British Twitching – Taking Bird Watching To The Extreme

British Twitching – Taking Bird Watching To The Extreme

birders from england 1

Last spring, we came upon this group of British birdwatchers who had traveled from England to Canada to see and document the spring migration of birds across central Ontario.  They were a pleasant group of avid bird lovers. Read more

Trumpeter Swans During Winter At La Salle Park

trumpeter swans prepare to land on ice - burlington bay - ontario

Trumpeter swans landing in the winter on ice at La Salle Park, Burlington, Ontario

When Bob and I visited La Salle Park in Burlington last winter, we had quite a significantly different experience from the last time we found ourselves there in April 2013.  A good number of Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) were present just offshore from the snow-covered beach, but rather than dallying in the warm waters of Hamilton Harbour, they were trying to keep warm on the icy surface of the frozen bay. Read more

Juvenile Bald Eagle At Boundary Bay in British Columbia

Immature Bald Eagle - Boundary Bay - BC - 1

As Bob and I completed the trail that leads to Centennial Beach Cafe, we heard a raucous in a treetop right above our heads.  A sole juvenile Bald Eagle sat perched there at rest, whereas only one week earlier, according to regular visitors, about 200 Bald Eagles were seen in Boundary Bay Regional Park and environs. Read more

Pygmy Nuthatches At Grand Canyon National Park

Pygmy Nuthatch in a pine tree at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA

After completing a guided Fossil Walk along the South Rim Trail at Grand Canyon National Park, Bob and I hiked further along the rim to Maricopa Point before turning and heading back towards Maswik Lodge.  Our detour proved worthwhile when we discovered a small flock of Pygmy Nuthatches inhabiting one of the many trees. Read more

Common Ravens We Sighted At The Grand Canyon

A Common Raven at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, U.S.A.

All along the South Rim Trail at Grand Canyon National Park,  we observed various Common Ravens, often in flight over the gaping abyss, Read more

Double crested Cormorant at Lynde Shores Conservation Area

double-crested cormorant swims towards swamp

double-crested cormorant, profile of head

Bob and I have seen many Double crested Cormorants in the Georgian Bay area when canoeing the Beaver River and in the Minesing Swamp, not to mention right in the town of Thornbury, but we had never come across a member of the species at Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby until on a recent visit there. Read more

Great Blue Heron Sighting At Lynde Shores Conservation Area

Great blue heron-stand tall-lynde shores

Bob and I seem to have a fascination with Great Blue Herons.  These stately birds always demand our attention as this one did on an outing to  Lynde Shores Conservation Area  in Whitby,  Ontario. Read more

Brown-headed Cowbird Juvenile Visited Our Toronto Backyard

brown-headed cowbird, juvenile, toronto, ontario, canada

One fall, Bob and I were so excited to see what we thought was a new bird sitting on our backyard arbour.  Trouble was, we couldn’t find the bird in any of our bird books, so we turned to Toronto and Southern Ontario Birding for their input.  It turns out that this beautiful bird is a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). Read more

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird in our Toronto garden

ruby-throated hummingbird feeds on nectar, toronto, ontario

Every spring and again in late summer, Bob and I are graced with the attentions of hummingbirds in our flower garden, and this past year was no different.  This Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) was seen visiting our Butterfly Bush repeatedly over the course of several days. Read more

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