Young birds of 2015 and more on the way

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2015 June 10

Early June finds many early nesting birds busy with young. During a stop at Tiny Marsh for a hike, I saw numerous young Canada Geese which were growing quick. Several adults and a group of young geese were relaxing in a grassy area and my presence did not bother them allowing for a nice portrait of this gosling.

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2015 June 10

Following the trail past the visitors center, a bird flew out from what I later discovered was a nest under the eaves. This Eastern Phoebe flew out to perch on a nearby sign from where it watched me carefully as I walked past its nest.

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) - Tiny Marsh, Tiny Township, Ontario - 2015 June 10

Further along the trail another member of the flycatcher family this Eastern Kingbird perched in a dead tree in an area of flooded forest.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 11

The next morning I was wandering around the yard at my parents place when I came upon this American Robin. With a head much darker than its back this one is a male. The female of the species has a head that is the same tone of grey as the rest of its back.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 11

Across a field I found another species where the male and female are very similar. This male Tree Swallow sitting on a fence near a nest box has vibrant blue-green markings on its back. The female of the species has duller back with more brown colouration as well as duller tones of green.

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 11

Not far away in a tree I heard a lot of twittering and found this adult Chipping Sparrow on the left feeding its young.

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 11

And just below the tree the other adult had also found a nice green caterpillar and came looking to relocate members of the brood.

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) - Marden, Ontario - 2015 June 12

The next morning I was hiking once again along a trail near Marden. It was a damp morning and here an Eastern Kingbird sat on its nest.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) - Marden, Ontario - 2015 June 12

In some trees nearby movement caught my eye and this female Rose-breasted Grosbeak watched me for a while before disappearing. Her quite timid action lead me to believe she was probably feeding young birds still in a hidden nest.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) - Marden, Ontario - 2015 June 12

Another bird that was staying on her nest this damp morning was an American Robin.

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) - Marden, Ontario - 2015 June 12

Having come across two nesting birds this morning was a surprise and not far away I found a third. This Gray Catbird sat perfectly still not even moving her eyes. This nest includes a leaf from last years corn crop as a part of the structure.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 13

Another day and I was again walking around my parents yard. Here I caught a male Eastern Bluebird on an old fence post. As a bonus he was lined up with a neighbours distant red barn which provided a colourful background.

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 June 11

Another flash of red caught my eye in a group of spruce trees. This male House Finch sat near the top singing in the evening light.