Hawks March 23 & 24

Had quite a few red tail hawks including this young female in a very rough looking nest. No male as yet although they are on their way back in the migration.So could still happen. Not all red tails leave during the winter months. A beautiful merlin,a cooper hawk more red tails.The highlight was a male northern harrier. ( grey ghost) right by the road. It scooped up a tuft of grass. We are thinking he was building a nest in the field. These are ground nesters.

Immature first year red headed woodpecker March 24

I have monitored red headed woodpeckers around my house and in my yard since 2001. But I have never heard of them over wintering yet. Until this year. I have heard of an adult a little north of me and them Ann told me of this 1st yr. bird in Whitevale.I have never seen this stage as my birds have always left in early Sept. to migrate and came back looking like an adult already in early May. This young one was very lucky in that people saw it and kept suet and other foods out there for it. It is healthy and getting its adult plumage quickly. Climate change is giving us some very different sightings in the bird world now. Unfortunatley they dont all have a happy ending like this little guys.

Canada geese March 23 & 24

Canada geese are very graceful in flight. Just as the sun was going down they were coming into the fields were the tundra swans were in Whitevale. It was beautiful. Had a couple throughout the day with different pigments in the face and neck.

Ducks March 23 & 24

In Toronto everything everywhere seems to be in full swing. Ducks dancing their mating dances,mating,calling out. Coming back. This male wood duck although much smaller than the mallards was quite pushy. If it wanted something it got it. It wanted the rock the female mallard was sitting on. So it nipped her and she moved off. He moved on and relaxed for a bit. Chillin in the sunshine. Quite funny.Had mallards,longtails,c.goldeneyes,red breasted mergansers,and red necked grebes strutting their stuff as well. Was an awesome day.in a half. We cut it short Sunday as we were tuckered right out.

Swans March 23

La Salle in Burlington has very few trumpeter swans left on the beach. They are headed back to their nesting grounds. Ann & I spent an hour or so there. I walked on the beach to see the trumpeters. It was clearly ciesta time. All those beautiful birds chillin out in the sun,heads tucked into those pure white feathers,but one eye always on me to make sure they knew were I was at all times.We moved on to another spot were this mute swan was enjoying a nice bath. Then Ann & I found a field with the small tundra swans settling in for the night. The chatter was awesome. These are the last group of photos. Tundras are smaller swans with a little yellow tear drop on the beak by the nostril area.Georgeous little things. Wow, all 3 types of swans in one day. Pretty amazing.