Second Marsh Wildlife Reserve provides wonderful opportunities for birdwatching, and on a visit to that extensive wetland in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Bob and I were lucky to see an Eastern Kingbird (Tyrranus tyrannus). Read more
Eastern Towhee At Forks Of The Credit Provincial Park
Bob and I get very excited when it comes to checking out new potential birdwatching locations. Numerous reports about sightings at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park had us headed that way in early June to see what we might see. Among the many birds spotted that day was a colourful Eastern Towhee. Read more
Black-billed Cuckoo at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
On a warm, sunny June morning, Bob and I set off to explore Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Caledon, in Ontario, Canada. We were excited to see what species we might discover. As we followed the movements of an Eastern Towhee, lo and behold, we caught sight of a Black-billed Cuckoo. Read more
Northern Flicker Hunts For Grubs At Oxtongue Lake
For my mom and dad, seeing a Northern Flicker is a fairly common occurrence at Oxtongue Lake, in Ontario, Canada. The birds frequent their backyard and beach property because both locations have sandy soil with a good supply of ants. When Bob and I visited in mid-May one spring, I was lucky enough to see a female flicker industriously trying to find some grubs in an old tree stump. Read more
Bobolink Whistles A Tune At Forks of the Credit Park
On an outing to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, Bob and I were winding down our day after having spent several hours on the beautiful trails there. As we strode across Kettle Trail to regain the Trans Canada Trail and then the parking lot, an unfamiliar sound met our ears. We soon spotted the source in a treetop not far away. A bobolink in full song was in profile against an azure sky, making for a perfect snapshot. Read more
A Gray-cheeked Thrush Hides In Our Toronto Lilac Bush
On spring, as I went about cleaning up the dishes after breakfast, out of the corner of my eye I saw a blur fly past the patio door and make a sharp veer to the left. I was grateful that the bird hadn’t been fooled into flying into the window’s reflection. I was keen to locate it in my backyard and thrilled when the bird turned out to be a Gray-cheeked Thrush. Read more
Nashville Warbler Enjoys The Blossoms
One of my favorite backyard features is the flowering crab apple tree outside our bedroom window. It reminds me fondly of the wild cherry tree that bloomed next to my bedroom window when I was a child growing up at Oxtongue Lake. Bob and I scrutinize this apple tree for avian visitors every time we pass by the window. A pleasant surprise greeted us late one afternoon when a Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) sat nestled in amongst the pink flower buds. Read more
The Sad Fate of Two Magnolia Warblers at Oxtongue Lake
The Sad Fate of Two Magnolia Warblers at Oxtongue Lake
Towards the end of May one spring, Bob and I were visiting my parents at Oxtongue Lake, in Ontario, and, as usual, we kept a keen eye on the trees for any visiting migratory or local nesting birds. As on one other occasion earlier in the spring, mass confusion was inspired when a Merlin Falcon erupted out of the pine trees alongside my dad’s driveway and spooked a number of the songbirds. This time, we were very saddened to see that a pair of Magnolia Warblers (Setophaga magnolia) had crashed into the windows of the sunroom. Read more
Warbling Vireo Sings Out At Oshawa’s Second Marsh
On a birding outing to Second Marsh Wildlife Area in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Bob and I couldn’t have been more pleased at our sighting of a Warbling Vireo. Read more
Our Hike In Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains National Park
The day following our wild ride around the countryside in and around Glendalough, Bob and I wanted to get up close and personal with nature by going for a hike in Wicklow Mountains National Park. The predawn light nudged me from my sleep around 4 a.m., and excitement snuck into my consciousness as I thought about the hike we would take in the morning. Read more