Spring arrivals

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 March 17

We found a nice day in March and visited Fielding Park, where the water flow of Junction Creek coming out of Kelly Lake stays ice free all year around. This attracts swans, geese and ducks and many local people take the opportunity to feed the birds. Here a Trumpeter Swan gives us a close look in the hope of a handout.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 March 17

A short distance up the creek several Common Goldeneye were swimming around. Here a male keeps close to his female companion.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) - Gairloch Gardens, Oakville, Ontario - 2015 April 11

Finally early April brought some warm bright weather. On a visit to Mississauga we took the time to enjoy the sights in several parks along the north shore of Lake Ontario. A pair of Mallards were feeding in a small pond at Gairloch Gardens in Oakville. Yes, there is a well camouflaged female behind the brightly patterned male.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Gairloch Gardens, Oakville, Ontario - 2015 April 11

Along the shore of Lake Ontario a pair of Mute Swans swam majestically around. Here one of the pair shows off its long flexible neck.

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - Gairloch Gardens, Oakville, Ontario - 2015 April 11

Elsewhere in the gardens the grass was coming alive. Among the fresh green shoots this European Starling was foraging and showing off its iredescent spring plumage.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2015 April 15

A few days later my travels brought me back to Tiny marsh for the first time this spring. I caught this Osprey overhead showing its distinctive kinked wing in flight.

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2015 April 15

On my trek throuh the various marsh trails I heard several Swamp Sparrows singing from the remains of last years cattails. Here one posed for me.

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

The beautiful sunny weather continued and I took the time to visit the shores of the west end of Lake Ontario. At Lasalle Park a Horned Grebe swam near the shore popping up here and there after diving for food. I sat for some time on a rock at the waters edge and was finally rewarded by the grebe popping up at close range.

Redhead (Aythya americana) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Along the shoreside trail numerous ducks and swans were enjoying the sun. Here a male Redhead floated quietly.

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

On the other side of the trail I found another more common bird. This Rock Pigeon was most unusually perched on a tree branch. I was happy to catch this bird in such a natural setting. Although very common throughout the country this bird is almost always seen in flight or on a building or other manmade structure.

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

A different Horned Grebe was seen at the east end of the park. This one had its feathers turned up in the namesake "horns". The sunlight also showed off the distinctive red eyes.

Redhead (Aythya americana) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Returning along the same trail the male Redhead had been joined by a female of the species. The female lacks the reddish head and is a rather drab looking duck.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) - Lasalle Park, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Perched on one leg on a nearby rock was this Ring-billed Gull.

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) - Burlington Bay Canal, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

My next stop was the breakwater at the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge. Here I found several Long Tailed ducks bobbing in the late afternoon sun. This is a beautifully patterned male.

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) - Burlington Bay Canal, Hamilton Harbour, Ontario - 2015 April 18

This photograph shows the female whose plumage pattern is not so bold.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) - Windermere Basin, Hamilton, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Another stop was on the trails along Red Hill Creek overlooking the Windermere Basin. Here a group of nest boxes have been set up that have attracted a colony of Tree Swallows. Having claimed a box as their own, one of a pair of swallows sits guard ensuring no other bird comes near.

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) - Red Hill Creek, Hamilton, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Along Red Hill Creek several different duck species were found. In this distant photograph two male Ruddy ducks show white cheek patches and tails cocked upright.

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) - Red Hill Creek, Hamilton, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Around the next corner was this pair of Bufflehead. The male shows a bright white belly, white back of head and iridescent forehead and throat. The female following along has a brownish head with a distinctive white ear patch.

Gadwall (Anas strepera) - Red Hill Creek, Hamilton, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Nearby was this rather plain greyish duck with a dark black rear which identifies it as a Gadwall.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) - Red Hill Creek, Hamilton, Ontario - 2015 April 18

Another group of ducks were two pair of Lesser Scaup. The females are brownish with a white patch at the base of their bill. The males have a white belly, grey back, dark rear end and head with both a hint of a bump or peak and a purplish tint.