Happy Belated Easter to all!
Spring is a very confusing season up here in Northern Ontario. Temperatures can change by upwards of 30 degrees in 24 hours or less. Last week is a good example of this. On April 9th, we reached a daytime high of 21C. The next day however, the temperature plummeted and we had -10C wind chills. It’s painful when that happens!
Ruffed Grouse in snow just before the big 21C melt
I’m sure it must create some confusion in the birds as well. A mixed flock of blackbirds, including Grackles, Starlings and Red Winged Blackbirds showed up in my yard when it was nearly 20C and then they got hit with those wind chills the next day. On top of that, we had wet snow over the Easter weekend, about 3″ worth. The only ones who didn’t really seem to mind were the Juncos!
Finch Fest just prior to the big melt – Redpolls & Pine Siskins
Recently returned Dark Eyed Junco sitting on my hummingbird ornament
I’ve been watching the birds in my yard pairing up for the season. Hairy Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Crows, Ravens and Red Breasted Nuthatches have all been in pairs in my yard in recent weeks.
Male (above) and female Hairy Woodpeckers
Pair of Red Breasted Nuthatches
I’ve had a small assortment of Finches vising the feeders lately. The Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks have moved on north but in their place, I now have Purple Finches and Pine Siskins. I expect to see Goldfinches any day now. Evening Grosbeaks will likely stay for the summer now, to nest.
Purple Finches with Pine Siskins
Handsome male Purple Finches
Evening Grosbeaks
I recently noticed one Pine Siskin that was more overall yellow than the rest. The term for this is Xanthochromism: an excess of yellow pigment
Along with the pair of Crows, other blackbirds are now visiting the yard daily. I have mixed flocks of Grackles, Red Winged Blackbirds and Starlings coming around. I’m really hoping to see Yellow Headed Blackbirds and Rusty Blackbirds again this spring.
One of ‘my’ Crows in the Easter snowfall, having a drink from the birdbath
Some of the Grackles and colorful Starlings visiting my yard
Recently, I received a report from a friend of mine that she had seen a pair of Trumpeter Swans on a pond off the back road toward our camp. My husband and I took a drive out there the next morning to try and find them but no luck. My husband did happen to see them the next morning, when he was on his way to work. Others have now reported seeing them as well … they have been in this pond now for nearly 2 weeks.
Trumpeter Swans … see the Goldeneye Duck in behind? 🙂
We might have missed the Swans that day but we did see a nice assortment of ducks and some geese including:
American Black Ducks (male is on right with bright yellow beak)
A trio of Canada Geese
Female Hooded Merganser
A male Common Goldeneye displaying for his mate
My favourite: the male Hooded Merganser
A pair of Mallards
Synchronized Hooded Mergansers!
Another recent trip out on the dirt roads showed that the Bald Eagles returned in March, once again. Such majestic beauty!
Adult Bald Eagle
And a classic sign of Spring: The Robin. I went for a walk around my neighbourhood yesterday and saw at least 20 of them in less than a half hour! I was also lucky enough to see a Fox Sparrow and 2 Turkey Vultures.
The first American Robin sighting from my backyard this season
My busiest birding season is now on my doorstep. On the evening of Friday, April 21st, my husband and I will be conducting our annual Nocturnal Owl Survey. On May 5th, we’ll be completing our very first American Woodcock survey. On May 20th, I’ll be completing my annual Great Canadian Birdathon (please follow this link if you would be interested in sponsoring me … all funds I raise go to Bird Studies Canada! You can also email me at bthache at yahoo dot ca for other methods of donating). And on May 27 & 28th, we’ll be participating in the 9th annual Dorion’s Canyon Country Birding Festival .
On a final note, the Cornell webcam in my yard has now been shut down for the summer season. Thank you to all who watched ….. we’ll be back up and running around the first of November.
Until next time, thanks for reading!
I love all the photos Tammie.
You have some beautiful birds and so good to see the Ruffed Grouse too!!
For me, Juncos are here all summer as they nest here. It’s a cold, cold spring … wonder if hummers will be late here?
Thank you so much, Gordon. 🙂
That’s wonderful, Rosie, thanks. I love hearing from teachers!
Thanks so much, Do!
I always find this time of year confusing too. Juncos still in the yard, which is a winter bird for us, when the first Spring migrants arrive, Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. Juncos always seem to be gone before the Baltimore Orioles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive though! The Pine Siskin was so pretty, haven’t seen one in a few years now.
Your post made interesting reading, my goodness such extremes of weather, I think now we should stop complaining here in the UK. love your back yard pics by the way, and the oh so pure white of the Bald Eagle’s head.
All the best, Gordon.
Thanks so much for posting. I enjoy watching your bird feeders so much, as well as reading your posts about the birds. My 8th grade students know that I watch your feeders, and sometimes ask if it can be up on the smartboard as they do their work.
Have fun with all the bird watching to come.
Awesome read as always Tammie
Love the photos