A Ruffed Grouse at Pinery!

As we drove along an interior road, I saw a Ruffed Grouse fly perpendicularly towards the back of our car. In the mirror, I watched it fly along side the car for about 25 feet until we came to a stop. It landed right in front of us and posed for pictures! I think it was too "chicken" to cross the road, or perhaps it thought we were a threat. I have heard of them attacking car wheels before.

It has been many years since I last saw a Ruffed Grouse at Pinery Provincial Park, although we have heard them drumming on several occasions. The male Grouses' signature drumming display doesn't involve drumming on anything except air. As the bird quickly rotates its wings forward and backward, air rushes in beneath the wings creating a miniature vacuum that generates a deep, thumping sound wave. The sound can carry up to a quarter of a mile.

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

Bald Eagles were viewed soaring on a few occasions.

Thousands of tiny fish were seen from the Burley Bridge. It will be awhile before they are of much interest to the Eagles in the area.

A Bumblebee species drinking from a tiny Rockcress flower.

 Olympia Marble and Hoary Elfin!

With sunny weather forecasted for North Lambton we thought it would be a good day for butterflies. Cloudy skies contributed to finding zero butterflies in the morning, but after a lunch break our luck turned when we saw an Olympia Marble that even cooperated for a photo! This species is more common in eastern Ontario, but there is an isolated population near Southern Lake Huron. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014

Lyre-leaved Rockcress

We found some nice pockets of Lyre-leaved Rockcress which is the host plant for the Olympia Marble. At one point, Deryl recognized something was odd and we realized that a pair were mating!!

We both added another butterfly to our "Life Lists" upon finding this Hoary Elfin! They normally perch close to the ground and the flight period is from late March to late June.

As we stood on the sand, a pair of Hoary Elfin connected and began mating! This butterfly species is also typically found in northern Ontario, but an isolated population occurs in and around Pinery Provincial Park. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014

Brown Elfin are more common than the previous listed species. They, along with the Olympia Marble and Hoary Elfin all over winter at the chrysalis stage.

The habitat range of the Red Admiral includes urban areas, northern forests and even tundra. They overwinter as an adult, but rarely in Ontario. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014

  Yellow-throated Warbler in Canatara!

Deryl found this handsome Yellow-throated Warbler while trying to locate a singing bird that he couldn't immediately identify by sound. As he stared at a mixed flock of warblers high in the tree canopy, the warbler found its way into the view of his binoculars! 

The Yellow-throated Warbler stayed in the park for 3 full days, much to the delight of many birders, some of whom traveled a few hours to see it! The northern end of its typical breeding zone is south of Lake Erie so we rarely get to see this species in Ontario. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-throated_Warbler/maps-range

Although the Lesser Yellowlegs is commonly found during migration in Southern Ontario, it is rare for it to stop in Canatara Park! Deryl watched it land in the park on April 28th. They will nest in Ontario's far north.

Willets are large shorebirds with pigeon-sized bodies on long legs. They have thick, straight bills which are considerably longer than the head. Deryl likes to check out the beach early in the morning to see if any birds arrived overnight. He was rewarded for his efforts with this individual that stayed on or near the groyne for close to an hour.

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

Pied-billed Grebes are regularly found in the park. They are heavy birds which build up speed by running along the surface of the water to become airborne. If they feel threatened, they tend to sink, rather than dive below the water's surface.

 The Tunnel at Niagara Falls!

We made a trip to the new Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station. When we emerged from the tunnel, we were at the base of Niagara Falls.

I probably wouldn't have seen this Song Sparrow at the river's edge if it hadn't broken out into song!

Many gulls fished at the base of the falls. The only ones that I could see were all Ring-billed Gulls.

Several Double-crested Cormorants bobbed around in the surf below the falls.

We took an elevator 180 feet down to reach the start of the tunnel.

For over a century, the tunnel served as an exit point for the water used in generating hydropower. We walked along the same path travelled by the water which led us to the point where the water emptied into the Niagara River. The tunnel distance for walking was just under 1 km each way.

Interpretive signs provided detailed historical information but also let us know where we were standing in relation to the activities above us at ground level. 

Looking up towards the road above.

 Springy Things and Baby Wings!

I am still finding a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the area. This male was having an argument with another male.

We found a piece of bark that had fallen off a tree. The holes were created by a Sapsucker when the tree was still alive. The rows almost look like a power drill was used to make them.

Northern Flickers have been pairing up and choosing nesting territories in Canatara.

An American Robin has found a very stable platform for the nest!

And it even has a roof! Smart birds!

While many species are still preparing their nests, Canada Goose goslings have started to hatch. These ones are having a hard time keeping up with Mom!

 A Prothonotary and other Canatara Birds on April 25th

A Prothonotary Warbler popped up near me on the east side of Lake Chipican this morning. I also snapped a few distant shots of it looking at its reflection before it dove into the underbrush.

I observed a pair of Blue Jays making a nest. Right after the top photo was taken, the male passed a glob of mud and grasses to the female for accentuating the inside of the nest!

Female Bluebird backlit in the morning sun.

Female Brown-headed Cowbird checking out a nest from last year: I wonder if she is thinking about laying eggs already or just planning for the future! Cowbirds do not build nests. Instead females put all their energy into producing eggs, sometimes more than 3 dozen in a summer. The eggs are laid in the nests of other birds, usually at the expense of at least some of the host's own chicks  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview

White-throated Sparrows tend to stay near the ground, scratching through leaves in search of food. They can be seen in low bushes, in spring when they eat fresh buds. It was kind of this one to pose for me!

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

 Marsh Birds - Strathroy Lagoons

The Eared Grebe was our main target species at the Strathroy Lagoons where it provided some nice looks! It was a "life bird" for me! Some researches suggest they are the "whales" of the bird world because they use their flesh tongue (much like baleen whales) to crush prey against the palate and squeeze out the water.

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

A stealthy Common Gallinule peaked out from the cattails to give us a brief look at its brilliant red bill. We heard it squawk and whinny from its hiding place in the thick cover.   https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Gallinule/overview

Despite being difficult to find, the Sora is the most abundant and widespread rail in North America. They might not look like they can fly long distances with their stubby wings and chubby bodies, but they fly hundreds of miles each spring and fall to wetlands in Central and South America.   https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/overview

A Sandhill Crane circled overhead but did not land while we watched.

No marsh would be complete without the resident Canada Geese!

Red-winged Blackbirds are readily found in most wetlands.

We found 5 American Coots! They are plump, chickenlike birds with rounded heads and sloping bills. Their tiny tail, short wings, and large feet are visible when in flight.

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