24-MAR-2013
American robin
A gorgeous photo by Diane of a very red-breasted robin. This is a male, identified by the vivid red breast (females have a duller colour), sitting on a sumac, making for a striking image. We seem to have had few robins around this winter, unlike last year (a much milder winter) when we had quite a few around the region, including at the FWG/Arboretum.
Diane said that there were a number of birds around the FWG, including this robin, a red-winged blackbird, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, house finches, dark-eyed juncos, white-throated sparrows (3), common redpolls (5), black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatch,and overhead, ring-billed gulls.
24-MAR-2013
Red-winged Blackbird
Our true harbinger of spring! Whereas robins, in small numbers, may overwinter most years, it is rare for a red-winged blackbird to do so, and so in the eyes of many of us, they really signal spring! Diane photographed this male as she walked one of the trails through the garden.
24-MAR-2013
Mourning Dove
Diane photographed this dove drinking from a snow puddle in the road to the Backyard Garden.
24-MAR-2013
House finch, female
These little brown jobs frequently confuse beginning birders, as they look very sparrow like. With the male, there is no doubt about what they are, but the poor females...
24-MAR-2013
Northern cardinal, female
A gorgeous shot by Diane, of a pretty female cardinal in warm light, sitting on the feeder in the Backyard Garden. These birds have been singing for some weeks now, so they knew spring was coming, despite the snow still piled up.
24-MAR-2013
Dark-eyed junco
These juncos are so common now, moving around in flocks. This was in the Backyard Garden.
24-MAR-2013
Common Redpoll
One of our winter visitors, soon to be heading northwards. Diane saw five of these pretty birds at the BYG feeder.
24-MAR-2013
White-throated sparrow
Diane said that she saw 3 of these guys feeding on the ground beneath the feeder by the Ash Woods.
07-MAR-2013
Red squirrel
These little guys are too cute for words!!! Barry caught this one in a very inquisitive pose. These squirrels are common around the garden, in a much higher density than they would be in the wilds, thanks to a good food supply.
07-MAR-2013
Red squirrels
Two reds awaiting a chance to visit the feeder!
07-MAR-2013
Bark from Hairy Woodpecker work
The bark scattered beneath this tree is a sure sign that a Hairy Woodpecker has been working away.