South-of-the-airport birds
May 5th, 2010
Tree Swallow, wallpaper available
I heard far more than I saw, south of the airport today--and saw far more than I photographed. The birds were active but elusive.
As were the butterflies. They're out in good numbers now--Spring Azures, migrant Red Admirals, plus, a new one for my unofficial "butterfly lifelist": a Black Swallowtail. None of them would stay still for a picture.
Though it was afternoon, not morning, there was lots of birdsong. Field, Vesper, Savannah, Song, Chipping and White-Throated Sparrows all going at it, plus a Warbling Vireo or two--a recent arrival in Ottawa as of the past week. A Brown Thrasher joined the chorus as evening moved in.
Emanating from a fenced-off field, I could hear the sweet, plaintive song of an Eastern Meadowlark. It was almost enough to tempt me past the fence--meadowlarks are as beautiful as their voices are sweet--but there are signs posted, and I don't know if they're "no trespassing unless you mean well" signs or "NO TRESPASSING" signs, so I didn't. I also saw and heard a Bobolink in his ecstatic flight display, which marks my first Ottawa sighting of that species, and glimpsed a Northern Harrier, both in the same fenced-off field.
The one species that was available for as many photographs as I cared to take was Tree Swallows. Oh my goodness, the Tree Swallows. Tree Swallows left, right and center. Tree Swallows in the air, in the fields, on the lines, and on the nest boxes. And they look like they have every intention of taking over as many of those boxes as they can.
There was much squabbling. "My nest!" "No, my nest!" "Oh yeah?!" Um, guys? These boxes were intended for bluebirds. And while you are, technically, blue birds, I'm pretty sure that's not what was meant.
As for the actual bluebirds, they were around, although not nearly as numerous nor as noisy as the swallows, nor were they showing any interest in the nest boxes. Perhaps there are boxes elsewhere that they favor. Must do more exploring.
Eastern Kingbirds are another recent arrival. This common flycatcher favors parkland and other open areas with scattered tall trees. They do a lot of showy, noisy flight displays during spring courtship. Dow's Lake is one good (and easily accessible) place to find them. They're also a common sight at various points along the Rideau River.
As is appropriate, I guess, for such drab birds, Vesper Sparrows seem to rely on camouflage for safety. Once I flush one into a tree it stays there. Most birds will take off for a new perch if you get close enough (unless the tree is tall and they're well up in the branches). The Vesper Sparrow just quietly sits there, trying to blend into the woodwork. Then, as I creep around the tree, he also creeps around the tree, keeping as many intervening twigs and leaves between us as he can. Does this annoy the nature photographer? YOU'RE DARN TOOTIN' IT DOES.
This Savannah Sparrow was somewhat more cooperative.
Chipping Sparrows also breed in this area, eking out a habitat in the small stands of trees that dot the meadow.
Why do vultures always seem to expect me to drop dead any minute?
May 5th, 2010
Tree Swallow, wallpaper available
I heard far more than I saw, south of the airport today--and saw far more than I photographed. The birds were active but elusive.
As were the butterflies. They're out in good numbers now--Spring Azures, migrant Red Admirals, plus, a new one for my unofficial "butterfly lifelist": a Black Swallowtail. None of them would stay still for a picture.
Though it was afternoon, not morning, there was lots of birdsong. Field, Vesper, Savannah, Song, Chipping and White-Throated Sparrows all going at it, plus a Warbling Vireo or two--a recent arrival in Ottawa as of the past week. A Brown Thrasher joined the chorus as evening moved in.
Emanating from a fenced-off field, I could hear the sweet, plaintive song of an Eastern Meadowlark. It was almost enough to tempt me past the fence--meadowlarks are as beautiful as their voices are sweet--but there are signs posted, and I don't know if they're "no trespassing unless you mean well" signs or "NO TRESPASSING" signs, so I didn't. I also saw and heard a Bobolink in his ecstatic flight display, which marks my first Ottawa sighting of that species, and glimpsed a Northern Harrier, both in the same fenced-off field.
The one species that was available for as many photographs as I cared to take was Tree Swallows. Oh my goodness, the Tree Swallows. Tree Swallows left, right and center. Tree Swallows in the air, in the fields, on the lines, and on the nest boxes. And they look like they have every intention of taking over as many of those boxes as they can.
There was much squabbling. "My nest!" "No, my nest!" "Oh yeah?!" Um, guys? These boxes were intended for bluebirds. And while you are, technically, blue birds, I'm pretty sure that's not what was meant.
As for the actual bluebirds, they were around, although not nearly as numerous nor as noisy as the swallows, nor were they showing any interest in the nest boxes. Perhaps there are boxes elsewhere that they favor. Must do more exploring.
Eastern Kingbirds are another recent arrival. This common flycatcher favors parkland and other open areas with scattered tall trees. They do a lot of showy, noisy flight displays during spring courtship. Dow's Lake is one good (and easily accessible) place to find them. They're also a common sight at various points along the Rideau River.
As is appropriate, I guess, for such drab birds, Vesper Sparrows seem to rely on camouflage for safety. Once I flush one into a tree it stays there. Most birds will take off for a new perch if you get close enough (unless the tree is tall and they're well up in the branches). The Vesper Sparrow just quietly sits there, trying to blend into the woodwork. Then, as I creep around the tree, he also creeps around the tree, keeping as many intervening twigs and leaves between us as he can. Does this annoy the nature photographer? YOU'RE DARN TOOTIN' IT DOES.
This Savannah Sparrow was somewhat more cooperative.
Chipping Sparrows also breed in this area, eking out a habitat in the small stands of trees that dot the meadow.
Why do vultures always seem to expect me to drop dead any minute?
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