Hello Fellow Birders, The Wild Turkeys appear to be coming closer to my home all the time. One of these mornings I am going to have some eating out of my feeders. At the moment they are feeding in the corn fields on the ground and at night find a perch on some of the trees that make up a little forest.
The Red Bellied Woodpecker is extending the time of her visits every day. She spent most of this morning on the tree branch of one of the Black Locusts trees and the feeders. The Trumpeter Swans come and go as well as the Mute Swans. When the 9 Mute Swans arrive by flying in over the Graham Creek they are a sight to behold. Meanwhile I am continuing to befriend the Trumpeters in preparation of having Ornithologist Harry Lumsden come down to tag/band them. Once again it is appreciated if you call in the viewing of Trumpeter Swans (Black Beak). There are 100's & 1,000's of Mallards & Canada Geese every day. There have been at least a dozen Common Goldeneyes swimming and diving in the entrance of Graham Creek from Lake Ontario and a few Buffleheads & Red Breasted Mergansers. I am patiently waiting for the King Eider and Harlequin to make their first appearance. There have been a few Long Tailed Ducks but they don't stay long. The Horned Larks continue to pick away on the side of the roads for weed seeds. Only if one drives slowly will one be able to view them, otherwise they are scared off quite easily. The yellow color with a black border on the male's throat are becoming brighter in distinction from the female and immature who have a pale color on their throats. They prefer wide open spaces. The destruction of forests and the plowing of crop lands have helped expand its range, since mated pairs require bare ground on which to build their nests. Arriving early at the breeding grounds, the male Horned Lark, like so many birds of open country, perform his courtship display on the wing. Soaring to heights of up to 800 ft. he circles for several minutes, caroling a sweet song before tucking in his wings and dropping with a sudden silent rush to the ground. Try to enjoy the Horned Larks as much as you can because they become inconspicuous during the summer months they are mostly visible and noticeable in Winter, when it gathers in flocks that may number in the 100's & 1,000's and heads for open terrain. Directions: Take 440 exit from 401 and go south and drive along the Lakeshore Rd. or any side road. Markus Lise Newcastle, On _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
