Most of the treasures, avian and otherwise, that I have seen over the past months have been close to home. There is such diversity all around us, and when we take time to slow down and use our senses, we are rewarded with wonderful moments in, and interactions with, the natural world. This post highlights some of the amazing birds that were in our area during spring, summer, and early fall of 2024.
Male Eastern Bluebird
Warblers are always a highlight of spring, and this year the stars of the show were Northern Parulas! I saw them in many places on my local walks; this cooperative male was at Lakeside Park in Kitchener in May. He busily searched for bugs in the small Willow trees right above me.
A few other beautiful Warblers...
The Yellow Warbler sings continuously, and is such a cheerful little bird.
A handsome Palm Warbler sat briefly on a branch, and checked me out. These are some of the first Warblers to return in the spring, and can be identified by the way they constantly move their tails!
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are spectacular birds. This male was sitting beside a path, and didn't move away at all when we walked by. Likely exhausted after migrating, he was ready for a short rest before finding a snack.
Sightings of rare birds always feel particularly special. The Upland Sandpiper is a grassland bird that is seen in a few locations around Ontario, where there are undisturbed meadows.
This family of Killdeer was nesting underneath my daughter's boat, and it required some very careful maneuvering to move the boat without disturbing the nest. A few weeks (and some blockades and signs) later, 2 parents had 4 little ones running around the marina!
There was a pair of Orchard Orioles along a path near Elmira. They nested, and were feeding young in July. The male is a beautiful rust colour, and his song is quite different from that of the more familiar Baltimore Oriole.
Several families of Baltimore Orioles nested around the farm this year. At least 3 families brought their young for grape jelly and oranges, and then found plenty of treats in the bushes and trees in the yard.
Dad fed his youngster jelly a few times, then encouraged it to feed on its own.
Another male Baltimore Oriole had 3 big, healthy young ones to look after.
It's wonderful to see 3 successful fledglings!
One juvenile Oriole was finding insects among Zinnia seedlings in the garden. And playing a bit of "peekaboo"!
Still lots of fluffy baby feathers...
Scored a spider!
One juvenile Baltimore Oriole sat for several minutes on the railing of the deck, watching me through the window....
There were Bluebirds in some of the boxes that I monitor in the area. There was a good variety of insects and grubs for the Moms and Dads to feed babies in August.
At a friend's cottage in Tobermory, I sat on the shoreline rocks, watching a Green Heron ambling along, finding some tasty snacks.
The Heron would stop every so often, stand very still looking at the water, then quickly grab a treat -- this time it was a crayfish.
It stopped for a brief bath and shake.
Later in the summer (mid-August), we visited a sunflower field, and found some gorgeous Indigo Bunting males singing and resting in the blooms. What brilliant colours!
In the same fields, there were Bobolinks, all looking very similar to one another in their autumn colours. They didn't perch on the Sunflowers, but managed to look quite regal on Ragweed too.
So lovely in the sunshine in the grain field.
Back on the farm, Kingbirds brought their twins to the yard and stuffed them full of large grubs and insects.
Smiling, with a full belly!
The young ones stretched their wings while they waited for dinner.
Young Kingbird on the left, parent on right... resting briefly before feeding again.
Late in the summer, on a windy day, a Least Flycatcher stopped by for a few hours, then continued its journey south.
A row of Zinnias was popular with Goldfinches, especially when seeds started to appear. A big yawn from this young one -- it's exhausting work finding lunch.
I will leave this row of seed heads for the winter, and many birds will feast!
Some White-crowned Sparrows stayed around for a few days, feeding on seeds in the garden and at the feeders,
along with some White-throated Sparrows. This one enjoyed the seeds of a Hop Tree.
In October, a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted around in the Tamarack trees, and in the New England Asters that had gone to seed. I believe that these are young birds, with their muted colours.
This tiny Warbler perched briefly on a bamboo stake. Such softly pretty little birds.
There were Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the garden and on the trails throughout the fall, zipping around finding insects.
And now it's November, and the winter birds are starting to arrive. The Red-bellied Woodpecker is not one we usually see here, so I'm excited to have 2 of them around the feeders, along with the Chickadees, Juncos, Downies, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Goldfinches, ...
Always changing, always something new... Nature never disappoints! Wishing you many awe-inspiring Creation moments,
Merri-Lee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (spring)
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Thanks for sharing this treasure of beauty Merri-Lee! The beauty brings tears to my eyes and I am so blessed that you notice these birds that I so easily miss! Then to capture the amazing photos reaches beyond my eyes to my spirit. Thank you so much and keep them coming!
Hello Merri-Lee,
Thank you once more for sharing your wonderful photos. I always look forward to reading your commentary while looking at the photos.
Pat