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Spring has sprung...
- Thread starter Mihun09
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The birdies are on their way. We saw 3 pelicans and 2 loons on a lake in central Indiana over the weekend.
We did have a flock of geese head over the house yesterday heading NE, but I spent most of the day shoveling water.
I saw my first robin last week, though it wasn’t yet singing in my backyard. Only once did a nesting pair decide to make a go of it here. Pretty blue eggshell pieces found on the ground, the only sign of a nest nearby, but I knew where it was. The large old sugar maple in the front yard has gnarled arms stretched out to greet the sun, one of those cracked and fissured limbs waves in the wind just in front of our door nearly reaching the house. And not more than three feet away sat our proud robin parents dutifully raising their young in amongst the leaves. We made the front door out of bounds till the young had hatched and fledged.
Only yesterday I watched as a nuthatch acrobatically flitted along the limbs in search of food in that same tree. I must remember to hang suet and seed for these and other migrating visitors to my yard. Spring has arrived on the calendar just as birds have arrived too bringing life and activity to my little urban forest.
Only yesterday I watched as a nuthatch acrobatically flitted along the limbs in search of food in that same tree. I must remember to hang suet and seed for these and other migrating visitors to my yard. Spring has arrived on the calendar just as birds have arrived too bringing life and activity to my little urban forest.
It's still winter in the Algonquin area... Mike Runtz has posted a nicely detailed photo of an overwintering pine grosbeak at the APP website.
Still too early to canoe in the park, however, SW Ontario birds are migrating in now, esp red-winged blackbirds along with other songbirds singing in wetlands areas... Long Point on Lake Erie is well worth visiting on a nice day and canoeing should be possible there now. Reported to be the last large bit of wilderness remaining in SW Ontario and the world's largest freshwater sand spit.
The provincial park road and gates will be closed to vehicle access but water access is available where Bighead creek crosses the causeway. Maps showing the canoe route through Long Point (it's marked kayak route but never mind, pick a calm day), in google maps and pdf...
http://www.norfolktrails.ca/trails/p...tes/long-point
If it's windy Bighead marsh might be the better choice since the bay can get rough... either way there should be red-winged blackbirds calling, nice way to early spring paddle. And migrating waterfowl along with songbirds later to check out with binoculars.
Here's a species list from Point Pelee National Park nearby on what to expect in March and April... PP is the birding hotspot but many of the waterfowl and songbirds shown should be present at LP as well.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/pel...l/natcul6.aspx
PS... keep in mind that most of Long Point is privately-owned wilderness land... east of the provincial park and if you paddle that far, you shouldn't be trespassing. Viewing from the water is OK. The park will be empty and closed during March and April and it should be possible to port from the trail head in the bay marked on the maps to the open water of Lake Erie, if the lake is calm.
Still too early to canoe in the park, however, SW Ontario birds are migrating in now, esp red-winged blackbirds along with other songbirds singing in wetlands areas... Long Point on Lake Erie is well worth visiting on a nice day and canoeing should be possible there now. Reported to be the last large bit of wilderness remaining in SW Ontario and the world's largest freshwater sand spit.
The provincial park road and gates will be closed to vehicle access but water access is available where Bighead creek crosses the causeway. Maps showing the canoe route through Long Point (it's marked kayak route but never mind, pick a calm day), in google maps and pdf...
http://www.norfolktrails.ca/trails/p...tes/long-point
If it's windy Bighead marsh might be the better choice since the bay can get rough... either way there should be red-winged blackbirds calling, nice way to early spring paddle. And migrating waterfowl along with songbirds later to check out with binoculars.
Here's a species list from Point Pelee National Park nearby on what to expect in March and April... PP is the birding hotspot but many of the waterfowl and songbirds shown should be present at LP as well.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/pel...l/natcul6.aspx
PS... keep in mind that most of Long Point is privately-owned wilderness land... east of the provincial park and if you paddle that far, you shouldn't be trespassing. Viewing from the water is OK. The park will be empty and closed during March and April and it should be possible to port from the trail head in the bay marked on the maps to the open water of Lake Erie, if the lake is calm.
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Saw a flock of geese in the North Saskatchewan River valley near Drayton Valley last Thursday, March 16. There is open water on the river in the faster sections. Seemed a bit early to me but others tell me that's about the right time. No crows yet.
I'd love to see the Saskatchewan River someday Ralph in any season.
Bald Eagles are back in our Grand River Valley. We saw one just the other day. They nest in very early spring with the young long gone and nest vacated well before summer. Local authorities urge nature lovers to stay clear until June, but they can be spotted soaring in their quest for prey anytime after February. http://www.grandriverrafting.ca/wildlife-grand-river
It'll be a few weeks yet before I'm passing through the Algonquin area. The nature trails are well worth the visit even if you're not planning a paddle. Thanks frozentripper for the gentle reminder of that beautiful place.
I've mean't to go twitching at Long Point but haven't done that yet. Camped yes. Swam yes. But foolishly forgot the binoculars at home. I had my own small brood to keep me busy at the time.
Bald Eagles are back in our Grand River Valley. We saw one just the other day. They nest in very early spring with the young long gone and nest vacated well before summer. Local authorities urge nature lovers to stay clear until June, but they can be spotted soaring in their quest for prey anytime after February. http://www.grandriverrafting.ca/wildlife-grand-river
It'll be a few weeks yet before I'm passing through the Algonquin area. The nature trails are well worth the visit even if you're not planning a paddle. Thanks frozentripper for the gentle reminder of that beautiful place.
I've mean't to go twitching at Long Point but haven't done that yet. Camped yes. Swam yes. But foolishly forgot the binoculars at home. I had my own small brood to keep me busy at the time.
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After a snowy but mild winter here the smaller lakes began to open way ahead of schedule in early March. Geese, ducks, and swans came in (and over) by the thousands. Then the temp dropped to below zero, we got a lot more snow, the lakes re-froze (a few inches) and the geese started flying back south.
Now things are swinging back towards spring again. Our snow is nearly gone and the lakes have almost re-opened. Waterfowl moving north again in large numbers.
I don't ever remember the lakes completely opening and then completely re-freezing.
Alan
Now things are swinging back towards spring again. Our snow is nearly gone and the lakes have almost re-opened. Waterfowl moving north again in large numbers.
I don't ever remember the lakes completely opening and then completely re-freezing.
Alan
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[TD="class: twc-sticky-col"] WED
MAR 22
[/TD]
[TD="class: description"]Mostly Sunny/Wind [/TD]
[TD="class: temp"] 29[SUP]°[/SUP]11[SUP]°[/SUP]
[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TR="class: clickable closed"]
[TD="class: twc-sticky-col"] WED
MAR 22
[/TD]
[TD="class: description"]Mostly Sunny/Wind [/TD]
[TD="class: temp"] 29[SUP]°[/SUP]11[SUP]°[/SUP]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: table mrgn-bttm-md mrgn-tp-md textforecast, width: 1128, height: 175"]
[TR="class: pdg-btm-0"]
[TD] Today
[/TD]
[TD] Sunny then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries late this afternoon.
Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 5. UV index 3 or moderate.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: pdg-tp-0"]
[TD] Tonight
[/TD]
[TD] Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries this evening. Clearing late this evening.
Wind north 40 km/h gusting to 60 diminishing to 20 late this evening then becoming light before morning.
Low minus 17.
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[TD="class: uniform_width"] Tue, 21 Mar
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[TD] Sunny. Wind becoming north 20 km/h in the morning. High minus 9. Wind chill minus 25.
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[TD="class: uniform_width"] Night
[/TD]
[TD] Clear. Low minus 14.
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[TD="class: uniform_width"] Wed, 22 Mar
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[TD] Sunny. High minus 1.
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[TD="class: uniform_width"] Night
[/TD]
[TD] Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 2.
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Temperatures in Celsius
[TR="class: pdg-btm-0"]
[TD] Today
[/TD]
[TD] Sunny then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of rain showers or flurries late this afternoon.
Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 5. UV index 3 or moderate.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: pdg-tp-0"]
[TD] Tonight
[/TD]
[TD] Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries this evening. Clearing late this evening.
Wind north 40 km/h gusting to 60 diminishing to 20 late this evening then becoming light before morning.
Low minus 17.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: pdg-btm-0"]
[TD="class: uniform_width"] Tue, 21 Mar
[/TD]
[TD] Sunny. Wind becoming north 20 km/h in the morning. High minus 9. Wind chill minus 25.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: pdg-tp-0"]
[TD="class: uniform_width"] Night
[/TD]
[TD] Clear. Low minus 14.
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[TR="class: pdg-btm-0"]
[TD="class: uniform_width"] Wed, 22 Mar
[/TD]
[TD] Sunny. High minus 1.
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[TR="class: pdg-tp-0"]
[TD="class: uniform_width"] Night
[/TD]
[TD] Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries. Low minus 2.
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Temperatures in Celsius
Dave Phillips predicts a warmer-than-normal spring for most of Canada... from CTV news Barrie, Ontario. Can't tell whether he's been drinking, although that first expression on his face for a second before he straightens up for the camera does seem to indicate something, possibly bullpucky.
http://bellca.vo.llnwd.net/e1/bellin...=5365236209001
http://bellca.vo.llnwd.net/e1/bellin...=5365236209001
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Spring was on its way until last week's snowstorm. We had 3' when it was over and still have 2'+ on the ground where I live in central NYS. Tomorrow we're supposed to have a high of 21 F so it looks like spring is still a ways off for us; unless you're looking at a calendar 
That being said, the red winged blackbirds arrived just before the last storm so we shouldn't be too far away from warmer weather. I also saw a male hooded merganser on the small open spot in our pond just before the snow arrived. Hopefully he and his mate have fared well over the last week.
That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.
snapper
That being said, the red winged blackbirds arrived just before the last storm so we shouldn't be too far away from warmer weather. I also saw a male hooded merganser on the small open spot in our pond just before the snow arrived. Hopefully he and his mate have fared well over the last week.
That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.
snapper
Here's a well-recorded vid... red-winged blackbird protecting it's turf loudly. The males are territorial and will not yield much ground to approaching canoes... sometimes attacking by diving down at heads until the trespasser leaves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3QicOAiBXk
Odyssey by all means bring binoculars... good optics are worth the money and birds esp are worth a look when you can see the detail on every feather. I was at the Toronto watefront last year when an old guy who looked like he had been birding for centuries started going on about ruddy ducks, ruddy ducks, and how they were so difficult to approach so here's your chance, look... I had the binoculars on me at the time which was probably why he said something and it was a first for that kind of beauty... shining metallic bronze and silver color, with blue water waves as a background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3QicOAiBXk
Odyssey by all means bring binoculars... good optics are worth the money and birds esp are worth a look when you can see the detail on every feather. I was at the Toronto watefront last year when an old guy who looked like he had been birding for centuries started going on about ruddy ducks, ruddy ducks, and how they were so difficult to approach so here's your chance, look... I had the binoculars on me at the time which was probably why he said something and it was a first for that kind of beauty... shining metallic bronze and silver color, with blue water waves as a background.
Thanks frozen, I will. I bought a pretty good pair of bino's for birding years ago, and wore them on walking and cycle forays around the Dundas valley where we lived. Ticked off all kinds of birds off the life list, many I never expected to see. Scarlet Tanager, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Rufous Sided Towhee, blah blah blah. Now the optics hang under a jacket at the back door nearly forgotten. They should come along on our canoe trips; silly for them to stay at home. I would've missed spying on a distant wolf if not for Robin's binoculars. Thanks Robin, I really appreciated that.
The life of red-winged blackbirds is interesting. Dominant males fending off rivals to protect their harem of females, who incidentally wander outside of the territory (if not driven back by "their" male) to mate with other males, thus better ensuring a genetic variation, contributing to genetic fitness.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_27
Okay, maybe this stuff is only interesting to us nerds.
The life of red-winged blackbirds is interesting. Dominant males fending off rivals to protect their harem of females, who incidentally wander outside of the territory (if not driven back by "their" male) to mate with other males, thus better ensuring a genetic variation, contributing to genetic fitness.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_27
Okay, maybe this stuff is only interesting to us nerds.
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I could jam up this website with the thousands of bad bird pictures I have! Nothing is out and about.. Winds to 70 kph and its below freezing and dropping fast. The maple sap has refrozen
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Was in the mid teens here this morning and my wife saw our 1st Robin. Red wing blackbirds have been here for a week.
another small delay in the arrival of Spring... 18-24 inches of snow.. Massachusetts ( how appropriate) will get the most. April Fools Day! Ice fishing is still going on.. The ice still safe but shacks have to be off tomorrow.
No the 18-24 is not a joke.
No the 18-24 is not a joke.
We had one forecast of +30" Even Jeeps with new tires don't like those amounts. I talked with the Fire Chief today and we my get stuck operating the Emergency Management Office this weekend. At least I'm guaranteed power.
I spending today hauling in wood charging 18 volt batteries and all the other storm stuff and a huge pot of tomato sauce on the stove.
I spending today hauling in wood charging 18 volt batteries and all the other storm stuff and a huge pot of tomato sauce on the stove.
Just tomato sauce? Boring.. or is there some plan for it in the future as in marinara or interesting things added then dehydrated?
For my snow project I am making homemage tomato soup with cheese and basil and roast garlic. A lot of it. Then I will see if I can dehydrate a quart or so without spillover accident.
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