***Editor's note: I attempted to use images from Ebird, ... I was struggling to transfer images to my linux based computer--- I don't like the look of these images so I will switch back to the regular image formatting on my next posting. ***
During the month of April - I had made an effort to walk at some of my local natural areas for about an hour per day. I plan to keep up this daily walk all the way into late May and beyond! (its healthy to walk!).
One of my favorite birds to find in April Migration is a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and having gone out daily to the Ojbway Park Complex (Malden Park, Tom Joy Woods, Spring Garden, and Black Oak Heritage Park) - I was able to see many.
Even for about 1 week in the middle of April - I had daily sightings of YBSS visible from my backyard!
I was almost tempted to do a posting in April called: "Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers: 100 photos" as I felt I had perhaps had that many photos --- but --- realistically I think most blog viewers would be interested in maybe my BEST TEN YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKER PHOTOS....
Late April surprise.... On April 25th 2025 - I was birding at Malden Park in Windsor and I was looking at Yellow-rumped, and Palm Warbler working the edge of a pond when amazingly --- I noted a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER come into view (Northern Waterthrush was also seen moments later). The following day, (April 26th) it was still there. According to Ebird sightings in 2025 - I was the first and only person that had seen that species this year in Canada!
May 25th Ebird Checklist with Prothonotary Warbler obs!
https://ebird.org/checklist/S229326841
I had gone to pelee a few times in early May.
April 27th - https://ebird.org/checklist/S230127584 ( White eyed Vireo, Kentucky)
May 1st - (too twich the Scissor tailed Flycather) https://ebird.org/checklist/S231765696
I love birding and being out in nature. I conceed that Point Pelee has the absolute best chances of having huge bird diversity (the park has diverse habitats) ... But in my life at the current moment, driving 50-60 minutes both ways is still 'expensive' for me in terms of time and gas money.
But Ojibway Park can be incredibly rewarding to bird as well.
Today for example - I had Indigo Buntings and Yellow Throated Vireos there and I'm not sure there was any of those seen at Pelee today! Even today on May 4th - Black Oak had Pine Warblers singing (Northern Parula, Pine, Palm, B&W, Yellow, Yellow Rumped, BTB, BTG warlbers). Sure - Pelee will have Kentucky Warblers and Scissor tailed flycatchers --- but I'm almost just as happy with my meager sightings closer to home.
A recent walk at Spring Garden gave nice looks at Greater Yellowlegs, Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager.
Migration Oddities: I have seen Red breasted Nuthatches almost daily for the last 4 days - even though I don't think it was a big migration winter this year.
Also - I don't think I've seen a single Least Flycatcher this year yet!
I photographed a prothonotary warbler before photographing a yellow warbler!
So that is a little catching up on my bird watching efforts. I have had some great sightings that were just a little closer to home.
Wishing you great bird watching in this incredible migration season we are witnessing!
Dwayne
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