More July birds

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2014 July 9

A morning hike at Tiny Marsh, along a trail bordering a ditch, found this Belted Kingfisher. He was perched on a low branch watching the water for prey. The male of this species can be distinguished from the female by the single blue chest band. The female has a second reddish chest band.

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2014 July 9

Not far along the same trail a male Yellow Warbler was singing in the shrubbery.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2014 July 9

While listening to the warbler singing, I heard in the distance several crows making a racket with their "mobbing" calls. The calls were approaching and when they stopped nearby, I went to investigate. Sure enough as I suspected they were centered on this Great Horned Owl attempting to hide behind some leafy branches. When I approached the crows left, the Owl looked at me over its shoulder and flew off thankfully without the crows following. This occured only a few hundred meters from where I saw the same bird behavior last fall.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

The next morning I hiked again towrds Marden along an abandoned railway. Among the birds I saw was this male Indigo Bunting. His behavior suggests there was a nest nearby.

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

Further along the trail several Eastern Kingbirds where calling. Several adults were bringing food to their young fledglings. This photograph is one of the fledglings waiting for its next snack.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

On the return hike the male Indigo Bunting was once again showing his annoyance of my presence. This time he was perched atop a High Bush Cranberry shrub and its green berries. These berries will be bright red by fall and provide a food source for many birds.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

Another bird seen busy feeding young recently fledged from the nest was a House Wren. Usually quite good at keeping behind cover as adults, this young bird sat out in the open for a nice portrait.

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

Another bird usually hidden behind cover is the Common Yellowthroat. This male adult was caught in the open as he caught some prey.

Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) - Marden, Ontario - 2014 July 10

Before I finished this hike I passed along a stretch of trail where I had several times seen Willow Flycatchers calling and acting as if they had a nest nearby. Once again I was able to photograph a flycatcher perched on a branch. This time the bird was very timid and watched quietly as I walked by.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2014 July 11

The next afternoon I was walking the fields at my parents when I came across this House Sparrow perched on a box placed for Bluebirds.

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2014 July 11

In a meadow of grass I saw several Bobolinks, both male and female. Here a male is seen perched over his grassy territory. These and other grassland birds are declining in numbers as their habitat is more and more difficult to find.

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) - Snyder's Flats, Bloomingdale, Ontario - 2014 July 12

Another grassland bird was seen the next day at Snyder's Flats. Here I got a photograph of an Eastern Meadowlark on the ground. More often they are seen calling from a post top or tree branch. Behind the Meadowlark is a Brown-headed Cowbird. The cowbird is probably watching the Meadowlark to locate its nest as cowbirds are parasitic nesters, laying eggs in the nests of other birds.

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) - Westover, Beverly Township, Ontario - 2014 July 13

With beautiful cool summer days I took the opportunity to visit another favorite birding location the next day. I was able to get a nice pose from this Eastern Towhee in his beautiful black, white and rusty plumage.