It is a rite of spring for me to build swallow houses– each March getting the urge to build a few from left over’s from wood working projects and from scraps from local contractors who know I would never refuse a scrap of usable wood or asphalt shingles.
Bird Watching: Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlarks have declined in numbers recently and are now sadly on the endangered species list in Ontario. Much of the grasslands required for their habitat have disappeared due to development and changing agricultural practices. Fortunately there are still Eastern Meadowlarks in our region and this is the best time of year to spot them.
Dark-eyed Junco: A member of the Sparrow family
A member of the sparrow family of birds, the Dark-eyed Junco is a familiar sight at our bird feeders every fall and spring. In some locations they may even spend the entire winter in our region.
Why did the turtle cross the road?
Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side, of course!
It’s a variation on an old joke. People often associate turtles with roads. Unfortunately, two pieces of information are missing in this story- the reason turtles go to the other side is to lay eggs, and sadly, they may not make it without getting run over.
Yellow Warbler
One of the most widespread and prettiest species of birds that graces our landscape is the Yellow Warbler! The male is a bright yellow, with reddish stripes on its breast while the female is a much more subtle yellow with a green tinge to the wing and back feathers.
American robin; a welcome spring visitor
American Robins are members of the Thrush family, which also includes Eastern Bluebirds, and like other members of the family they are one of the first of our backyard birds to set up house and raise a family. In just a few days after their arrival back in our area from their migration, the nest building begins. Some individuals will build in the same location as long as they live and then other members of the family will continue the tradition. The bracket attaching a coach light to our house has been a nesting location for Robins since we built the house many years ago. A pair of Robins may have three different broods each year, raising 3-5 young in each brood. Females incubate the eggs for about 14 days. Both parents will feed the young.
Downy Woodpecker: a little guy that packs a punch
Equally at home in either an urban or rural setting, the diminutive Downy woodpecker is a welcomed guest at bird feeders, especially during this rather dull time of the year.
The smallest of the Woodpecker family found in North America, the Downy is about six inches long, from the tip of its bill to the tip of the centre tail feathers. It is adorned with black and white body feathers; the males have a red patch on the back of their head. They are often confused with the larger Hairy woodpecker as both sexes of each species are similar.
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