October migrants

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophyrus) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 1

Early in October a beautiful morning found me on a hike along trails from Brady Park in Garson. A sure sign of fall in Ontario was this White-crowned Sparrow. These birds spend the summer months in the open areas mostly north of the tree line and only travel south when the northern seasons have turned cold. The plain grey underparts and striped brownish back are topped by bold white and black stripes on the sparrows head.

Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 1

Nearby in a grove of birch I found this Palm Warbler. In this photograph the brownish cap does not show well but the yellow undercoat with light streaking, brownish back and constantly wagging tail made this identification easy.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 1

Near the end of my hike I came upon this Blue Jay which was quite intent on digging something out of the end of a dead birch branch.

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) - Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 2

The next morning another hike took me along a trail over the hills south of Garson. Here a Hairy Woodpecker was busy excavating in a birch tree. Every few pecks into the hole would be followed by a shower of wood splinters.

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 7

A week later I was back at Brady Park. Just after entering a trail I came upon a bird distinctly walking rather than hopping. It proved to be an American Pipit. This is another bird from arctic regions that is a regular migrating visitor.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophyrus)
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 7

Again on this hike, I was greeted by a White-crowned Sparrow. When it posed along a fence it was joined by a White-throated Sparrow. Although the second bird is not in focus its distinctive yellow eyebrow patch is visible.

Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 7

Passing through the lowlands along Junction Creek, I spotted a blackbird foraging in the grasses. It flew into a low shrub and posed for me. This photograph shows well the whitish eye and namesake rusty back feathers of a fall Rusty Blackbird.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) - Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 9

A few days later the weather had turned cooler. Numerous American Robins were in our front yard feeding on crabapples. This one was noticeably whiter arond the face. This phenomenon caused by a local lack of normal feather pigment is different than albinism, and is called leucism. It is found only rarely, but in many bird and other animal species.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) - Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 9

Finally that afternoon the sun came out and here I found a Mourning Dove relaxing in a warm sunny spot in our back yard.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Brady Park, Garson, Ontario - 2015 October 11

A day later on another hike at Brady Park a trail led me to the Garson Lagoons where I found a large flock of Common Goldeneye. This is a photograph of a juvenile male, as it still has a brownish head with an indistinctive face patch at the base of its bill.