Simply Birding

 Even an uneventful day of birding can bring great joy.

 It seems second nature now for me to peer deep into the brush, scan the sky and listen for the unfamiliar - all in search of the rare bird.

 That kind of preoccupation can sometimes cause me to miss the simple pleasure of watching a common bird going about its business.

Yesterday, I slowed my pace and really soaked in the beauty of each bird.

 I suspect nesting is well underway, now, because several times  little birds came out on their own to watch my every move.

 Often they chipped and flitted around me. These are sure signs of protective behaviour.

 None were so obvious as this pair of Yellow Warblers.

 They double-teamed me and were clearly asking me to leave.

 I took a few moments to get these close-up shots of the female and then moved quickly on my way.

 It's a beautiful day out there, making this the third such day over the last seven. That is a record for this Spring!

Now, the quandary: My yard desperately needs my attention, but I feel this strange magnetic-like pull to just go birding instead.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in East End

 On a dark and dingy spring day, it just happened I was in the right place at the right time.

Margie Mcmillan's colorful spring garden lured in an unexpected guest - a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird!

Her garden has hosted several special guests over the years, including Common Redpoll, a possible Hoary Redpoll, a Yellow-throated Warbler and now .... Well, the pictures tell the story.

 With this unseasonably cold spring, will the hummingbird come back seeking an easy meal? Only time will tell.

 Maybe there will be an influx of hummingbirds all over the city! Who knows? After today's high winds, I will put out my feeder and hope for a miracle, too.

Spring and Birds and Song!

 It is absolutely the best time of the year to take a stroll through the woods. Away from day-to-day chaos, it is easy to be drawn into the calm of the avian world.

 A chorus of song, mostly male, fills the air. Loudest among the perching birds are the Northern Waterthrush, the Fox Sparrow, the White-throated Sparrow and the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. One interesting point is there is often a lot of variation in the song. Sometimes, only a portion of the song is sung and repeated over and over. Other times, there is a completely different tune. As I have been told, it is really about learning the tone of the bird rather than the actual song.

 Time and exposure has enabled me to learn the most common songs and to readily identify the species in song. It is an exciting new dimension to birding. I was determined to not study my way through this birding experience and just let it unfold naturally.

 That approach has been very satisfying for me. With a level of readiness, I progressively master, (well, semi-master), field marks, behaviour and song. It really is possible to learn by inertia, and is an absolutely stress-free way of stacking knowledge.

 From the high-pitched to the round sounds of different species, the males set up their territory.

 First they sing to attract a pretty little mate like this kinglet. Dressed in their best Spring attire sounding out their best vocals, many males have already found their seasonal partner.

 Will they stop singing? Not just yet. They will continue to sing until the eggs are laid and secure. It is the duty of the male to protect the young from predators. A powerful song helps to ward off danger.

 Then, July will roll in and the passerines will go quiet. It is at this time the small birds begin to moult. Their ability to fly is somewhat impeded by this process, and they really don't want to draw attention to themselves.

 The beautiful songs gradually disappear. It is at about that time chipping begins. Now, that creates a new challenge for birders. Each bird has a distinct chip... more to learn.

 To date, I really can only identify about five species by their chips. Perhaps, more exposure this year will help me to widen my repertoire.

While it is hard to believe they don't just sing for me, birds actually communicate with each other through their vocals. They tell others to stay away, they lure mates to come close, and they warn others of approaching danger.

Over the last week, I have met some people in Bidgood's Park who are not birders but who just love to listen to the bird songs. The bridges and woods are filling up with admirers. After all, these sweet sounds beat the heck out of the grating sounds of a snow plow!

American Redstart

It was on June 2nd that I saw my first American Redstart of the year. This one returned to the usual breeding ground on Power's Road. It was three days later that I found several others had joined him.