Notes From a NW Ontario Backyard: Sept., 2015

September is already half over and fall migration is in full swing.  Geese are flying by the hundreds overhead, the trees are changing color and dropping leaves already.  And my yard is FULL of Grackles!  Sometimes, a dozen or so Starlings are with them.

It’s been an interesting few weeks for sightings in and around the yard.  One day last week, I heard the unmistakable call of Sandhill Cranes. They sounded low so I didn’t think I’d get to see them over the treeline but they looped around and flew low over the horizon.  This was a family of 4 … I think it was the same family that nested on our local golf course once again this summer.  Bittersweet to hear and see them now as I know they are leaving for another winter.

My husband and I went fishing one evening last weekend and had some lovely sightings of a Great Blue Heron, a Bald Eagle that flew over our little boat twice and a single female Common Goldeneye Duck.  Also saw a couple of Loons but not anywhere near enough for a photo.

A very cool sighting for me last week was when I looked out my living room window and spotted a Pileated Woodpecker on the Hydro pole at the edge of my across-the-street neighbour’s backyard (fair distance so fuzzy photo!).  It’s the first one I’ve seen all summer although I know they nest here.

It’s odd but woodpeckers of all types have been very scarce this summer except for Northern Flickers.  They nested in my neighbour’s yard just 3 houses down the street from me so they have been around all summer long, much to my delight.  🙂  I sure hope for the return of the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers for this coming winter.

The Philadelphia Vireo made a return visit to the yard on August 23rd and stayed around the neighbourhood for a week or so.

Cedar Waxwings are still around, hitting any tree or shrub with berries on them.  I saw and heard a flock of at least 30 fly over my yard again this morning.

Last week, I was FINALLY able to see a juvenile Evening Grosbeak!  A small flock of a half dozen showed up for 2 days, adults and young.  These lovely birds have been sorely missed all summer during nesting season.  I normally see youngsters in the yard by late July but this year, I had to have ALL feeders put away for the summer due to nuisance bears roaming around so the birds haven’t been around much either.  I’m SO hoping they’ll be around for the winter again!

6 Black Capped Chickadees, 3 Red Breasted Nuthatches and a few American Goldfinches with young are around quite a bit now.  I love to hear their chatter when I have my windows open.

I had a late (for up here) sighting of a juvenile male Ruby Throated Hummingbird on Sept. 13.  He was SO chubby!  Adorable!  I won’t be surprised if it’s the last one for this season although my feeders will stay out until month’s end.

And 2 definite signs of fall:  small flocks of Dark Eyed Juncos and White Throated Sparrows, adults and juveniles in each group since they both nest up here.

Sightings will only pick up in the coming weeks …. fall is a great season to be a bird watcher!

As some of you may already know, I will once again be hosting a webcam in my backyard this winter, for Project FeederWatch on behalf of Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  I believe this will be my 5th (or maybe 6th!) season with this webcam aimed at my backyard feeders for the FeederWatch season.  We are hoping to begin streaming online in October so hopefully, by the time I do my next post, I will have a firm date to give you!  In the meantime, you can follow this link to check out some of Cornell’s feeders already online:http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/40/Cornell_Lab_FeederWatch_Cam/

As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read!

Tammie in Manitouwadge, ON