Canatara in November:

Earlier this fall, the top of the tree where the Red-phased Eastern Screech Owl roosted snapped off in a strong wind. For the past several weeks, the Owl has been sitting on a branch in a nearby Maple Tree. There aren't many leaves left on the deciduous tree for the owl to hide behind.

Thanks to the Bluewater Raptor Centre for supplying the boxes and park staff at Canatara for the installation, two owl boxes have been placed in nearby trees. Hopefully we will soon see an owl poking its head out of one of the holes on a sunny day! With winter approaching these birds need a cavity to be better sheltered from the elements.

I occasionally see the grey Screech Owl sunning its face in this box. One afternoon a White-breasted Nuthatch decided to see if anyone was home!

A sleeping Screech Owl!

3 Wild Turkeys have been roaming the park.

Fan-shaped Ginko leaves.

A banded male Northern Cardinal posed for me on the fall leaves! The band is visible on his right leg. Bird banding is a research tool that can provide vital data to scientists in efforts to understand their movements at breeding sites, migratory pathways and wintering areas.  https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/bird-banding/program-overview-contact-information.html