Fall migrants get the lead out
September 20th, 2009
Out to Mud Lake yesterday. I needed both my sweater and light jacket for the first half of the morning. The leaves were definitely turning. Apropos of both these facts, migrant songbirds were the most abundant I've seen them since that epic September 1st! Six species of warblers (Yellow-Rumped, Black-Throated Blue, Black-Throated Green, Northern Parula, Palm, Black-and-White), and probably more that I didn't spot. White-Throated Sparrow numbers continue to swell, as does the number of American Wigeons on the pond. An Osprey appeared briefly over the rapids.
By far most of the warblers are juveniles now (this year's young), which means they don't have much color to them, and even the adults are now transitioning into their duller non-breeding plumage. But what they lack in beauty, they make up for in numbers.
Today I went back with a friend and her mother in tow. I'm pleased to report that Mud Lake brought out all its charm for the occasion. I've been going there so long there are certain things I take for granted, and I forgot what an effect those things can have on a newcomer. So while I was looking around going "look--a Black-Throated Green Warbler!" my guests were going, "look--CHICKADEES!"
The chickadees at Mud Lake are remarkably tame. They are brave and intelligent birds, and have long since learned that ML is one of the places where, if they flutter around and act cute, humans will feed them. They'll land right in the palm of your hand (I have also had them land on my binoculars, my field guide, and my camera), and the sensation when those two little sets of claws clasp around your fingers is quite something.
Ring-Necked Ducks have arrived on the pond. These handsome diving ducks pass through Mud Lake each fall, and swell to over a hundred in number by mid-October, usually clustered way out in the water (binoculars essential, spotting scope even better). Right now the males are somewhat dingy-looking, as they haven't entirely come out of eclipse yet.
In the east part of the conservation area is a shallow seasonal swamp. Normally it's dried up by September, but because of our unusually wet summer it's still there. A large flock of residents and migrants was congregated in the area, and by some group wisdom, they had all agreed that one particular bit of the swamp made a perfect birdbath. They took turns, hopping into the water one by one--robins, nuthatches, warblers, sparrows--and splishing around.
Except for one or two juveniles, Wood Ducks were conspicuous by their absence. (That's unusual for this time of year. Perhaps the water's too deep for their liking.) However, when I went walking on my own along the Rideau River this afternoon, camera in hand, I was thrilled to find three adult males resting on a branch over the water, back from eclipse into their full colorful breeding plumage. They remained for some time, relatively unperturbed as I crept around them, looking for the perfect angle with the perfect lighting. I think I found it.
It's been a good weekend.
September 20th, 2009
Out to Mud Lake yesterday. I needed both my sweater and light jacket for the first half of the morning. The leaves were definitely turning. Apropos of both these facts, migrant songbirds were the most abundant I've seen them since that epic September 1st! Six species of warblers (Yellow-Rumped, Black-Throated Blue, Black-Throated Green, Northern Parula, Palm, Black-and-White), and probably more that I didn't spot. White-Throated Sparrow numbers continue to swell, as does the number of American Wigeons on the pond. An Osprey appeared briefly over the rapids.
By far most of the warblers are juveniles now (this year's young), which means they don't have much color to them, and even the adults are now transitioning into their duller non-breeding plumage. But what they lack in beauty, they make up for in numbers.
Today I went back with a friend and her mother in tow. I'm pleased to report that Mud Lake brought out all its charm for the occasion. I've been going there so long there are certain things I take for granted, and I forgot what an effect those things can have on a newcomer. So while I was looking around going "look--a Black-Throated Green Warbler!" my guests were going, "look--CHICKADEES!"
The chickadees at Mud Lake are remarkably tame. They are brave and intelligent birds, and have long since learned that ML is one of the places where, if they flutter around and act cute, humans will feed them. They'll land right in the palm of your hand (I have also had them land on my binoculars, my field guide, and my camera), and the sensation when those two little sets of claws clasp around your fingers is quite something.
Ring-Necked Ducks have arrived on the pond. These handsome diving ducks pass through Mud Lake each fall, and swell to over a hundred in number by mid-October, usually clustered way out in the water (binoculars essential, spotting scope even better). Right now the males are somewhat dingy-looking, as they haven't entirely come out of eclipse yet.
In the east part of the conservation area is a shallow seasonal swamp. Normally it's dried up by September, but because of our unusually wet summer it's still there. A large flock of residents and migrants was congregated in the area, and by some group wisdom, they had all agreed that one particular bit of the swamp made a perfect birdbath. They took turns, hopping into the water one by one--robins, nuthatches, warblers, sparrows--and splishing around.
Except for one or two juveniles, Wood Ducks were conspicuous by their absence. (That's unusual for this time of year. Perhaps the water's too deep for their liking.) However, when I went walking on my own along the Rideau River this afternoon, camera in hand, I was thrilled to find three adult males resting on a branch over the water, back from eclipse into their full colorful breeding plumage. They remained for some time, relatively unperturbed as I crept around them, looking for the perfect angle with the perfect lighting. I think I found it.
It's been a good weekend.
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