There was frost on my windshield at 5:30 but skies were clear and there was no precipitation or any sign of it. The Grand River was still flooding the park in York but I knew it would soon be going down. Change was in the air as I headed for Fern Hill’s Oakville campus. When I turned onto 9th Line a lone Common Loon was winging its way north right into the light breeze. I guess time is running short for loons if they want to breed successfully so they can’t wait for perfect conditions any more.
The woods near Fern Hill were largely empty – I find this very concerning. It’s the same at Ruthven: lots of habitat with nothing taking advantage of it. But at Oakville there were some interesting things happening:
– a small flock (5) of Eastern Kingbirds was feeding on sumac berries in a clump at the forest edge.
– there was a visible migration of Blue Jays going on for much of the morning; I counted 158, all heading NE; some in groups of 2 or 3, others strung out in conglomerations of up to 40. [I often wonder where they’re headed because when I look ahead in the direction they’re pursuing all I see is the skyline of Mississauga, a large metropolis.]
– a single Cliff Swallow went sailing by, headed N, without stopping to check anything out.
– in the late morning a Peregrine Falcon blew through, headed NE – maybe looking for Blue Jays?
– in the field directly to the south of the school, 3 Bobolinks were starting their game of chase, looking to be the dominant male when the females arrive (I didn’t see any yet).
Banded 22:
1 Mourning Dove
6 Blue Jays
3 Black-capped Chickadees
1 American Robin
1 Yellow Warbler
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
4 Common Grackles
4 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 36 spp.
Rick
It was much the same story at Ruthven…a few migrants but woods that were mostly empty. One good sign was the arrival of the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year. [Nancy will have to get her hummingbird banding equipment ready to go!!]
Banded 24:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Tree Swallow
1 House Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 American Robin
1 Blue-headed Vireo
2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
1 Chipping Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrows
2 Brown-headed Cowbirds
9 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 50 spp.