Painted Bunting at Point Pelee

After work, I stopped by Pelee Wings to visit their special feeder guest, a beautiful female Painted Bunting (aka - Green Goddess?). In the sunlight, the mix of green, yellow and light blue was really nice to behold, even though my view was from 30-40 feet away.  I only had a few minutes to see this beauty before it left... I then decided to try my luck at Kopagaron Woods [ERCA LINK]which has had a Worm eating Warbler for the last few days. I was unable to find this amazing warbler, but my consolation prize was these nice Trout Lily plants.

Good birding!
Dwaynejava

Here is a handsome male Painted Bunting that I saw in Florida during my lil' birding trip a while back.

In search of Common Redpolls...

With the exciting posting from Blake recently about Common Redpolls near Sarnia, I have been trying to visit Ojibway Park at least weekly. Of course, no Redpolls yet, but, even just the everyday common birds that hang out are nice to see. Below I share a few...

 Nice looks at a House Finch... looks like the Spring Plumage might be starting to show up...

 I attempted to photoshop the branches behind the bird but I'll leave it...

 Two downy woodpeckers male and female doing some really strange dance... territory or mating? Don't fight over the suet feeder guys!

 WB Nuthatch

 White throated Sparrow

Dark Eyed Junco

Florida Birding Trip Update:
Well, I've booked a short trip to Florida in March. I'm really excited! I'm basically going to start my trip in Fort Myers in the South West part of the state, visit several incredible parks in the area and then drive up the east coast of Florida and hang out in Mid-Florida for some Merrit Island birding. I decided on the trip, but also decided that I'm not upgrading my camera to a Canon 7D. I'd love one, but I'm going to get another year or two out of my Canon 40D.

If anyone hears of Redpolls in Essex County, please let me know! :^)

Good birding!

PS:

*My likeness is featured on Point Pelee's website. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/index.aspx . Thanks Crystal for letting me know!

** David Sibley's blog also featured an Owl photo I took at Point Pelee. See this link if interested:  http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/02/still-more-examples-of-false-faces-in-birds/

*** Ojibway Park will soon be opening their new Nature Center. http://www.windsorstar.com/almost+moving+beast+alike+Ojibway+Nature+Centre/4353497/story.html 

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:

White Faced Ibis at Big Creek... and a few warbling friends...

 

Wow, I left work today and headed out to Amherstburg... Big Creek Marsh and Holiday Beach to do some mid-week birding. Much to my delight, the Ontbirds notices of a White Faced Ibis from three days ago were still relevant! Sure enough, I saw parked cars, tripods, scopes and geeked out birders!

The real birders stood at a great distance, letting the bird wade in peace, while some locals walked as close as they possibly could to shot photos... Where is the birding etiquette?

 (Besides the Ibis, there were hundreds of Great Blue Heron in the background.)

It was a nice day out, but as soon as I arrived to Big Creek, the grey, cloudy skies rolled in with dingy, photography-killing light. Then it even started to rain!  The White Faced Ibis is a lifer for me... and the link below http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-faced_Ibis/lifehistory has a range map that really lets an ontario birder know just how 'accidental' this species is!!!

Next I stopped by Holiday Beach, and much to my happiness, the gate was open. I slowly drove down the the entrance road and stopped my car at one point when I heard lots of warbling.

Yellow Warbler!!! I have the feeling there were many around because I could hear them all along the drive into the park. Also, I basically took this from inside my car!

Holiday Beach was absolutely gorgeous. All the sloughs were flooded... I can just imagine that it will be humming with birds over the course of the next few weeks.

Next, I walked around near the observation tower, but did not see anything exciting. A few tree swallows, a cardinal, your obligatory grackels, robins and starlings.

Yesterday (Wednesdsay), I stopped by Point Pelee from 3-5pm and did not see much. I did see my first local warbler in spring molt.

The Yellow-Rumped Warbler was found at Blue Heron picnic area.

Hermit Thrushes are easy to spot in Woodland Trail this week. I ran into on loud Eastern Towhee, and MANY White Throated Sparrows.

Finally, I birded Ojibway quickly on Tuesday this week and did not see much. I did happen to run into a Tufted Titmouse, House finch and American Goldfinch.

Happy Birding!