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.
18-Mar-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
At this time of year, red squirrels are gnawing bark on maples to get the sap to run, which they then lap up with gusto.
18-Mar-2019
Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)
Signs of life in the elderberries, yet another sign spring is approaching.
18-Mar-2019
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Walnuts too are showing signs of spring!
18-Mar-2019
The ravine
The small stream running through the ravine and into the Arboretum is open and the water is trickling under the bridge from the amphibian pond.
18-Mar-2019
Amphibian pond
It seems hard to believe, looking at the heavy snow cover, that in the not too distant future this pond will have breeding wood frogs, toads and treefrogs.
18-Mar-2019
Willow
These catkins are on a tree in the Arboretum. Each year in early February the fluffy buds appear. I didn't check it this February, but today it was full of these soft buds. It is a tree from northern Asia somewhere, so used to cold temperatures.
18-Mar-2019
Willow
Meantime, the willow at the end of the pond is also opening its buds and in another few weeks perhaps, if the temperatures are warmer, the pollen will be attracting early emerging insects.