March 2016 - Bird Boy

Spring Arrivals

Spring has hit already. It seems like just a month ago I was watching birds swing through on their way south.Of course, I wasn’t. I was actually wondering why so many Snowy Owls were around, and if winter would ever end.

But now? Between my dad and I, we have seen Song, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows in addition to the ubiquitous House Sparrows. We have seen many swans, and Snow Geese have been seen as well. Last year, I didn’t find a song sparrow until April, but I saw them in the first week of March this year.

Once it hits, though, migration is unstoppable. American Robins are back in the neighbourhood, and eagles are flying flying through in their hundreds. Some birds are pairing up already, and and two my favourite nest sites have welcomed their owners back already.

Last week, we went to Weed Lake where we saw 5 Snowy Owls, American Widgeon, Lesser Scaup, and an unusual Eurasian Widgeon. The Owls were sitting on the ice, as it was, (for once) the only white substance for miles around.

Soon we can be expecting Swallows, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-rumped Warblers and many more Gulls. Here are some photos of birdswe saw at Weed Lake.

Great Canadian Birdathon

The Great Canadian Birdathon is a fundraiser to help endangered species, and to KEEP COMMON BIRDS COMMON. Anybody can take part, simply by registering here. Once registered, you build a webpage, and send emails out to friends and family. You set a goal and raise funds to get it, but the main thing is that when you register, you get a free day birding! You can chose any day in May and for 24 hours (it doesn’t have to start at midnight) you get out and see as many bird species as you can.

Should you not be able to, or not want to register, you can still help! Even if you don’t personally know me or another participant, you can donate to help them reach their goal and to save the birds you love. My webpage is here. It’s that simple! There is no designated amount to donate, so you can give anywhere from $1 to $10, 000 (Though I recommend about 20 to 100 dollars, anything is OK). Please consider donating to this important cause! You can also donate per species, as a good friend of mine does.

Last year, I found 88 species in Long Point, two years ago, I got 91 species, and three years ago, I caught 70 species in the field. This year, My goal is 700 Can$, and between 97 and 103 species. My complete lists from the last three years are here: Baillie Birdathon 2013, Baillie Birdathon 2014 and Great Canadian Birdathon 2015. I have included photos from previous years below.

Great Canadian Birdathon 2015

Baillie Birdathon 2014

Raven eating pigeon — Common Raven, eating an alive (though not for much longer) Rock Pigeon

Baillie Birdathon 2013

Cley Marshes 3

We woke early on our 3rd and final day in Cley, and drove to the visitor centre to look through the scopes. There wasn’t much out there, but in the fields beside us there were 25 Curlew and a dozen Skylark!

We went back to Titchwell to see what we could. Upon arriving, an elegant Water Rail stepped out from its hiding place and we got to watch it for a while before continuing. It did not stay in the open long enough for any good photos, but here’s what there is.

After seeing very little at Titchwell, we (supposedly) went home. 20 minutes after we left, we stopped for the sight of 4 or 5 acres filled with waterfowl. European Wigeon, Brent and Canada Geese, Mallard and a few gulls.

And, was it? It was! Pink-footed Geese! 27 of them couldn’t hold the lime-light for long though, as an elusive Barnacle Goose flew overhead.

Eventually, we left, and managed to make only one more stop on the way home. We were twitching, an activity I try to keep away from when I can, but this time it was well worth it.

After a fifteen minute jog, in the failing light, we crested a hill and hit gold – that is to say, red. Thousands and thousands of Red Knots mingled with 1500 Mallards, 2000 Oystercatchers and 50 – 100 Curlew. So many Knots. It was breathtaking.