Hairy Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker

I stopped by Ojibway with the family tonight for a quick bikeride and saw this Hairy Woodpecker on the side of the nature center. I shot this with a simple point-and-shoot from 20 feet away (excuse the blur!). I noticed that last fall,  more Hairy Woodpeckers were present than at any other time of the year. They were almost easily seen for about 3 weeks. I wonder if they migrate a little bit?

Its in the same spot as a female Downy Woodpecker I photographed a while back...

These two birds are good examples of Convergent Evolotion, but more interestingly, offer great basic lessons in birding.

Birding Videos from Cornell: (The size/shape video uses these woodpeckers in their discussion)
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1270

Great resource on comparing Hairy vs Downy Woodpeckers
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/woodpeckerIDtable.htm

Good Birding!
Dwayne

Dimorphism of the Indigo Bunting

American Goldfinch in a sea of wildflowers at Ojibway Prarie

I did a quick walk at Ojibway this afternoon. I just absolutely love going there and spending time witnessing the beauty of nature. I could seriously spend a full day going to the various parts, like the Black Oak Heritage Park or the Spring Garden area. But, I find I'm constantly looking at my watch thinking, its already been an hour?

Anyway, today I think I've photographed my first female Indigo Bunting. I think I saw one last summer with the first Indigo Bunting I had seen at that point, but I did not get a photograph of it. Below are two shots of the female, followed by a previously taken photo of a male Indigo Bunting. (Post script: The title of this post is a mis-nomer. It should really be 'sexual dimorphism' of the Indigo Bunting. Its not like there are two morphs for Indigo Buntings... as you might find a Red Morph or Grey Morph for Eastern Screech Owls.)

 

More can be read about these wonderful birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Indigo_Bunting/id.

I also found out what 'scolding' calls are for House Wrens.  I was walking with my wife in the Ojibway Prarie when we both heard what we thought was a rattle snake! But, as I looked around, I saw no snakes (Mississauga Rattler?) ... I saw a tiny little rust-coloured House Wren.

Scolding House Wren (I actually used flash).

This blog has incredible, extensive listings of bird calls: (http://pjdeye.blogspot.com/2009/03/wren-calls.html).This link would actually let you listen to the rattle-snake like scolding of the House Wren.

I also saw two Green Herons today in the waterway in front of the nature center. This shot below really shows the beauty and texture of its green plumage.

At the risk of self engrandizing, a photo of this site's author with his son. The backback was given to me by my neighbor who was having a garage sale.

Author with his son, amongst the 'weeds' of Ojibway.

 By the way, this image below should compliment/suppliment the "Save Ojibway" posting I recently did.

The red area shows where the Big-Box development would go. Notice also the yellow line on the top of the image. The new DRIC bridge crossing will follow Huron Church (#3) then take a sharp left below the EC Row to the river. This will cut very close into the Black Oak forest area from my understanding.

Good Birding,
Dwayne

Ganatchio Trail Rotary Club Extension & the Little River Corridor

I've biked/hiked/birded this wonderful park about 3 times this year. Its a great location if you are looking for a great walk or bike ride in Windsor's East side.


Here is a google map of this general area:


View Larger Map


Ganatchio trail follows Riverside Drive, but at this sign, you can turn right and go 'inland' to some beautiful parkland.

It would be nice to know the history of how and why this park was developed. From my minimal research, I've gathered that Rotary Club was a big part of this park's development.

The birding is pretty good. Over the three times I've come to this park, I've seen:

Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Yellow Warbler
American Goldfinch
Northern Flicker
Canada Geese
Malard Ducks
and the rest of the local usuals...

Northern Flicker, perched 10 ft away from the path. I took this with my point-and-shoot camera.

As you travel further inland, you pass several habitat types. Grassland/meadow, then man-made lakes and cat-tail wetlands. Then forest, meadow and more wetlands & lakes. It's very impressive!

You can also bring your Kayak to the parking lot across from Lily Kazillies and Kayak to Peche Island from Kayakers' Cove. The WECC group has done so much work to keep this little gem alive and thriving. The city just installed a drop off loop at Kayakers Cove so you don't have to carry your kayak across Riverside Drive. (http://www.weccc.org/)

Good Birding!
Dwayne

The Warbler and the Vireo

I took a quick walk this morning in the Ojibway Prairie. Today was much more quiet than yesterday, but I was only there for a 1/2 hour. I basically saw nothing until I heard an Eastern Towhee off the beaten path, so I walked in its direction and I could not help but notice the looping flight of an Eastern Peewee Flycatcher. I snapped a few photos of it.

Then, in the same oak tree I noticed a Black Capped Chickadee, so I tried 'pishing' it to bring it closer into view. Then suddenly, a few tiny birds started flying around very actively and I took a few shots. I think I've photographed a female Blackburnian Warbler along with a Philadelphia Vireo (lifer). According to Tom Hince's book on birding this area, Vireos start returning in Mid August to Mid September. I think these two birds are jumping the gun a little!

***Update: This is a Warbling Vireo! Thanks Blake!

As usual, I might be mistaken on the identification so please let me know what you think (It could be a Warbling Vireo as well). Please excuse the lackluster photos. I should use flash more often, and whenever I point my lens up beyond parallel to the ground skyward, I get these grossly underexposed photos.

Good Birding! And Save Ojibway!
Dwayne