May 24, 2010 - Paradise Found - Again

If you've read this blog for a while you know one of my favourite birding destinations, my oasis, my personal paradise, is Tiny Marsh near Georgian Bay in Ontario.

I visit the marsh year round and am always fascinated with how much it changes from one visit to the next. Somehow I seem to miss it at the best time of year - spring, but this weekend I enjoyed a great day there.

The marsh has many different areas, each offering different kinds of habitat to the inhabitants. Some birds come back for the summer, some stop by on their way farther north.

On this particular weekend, I checked the open water areas and was surprised how few Egrets or Herons were to be seen. This was fine though, and I was more excited to check the forested areas for warblers, which yielded great rewards.

From the moment I arrived I found the place peaceful and remarkably alive with all kinds of bird calls. From every direction there seemed to be a different bird calling, and most interesting was that I could hardly see any birds at all.

After working hard to slow things down (I was probably a bit stressed from the week's pressures), I started to tune into what was around me.

Stopping in some places for a half-hour at a time, I was able to see muskrats, beavers, and many Yellow Warblers playing around together.

Roaming along a marshland boardwalk, I lucked out and followed a warbler as it went back to a nest it was building. I watched for a while as small twigs and pieces of bullrushes were brought in to the nest.

I later ventured over to the west side, and found even more species of birds to gawk at.

Eventually, I got hungry and had to leave to grab a late lunch, but if I had food I could easily have stayed till sundown, it was truly that amazing.

Overall, for a birder, it just doesn't get much better, what an awesome day out in the bush. I think the mosquitos enjoyed it too, judging from my arms, neck and head :)


Here's some video of a Yellow Warbler building a nest:




More Images:

May 9, 2010 - A Trip to The Owl Foundation

If you're not aware, I run a separate blog, The Peregrine Falcon Zone, where I document the ongoing activity of a Peregrine nest.

Almost a year ago, our on-site adult male was injured, leaving his family to fend for themselves. His mate, "Mom" amazed us and raised the young on her own.

Our male, upon being injured in 2009, was sent to The Owl Foundation (web site here), where we hoped he would be successfully rehabilitated. Now nearly a year later, he had recovered, and was ready for release. For a full account of his release click here.

During my visit to The Owl Foundation, the MNR had to attend a conference call, and I was able to roam the facilities with my cameras, no doubt an exciting opportunity for a bird-geek like me!

I got a brief run-down and tour of the massive facility, and was impressed to learn that they currently have well over 100 birds on site. Most are owls, but there are also some Kestrels and Peregrines among other species.

In the photography world, shooting birds in captivity is not as well viewed as those shot in the wild, but I've got to say, with what I saw at The Owl Foundation, I'll shoot birds in captivity any day!

The variety of species you see in the included photos include Snowy Owls, a pair of Great Gray Owls (a species I've never seen in the wild, nevermind two sitting together!), a family of Great Horned Owls, a few Barred Owls, a Saw-Whet Owl, and a Short-Eared Owl.

Needless to say it was an incredible day and visit! The Owl Foundation is supported by donations, corporate sponsorship, and volunteers. I plan to contribute some time and effort at their facility in the future.

In closing I'd like to say thank you to the team at the foundation, they nursed our resident Peregrine back to health, and their facility, skills and efforts are a great asset to birds across North America.



More Images:

May 3, 2010 - Warbling Along the Etobicoke Creek

When it comes to birding and photography, this time of year is my favourite! Birds are slowly migrating northwards, the leaves haven't fully grown in yet, and with the nice spring temperatures, it's just a great time to get out and look!

Last Friday, hearing all the birds calling in the morning, I couldn't resist skipping out of work responsibilities, leaving the VOIP and Bluetooth phones behind, and heading to the Etobicoke Creek ravine to see what I could find.

Whether you're a birder or not, be sure to take advantage of this glorious weather. I was amazed at how rejuvenated I felt after just an hour walking along the creek.

As for the birds, I was hoping I'd see a vast array of Warblers, but alas it seems it's a bit early. The next few weeks this will change.


More Images: