29-Mar-2019
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Chipmunks have emerged from their quasi-hibernation and are busily rooting around for food.
29-Mar-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Red squirrels are really intent on getting at tree sap these days, and with the cold nights and warmer days, sap is flowing. This one is having a great time feeding on the sweet substance.
29-Mar-2019
Red-winged blackbird, male
A few red-winged blackbirds around today, including this one on the feeder.
29-Mar-2019
American tree sparrow
Some birds are coming, some are going. Tree sparrows breed in the northern part of the province and will be heading out soon.
29-Mar-2019
American tree sparrow
Another shot of one of the 7 or 8 tree sparrows at the garden today.
29-Mar-2019
Mourning dove
Two doves landed in the Backyard Garden at the Fletcher Garden. They have been increasingly scarce around the garden in recent years. I can recall when it was not uncommon to see 14 or 15 in the thickets by the Old Woods in winter.
29-Mar-2019
European starling
A few starlings around today, mingling with the blackbirds, mostly in the Backyard Garden area.
29-Mar-2019
Canada geese
A few geese flying over, but more in the fields of the Experimental Farm where the snow has receded enough to leave bare soil in the fields.
29-Mar-2019
Amphibian pond
The snow has receded from the edge of the pond but as you can see, it is still largely frozen. However, water is gushing under the bridge and flowing down the ravine.
18-Mar-2019
Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
The most abundant creature at the garden today was the grey squirrel. I think I saw about 10 of them. Everything else was either hiding or absent. I saw and heard a flock of about 15-20 red-winged blackbirds, 6 black-capped chickadees, several singing northern cardinals, a ring-billed gull flying over, ditto a canada goose and a common raven. A white-breasted nuthatch was in the old woods.
18-Mar-2019
Chickadee nest cavity
This perfect circular cavity has been excavated by a black-capped chickadee. I think it is probably last year's work. Chickadees nest early and start excavating nest sites pretty early too, but I think it might be a bit early yet.
18-Mar-2019
Ring-billed gull
Flying over the garden. The gulls are back in good numbers now, a sure sign that spring is not far off.