By now everyone knows about the COVID-19 virus going around putting the world in utter panic. This has put a big thorn into peoples' sides and panic in their minds. I want everyone to make sure they are safe in this turbulent time but that doesn't mean stop birding.
The biggest warning put out by organizations such as the American Birding Association is that birding is what will keep the calmness in your minds and the relaxation in your body. Now, this doesn't mean birding in large groups is still okay, I would strongly advise against it. Small groups (no more than 10 people max) should be going out at one point in time and any of those feeling and showing the signs of COVID-19 should remain on self-quarantine for 14 days as suggested by the Canadian Government. I'm sure this will all work itself out at some point we just need to be diligent and more importantly stay safe! I'm going to remain birding and posting in this time and I'm hoping soon I will be able to start talking more and more about migrants and the movement of birds though my local station (Ruthven) which is closed to the public (myself included) until the 6th of April.
If there are any people curious of the symptoms of COVID-19 then please read this form put out by the Ontario Health and Wellness website: COVID-19 Self Assessment
Here is a great statement put out by the Ted Floyd of the ABA on things we as a community should be doing in this time of emergency, I hope you enjoy: Five Things ABA Members and Other Birders Can Do and Should Do During the Ongoing COVID-19 Emergency
Stay safe everyone and good birding!
17 Mar 2020
Week 11 (March 9th - 15th)
This is the week I hit 100 days straight birding, and with that came with an exciting new sighting! Greater White-fronted Goose and Snow Goose! Although I didn't get any pictures the flock of White-fronts was a good size one and very showy and easy to see.
The rest of the week was slow so let's move on to Friday when I had the day off. I didn't drive everywhere but I did drive to the Royal Botanical Gardens and made my way around the boardwalk, lots of Ring-necked Duck and even a Belted Kingfisher made an appearance. Even seen my first Carolina Wren this year. From the boardwalk I headed back homewards to the Hagersville Quarry, caught a couple Hooded Merganser but didn't see much else unfortunately. Then I decided to move on to the bridge not too far from Peacock Point where I spotted a small group of Northern Shoveler in the flooded field.
Saturday was a long day of birding with a friend of mine. He and I drove all over Hamilton starting at Windermere where he and I spotted the Pied-billed Grebe that's been kicking around there and spotted a Green-winged Teal at the back bank. 2 new species for the year on both of our lists. Not to mention a large flock of Ruddy Duck (60)! Next off to the Burlington Ship Canal; nothing too notable, trying to look for the Red-throated Loon I seen earlier in the week, but we missed it! Here is the real kicker, there was a Red-throated Loon spotted a couple of hours later. From there we decided to move on to Stoney Creek (10th Rd and 8th Rd). On 10th we spotted a few Eastern Meadowlark and listened to their amazing calls for a while before moving on to 8th Rd. 8th was great, seen a whole flock of Northern Pintail (35) and a pair of American Wigeon swimming in a large puddle in the middle of the field. We then moved to a little quarry not too far away and seen our second Pied-billed Grebe of the day along with a male Wood Duck. From there he and I took a little drive to the Beamer CA Hawkwatch. Slow day there mostly, nothing too exciting other than an adult Bald Eagle that was migrating.
Sunday seen me heading out to Long Point with the same friend. We took a swing by Lee Brown WMA and seen a massive flock of Redhead (120 at least) and a flock of Sandhill Cranes (28) flew above us as well. We then moved on to the Old Cut Banding Station and "New" Provincial Park. Not too much to note at Old Cut, the typical Swamp Sparrow and Song Sparrow. The "New" Provincial Park drew up another 2 pairs of Sandhill Crane and a surprise Eastern Phoebe! Definitely a good day there's no doubt about that.
Definitely a nice week and I am thinking my best week so far!
Week's End Totals:
Total Species: 77
Total Individuals: 2717
The rest of the week was slow so let's move on to Friday when I had the day off. I didn't drive everywhere but I did drive to the Royal Botanical Gardens and made my way around the boardwalk, lots of Ring-necked Duck and even a Belted Kingfisher made an appearance. Even seen my first Carolina Wren this year. From the boardwalk I headed back homewards to the Hagersville Quarry, caught a couple Hooded Merganser but didn't see much else unfortunately. Then I decided to move on to the bridge not too far from Peacock Point where I spotted a small group of Northern Shoveler in the flooded field.
Saturday was a long day of birding with a friend of mine. He and I drove all over Hamilton starting at Windermere where he and I spotted the Pied-billed Grebe that's been kicking around there and spotted a Green-winged Teal at the back bank. 2 new species for the year on both of our lists. Not to mention a large flock of Ruddy Duck (60)! Next off to the Burlington Ship Canal; nothing too notable, trying to look for the Red-throated Loon I seen earlier in the week, but we missed it! Here is the real kicker, there was a Red-throated Loon spotted a couple of hours later. From there we decided to move on to Stoney Creek (10th Rd and 8th Rd). On 10th we spotted a few Eastern Meadowlark and listened to their amazing calls for a while before moving on to 8th Rd. 8th was great, seen a whole flock of Northern Pintail (35) and a pair of American Wigeon swimming in a large puddle in the middle of the field. We then moved to a little quarry not too far away and seen our second Pied-billed Grebe of the day along with a male Wood Duck. From there he and I took a little drive to the Beamer CA Hawkwatch. Slow day there mostly, nothing too exciting other than an adult Bald Eagle that was migrating.
Sunday seen me heading out to Long Point with the same friend. We took a swing by Lee Brown WMA and seen a massive flock of Redhead (120 at least) and a flock of Sandhill Cranes (28) flew above us as well. We then moved on to the Old Cut Banding Station and "New" Provincial Park. Not too much to note at Old Cut, the typical Swamp Sparrow and Song Sparrow. The "New" Provincial Park drew up another 2 pairs of Sandhill Crane and a surprise Eastern Phoebe! Definitely a good day there's no doubt about that.
Definitely a nice week and I am thinking my best week so far!
Week's End Totals:
Total Species: 77
Total Individuals: 2717
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| Black-capped Chickadee - Hamilton ON |
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| Canada Goose - Hamilton ON |
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| Carolina Wren - Hamilton ON |
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| Downy Woodpecker - Hamilton ON |
12 Mar 2020
Week 10 (March 2nd - March 8th)
This week was very much back and forth weather wise. Snow, no snow, it was very much frustrating which means a lot of boring birding days! So, let's skip to the weekend where the weather was above 0!
Saturday was a long day, lots of birding. Starting with Ruthven. I was there at about 20 to 8 and went for a nice walk through the grounds. Nothing too notable there except the caw of a Common Raven from across the river. From there took a little drive to the Windermere Basin where I was able to see 11 species of waterfowl and a little flock of American Coot making its stay there. From there I made my way to Bayshore Park where I grabbed an awesome view of a pair of Redheads. First of the year and hopefully not the last! From there I was headed back towards Haldimand and seen a couple Turkey Vulture soaring in their upward "V" formed wings. But the best is when I was pumping gas and I got a great view of over 100 Tundra Swans on their migration north! That made my whole day!
Sunday was more of a slow down. I only visited my local Hotspot, Selkirk Provincial Park. Beautiful day for a walk through the park and grab some birds in the meantime. Walking to the front park was no regret (even if my feet hurt after), 5 Lapland Longspur calling from the fields around me, it is definitely a nice bird to hear in early migration period. The park was no different, lots of peak birding with a pair of Hooded Merganser and a male Northern Harrier cruising around. It definitely brings me back to the good old days where the birds were just there and no life lists and it was all about the birds. I loved that feeling.
Week's end totals:
Species: 57
Individuals: 1,453
Saturday was a long day, lots of birding. Starting with Ruthven. I was there at about 20 to 8 and went for a nice walk through the grounds. Nothing too notable there except the caw of a Common Raven from across the river. From there took a little drive to the Windermere Basin where I was able to see 11 species of waterfowl and a little flock of American Coot making its stay there. From there I made my way to Bayshore Park where I grabbed an awesome view of a pair of Redheads. First of the year and hopefully not the last! From there I was headed back towards Haldimand and seen a couple Turkey Vulture soaring in their upward "V" formed wings. But the best is when I was pumping gas and I got a great view of over 100 Tundra Swans on their migration north! That made my whole day!
Sunday was more of a slow down. I only visited my local Hotspot, Selkirk Provincial Park. Beautiful day for a walk through the park and grab some birds in the meantime. Walking to the front park was no regret (even if my feet hurt after), 5 Lapland Longspur calling from the fields around me, it is definitely a nice bird to hear in early migration period. The park was no different, lots of peak birding with a pair of Hooded Merganser and a male Northern Harrier cruising around. It definitely brings me back to the good old days where the birds were just there and no life lists and it was all about the birds. I loved that feeling.
Week's end totals:
Species: 57
Individuals: 1,453
 |
| Mallard - Hamilton ON |
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| Female American Wigeon - Hamilton ON |
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