My Recent Observations May 1-2

Making some rounds the last couple of days, I have come across some birds.  Friday started out gloomy, but turned nice later on.
Along one roadside near Sombra, I found lots of warblers staying out of the wind.

There were lots of Palm Warbler as well.  One turned out to be the "Yellow" type (hypochrysea), but I was not able to get a photo.  It is the rarer eastern form.  I usually come across at least one of these each year either in spring or fall migration.

American Coot vs Common Gallinule

Later on, my favourite shorebird species made an appearance at a popular location.

There was a day when we had to write these beauties up for the OBRC, but they have become rather regular in migration.  As far as I am concerned, the American Avocet is the most attractive shorebird!

Other good birds were reported not too far, but far enough that I have no desire to go after.  It depends where you are and who you know!

Today, there were hopes of a good number of birds.  The weather was fabulous, but reports from all over used the word "dead".

I checked out my favourite haunts locally.  A nice walk, but few birds!  Lots of Pine Warblers are still moving through, so that tells you something.  I had three in one spot and a single in another this morning.  Not co-operative creatures though!

There should be other species (resident) present by now, but that is not the case.  Things are quite late this year or so it seems.

The Red-headed Woodpecker is still around, which kept high in the treetops.  Hope it stays.  There was a time when these were regular residents around here, but that was long ago.  Even in winter, there used to be a number around.

With few birds, I kept eyes to the ground.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

sedge sp.

Avens (white)

Later, I stopped by W. Darcy McKeough Dam CA to walk around.  I went over to an area where we (Sydenham Field Naturalists) planted some trees over 25 years ago!  Many had signs, but those have long since disappeared.  Some are still there, and some trees are still alive.

Lots of the White Trout Lilly were in this area.

Last stop was 5 minutes from home at Peers Wetland.  It is always a good migrant trap.  Finally I found some birds for the day!  Highlight was a FOY Tennessee Warbler, which was not too co-operative.

Palm Warblers were plentiful (at least ten), as well as Yellow-rumped.

Palm Warbler tend to be early migrants, so that is an indication as to status.

Others included Nashville and Pine.

Will see what tomorrow brings...