Two months have come and gone in this Great county and things are exciting as they can be in the not so raging winter months of January and February. Nonetheless, the birds always seem to pull through and this January and February have been no exception. So, Let's get to it then.....the highlights!
This code 5 (Woot Woot!) Townsend's Solitaire was an excellent kickstart to the county year list. I was getting worried about missing this long-staying rarity for the year, but fortunately after spending around four back to back days in the Forfar Ave. neighbourhood where it was being seen, this little beauty decided to finally reveal itself on it's favourite snag. I was extremely happy to get this bird out of my way, as I'm sure the neighbours were getting annoyed of my ongoing presence (Which was made pretty clear by the officer who pulled me over wondering what I was looking at). I did not trasspass, but even I'd be a bit worried if an 18-year old was regularly meandering around my neighbourhood with binoculars and a camera. Ahh....the things that must be done for the birds....my sincere apologies if I freightened you.
My (quite) unsuccessful attempt at photographing the Solitaire
One of my favourite parts of winter is making regular bike trips down to the Grand River. This can be one of the most bird rich areas this time of year in the county. I must say nothing is quite better than sipping a steaming cup of coffee in a blistering snow storm while desperately scanning through Goldeneye flocks in hopes of catching that rare glimpse of a Barrow's. Maybe next year! Of course these adventures would not be adventures without ol' Canyon Runner by my side.
Canyon Runner in Action (kinda)
You never know what's going to show up on the Grand (But most times you do!), and this particular year has been a great year for some fun code 1's and 2's.
Common Raven
Peregrine Falcon
One of my favourite sightings from this month was this pair of Cackling Geese hunkered in among the Canada's on a very snowy morning. This would be the first of two groups of Cackler's I would see over these months.
Eastern Bluebird
Common Raven
One of my favourite sightings from this month was this pair of Cackling Geese hunkered in among the Canada's on a very snowy morning. This would be the first of two groups of Cackler's I would see over these months.
Cackling Goose (The small ones)
Even when the good birds cease to show, any morning spent on the river is time well spent in my eyes. The common winter scene of Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers truly encompass and embrace the beauty of the winter season as their call's fill the chilly surroundings. It won't be long now, until these vacationing Goldeneye's return north to the places they call home.
Common Goldeneye
