake Erie where temperatures are a few degrees cooler, the leaves are significantly behind offering better views and photo opportunities.
Blue-winged Warbler
With another week of vacation to go, I am looking forward to more birding. Given the day I had at Rondeau, I plan on getting down there again this week but will also do more birding here in London as well. The warmer temperatures predicted mid-week will make for comfortable conditions and active birds. An abundance of birds in the area and more on the way mean it’s the perfect time to get out birding. If you have some time this week, head out to your favourite spot and reap the benefits of May birding.
Shorebirds includingSanderling are readily found at area beaches during spring migration.
For any birder, spring migration is the greatest time of year. The sight of so many birds moving through one area on route to their breeding grounds is truly remarkable. I consider myself a shorebird fanatic and particularly enjoy searching area beaches for the wide variety of these birds that make their way across Southwestern Ontario each spring.
Whimbrel are a large shorebird with long legs and a long down-curved bill.
Last week, I devoted an entire day to finding and photographing as many shorebirds as I could with hopes of locating one of my favourites, the Whimbrel. Whimbrel typically move through our area around the Victoria Day Long Weekend give or take a few days and are regularly found on beaches, piers, and breakwaters along the north shore of Lake Erie.
A Dunlin foraging in the shallow water of the shorebird cell at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area.
I planned my day in advance and decided to begin at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area east of Leamington, Ontario. After completing a hike around the conservation area, my idea was to drive east along the Lake Erie shoreline to Port Stanley, Ontario making several stops along the way at various ports, harbours, and other points of access to the lake. The light south breeze off the lake forecast for this day would not only provide comfortable birding conditions, it should also help propel shorebirds down the lake making for an excellent day.
Several muskrats were observed feeding on vegetation as I made my way around the conservation area.
Arriving at Hillman Marsh shortly after 8 a.m. I was greeted by the sounds of a Grey Catbird, several Yellow Warblers, and a Red-eyed Vireo. After grabbing my camera, binoculars, and applying insect repellant I made my way to the shorebird cell located within the conservation area. Scanning the shallow pond with my binoccualrs, I could see an assortment of shorebirds probing their bills into the mud as they foraged away. Shorebirds noted here were:
Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Loud splashes could be heard as Carp were busy spawning in the various ponds.
Several species of waterfowl were also observed in the shorebird cell and included:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveller
Blue Winged Teal
Gadwall
Trumpeter Swan
Great Egret
Satisfied with my observations, I decided to walk the roughly 5 km trail encompassing the conservation area to see what else I could find. In the back section of the property, I observed a juvenile Bald Eagle as it landed in a mature tree located on the water’s edge. From a tall viewing tower a Great Egret was seen wading in front of the emergent vegetation on the far side of the pond.
Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead.
Songbirds present in good numbers at Hillman Marsh were Eastern Kingbirds and Common Yellowthroats. Of course, no visit to any wetland in May would be complete without observing dozens of Red-winged Blackbirds. As I made my way back to my car, a pair of Sandhill Cranes passed by overhead.
Whimbrel were among the many shorebirds observed on the beach at Wheatley Harbour.
Having completed the trail at Hillman Marsh, I drove east along Lakeshore Dive to Wheatley Harbour. Parking on the east side of the harbour I slowly made my way out to the beach. Mixed in with a large flock of Ring-billed Gulls I could see three buff, long-legged, shorebirds, with long down-curved bills, key characteristics of Whimbrel. Not wanting to spook the birds, I stayed low and did not approach too closely.
Whimbrel are similar in body size to a Ring-billed Gull with long legs and a long bill.
By this time it was late morning and the sun was positioned high in the southern sky which meant I would be shooting directly into it. It’s always best to have the sun at your back when taking photos, but with roughly 60 miles of lake in front of me, my options were limited. In order to properly expose the Whimbrel and avoid silhouettes, I increased my exposure compensation to +1. Lake Erie was a beautiful shade of turquoise blue on this day providing an excellent background.
Sanderling on the beach in Wheatley, Ontario
After capturing several images of the Whimbrel a fish tug entered the harbour from out on the lake. As the boat reversed hard at dockside, the diesel engine roared scaring the flock of gulls and three Whimbrel from the beach, At first it looked like the Whimbrel were going to land on the rock breakwater just offshore but instead continued in a westerly direction out of sight. With the beach now void of birds, it was time to head back to the car for a sandwich and wait and see if more shorebirds would show up.
Several flocks of shorebirds including these Semipalmated Sandpipers were observed making their way along the north shore of Lake Erie.
Following a quick lunch break, I ventured back out on the beach hoping for more shorebirds to arrive. To my delight, a small flock of mixed shorebirds containing Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Ruddy Turnstones made their way past. Shortly after that, a flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers flew by. Unfortunately, none of these birds landed but I managed a few images as they flew past.
Remarkable views of this Ruddy Turnstone were achieved at Wheatley harbour.
As I was getting ready to leave and continue on to my next location, several Sanderling landed within a few feet of where I was sitting on the beach. I watched as these birds foraged and bathed where the water met the sand. Seconds later a Ruddy Turnstone landed joining the group of Sanderling. With my camera still set to +1 exposure compensation, I enjoyed fantastic views and captured several images of these beautiful shorebirds.
Whimbrel in flight.
As it was now afternoon, I decided it was time to carry on as I still had several locations I wanted to check on my indirect way back to London. While walking across the beach to my car a small flock of 14 Whimbrel passed by. Shortly thereafter, a much larger flock which I estimate to be well over 100 birds made their way toward the beach. These Whimbrel were looking to land amongst the large flock of Ring-billed Gulls, which were now positioned further east down the beach after being dispersed by the fish tug. It was evident that these birds were wary of my presence and reluctant to land. Some touched down briefly while others kept circling without landing. Knowing how far these birds travel during their migration and that they were likely hungry and exhausted, I could not watch them circle any longer, so I vacated the beach hoping they would land. Before I could make it to my car the birds disappeared out of sight to the east.
This large flock of Whimbrel was observed in a cornfield west of John E. Pearce Provincial on Lakeview Line.
Leaving Wheatley, I continued east following the Lake Erie shoreline making several stops along the way. At the various beaches, more shorebirds were observed. As I made my way down Lakeview Line just west of John E. Pearce Provincial Park, I noticed a large flock of birds out in a field. Recognizing that these birds were too small to be Canada Geese and knowing that geese are typically paired off raising young at this time of year and not found in large flocks, I pulled over for a closer look. With the aid of binoculars, I could see this was a large flock of Whimbrel, perhaps the same flock I had seen earlier in Wheatley.
In breeding plumage, Dunlin are easily identified by their rusty backs and black bellies.
Next stop was Port Stanley, Ontario. As I searched the main beach and pier area, I was treated to great views of Dunlin. Having had an excellent day birding and the fact it was approaching the dinner hour, I packed up my gear and headed back to London.
This Dunlin was forced to take flght as a small wave broke on shore.
Even though the big flocks of shorebirds have already moved through our area, great views can still be achieved at area beaches. The north shore of Lake Erie is obviously one of my favourites, but similar success can be achieved along any of the Great Lakes throughout the first few weeks of June. If you can, plan your visit on a weekday before school ends, which will result in beaches that are less crowded resulting in more shorebirds.
In Southwestern Ontario, we are fortunate to be surrounded by the Great Lakes and their beautiful beaches. Birding on these beaches can be quite rewarding and now is the perfect time to get out there and take advantage of these opportunities.
This male Prothonotary Warbler came within 10 feet of where I was standing on the Tulip Tree Trail at Rondeau Provincial Park.
With spring migration in full swing here in Southwestern Ontario, I decided to take two weeks vacation in an effort to get in as much birding possible while bird numbers increase across the region. Having completed a few day trips as well as several visits to some of my favourite hotspots within the city, I birded every day this week and was quite happy with the results.
Among the planned day trips was a visit to Rondeau Provincial Park on the north shore of Lake Erie, a popular May destination for many birders and host of the annual Festival of Flight. Friday’s forecast did not include favourable birding conditions with cooler temperatures and late afternoon showers predicted. However, with the park located just over an hour from my home in London, I thought I could enjoy several hours of birding before the rain moved in.
Male Prothonotary Warbler singing from a fallen log.
Leaving London under mostly clear skies just before 7 a.m. the weather was looking pretty good. Unfortunately, as I headed west down the 401, I could see a large cloud bank on the horizon. According to the hourly forecast, it was not supposed to cloud up until 3 p.m. with rain starting at 4 p.m. Unfortunately, after arriving at Rondeau Provincial Park shortly after 8 a.m. it was already cloudy. Once again, Environment Canada’s forecast was about as useless as (insert your favourite simile here); however, I wasn’t going to let this put a damper on my day.
My target species for the day was the Prothonotary Warbler. I had tried for this bird earlier in the week at Point Pelee National Park but failed to locate one despite searching areas where they had been reported previously that day. With the Canadian population down to only 11 pairs, Rondeau Provincial Park and Point Pelee National Park are two locations where this endangered species is observed annually.
With only 11 pairs in all of Canada, I considered myself incredibly fortunate to observe both a male and female Prothonotary Warbler on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.
Prothonotary Warblers had been reported from the Tulip Tree Trail earlier during the 2018 Festival of Flight. With the weather deteriorating quicker than expected, I made my way to the visitor’s centre to park and access the aforementioned trail.
Exiting my vehicle, I was happy I bought my winter jacket with me as the wind off Lake Erie was quite cool and the car’s thermometer read only 6 degrees Celsius. After grabbing my camera and binoculars, I made my way down the marked path in hopes of finding a Prothonotary Warbler. At 1.4 km in length, the Tulip Tree Trail consists of many boardwalks meandering through a mix of forest and swamp, perfect habitat for the Prothonotary Warbler.
Observing a pair of Prothonotary Warblers during the 2018 Festival of Flight has been one of the many highlights of spring migration so far.
Making my way along the trail, several warblers were present including Yellow, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue. Swainson’s Thrushes could be seen scouring the forest floor for a meal while Baltimore Orioles called and moved about the understory. As I approached one of the boardwalks, a male Prothonotary Warbler appeared to my right as it foraged along a fallen log. Too far for photos, I was happy to observe the bird through my binoculars. While the Prothonotary Warbler is not a lifer for me, my only previous observation was a first-year female, so not nearly as vibrant as this male in breeding plumage. After achieving pleasing views, the bird flew off deeper into the swamp.
Scanning the swamp with my binoculars, I was unable to relocate the bird. After searching for about 20 minutes, the bird reappeared in a pile of downed limbs only about 15 feet from the boardwalk. With the heavy cloud cover and low light conditions in the swamp, I needed to bump up my ISO in order to achieve a fast enough shutter speed to capture this rare warbler as it hopped along the fallen logs. Due to my excitement instead of hitting the ISO button on my camera, I hit the button that controls my focus points and accidentally selected all of them. Before I could regroup the bird once again disappeared deep into the swamp. As a result, the fallen limbs and various adjacent mosses in my images were very sharp, but the Prothonotary Warbler, my target species, was out of focus.
To be honest, hitting the wrong button or turning a dial the wrong way happens to me more than I care to admit, but is a fact of photography. My excitement quite often gets the better of me resulting in missed opportunities, but this is something I don’t let bother me. The observation itself is what I take away from all of my birding adventures with capturing an image simply a bonus.
Light conditions required a high ISO to achieve a shutter speed fast enough to capture these endangered warblers as they moved throughout the swamp.
After getting my camera settings back to where I wanted them, (if you are curious this was aperture priority mode f/6.3, ISO 1250, and -2/3 exposure compensation given the dark backdrop of the swamp resulting in a shutter speed of anywhere from 1/500 to 1/1250), I decided to wait and see if the Prothonotary Warbler returned. Twenty minutes passed and once again the male Prothonotary Warbler appeared on the same fallen log where it was first observed. Just as it did previously, the bird flitted and hopped from log to log through the swamp in the direction where I was standing.
Ready this time with optimal camera settings, I captured several images as this beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler came within 10 feet of the boardwalk. Fortunately, I was able to shoot under the railing achieving unobstructed views. Several hundred images later, the bird once again disappeared deep in the swamp.
Having had 2 encounters with this bird following the same course, I thought it would be wise to wait and see if this male Prothonotary Warbler would once again repeat this pattern. Sure enough, after about 20 to 30 minutes, the bird once again emerged from the tangle of fallen logs. This encounter was different; however; as this time there was also a female Prothonotary Warbler present.
Female Prothonotary Warblers have a duller appearance than males. Look for the more olive green crown and nape with similar grey-blue wings to help identify this species from other warblers.
I watched intently while snapping several photos as the two Prothonotary Warblers hopped and flitted from log to log foraging on whatever they could find under these cold conditions. Knowing that I was observing two of only twenty-two Prothonotary Warblers in the entire county was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. If their numbers continue to dwindle, this may be my last encounter with this incredibly stunning bird. Hopefully, with habitat protection and continued conservation efforts, this won’t be the case and these remarkable warblers will be enjoyed for years to come.
Another observation I made while enjoying this pair of Prothonotary Warblers was many birders missed these colourful warblers by moving too fast down the boardwalk. Perhaps the cold weather and fact that it was starting to rain had birders hurrying back to the visitor’s centre to warm up. It seemed that if the Prothonotary Warblers were not in plain view most birders simply kept moving while those who exercised patience were rewarded with remarkable views.
If you are heading down to the Festival of Flight during the remaining 10 days, be patient and willing to wait for the Prothonotary Warblers to appear if you are hoping to observe this species. This approach worked wonders for me resulting in excellent views on a day where I would have been much warmer if I kept moving.
The vibrant yellow head and blue-grey wings make the male Prothonotary Warbler unmistakable.
If the Prothonotary Warbler is still missing from your life list, or you simply want to view this gorgeous endangered species, then plan a trip to Rondeau Provincial Park and check out the Tulip Tree Trail. With a little patience, great views just might present themselves proving that good things come to those who wait.
Typically returning to our area in March, warm southwest winds during the final days of February saw Killdeer and other migrants arrive ahead of schedule.
With spring set to arrive next week, it certainly has not felt that way in Southwestern Ontario as winter is still in full force. After a brief tease of spring-like weather during the final days of February, Mother Nature provided us with a reality check as wintry conditions returned and persisted over the first two weeks of March. For March breakers heading south, I imagine this sat well knowing that warmer temperatures were on the horizon, but for those of us who stayed put and were hoping for a continued early spring migration, well we were left to enjoy a few more weeks of winter birding.
Birding during March is incredibly rewarding. Turkey Vultures and other spring migrants are a nice compliment to the bevy of resident birds found throughout the area.
As someone who loves winter birding, I have embraced the fact that winter has hung around in Southwestern Ontario, although I must admit I was ready for spring after the weather we experienced a few weeks ago. Keeping my toque, gloves, and camera at the ready, I have had great views of both migrant and resident species over the past several weeks while birding in the Forest City.
Throughout March Red-winged Blackbirds have been seen across Southwestern Ontario.
For me, I always look to the return of Red-winged Blackbirds, Killdeer, and Tundra Swans each year to our area as the unofficial arrival of spring and a sign that migration is underway. After seeing these early migrants return to our area the during the final days of February, the recent cold northwest winds and accompanying flurries has all but halted migration. Fortunately there are still plenty of these species around the area to signify spring is right around the corner.
Northern Cardinals have been one of the most abundant species observed during my morning walks.
Northern Cardinals have been plentiful on my morning walks with the sights and sounds being a real treat Listening to males sing while chasing other males from their territories under the cover of fresh snow has been particularly enjoyable. Carolina Wrens have also been actively calling most mornings, but their propensity to frequent thick cover makes them challenging to observe.
White-throated Sparrow
While walking along an area creek, soft calls of the White-throated Sparrow were heard from within the thicket lining the bank. Stopping for a look, several of these birds provided excellent views and photo opportunities.
Male Mallard making his way across a frozen wetland.
On cooler mornings, the water at a small wetland I like to visit was frozen. Regardless of whether there was open water or not Canada Geese and Mallards were present. Often overlooked due their abundance throughout the region, the Mallard’s beauty really stands out during sunny conditions.
Female Mallard taking flight.
For those of you looking to hone your photography skills, Mallards are the perfect subject for practicing exposure, focus, and even flight shots.
Despite many American Robins overwintering in our area, sightings increase once the snow melts in March.
Several songbird species were also found foraging within the vegetation surrounding the small wetland including Common Grackles, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Robins.
A bird that almost never stops moving, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is a challenging species to photograph.
Throughout the wooded areas I birded, chickadees, nuthatches, and Golden-crowned Kinglets were found as they moved through a stand of cedar and spruce trees. In my opinion, kinglets are the most challenging bird to photograph and they almost never stop moving.
This male Red-bellied Woodpecker was one of many observed over the first two weeks of March.
During the 109th London Christmas Bird Count held back in December, a record high number of Red-bellied Woodpeckers were reported. This is great news as not only is the Red-bellied Woodpecker my favourite bird, with so many other species in decline it’s nice to hear this species may be experiencing a population increase. I certainly have noticed more of these birds in recent years including several over the past few weeks. Learning and listening for their loud rolling call is the easiest way to locate this medium-sized woodpecker.
March is the best month to observe Tundra Swans at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.
With warmer temperatures and some southwest winds in the forecast for next week, look for migration to resume once again. In particular more Tundra Swans should make their way across Southwestern Ontario. If you haven’t paid a visit to the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, a popular annual stopover for these birds, it’s well worth the drive. Be sure to call the swan line before you go for an an update on the current numbers. Other waterfowl including Cackling Geese, Snow Geese, a Greater white-fronted Goose, and several duck species were reported this past week.
Regardless of what Mother Nature has in store for us in the coming weeks, March is a great month to get out birding. Resident and migrating birds can be found across the region in good numbers. Getting outside in the fresh air and enjoying a hike while connecting with nature is the perfect way to ring in a new season. If you get the chance, visit your favourite natural area, take in the beauty of these birds, and make the most of our great outdoors.
Seeing so many first of year species makes spring birding incredibly rewarding. This male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was photographed on one of my many visits to Cavendish Woods.
With spring coming to an end, I can’t help but reminisce about some of the fantastic birding I experienced over the past several months. With record breaking temperatures in February, many of the birds we typically don’t see until March arrived early, but as the weather returned to normal, so too did the arrival of spring migrants.
The Eastern Phoebe is the first of the flycatchers to return to our area each spring.
April saw the return of Eastern Phoebes to our area. These birds are always the first flycatcher to return each spring. I was pleasantly surprised to see my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year on Good Friday as it hovered over my yard. This was the earliest I can remember ever seeing a hummingbird in the area. As the month progressed, aerial insectivores including swallows and Chimney Swifts were observed throughout the area.
Yellow-rumped Warbler showing off the yellow rump for which they are named.
As May approached, I patiently waited for the return of warblers to Southwestern Ontario. First to arrive this year, as is the case each year, were Yellow-rumped Warblers. In the days following, Yellow Warblers and Palm Warblers were also observed in good numbers.
Palm Warbler
Due to some stretches of unseasonably warm weather, leaf cover this spring was further along than in previous years, which made photographing warblers and other songbirds more challenging, but I am always more than happy to just watch these colourful birds through a pair of binoculars as they flit from branch to branch.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Westminster Ponds ESA is my favourite place to bird anytime of year, but especially during spring migration. With an abundance of mixed habitat, songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey can all be observed in good numbers. During migration, it is not uncommon to see 50-70 species in a single day.
Virginia Rails prefer to stay hidden among thick vegetation making them a difficult bird to observe and photograph.
One morning in early May as I made my way along the boardwalk behind Tourist Information on Wellington Road, I observed a Virginia Rail as it walked through the emerging cattails in this swampy section of the Westminster Ponds ESA. These secretive birds are fairly common in our area, but are extremely difficult to find as they typically stay hidden within the thick vegetation of their preferred marshy habitats.
Male Wood Duck photographed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.
Early May was also great for observing Wood Ducks within the Westminster Ponds ESA. Looking through the wood cover surrounding Saunders Pond revealed many pairs of these beautiful dabblers. Since Wood Ducks are cavity nesters, several of these ducks were inadvertently seen high up in trees adjacent to the pond as I scanned the branches for warblers and other songbirds. Surprisingly, I also found a few late overwintering ducks on Saunders Pond with a pair Long-tailed Ducks and a lone female Greater Scaup observed. Both of these waterfowl species breed far to our north and are typically gone from our area by this time of year.
While enjoying the many trilliums emerging from the forest floor in Hawk Cliff Woods, I observed this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak on a fallen log.
If asked what bird I look forward to seeing most return each spring, my answer would be the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The unmistakable plumage displayed on the males of this species is simply stunning, and I was happy to see these birds once again back in our area in early May.
This heavily cropped image represents only a small portion of the flock of 250-300 Whimbrels I observed on the east breakwater in Port Stanley, Ontario.
Each May, Whimbrels can be observed in large numbers along the north shore of Lake Erie as they pass through the area on route to their breeding grounds across the Arctic. The largest flocks are typically observed around the Victoria Day long weekend give or take a few days. In years past, my timing has always been off just missing these large shorebirds by a day or two. On May 17, I took a short drive down to Port Stanley, Ontario and to my delight between 250 and 300 Whimbrels were resting on the east breakwater at the mouth of the harbour. Other shorebirds present were Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstones, and Least Sandpipers.
This particular dead tree proved to be a favourite for this male Pileated Woodpecker as I observed it drumming on the hollow trunk on several occasions.
Birding this spring wasn’t just about the many migrants returning to or making their way through our area. Resident birds are always fun to observe and I was treated to excellent views of many, including Pileated Woodpeckers. These crow-sized woodpeckers truly are a sight to see and can readily be found within the Westminster Ponds ESA.
Woodpeckers including the Northern Flicker are among the many resident species that can be observed in good numbers throughout our area long after spring migration is over.
Just because spring migration has come to an end doesn’t mean that great birding can’t still be enjoyed throughout our area. With so many birds spending at least the summer months in Southwestern Ontario, productive birding will continue right through the summer leading us into fall migration.
As the temperature warms up, I recommend getting out as early in the day as you can to not only avoid the heat, but this is when birds are most active. Summer birding can be incredibly satisfying as this is this only time of year to witness interactions between adult and baby birds. You may have to be a little more patient to see some of the birds through the leaf cover, and daily species counts may not be as high, but birding during the summer months is just as rewarding as birding any other time of year.
Birding so far this Family Day Weekend has been quite productive. Northern Cardinals can be heard actively singing throughout our area.
Last week when I saw the forecast for the Family Day long weekend I knew it was going to be a great weekend for birding. Above seasonal temperatures and sunshine would be a nice change from the what seems like never ending cloud cover we have experienced so far this winter. What really peaked my attention about the forecast was the predicted winds, which were to be out of the south. I was optimistic that the combination of warmer temperatures and south winds would bring a few migrants back to our area ahead of schedule.
Red-breasted Nuthatches have been seen and heard in good numbers so far this long weekend.
One of my first observations of the weekend was that several birds were beginning to vocalize much more with Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens heard signing loudly throughout many of my favourite areas. While the wrens were a challenge to see and photograph due to their propensity to remain in heavy cover, many of the cardinals were observed singing out in the open. Blue Jays are regularly observed all winter long in our area, but I noticed increased numbers as several large flocks moved through a local park. I couldn’t help but wonder if these flocks may have been birds that overwintered to our south and were making their way north. Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches were also seen in good numbers and much more vocal than in previous weeks.
The above seasonal temperatures and south winds brought several birds back to our area ahead of schedule.
On Sunday I drove down to Port Stanley, Ontario to see what species may be present on or along the lake. As soon as I stepped out of my truck I could hear the calls of Red-winged Blackbirds, my first of the year, echoing from a patch of phragmites near Little Beach. Song Sparrows could also be seen and heard calling from the shrubs adjacent to the rocky shoreline. As I walked out further towards the lake, a lone male Redhead swam close to shore. A pair of Common Mergansers passed by overhead while a few Canada Geese landed on the east breakwall. As I glanced out at the hundreds of gulls, mostly Ring-billed and Herring, that stood on the remaining ice, I heard the call of an Eastern Meadowlark, another first of the year for me. I turned and located the bird singing from one of the few remaining tall trees on the far side of the meadow. As I raised my camera to take a very distant shot, the bird dropped down into the thick tangles of grasses and brush below before I could press the shutter.
This male Redhead was observed in Port Stanley, Ontario near Little Beach.
While driving back into London, I observed a few Turkey Vultures soaring over the open fields. Turkey Vultures are known to overwinter in Port Stanley and I have observed them there in previous trips this winter, but these were the first birds I have noticed inland, leading me to believe that maybe these birds too were ones that have recently returned to Southwestern Ontario.
Song Sparrows are among the many birds that have become more vocal with the warmer weather.
Seeing the first wave of migrants arrive back in our area ahead of schedule has made for an exciting start to the long weekend. With more beautiful weather in the forecast for holiday Monday, it looks like yet another great day to get out birding. In fact, most of the week looks nice with continuing warm temperatures and more south winds. If the forecast holds true, we should see even more early migrants arrive back in our area. If you get the chance this week, I highly recommend getting out and enjoying the sights and sounds this beautiful spring-like weather has brought with it.
Blackburnian Warblers are my favourite when it comes to warblers. I eagerly await their appearance each spring.
During the month of May, I focused most of my efforts on observing and photographing warblers throughout the Forest City. Opting not to visit Point Pelee National Park this year, I was quite satisfied with the 21 warbler species I observed, all within a ten minute drive of my house. Two highlights for me were a couple of life birds, the Canada Warbler and Cerulean Warbler.
The Chestnut-sided Warbler returns to our area in mid-May each year. These birds will remain in the area throughout the breeding season.
My most productive locations were the Westminster Ponds ESA and Greenway Park, both located in the city’s south end. The cool start to the month resulted in a lack of leaf cover, which made for optimal views and photographs. I found early mornings to be the most productive and used the weather, most notably the wind, to my advantage.
Black-throated Green Warblers were one of the most abundant warblers I observed this May in the Forest City.
Warblers feed on insects, so naturally I positioned myself in areas where insects were abundant. How do I find areas rich with insects? I use the wind. A stiff breeze will blow insects from open areas into wooded or other sheltered areas that are protected from the wind. These protected areas will then be full of insects and consequently warblers. For example, at Westminster Ponds ESA I would search for warblers along the edges of the ponds opposite the direction of the wind. If the wind was north, I would bird on the south side of the pond and vice versa. The morning winds would push the insects across the open ponds into the trees and shrubs along the bank. It was areas like these where I found the highest concentrations of warblers. Early in the month when there was a lack of leaf cover and shelter in the canopy, strong winds helped keep the insects and thus warblers, at eye level.
The Black-throated Blue Warbler breeds further to our north and therefore only passes through our area in spring and fall.
As expected Yellow-rumped Warblers, Yellow Warblers and Palm Warblers were the first to arrive at the start of the month. These three species always arrive in early May. Magnolia Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers and Black-throated Green Warblers soon followed. As the month of May progressed, the late arriving warblers began to appear, including the previously mentioned Canada Warblers and Wilson’s Warblers.
It may not have warbler attached to its name, but the Northern Parula is one of 21 species of warbler I observed in London this spring.
Some warbler species lack the word warbler from their names and can be forgotten as warblers. Ovenbirds, American Redstarts and Northern Parulas are all warbler species that were readily observed during May.
Black-and-white-Warbler
Black and White Warblers are regularly observed clinging to tree trunks. If careful attention is not paid, these birds can be mistaken for nuthatches due to this characteristic and the similar colour in plumage.
Blackburnian Warbler
My favourite warbler, the Blackburnian Warbler, is regularly viewed from underneath as it forages high in the canopy. Fortunately, due to the high winds I achieved eye level views of this stunning bird.
The male Wilson’s Warbler is easily identified by his black cap. Wilson’s Warblers migrate later in May than many other warblers.
While many of these warblers just pass through our area on their way to their breeding grounds further north, some remain and nest in our area. Female Yellow Warblers can currently be observed incubating eggs throughout many of my favourite birding areas.
American Redstarts, like the male pictured here, spend the breeding season in our area and are one of the many warblers we can enjoy until the fall when they migrate south.
Next time you are out birding, keep an eye out for some of the warblers that breed across our area. Now that the leaves are fully and emerged and these species are nesting, they are certainly more challenging to locate but great views can still be achieved. If you do come across a nest, remember to respect the birds and give them some space.
Female American Redstart
While the peak warbler migration may have passed, some late migrating warblers will still be making their way through our area. If you get the chance, head out on a cool, windy morning and position yourself where the insects will be most abundant. Keep a close eye for movement at eye level, as well as higher up in the canopy. You may just be rewarded with some great views of these beautiful warblers.
