Spring #1: Bird Sightings

neat debbie:
I’ll start one here and we can compare time and species.
So far: march 22/08
Chickadee
sparrows
wrens
downey woodpecker
magpies
blue jays

Central Alberta zone 3-4

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

cool!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

We found this guy taking refuge in our barn this March during the lull between storms. He cleaned out all the sparrows and some of the mice. When we found him we left the door open for him to leave.He certainly was not shy!

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

WOW!!! That is so foreign to me … can’t get over the photo … WOW!!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

very cool!!! how exciting

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

They are getting so rare now.
Is that a grey or horned or screech? I’m thinking horned.

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

yesterday I put one of those bell-shaped birdseed feeders outside my window so I could keep an eye on the birds throughout the day.
Just several hours after the placement our neighbour’s dog – Gabby (I am assuming it was her) took off with the birdseed!!
Before Christmas a similar feeder had shown up on our doorstep where Gabby usually lays down to guard the house… she’d brought us the neighbour’s. Now, I’m assuming she took it back! Gabby, Gabby, Gabby…

either that or it was one of those Spirits!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Again, I say very cool dog!!!! Cute story Deb. I bet this little “hairy neighbor” of yours brings much joy to your heart and smiles to your face …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

looks like a long eared owl which look similar to a great horned owl buy much smaller

we get them here but being a night hunter they are rare to see.

Nice photo

-- Central northish Ontario

yah.. I’m not a dog lover but Gabby has my heart 100%

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Yes it is a screech owl.I had wondered if he was a northern long eared but he was less than 12 inches.
I now have horned larks and saw my first cardinals today.As this is my first year here I wasn’t sure if we were too far north for some of these to over winter but I am now thinking that they knew what kind of year it was going to be so went a bit further south than ususal.

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

I just saw my 1st kingfisher out back. Awesome looking bird with a neat 2 peaked crest on its head. Hope it sticks around and isn’t just passing through.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

I heard the “Oh No” bird yesterday. It’s the bird whos gems hang down further then its feet and chirps “Oh No” every time it lands.

-- Central northish Ontario

Last year I had 1 pair of wood ducks. This year there are 2 pair. Yippeee! They are beautiful and actual nest in a tree cavity. You can listen to bird calls at the this neat site that will also help you identify them. I am a novice and I am trying to learn calls so when in the woods I will recognize a bird even if I don’t see it. http://whatbird.wbu.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx

Enjoy

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

great site!
lol
I listened to the red-winged blackbird and the cat, who was in the middle of a lick, sat upright with tongue sticking out of his lips and stared at the computer with visions of a tasty meal I do believe hahaa it was funny. But I wont do it again – that would be mean :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

What a wonderful site. Thank you for sharing that. I could spend the other half of my day there after spending the first half at gardentenders

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

I have my camera at hand all year long, taking bird pictures.
I love the site nativeplantsrule
Thank you!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Yes, I will add my kuddos too … loved the site; I don’t know the names of our birds but LOVE to listen to them. Felt almost like I was outside sipping my ice tea and listening to my feathered friends sing their lovely songs.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg137/miketheglass/CIMG1708-1.jpg
this pair dropped in our front garden this afternoon 36/03/2008
i think that they are partridges ? would you agree with that ?
regards mike

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

HI GRANDMA T WHY ARE YOU DRINKING ICED TEA HAVEN`T YOU GOT A KETTLE IT MAKES IT TASTE MUCH BETTER WHEN ITS HOT, THATS HOW WE DRINK IT. OR HAVE YOU USED YOUR KETTLE AS A PLANTER IN THE GRAVEL BORDER ?. GOODNIGHT MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

Morning Mike … Well, I was dreaming of summer time … sitting outside, sipping my “ice tea” to help cool off. LOL!!, yah I do love a nice warm cup of tea in the colder weather months too … and, hmmmmmmm kettle in the gravel border … hmmmmmm ….. :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

lol Mike.. you are too funny.
hahah GrandmaT—- hehe I thought the same thing!!! lol (kettle in the border…. great idea!)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Hey GranT,
If there is a “scrap dealer” around your place, you might be able to go hunting in his treasure pile!
I have done that and it is fun and even cheaper than flea market: bottomless pots, even chamber pots….
As well, if you go for car rides and see “antique dealer” on the side of the road, quite often they have in the back yard a lot of fun things. Have fun hunting!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

I am not sure if there are any scrap dealers near me … Maybe I should ask Damocles; he might know of some place that I am over looking. We are so “metropolitan” in here that side of the road “antique dealers” don’t exist. But know what you are talking about cuz when the kids were younger we would drive them (5 hours north) for summer camp. Farm country with lots of odd, wonderful shops along the way.

The little town that we now live in has a really neat “downtown” full of boutique-type shops and I am sure I could find some very cool items. But the shops are VERY pricey and that is not what I am looking to do. Soooooo, I’m thinking come “garage sale” time, I might find some “treasures” for repurposing as well … so adding to this little bed may be a whole summer adventure.

I may pick up an old watering can that was at the flea market last weekend … very “kettle like”. (I bet you folks on acreas and farms have old watering can just sitting around! – hahaha) Don’t know if I can “plant the can” but it would look cute just sitting there amongst everything else. Sunday … a hunting I will go!!! Can’t wait …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

maybe ask your neighbours – do a local “freecycle” call out and start spreading the word!! Maybe some “swaps” can be arranged or just plain old freebie giveaways

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

that is an interesting idea …. thanks Deb!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

AN OLD TOILET WITH RED GERANIUMS GROWING OUT OF IT ! NOW THATS STYLISH REGARDS MIKE!

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

LOL!!! Actually Mike one of the pieces I AM looking for is an old wooden child’s potty chair to plant flowers in … thought it would be a cute and funny.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

I agree GranT, it would be funny and interesting! people sure would “talk”!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

old pottys

I made this old Kybo/outdoor crapper/outhouse to hide the propane tank….....comes with a toilet seat lid and in the toilet I plant some flowers. This pic was to get mr and mrs troll

-- Central northish Ontario

spotted this minature arctic ptarmigan in the china cabinet

-- Central northish Ontario

Hey GT,
You are soooo talented! I just love what you are doing!
Thanks for sharing another one with us!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

in the china cabinet!! lol

love the trolls

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

New Sighting: we saw a Kildeer yesterday.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Never seen it here. Neat looking bird!

We get our 2 turkeys, (yes only 2 this year) a few times a day, cardinal (the female only for the last week),
saw what we thought was something of the falcon family (all the birds disappeared) with a yellowish belly, about 14”-16” tall. By the time I had my camera, it flew away!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

coopers hawk or sharp shinned hawk Eclectic. They can be difficult to determine which is which but allthe same, both are skilled predators. Most folks dont know but the fine for killing any raptor (hawks eagles falcons etc) in Canada is a $100,000 dollar fine with up to 5 years in prison. If it is an eagle or a Ferriganous hawk the fine is bumped up to 150,000. To date and with the exception of native folks, anyone caught has recieved the maximum fine with prison time….............

I hear the male turkeys all day long now, the thump…...thump…thump..thump thump thump thump. I can hear the red winged black birds and thought I heard a song sparrow.

At my old house we had a Kildeer come every year and make its nest right smack dab in the center of the back yard. I assume that this spot was used for 100 years or more, back when it was a farm field.

-- Central northish Ontario

THATS INTERESTING GREENTHUMB I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE THUMPING TURKEYS DO
I ONCE HEARD A NOISE LIKE THAT IT WENT 99 THUMP ,99 THUMP AND SO ON DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS A CENTIPEDE WITH A WOODEN LEG !

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

Hahahaha! Mike

Great one!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

how do youcatch a very unique rabbit

u nique up on it

-- Central northish Ontario

how do you catch a tame one?

tame way—u nique up on it!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

you guys are hilarious … !!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

I ONCE SAW LOADS OF BALD MEN IN A FIELD EACH WITH A RABBIT ON THEIR HEADS !
APPARENTLY FROM A DISTANCE THEY LOOKED LIKE HARES ! REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

I just saw 4 wood ducks fly overhead.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Fantastic!!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Debbie, sure they weren’t decoys?

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

haha pretty impressive ones, I must say!! Flying – wow. Never seen that style before! ha.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

The starlings are back…........dont even know if they ever left because I see them in the city.

nasty little bird that is not native, rather escaped from captivity and adapted quite well to its new home. The nasty little (rather ugly) bird breeds year round in just about everything….concrete hydro poles, bird houses, rafters, soffit. The Starlings seem to have no problem kicking a song bird out, removing the chicks and laying their own eggs…............I trap them and have them removed.

I did see geese, seagulls, red wing black birds,................soon enough the song birds will return, the warblers, the thrashers, the vireos, the finches and hummers. The cliff swallows will return to their nests above the front door and the young lads bedroom window. I built another stone wall in hope they will build more nests on it.

-- Central northish Ontario

updated list:
Turkey Buzzard
Swans (on the weekend)
House Finch or Purple Finch (We think that it is a Purple Finch)
Cowbird

I’ve lost that site someone posted with the bird calls.. does anyone have the link still?

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Deb, scroll up to “NPR” she has the site right there.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

thanks
I looked “up” but had missed it.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

april13/2008
We are now visited by the magnificent flocks of Cedar waxwings.
They swarm around in clouds of 200-300 birds.
I just saw about 200 on my front yard tree.

The geese have arrived although the river still has ice.
The blujays are back in full force( they neve left but the plumage is dressed up now for mating.

The redbrested nuthatchs have begun to crwalaround my trees looking for insects and grubs

I’m posting web pictures to help out new bird watchers figure out what we are talikg about.

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

aren’t they beautiful!!!!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Canada Geese have been dropping in daily for a rinse in the flooded front field as have the mallards and hooded megansers. Lots of puddle ducks drop straight down into the pond back in the forest.

Goldfinches are really changing to their summer yellow. Lots of Robins, Bluebirds and finches, juncos, chick-a-dees, nuthatches and wood peckers…............it sure sounds busy out there now. I see the odd cardinal and can hear the Orioles.

The domestic ducks (she) laid 6 eggs and is sitting on them.

Yes, spring is finally here

BTW Bob…...........nice photos

-- Central northish Ontario

Bob … these are indeed beautiful birds!!! Thanks for the photos …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Wow Bob I can’t even imagine 200 or 300 Cedar Waxwings.I get really excited if I can just get one pair of them to come to the feeders.You sure are lucky to see so many at one time.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Not a new bird this year as it has been around all winter. But it is beautiful!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Looks like a downey woodpecker? The markings seem a bit differnt than our here but it could be the camera angle.
Nice shot

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

pileated woodpecker, isn’t it?
I’ve seen one.. they are quite large.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

saw a swallow yesterday.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I just saw a GOLDFINCH
he was looking a little rough, with lots of grey patches at his neck/shoulders but it was still a goldfinch. Woo hoo.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

this past weekend I saw a white-crested sparrow and a red-breasted nuthatch

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Oh My the pic on here are so nice I don’t know where to start

The old pottie, wow that is great

The owl I never saw one before. Terrific pic

All the bird pics are wonderful

I have a friend who is a well known bird photographer. her pic are in a few magazines now, Bird and Blooms is one of them, and she is a member of the bird forum on Garden Buddies as I am

There is an wonderful famous owl pic with an owl peeking out from a tree hole on that forum. A friend of hers is the very famous bird photographer from NY who took those pic

I have never seen a real owl

I would have my cammie going crazy if I ever saw one like you did . You did well with these pic and I really am enjoying them

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

MS Debbie

I have the red breasted nuthatch but no sparrows

Our sparrows disappeared many years ago

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

What awesome bird pics! I too have never seen an owl or a bluebird. Maybe some day I will be lucky.

I thought I heard an owl the other week and it turned out to be a mourning dove! lol

-- blooz 5b - You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~author unkown

I am an avid ‘bird watcher” and according to my wife, I pay way more attention to my feathered friends then I pay attention to her. I guess it would be better to be me then her>G<............cause my little feathered friends are here for yet one more seasonal change.

the bluebirds are here, yet not one couple has set a nest

I have yet to see a “couple of barn swallows”

nor have I seen a “couple of cliff swallows”

not even one Robin has nested yet on the beams of the shed, nor have I seen a Phebie. Normally at this time, especially with the pleasant weather, my cliff swallows would be “spitting out a nest”..........I have yet to see one

in 25 years, I have yet to see this and I look forward too going further north where the summer song birds are as thick as the CHICKEN $!IT is here….........

has anyone else noticed a decline in the songbird population this year?

-- Central northish Ontario

you don’t have sparrows? Well, I won’t take them for granted!! We have so many, you almost don’t notice them any more.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Lots of sparrows here to and different kinds.Have heard the phoebe but not seen it yet.Got goldfinch at the feeders now and little kinglets.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

POOP-BOMBING report: May 16, 2008

Oh my goodness—these grackles are definitely NOT respecting their neighbours! The back of my truck is almost completely white with poop-bombings – HUGE deposits.
The birds’ line of path is from the neighbour’s trees along our laneway, over top of my truck and across my deck/ edge of our pond. They hit the truck, the water, the deck, and MY chair!!!
No human targets to report (crossing my fingers on that one and keeping my eyes to the ground rather than skyward, just in case).

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

May 17, 2008

Baby Robin: sitting on my bench nestled in amongst the lilacs.

and the Kildeer eggs are still there

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

How great is that!!!
Lucky to have the Kildeer! Never have seen one!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

saw an Oriole and a Hummingbird this afternoon.

And here’s the Kildeer playing the “broken wing” game. I took this picture a few days ago

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Amazing!
And when you think we live in the same province, both in the south of Ontario and then you see the difference in the robin’s chicks!!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

yah, I never thought of that!
but then there are probably eggs just hatching here as well… this was one of those early birds that got the worm ;)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I cannot get over the variety of birds you all see … mainly here I see Robins, BlueJays and the occasional Cardinal … oh yes, and several little birds. But nothing like this.

Ever since you guys posted all these wonderful bird pics, I have been keeping a close eye open for different varieties. None thus far …

Although I did have a Robin sit really close to me on the porch railing … no camera … but made my heart go pitter-pat at being so close. And I had a Robin and BlueJay fighting mid air into our back bushes … could hear them squawking and hitting with their wings. Not sure who won …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

that sounds fascinating GramT – just as exciting as seeing a variety of birds.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

We got our first baltimore oriole here yesterday too.Tried to get a pic but he was too skittish to get near enough.If he is still here today I will try again.It is so awesome to see all the colorful birds we have here.Wish I could just sit all day and watch them.Oh ya we got our first cowbird yesterday too.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more