May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year

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.

IMG 9112 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 9330 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 9407 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 9588 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 9859 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 0281 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 0409 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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 the Woodstock 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.

IMG 0627 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 1001 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 0770 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 1312 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

IMG 9372 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **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.

Good birding,
Paul

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Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City

With a wave of new migrants and beautiful fall colours, it’s the perfect time to head out birding. At this time of year, some birds are returning to our area to overwinter while others are simply passing through on their way further south. Add in the abundance of resident birds and daily counts can be quite high.

IMG 1896 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **White-crowned Sparrows are among the many migrants present within the Forest City.**

Several sparrows including Dark-eyed Juncos once again reappear in our area in October. Thanksgiving weekend is when I typically have my first Junco sighting of the fall, and this year was no different. Juncos are often observed foraging on the ground underneath backyard feeders. White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows also appear in good numbers in October, and in my opinion are often overlooked and dismissed as just a sparrow due to the number of non-native House Sparrows found in our area. In fact, many of our native sparrows display beautiful variations in plumage and produce some of the most beautiful songs.

IMG 1772 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Ruby-crowned Kinglets often present close views but are an incredibly challenging bird to photograph.**

Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets are now present in large quantities. Ruby-crowned Kinglets pass through our area overwintering further south while Golden-crowned Kinglets remain throughout the winter months. Listening for the Kinglet’s high-pitched ascending calls is a great way to locate these birds. Views can often be achieved from close range as these birds feed at eye level or lower on the various seeds produced from Goldenrod and other native wildflowers. Kinglets are an incredibly challenging bird to photograph as they are always on the move. Patience is a must when trying to photographing these tiny songbirds.

IMG 1698 - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **These two Turkey Vultures were part of a large flock observed on my morning walks. The dark head on the bird on the right indicates this is a juvenile bird.**

Raptor migration continues throughout the Forest City with high numbers of Turkey Vultures being observed. On many of my morning walks, I observed large flocks of vultures perched in the same dead tree. These birds seemed to wait for the temperature to climb before taking flight and moving from the area.

IMG 1822 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **This Hermit Thrush was one of many recently observed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.**

One of my favourite locations to visit during fall is the Westminster Ponds ESA located in south London. Not only is there an abundance of birds present, but the fall colours around the series of ponds are also always impressive. On a visit last week, I was treated to pleasant views of the previously mentioned birds as well as several Hermit Thrushes. Hermit Thrushes are easily separated from other thrushes by their reddish tails. Look for these birds on or near the forest floor foraging in the fallen leaves. Other observations included a female Greater Scaup, Brown Creepers as well as a pair of Red-tailed Hawks.

IMG 2060 1 2 tonemapped Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City

IMG 2063 4 5 Painterly 2 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **The beauty of the fall colours surrounding Spettigue Pond each year never ceases to amaze me.**

The trees surrounding Spettigue Pond in the middle of the ESA were particularly impressive as they are each fall. The mix of red, orange, and yellow contrasted nicely against the blue sky and water. While taking in the amazing view it’s easy to forget this oasis is situated in the middle of a city with a population approaching 400,000.

IMG 1922 Edit Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Fall is a great time to observe White-throated Sparrows.**

Great opportunities will persist over the coming weeks to enjoy both the birds and the leaves. If you get the chance, I highly recommend spending some time outdoors taking in these annual sights. If you are looking for sparrows and kinglets, focus your attention in areas where goldenrod is present as these birds will be observed readily feeding on the bounty of seeds produced by this plant.

IMG 2085 6 7 Painterly 2 Edit - Beautiful Birds And Fall Colours Abound Within The Forest City — **Red, oranges, and yellows comprise the stunning colours around Spettigue Pond.**

The Westminster Ponds ESA is a must destination, in my opinion, each fall not only for the birding but for the stunning fall colours. I find myself returning each year and have yet to be disappointed by the amazing beauty found within this impressive landscape.

Good birding,
Paul

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Green Herons Present Phenomenal Views At The Westminster Ponds ESA

Green Herons will soon be leaving our area for their wintering grounds to our south. Fortunately, these birds are currently providing exceptional views at an area ESA.

Over the past three weeks, I have been enjoying incredible views of Green Herons. In fact, the views achieved have been the best I have experienced. If you are unfamiliar with these birds, Green Herons display the most beautiful combination of iridescent blues and greens combined with a reddish brown neck. Standing only 18″ tall, Green Herons are often a challenge to locate within the swampy habitats they prefer despite their colouful plumage. This however is not the case currently at the Westminster Ponds ESA located in south London.

Under the right light conditions, the iridescent plumage of the Green Heron becomes quite evident.

Throughout September, I have seen as many as four Green Herons, both adults and juveniles (juveniles are heavily streaked on their necks and breasts) at one time at the west end of Saunders Pond. On most visits, these birds have been viewed within 20-40 feet of the path running alongside the pond. Green Herons will soon be leaving our area for their wintering grounds in the Southern United States, Central, and South America, so opportunities for these close encounters are running out.

The mix of cattails and fallen timber on the west side of Saunders Pond provides the perfect habitat for Green Herons.

The easiest access to these Green Herons is from behind Tourist Information located at 696 Wellington Road. From the parking lot head north on the paved path until you reach the boardwalk. Continue north on the boardwalk and begin scanning the fallen timber to your right and the cattails to your left. My best views have come from just north of the boardwalk along the dirt path where Saunders Pond comes to an end. Both sides of the path throughout this area have provided satisfying views.

When alarmed, Green Herons will extend their necks and raise the crests on the top of their heads. This particular bird heard children playing in the area and exhibited this classic behavior.

In my experience, time of day does not matter for viewing these Green Herons as I have found these birds both in the morning and afternoon. If you are wishing to photograph these birds, I would recommend waiting until about mid morning as this will allow the sun to get high enough in the sky to light up the birds nicely while achieving a faster shutter speed, If you cannot make it in the morning than late afternoon has been quite good too. Try not to leave it too late though as once the sun drops low in the sky the area becomes quite shaded. Great views of these birds can still be obtained, but your image quality may suffer due to the lack of light.

Click on the two above images to enlarge these photos of a Green Heron with a Northern Leopard Frog.

These particular Green Herons at the Westminster Ponds ESA are not overly wary of people, but moving slowly and speaking in a soft voice is still recommended to avoid stressing the birds.These Green Herons are in this area feeding heavily in preparation of their long migration south, so remember to respect their space and allow them to feed in order to accomplish this feat. The only times I have seen these birds startle is when a group of children ran by while shouting in loud voices. Even then the birds did not move far remaining in the area where there is an abundance of food. While watching and photographing these Green Herons I have observed them capture small fish, tadpoles, and Northern Leopard Frogs.

The heavy streaking on this Green Heron’s neck and breast indicate it is a juvenile bird.

If you are hoping to achieve great views of a Green Heron, I highly recommend visiting the Westminster Pond ESA soon. As mentioned earlier, these birds won’t remain in the area much longer, so time is running out for potentially the view of a lifetime.

Good birding,
Paul

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Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions

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.

IMG 5299 1 - Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions — 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.

IMG 5381 1 - Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions — 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.

IMG 5236 1 - Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions — 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.

IMG 5305 1 - Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions — 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.

IMG 5347 1 2 - Winter Blast Drastically Changes Birding Conditions — 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.

Good birding,
Paul

American Coots On Saunders Pond

The American Coot is a unique bird. They are often observed swimming on lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, they do not have webbed feet. Coots propel themselves through the water with their wide lobed toes and are in fact not ducks, but members of the rail family. They are easily identified by their dark bodies, white foreheads and red eyes. Aquatic vegetation, both floating and submerged, make up the majority of the Coot’s diet; as is the case with many water birds, they also consume insects, crustaceans and other aquatic life. These submerged food sources mean the Coot is often observed diving while feeding.

IMG 3211 1 - American Coots On Saunders Pond — Aquatic vegetation is a favourite of the American Coot.

Like many birds, American Coots begin migrating in the fall and form large flocks while doing so. Not all Coots go as far as the southern United States during winter months. In fact, several birds often overwinter in the lower Great Lakes region. Their diet makes open water a key to survival and they are one of many species found on the Detroit, St.Clair and even the Thames River during winter.

IMG 3279 80 81 tonemapped 1 - American Coots On Saunders Pond — The birds were not the only thing providing beauty on this evening. The sunset and leaves added lots of colour.

Last week I decided to head over to Westminster Ponds ESA for some evening birding and to take in the sunset. Upon arriving at Saunders Pond, I observed a small flock of nine American Coots feeding close to shore on the east side of the pond. I moved slowly and quietly to the edge of the pond for a closer look. The birds were undisturbed by my presence and were focused more on feeding. The low, golden sun illuminated the birds beautifully. I watched as the Coots dove repeatedly, emerging with strands of green vegetation. Several battles ensued, as those birds with food quickly had to elude those without. It was also a great opportunity to listen to the various sounds made by Coots, which range from squawks to grunts, and croaks.

IMG 3181 1 - American Coots On Saunders Pond — Horned Grebes are among the many species that can be found on Saunders Pond.

On this particular evening I also observed three Pied-billed Grebes and a Horned Grebe in the same area of the pond. Wood Ducks were also abundant. Their loud calls made locating and counting these colourful ducks quite easy. It wasn’t long before a final total of eighteen was reached. Saunders Pond is an excellent place to observe these and other aquatic birds. As migration continues throughout fall and into winter, more species will show up as open water and food diminishes. Several duck species including Wigeon, Teal and Ring-necked are often observed. Common Loons have also been observed during migration.

IMG 3171 1 - American Coots On Saunders Pond — American Coots are a small sample of the birds that use Saunders Pond as a food source. Look for more species as migration continues.

Saunders Pond can be accessed from Commissioners Road by turning south onto Western Counties Road at Victoria Hospital. Follow the road past Parkwood Hospital where you will find parking with the pond a short walk further south. Access and parking is also available off Wellington Road, directly behind Tourist Information. If you or someone you know requires the aid of a mobility device then I recommend this entrance. Paved paths, a wooden lookout and boardwalk make this location and views of Saunders Pond accessible for everyone.

If observing waterfowl and other aquatic birds this fall is on your birding wishlist, then I highly suggest visiting Saunders Pond frequently this season. I hope to see you there.

Good birding,
Paul

Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014

This past week saw more consistency to the daytime highs and consequently more migrating bird species arriving in our area. Several first of year species were seen and with the weather looking to remain stable for the upcoming week, more will follow.

I finally saw my first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the year this past week after mentioning them as early returnees in previous posts. The number of sparrow species that have returned continues to grow with Field Sparrows now being added to the list. Chipping Sparrows have been regular morning visitors to my feeders this past week and White-throated Sparrows are more abundant. Northern Rough-winged Swallows can now be seen, along with increased numbers of Tree Swallows flying overhead in search of insects in areas close to water.

Many of the local ponds in the area are turning up several waterfowl species. Saunders Pond located in the Westminster Ponds ESA is a perfect example of this. Wood Ducks, Horned Grebes, American Coots, Common Mergansers, and Pied-billed Grebes were all present. A Great Egret was also observed on the north side of the pond, visible from the lookout behind Tourist Information on Wellington Road. In fact, the entire Westminster Ponds ESA provided great looks at many birds. The forest floor was alive with activity, with Hermit Thrushes and Brown Thrashers sifting though the leaf matter in search of insects. Eastern Meadowlarks could be seen and heard in the open field areas within the ESA. Five woodpecker species, the highlight being a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, were also found deep in the forests. A rather early Blue-headed Vireo was seen on the edge of the forest capturing insects. Vireos typically arrive later in April or early May, so this was a nice surprise.

IMG 1795 1 2 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — This Blue-headed Vireo was seen at Westminster Ponds ESA.

A complete list of birds observed this week is as follows:

IMG 1985 1 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Brown Thrashers could be seen sifting through leaves on forest floors in search of insects.

American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Wigeon
Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Brown Headed Cowbird
Brown Thrasher
Canada Goose
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Merganser
Dark-eyed Junco
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
European Starling
Field Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Great Egret
Hairy Woodpecker

Hermit Thrush
Horned Grebe
House Finch
House Sparrow
Killdeer
Mallard
Mourning Dove

IMG 1825 1 2 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Hermit Thrushes are another species that can be found on or near the forest floor searching for insects.

Merlin
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Osprey
Pied-billed Grebe
Pileated Woodpecker
Song Sparrow
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Tree Swallow
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Wood Duck
Yellow-rumped Warbler

IMG 2003 1 - Good Birding Report: London, ON April 13-19 2014 — Several Butterfly species emerged this past week including this Milbert’s Tortoiseshell.

It wasn’t just bird activity that increased this past week. Reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies were all more prevalent. The calls of Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs echoed from within flooded wooded areas. Painted Turtles could be seen basking on logs in the warm sun, and several butterfly species including Mourning Cloaks and Milbert’s Tortoiseshells emerged.

Spring Migration is really starting to pick up now that spring-like weather is finally here. The numbers of species previously reported will increase and new arrivals will be appearing over the next couple of weeks. If you get the chance over this period, head out to your local park, ESA, or Conservation Area and see what incredible nature we have right here in our own backyard.

Good birding,
Paul

Westminster Ponds ESA

Nestled in the heart of south London lies a real wildlife gem. Westminster Ponds ESA is bordered by Commissioners Rd, Wellington Rd, Southdale Rd and Highbury Ave. At roughly 200 hectares it is the largest Environmentally Significant Area in the city. Five ponds and 11kms of trails make it an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Hiking, birding and fishing are some of the activities that can be enjoyed there. Keep in mind this area is not a dog park so leashes no longer than 6ft must be used, and biking is not permitted.

The mixed habitat is home to several species of wildlife and is a favourite spot of mine to hike and take pictures. During some of my hikes there I have encountered White-tailed Deer, Coyotes, Beavers, and numerous bird species, both migrating and resident. This time of year is a great time to visit because the fall colours around the ponds are amazing. Several types of sparrows including White-crowned, and White throated can be seen by the hundreds. Ruby-crowned, and Golden-crowned Kinglets are other species that can be seen quite readily this time of year. The five ponds are good stop over places for migrating waterfowl too. Loons, grebes, and many duck species can be seen.

All trails are clearly marked and vary in length. Anything from a quick stroll to a full on hike can be enjoyed. Remember to stick to the trails and obey the trail closed signs as reforestation is taking place in some areas. Trails can become quite muddy after a rain so make sure to wear appropriate footwear.

If spotting wildlife is your goal remember to walk quietly. This is another great reason your dog should be on a leash. I take my dog with me all the time on a leash and see something interesting every time I go. I’ve had people see me with my camera and ask what I photograph. When I tell them they sound surprised and respond by telling me they never see anything. These are the same people whose dogs are 20-30 feet ahead of them on the trails. As I mentioned earlier Coyotes are prevalent in the area and I have seen them try to lure small dogs away from their owners. If a Coyote is encountered and you feel unsafe shout loudly and make a throwing motion at it. This has worked for me in the past.

If you’ve never visited Westminster Ponds ESA you are truly missing out. It is one of my favourite places in the city. Please make sure to read and obey the rules and remember the old saying, ” Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints”.

http://www.thamesriver.on.ca/Wetlands_and_Natural_Areas/westminster.htm

Good birding,
Paul