Carolina Wren Finally Added to Yard List

This morning was a sunny, crisp and downright too beautiful to be indoors. So I went into my backyard just to look at my garden area and just be outside.

In the distance - a Carolina Wren was clearly heard. Hearing this distinct bird song always induces a smile on me. One usually hears this at Point Pelee, Holiday Beach, or Ojibway Park - but to hear one today from my back yard blew my mind! I have been living at my current house for 4-5 years and have seen and heard many great species - but it was only today that I distinctly sensed one for the first time!

I grabbed my camera and binoculars and went for a walk behind my house. I walked in the direction of the bird song and soon was at the edge of a field and forest-scrub habitat. Sure enough, two Carolina Wrens - most likely a breeding pair were skulking around nervously in their wren-like fashion.

While I was out there, I also heard my first of year Song Sparrow singing. It was being shy but I was able to find him along a ditch/drain that cuts through South Cameron Woodlot in Windsor.

For those who have followed my blog over the last few years, its interesting to know that I've seen and heard some great species in this natural area. Some include:  Wood Thrush (breeder), Eastern PeeWee (Breeder), Red bellied Woodpecker, Downy, Hairy (rare), Red Headed (rare) and too many others to name here.

As I walked by to my house through a field, I noticed many American Robins skulking around on the field 20 perhaps which are no doubt northbound or soon to be taking up territory in a residential area near you.



Another great bird seen today was a pair of Eastern Bluebirds in the Pleasant Valley area of Essex County.  My family and I went to John R Park Homestead along the shore of Lake Erie, and while coming home, I drove through that area in hopes of seeing a bluebird and luckily - my target bird was found.  While out in the county, I saw several Killdeer as well. Its always nice to see them and hear them as they return from their winter migration. Spring is here!

Dwayne

Rondeau Redpoll Run

The last two months have been really busy, but amazingly, I've still birded quite a bit. I just haven't seen much that was noteworthy! On top of work and night school, I decided a few months ago that it would be a good idea to do the electrical installation for the new house that my wife and I are having built. I haven't posted a blog posting in 6 weeks, but today's Redpoll citing along with an a generous gift from a reader prompted me get back into the swing of things. Its funny but readers who are birders in Ontario might not realize that the Common Redpoll just does not show up in Windsor. It seems to not be seen much south of Rondeau (see range map). I've only seen this bird twice before today and those looks were fleeting. So this is my third look at a Common Redpoll in my five years of birding!

Late January - went to Rondeau to see Redpolls that were report, I missed them but did get a chance to bird the park a little with Blake. I did see some Pine Siskens at the feeder.

February -Seeing a Belted Kingfisher around Feb 8th was pretty exciting. Considering how cold it got, I hope this little fella made it through the Winter. I guess an Eastern Phoebe was seen at Ojibway Park in Mid February...  It was so cold... I cant even imagine how it was surviving. It must have been a Frozen Phoebe! I saw a Long-tailed Duck, - a rarity at the Detroit River but common an hour north in the Sarnia River. Unfortunately, my car was so full of electrical equipment, I didn't have my camera.

A few weeks ago, Blake mentioned to me in an email that a birder in the Chatham area who enjoys reading my blog wanted to give me some of her old field guides and books related to birding. He mentioned that he would just keep the donated books in his trunk till the next time we meet. So I couldn't resist the opportunity to see Redpolls and obtain these donated books today. On the way to Rondeau I noticed about 10 hawks, 8 were Redtails but I think I saw one or two Rough legged Hawks. My first for the year!

Seeing a Rough legged Hawk is always fun. The plumage details found in its dark "mittens" and belly band are diagnostic. But what caught my attention was how it perches on the tips of the thinnest outer branches of the tree that it perches in. Something a Red-tailed hawk does not do. How many people stop along the highway to see this stuff?

First of Season White Crowned Sparrow

I've had several friends, family and co-workers just give me books about birding! One co-worker gave me both the "Golden" field guide (1966) and the Audubon bird Guide - Eastern Land Birds (1946) as well as Audubon Prints! Today I obtained two boxes of birding books, botany field guides, OFO Journals, "Birding Point Pelee" by Henrietta Oneil, the complete Audubon Collection of birds and Mammals. My birding library is growing!! Thanks to Irene for the kind and thoughtful gift. I'm going to read every book you sent!

Good birding!


Dwaynejava

Searching for Northern Shrike at Malden...

Is it just me or do Golden crowned Kinglets always look upset? LOL! Anyway, I read with amazement on Friday night that a Northern Shrike was spotted at Malden Park. Wow! I went as early as I could on Saturday morning, but had no luck finding it!

I will go back and check throughout the Winter. I would love to see a Northern Shrike. I've seen a Loggerhead Shrike in Florida, but they are almost easy to see if you go to Titusville, one hour east of Orlando.

Anyway, on my search, I took some photos of common birds including:
Downy Woodpecker
Golden Crowned Kinglet
House Finch
Tufted Titmouse
American Tree sparrow (first for this Fall)
and some others.

I did not see my Northern Shrike. I will have to continue looking!

Good birding!
Dwayne

PS: Here is a Loggerhead Shrike I saw in Florida in March 2010:

Typical Ojibway Turnout...

It was a gorgeous February day in Windsor today, so I talked my wife into going for a walk at Ojibway Park. I did a quick walk into the wildgrass preserve hoping to see an Eastern Bluebird, but nothing was there.  I went for a walk behind the Ojibway Nature center and saw the usual carolinean group of overwintering birds.

A Red-Bellied Woodpecker afforded me a few great photos in great light...

Several Tufted Titmice were hanging out as well.

Along with a Tree Sparrow & a female Cardinal.

Black capped chickadee's were all around as well... I can't wait for May!!!
I would love to see a Caronlina Wren.... I have not yet added this bird to my life list. There are so many other birds I'm dying to see. I seem to just not see some birds. I've only seen one owl in my life for example, and it was sticking its head outside of a nest box. I have to sharpen my senses!!! I can't wait for May!!!