Wednesday 14 May 2014

Presqu'ile

Headed to Presqu'ile Provincial Park today in hopes of finding some more warblers. The warblers were not as abundant as I'd hoped but there were many good birds to be found. The day started with an indigo bunting on the Marsh boardwalk trail as well as many American Bitterns, Marsh Wrens and Yellow warblers:



On the Owen Point trail the only bird out of the ordinary was a Willow Flycatcher that I didn't actually see but only heard. From there I headed to the light house, en route I heard a Blue-winged warbler and a Clay Coloured Sparrow in the day use area but again couldn't see either bird. At the lighthouse there was many Baltimore Orioles and a female Magnolia Warbler, along with Nashville, Yellow and Common Yellowthroats .


After looking around the lighthouse for a little while I decide to go an see if I could find the blue winged or clay coloured sparrow in the day use area. I could still hear the clay coloured sparrow but got side tracked by a Scarlet Tanager and a number of warblers.


Monday 12 May 2014

May 6 - 9: They're Back!

Warblers have returned from there wintering habitats! On May 6 I went to Harold Town conservation area early in the morning to photography some early spring vegetation not expecting to find any birds. Almost right way I a pair of wood ducks were in the trees above me which is always I nice find. On my way back to my car I decided to have a look at a poplar/aspen stand where I have found many warblers before. This spot did not fail me, there were Yellow-Rumped, Nashville, Palm, and Black-Throated Green as well as Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and a Blue Headed Vireo among the other usual birds.


The next morning I decided to return to the same spot but only a couple Nashville and Yellow-Rumped warblers remained


2 days later an early morning thunderstorm passed through the area, this forced all the migrating birds to land an take cover. Once the storm had passed and with high expectations I went and explored a  few spot I though would have many birds. I managed to find many warblers including a Cape May warbler in the Millbrook valley trail system, however they were all high up in the trees and not very good for photos. After about and hour and a half of successful birding but not photography I decided the haroldtown CA would likely have lots of birds at lower level because the trees are smaller. So that is where I headed. When I arrived at my usual spot I couldn't believe how many birds were there, they trees were covered in warblers! and other new migrants. Below are some of the photos and most interesting species click here to see more.

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Chestnut sided Warbler

Northern Parula
Scarlet Tanager