November Blahs... Birding While Sick

 

Its been about a week or two since I've really birded or blogged.... I've been sick with an earache for the last few days and before that, I've been fixing a relentless list of things that have broken down in my home. 

Upon the advice of my wife, I went out Saturday to a nearby location, Ojibway Park to get some fresh air. I have been wanting to go to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see the Razorbills or Red throated Loons (10 hour commitment) or even just to Point Pelee to see the Franklin's Gull or American Pipits (four hour commitment) but it was just not in the cards for this last weekend. I'm sick, so the best I could do was take photos of common birds at the local bird feeder!

Ojibway Park has a nice bird feeding area that gives good looks at:

• Purple Finch (rare in my experience)
• Tufted Titmouse
• Blue Jay
• Black capped Chickadee
• White Breasted Nuthatch
• Red belllied Woodpecker/ Downy Woodpeckers

 

 

 

Later on Saturday, I stopped by the Ambassador Bridge to see if the Peregrine Falcons were around and yes, I found them with a fresh catch (Rock Pigeon) and watched the female (on the left) de-feather and dismantle its fresh catch. 

I was hoping to reach 100 postings this year on my blog, but I don't know if I have that much to say. And one can only look at so many Tufted Titmouse & Black Capped Chickadee pictures!


Some birds I would love to see by years end are:

• Northern Shrike -Seen yearly in late Nov at Malden Park.
• Rough legged Hawks - Typically easy to see at Point Pelee in Dec
• Red breasted Nuthatch - Winter resident at my moms house for 2 yrs now!
• Saw Whet Owl (potential lifer)
• Short eared Owl (potential lifer)
• Snowy Owl (potential lifer)
• Purple Sandpiper (potential lifer)
• Common Eider (potential lifer)
• Black Scoter (potential lifer)

????

Soon, huge numbers of waterfowl will congregate near Peche Island where Lake St Clair funnels into the Detroit River. I hope some rarities show up! Common Eider would be nice, as well as Black Scoter, both would be lifers.

Good birding!
Dwaynejava