Mid-January Birds!

Densely packed Mallards at the Suncor Trail drain!

It was like looking for a needle in a haystack! Hundreds of Mallards and other ducks were dabbling in the Suncor Drain, but we found a young Male Northern Pintail that had been reported the day before!

He moved around a bit and we could see his green speculum. (The patch of brightly coloured secondary feathers on the wings found in most surface-feeding ducks.) Northern Pintails migrate at night at speeds around 77 km per hour. The longest nonstop flight recorded for a Northern Pintail was 2,900 kms!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pintail/

I had a surprise encounter with a Golden-crowned Kinglet which flitted around in a small spruce tree right in front of me. She was actually a little too close for photos, but I managed to get one reasonably crisp shot. They routinely winter in areas where nighttime temperatures can fall below -40 degrees C. although they can be difficult to find locally!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden-crowned_Kinglet/overview

Several Northern Cardinals were hanging out at a seed source. There is a definite pecking order as to who gets to eat first!

American Tree Sparrow - time for a drink

American Tree Sparrows can be found in southern Ontario during the winter in weedy fields, hedgerows, shrubs, and along forest edges. They breed in Northern Canada.

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

Black-capped Chickadee - eating a seed that he has secured between his feet.

This track had me puzzled. (Notice the house key for size perspective on the right side of the photos.) I am fortunate to have a friend with a connection to an experienced tracker who said it was likely a Gray Squirrel that was walking instead of hopping! I'll have to pay attention to squirrel movement to see if I notice any walking!