Not a new visitor to our backyard, but a rare treat to see, Nashville Warbler! May 6th, 2018
The last month has been an interesting one here in Toronto, both with the weather and the birds. Spring may of arrived in March, but “old man winter” kept hanging on, his most cruel blow coming in the form of a three day ice storm the second weekend of April. I was relieved that our Baltimore Orioles or Ruby-throated Hummingbirds had not yet returned.
A week later, winter seemed to finally go into his slumber. The sun came out, the temperatures warmed up, and migration really got under way. We visited nearby parks and were thrilled to see the Tree Swallows had returned, along with Thrushes, different Sparrow species and Great Egrets.
Our Baltimore Orioles returned a day earlier then the last two years. May 3rd, 2018
Our Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were about a week later then the Orioles, but Rob hasn’t taken a pic yet. We’re thrilled to have both species back once again to spend the summer in the backyard with us.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for us in the backyard was the number of new yard birds we had.
New Yard Bird – Brown Thrasher. May 4th, 2018
New Yard Bird – Eastern Towhee. May 5th, 2018
New Yard Bird – Yellow Warbler. May 6th, 2018
This is the honest truth. Driving home from a great morning of birding on May 7th. I said to Rob, “Wouldn’t it be awesome to get a Black-throated Blue Warbler in the yard.” We had seen one that morning at a park we were visiting.
Later that evening in our backyard…..
New Yard Bird – Black-throated Blue Warbler! May 7th, 2018 ( I must wish for birds more often!)
It’s been a great Spring for birds in our backyard! Rob and I are well into our 2 week vacation and we have been visiting many local areas, and some a little further away. I will blog about our birding vacation next month.
Enjoy the birds!
~Angie
NOTE: All pictures were taken in our backyard by my husband, Rob, on the date indicated. The Yellow Warbler and Nashville Warbler hung around for 3 days enjoying our yard. The Eastern Towhee and Black-throated Blue Warbler spent the evening with us, and the Brown Thrasher spent the day.
WOW! What a welcome to Spring!
Beautiful blog so glad you got to see these beautiful birds.
So awesome to have new visitors to the yard. So often, we, too, will be out birding and come home to equally as exciting birds on our own property. A lot can be said for a small garden oasis that jumps out from a string of barren backyard properties. The birds know a good thing when they see it. Water, trees and bird food…a good combination. Hope you experience many more surprises!