By late May, temperatures have risen quite a bit, and the demand for fluids follows suit; birds need to drink and often drink throughout the day. Continue reading Nature’s Birdbath
Monthly Archives: May 2016
Connecticut Warbler song and tip
A heads up to keep an ear out for this song in any woodlot, but especially ones that are dank and have dense tangles and a coniferous element (aka Stony Swamp NCC trails). This species’ song is loud and piercing (similar to a Northern Waterthrush in that regard). Continue reading Connecticut Warbler song and tip
“Moss Tyrant” Appreciation Week
A late migrant, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (“Moss Tyrant”) spends only about 66 days on the Ontario breeding grounds before making the journey southward back to its neotropic wintering grounds (Hussell 1982). This greenish, big-headed lil’ gem is possibly visiting your favorite patch as we speak Continue reading “Moss Tyrant” Appreciation Week
Bicknell’s Thrush ID notes
On Bicknell’s Thrush ID: below I present several photos and accompanying identification notes. Only plumage details are discussed; a more thorough post will be up later this year detailing vocalization analysis, summarizing the classic, extensive studies by Wallace (1939) and Marshall (2001). Continue reading Bicknell’s Thrush ID notes
Warbling vs. Philadelphia Vireo: a refresher…
Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos can be quite similar in appearance. This identification challenge is not necessarily straightforward, most especially when dealing with these two species flitting about in green, leafy vegetation on a sunny day. Continue reading Warbling vs. Philadelphia Vireo: a refresher…
Swallow ID note
By early-mid June, juvenile Tree Swallows with light dusky “bibs” are flying about, often intermingling with other swallows, such as Bank Swallows. Continue reading Swallow ID note
The Sunlit Edge
Birding tip: from early to mid May, temperatures generally drop quite a bit overnight and do not rise again until late in the morning. For early morning birding, look for edge habitat that is sunlit; these areas are warmer and usually have more insect activity! Continue reading The Sunlit Edge
Field Sparrow silhouette
Field Sparrows are similar in build to Clay-colored and Chipping sparrows. Collectively, these particular Spizella sparrows have small, rounded heads; small bills; slender bodies; and proportionately long tails with a distinct notch to the tip.
Photo: Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Shirleys Bay, Ottawa, Ontario
2 May 2016.