I sat out this morning in my backyard trying to read the newspaper but failed .. too much going on ...
Obvious migrants included my first Common Loon and Purple Finch (a glorious male in full song) and three pairs of Herring Gulls ... it was tough trying to decide if the latter were migrating, but I based my conclusion on their behaviour - flying high in pairs, silently, about 10 metres apart and going due north unwaveringly .. all the other gulls I watched were flying in random changing directions calling all the while. A small flock of about 30 Cedar Waxwings stopped by briefly - migrants or wanderers? - they haven't been around all spring. Golden-crowned Kinglets and flickers were moving through today as well. Other interesting behaviour was watching a pair of Pine Siskins, the male doing display flights and singing to his mate, then interacting and with a third male - no other signs of nesting but they seem to be hanging around - hopefully I can see something more positive to confirm nesting. Another siskin repeatedly buzzed my resident Cooper's Hawk as it sat sunning itself. Nearby a male cardinal totally ignored this predator, sitting on an open perch about 25 meters distant in full view, singing its heart out. A male Red-winged Blackbird burst into song as it flew high overhead - spring is truly in the air. Crows were nest building - one of the pair would collect some material while the other watched and then both would fly off together to the nest site. Enjoy! Geoff Carpentier Ajax, Ontario _______________________________________________ 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/
