Another Canatara Surprise!

Deryl noticed a warbler high in a tree as we walked through Canatara Park. Once our binoculars were focused on it, we knew it was a Yellow-throated Warbler! They tend to stick to the tops of the trees, and birders often get "warbler neck" as they crane their necks to see the top of the canopy. Despite the November weather, it was still finding insects in the upper canopy of the trees. This species does not nest in Ontario and should be in South America right now. One had recently been spotted in Sault St. Marie. Perhaps this bird is that same individual and he finally decided to head south?

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-throated_Warbler/overview

Downy Woodpeckers have been "popping up" along the trails. Some of them were discovered because "drumming" made me pause and take a closer look. After a bit of patience, this female moved around the tree where I could see her.

Some woodpeckers have been highly visible and not at all camouflaged. A male Downy Woodpecker drummed on a small shed in the animal farm and drilled 3 holes by the time he was done!

I heard drumming in yet another tree but couldn't see the bird. After a few moments, a female Downy Woodpecker popped out of the downward facing hole to take a look at me. She even had some sawdust on her head!

Panning back from the tree, the hole where she entered is visible. It likely won't be long before this branch breaks off the tree!

Two pairs of Hooded Mergansers, swimming on Lake Chipican.

Red-breasted Nuthatches have been plentiful this week, flying from tree to tree along our street. Two were spotted searching for food in the neighbour's magnolia tree. This species can be found by looking along trunks and branches for a bird wandering up, down, and sideways over the bark. They are often found with flocks of chickadees and other species.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-breasted_Nuthatch/overview

White-throated Sparrows participate in some type of migration, though a population of hardy birds live year-round in the northeastern U.S. where they survive on bits of grass, seeds and berries. They also frequent city parks and backyards, taking advantage of bird feeders.

https://www.audubon.org/news/10-fun-facts-about-white-throated-sparrow

Cheeky Chipmunk! According to Hinterland Who's Who, by October, each chipmunk has accumulated enough seeds to enable it to survive the winter. Our warmer weather is allowing them to be active and continue their hunt for food.

https://www.hww.ca/wildlife/mammals/chipmunk/

 Winter Birds in North Lambton!

Pine Grosbeak! According to the Winter Finch Forecast 2025-2026 "It looks to be a flight year for many species in Eastern Canada. With mostly very poor crops in the boreal forest from central Quebec westward to Manitoba, this has the potential of being the biggest flight year since 2020-2021."

https://finchnetwork.org/winter-finch-forecast-2025-2026

Although we have seen Pine Grosbeaks further north, this was our first find in Lambton County. 4 were found in North Lambton near the MNR Parking lot! They were feasting on Winterberry.

The weather was looking good after the snowfall so a visit to Pinery Provincial Park was on the agenda. I'm glad I took my winter boots!

The feeders were stocked with seed at the Visitor Centre where we found a pair of Purple Finches! Purple Finches have large, seed-cracking beaks and seem to prefer black oil sunflower seeds best. They use their big beak and tongue to crush seeds and extract the nut. The Purple Finch is the bird that Roger Tory Peterson described as a "sparrow dipped in raspberry juice!”

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Finch/overview

Cedar Waxwings congregated together as they feasted on Juniper berries. 

From a distance, we counted 30 Cedar Waxwings bathing in this puddle!! The melting snow provided lots of standing water!

Splish splash, taking a bath!!

We even located one Bohemian Waxwing standing in the puddle!!

True to their name, Bohemian Waxwings wander like bands of vagabonds across the northern U.S. and Canada in search of fruit during the nonbreeding season. Large groups will descend on fruiting trees and shrubs at unpredictable places and times. Unlike the familiar Cedar Waxwing, they have rusty feathers under the tail and white marks on the wings.

https://allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bohemian_Waxwing/overview

Pine Siskins have been heard flying overhead in the past month. They are nomadic finches which move erratically across North America in response to seed crops. They are better suited to clinging to the tips of branches than to hopping along the ground. Their breasts are heavily brown-streaked and when in flight they flash yellow wing markings.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Siskin/overview

While I was trying to take some scenic shots of the dunes at Lake Huron...

....a Bald Eagle flew right over my head, and I totally missed it! (Photo by Deryl)

Boardwalks to the beaches guide visitors through a rare sand dune community. Plants that are are specially adapted to withstand the rigours of this hot, dry environment, anchor and stabilize the sand. Visitors are required to stay off the sand dunes to reduce damage to the fragile ecosystem.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker carried a morsel of food as she flitted around the tree trunk. I'm not sure if she was trying to find a safe caching location or a quiet place to eat!

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An unexpected "Leader of the Flock"! Looking up, I realized that the lead bird was "not like the others"! They were very distant, but a Tundra Swan was leading the way for a small flock of Canada Geese.

 Canatara Creatures!

Canatara Park hosts a wide variety of habitats that support plant and animal life. We never know what we may find when walking the trails!

A pair of Carolina Wrens were singing in the park this morning as they searched for bugs on dead wood. They will also come to backyards if food is available as they enjoy sunflower seeds and suet-filled feeders in the winter. 

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory. I found one today (November 12th) which is the first one I have seen in several weeks. Although a few individuals remain throughout much of the winter in the southern part of the breeding range, most head farther south, going as far as Panama. Females tend to migrate farther south than males.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/overview

White-throated Sparrows regularly visit backyard feeders or peck at seeds that have fallen beneath them. If a brush pile is nearby, it will give White-throated Sparrows a place to take cover between trips into the yard to feed.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/overview

The weather has been cold, but definitely not cold enough to freeze up small lakes. A pair of Hooded Mergansers had a relaxing swim in Lake Chipican on Tuesday.

Other species including a House Sparrow, chose November 11th to have a bath in the cold lake.

American Goldfinches were lined up for their turn in the "bath water."

Although Common Teasel is quite a pokey plant, American Goldfinches aren't bothered by the spikes. They will happily stand on the bristly, dried flower heads to extract seeds.

The Northern Cardinal is a fairly large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. A male was recently spotted snacking on berries from a Snowberry bush. They eat mainly seeds and fruit, supplemented with insects, especially when feeding young. Common fruits and seeds include wild grape, mulberry, sumac and black oil sunflower seeds.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/id

Bird friendly winter gardens that include a water source, food and shelter, help to attract birds such as Northern Cardinals (female in photo) throughout the cold months. When choosing plants for a garden, consider different canopy levels for diverse shelter needs. Brush piles can also provide a safe place for birds to hide.

Bird friendly winter gardens

Eastern Chipmunks aren't often seen locally in snowy weather. This chipmunk didn't listen to the weather forecast!

Although I have not seen a Beaver in Canatara this year, improvements to their lodge show that they are active in the area. Mud has been added to the exterior and leafy branches have been gathered for winter food. They will store food inside the lodge during the winter months. Beavers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn.

Tell tale signs of Beaver: Pointed stump and wood chips!

A Raccoon appears to be sleeping soundly, high in a tree. Sun was shining on it for at least part of the day!

 Close to Home!

A Hermit Thrush visited our backyard...

and plucked a juicy grub out from between the walkway stones!

Meanwhile in Canatara Park lots of life can still be found! Caterpillars including this Large Yellow Underwing, are searching for shelter from predators and the upcoming cold weather! It was found on the underside of a leaf.

A spiky looking Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillar on a spiky leaf.

Milkweed seeds waiting for a windy day to burst from the pod and spread seeds for next year’s Monarch population.

Red-breasted Nuthatch storing seeds under tree bark.

White-breasted Nuthatch, checking that the coast is clear before flying away. It is interesting watching nuthatches. Many times I have witnessed one bird stealing the hidden food cache of another bird.

Spruce cones are loaded with tiny ‘winged’ seeds, nestled under the cone flaps. The tree is like a grocery store for hungry birds, including this Red-breasted Nuthatch. Look closely as the Nuthatch has a winged seed is in its beak. The 'wings' help falling seeds 'fly' away from the parent tree, just like the keys on Maple Trees.

Black-capped Chickadees also depend on Spruce Cones as a food source.

Black-capped Chickadees have been putting on a nice display lately as they search for seeds and insects on goldenrod and other plants.

Tufted Titmice are typically difficult to find locally in the summer months when raising young. They are now flying in winter social groups with Nuthatches and Chickadees, making them slightly easier to find.

Dark-eyed Juncos are the Snow Birds of the middle latitudes. Over much of eastern North America, they appear as winter sets in and return north each spring to breed.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-eyed_Junco/overview

Big yawn from a well camouflaged Mallard hen!

Redhead ducks are beginning to gather on what is left of Lake Chipican. Low rainfall this year has greatly reduced the size of the lake.

Frosted Mapleleaf Vibernum - a sign of approaching winter weather.