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Northern Pintail
Posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:05:26 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a female Northern Pintail in cell 1 along with the continuing American Coot,
three American Wigeons, female Northern Shoveler, and the Pied-billed Grebe.
Other birds seen included Hooded Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged and
Green-winged Teal, American Pipit, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and
Yellow-rumped Warbler. As I was leaving there were several Dark-eyed Juncos and
Sparrows east of cell 3 where it was sheltered from the wind, including a
Lincoln's Sparrow.
Dark Eyed Junco
Posted on September 29, 2016 at 05:51:35 PM by janice
house
This morning I spotted a junco feeding in the
neighbours driveway with some white crowned and chipping sparrows. Monday
morning I did not have my binoculars and saw white outer tail feathers when the
birds scattered and was hoping it was a vesper sparrow
Leucistic Robin
Posted on September 29, 2016 at 05:12:24 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon a large flock of Robins moved
through our yard. Several stopped long enough to take a bath, including this
interesting one.
photo1
photo2
photo3
photo4
If they come back, I'll try to get a better photo. (Bracebridge)
references:
http://birding.about.com/od/identifyingbirds/a/leucism.htm
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/08/abnormal-coloration-in-birds-melanin-reduction
Re(1): Hair snake/
Gordian worm
Posted on September 28, 2016 at 07:24:50 PM by
michaelhatton
Thanks for posting this item. Below is a link
to a description of just how strange this creature is, and the experience of
its likely host. I would love to see an example, though I'm sure I'd also find
it very very creepy.
https://www.wired.com/2014/05/absurd-creature-horsehair-worm/
Hair snake/ Gordian
worm
Posted on September 28, 2016 at 05:20:32 PM by George
Bryant
One was wriggling about in a little pond on our
beach today. It was 12" white, wire-thin, extended and twisting slowly. I
have only seen these strange critters a few times in my life, mainly in my
childhood. Perhaps they were more common then? Last time was thirty years' ago
in a pond on Limestone Island, Georgian Bay. A remarkable animal.
Northern Shoveler
Posted on September 27, 2016 at 01:14:17 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a female Northern Shoveler at the north end of cell 1 along with 70 or so Wood
Ducks. The American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, and three American Wigeon were all
at the west side of cell 1 where it was sheltered from the wind. Other birds
seen included Turkey Vulture, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Lesser
Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Least Sandpiper, Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Palm Warbler, and about a dozen Rusty Blackbirds. photo
American Copper
Posted on September 25, 2016 at 08:00:16 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning after it warmed up a bit, I found
a few Butterflies enjoying the sunshine - Clouded Sulphurs, Cabbage White, and
this American Copper which looks like it got nipped by a bird.
(Bracebridge) photo
Doe Lake Rd
Gravenhurst/Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on September 25, 2016 at 05:46:02 PM by janice
house
Wonderful day birding, this morning there was a
Lincoln's sparrow, eastern bluebird and an American kestrel by the old sheep
farm on Doe Lake Rd. To finish off the day we had a juvenile yellow- bellied
sapsucker tapping in the white birch and 3 rusty blackbirds in the backyard
Yellow-billed
Cuckoo
Posted on September 24, 2016 at 03:13:19 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the west side of cell 4. Unfortunately I only managed
to photograph a blur as the bird flew out of sight to the south along the
pipeline. There were some Rusty Blackbirds around cell 4 feeding on
grasshoppers and worms. One Blackbird stood out as being very different from
the Rusties it was with...it had a yellow eye, appeared more black than brown
overall, and had a very blue sheen on its lower back and wings, and some brown
(not rust) on its upper back. (A possible immature Brewer's Blackbird?
-
not familiar with the species) An American Coot was at the south end of cell 1
(found yesterday by Michael Hatton).
Rusty Blackbirds
Posted on September 23, 2016 at 01:52:18 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were two Rusty Blackbirds north of cell 4. There was also a large number of
newly arrived White-crowned Sparrows, about 30 in total. A Lincoln's
Sparrow was near the NW corner of cell 4 along with a Blue-headed Vireo, a
Least Flycatcher, and a couple Palm Warblers. An Orange-crowned Warbler was
foraging in a sheltered spot near the entrance to the dumping ponds. The only
other Warblers seen were a couple Common Yellowthroats, an American Redstart,
and five Yellow-rumped Warblers. The three Wigeons and the Pied-billed Grebe
were still in cell 1 along with seven Hooded Mergansers, two Green-winged and a
Blue-winged Teal. Several large skeins of Canada Geese were flying south,
including about 140 birds pictured below.
Lincoln's Sparrow: photo
Canada Geese: photo
Killdeer
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 06:18:30 PM by janice
house
This afternoon there was a killdeer flying and
calling over the old Zellers store in Bracebridge.
wild turkeys
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 03:40:56 PM by dinnymccraney
Mom and Dad took their 9 young ones for a fall
stroll on the South Muskoka Golf course at noon today
Winter Finch
Forecast
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 03:19:55 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Ron Pittaway has posted his annual Winter Finch
Forecast.
You can find it here: http://www.jeaniron.ca/2016/finchforecast16.htm
Re(1): Bear in town
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 03:37:49 PM by dinnymccraney
wonder if its the same bear I had at the end of
June? He was definitely on his own, and the one people keep seeing seems to be
alone as well.
Great photo of the buck!
Bear in town
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 01:54:24 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Just before 1 p.m. today I happened to see a
Black Bear (yearling?) strolling up a neighbour's driveway and out of sight,
heading west towards the ravine between Glendale Rd. and Rockwell Ave. Apparently
there have been a few earlier sightings of this small Bear in the area,
although this is the first I've seen it. There are apple trees nearby so
perhaps it has found some. (Bracebridge)
This morning I came across these three Deer by
an apple tree west of cell 3 at the Bracebridge Ponds. photo1
photo2
Doe Lake Rd
Gravenhurst
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 08:45:34 AM by janice
house
Last night a warbling vireo was calling, this
morning there were several pine warblers and a blue headed vireo calling and
flitting at the top of the white pines on Laycox Rd. 200+ grackles were in our
yard and our neighbour's yard.
Citronella Ants
Posted on September 19, 2016 at 07:46:58 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon around 4:30 p.m. I noticed
several "Citronella Ants" crawling up from the ground between two
patio stones. They were getting ready for their annual nuptial flight. This is
the only time we see them. About an hour later all the winged ants had flown
away and the rest had disappeared back underground. The large reddish-brown
ants with wings are the queens, the slightly smaller black ants with wings are
the males, and the yellow-orange ants are the workers. (Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
photo3
The species
might be Lasius claviger. references:
http://www.eol.org/pages/600033/overview
http://bugguide.net/node/view/584822/bgpage
Re(1): Lincoln's
Sparrow
Posted on September 20, 2016 at 12:20:54 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Lincoln's Sparrow perched in a small Willow near the SE corner of cell 4.
Three American Wigeons were in cell 1, including an adult male. The Pied-billed
Grebe was still in cell 1, along with two Blue-winged Teal. Seventeen
Green-winged Teal were in cell 2. A Green Heron flew up from the NW corner of
cell 1. A Great Crested Flycatcher and a Yellow Warbler were near the viewing
stand north of cell 2 and a nearby Warbling Vireo was singing its spring song.
Two Philadelphia Vireos and a Gray Catbird were west of cell 3 near the apple
tree. Only a few Warblers west of cell 2, including a Tennessee and Northern
Parula. No shorebirds seen.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Posted on September 19, 2016 at 12:17:15 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds we were
hoping to see a Swainson's Thrush feeding on the Virginia Creeper berries east
of cell 1...but instead, a Lincoln's Sparrow popped up into view. The
Pied-billed Grebe and American Wigeon were still in cell 1 along with two
Hooded Mergansers and several Wood Ducks and Mallards. There were some Vireos
feeding on webworms north of cell 2, including a Yellow-throated, three
Philadelphia, and two Red-eyed. In the same area there was a Yellow Warbler,
Wilson's Warbler, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green and Palm Warblers. No
shorebirds were seen. Two American Pipits called as they flew by. Many Canada
Geese came in from the north and nine Turkey Vultures soared past after the fog
lifted and the sun came out.
Swainson's Thrush
Posted on September 18, 2016 at 06:08:34 PM by DBurton
A Swainson's Thrush was eating Virginia Creeper
berries in my neighbour's tree today. Yesterday the same berries attracted
Philadelphia, Red-Eyed and Blue-Headed Vireo.
American Pipits found by George Bryant are
still at the gravel piles beside the Cdn. Tire in Gravenhurst.
Butterflies
Posted on September 18, 2016 at 02:59:25 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning a few Butterflies were enjoying
the warm sunshine in a sheltered area by Lagoon Lane in Bracebridge. There were
Clouded Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, Viceroy, Monarch, and this very worn American
Lady. photo1
photo2
There
were also several bees and wasps visiting the Japanese Knotweed flowers...an
invasive species, but apparently well-loved by insects.
reference: http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants-terrestrial/japanese-knotweed/
Interesting story from 2015 on Japanese
Knotweed:
http://www.muskokaregion.com/news-story/5959692-resident-warns-district-compost-may-contain-invasive-species/
Yellow-throated
Vireo
Posted on September 18, 2016 at 01:54:47 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning there was a Yellow-throated Vireo
with a nice mixed flock of warblers just east of the viewing stand at Kerr
Park. An American Wigeon was in cell 1 at the Bracebridge Ponds.
12 American Pipits
Gravenhurst Wastelands
Posted on September 17, 2016 at 06:02:20 PM by George
Bryant
This afternoon I observed 12 pipits in the
weedy gravel fields west of Gravenhurst Mall (Canadian Tire, Sobeys). This is
lovely site for sparrows particularly later in the fall. My early fall date,
but apparently about normal.
Re(1): Praying
Mantis
Posted on September 17, 2016 at 02:04:58 PM by dinnymccraney
I found 2 tiny ones in the kitchen last week of
August and first week this month. Doubt they will have a chance to mature
before winter
Praying Mantis
Posted on September 16, 2016 at 03:01:50 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning we saw a few Praying Mantids
flying around. This one landed in some Goldenrod and let me take a quick photo
- its head is to the left, with front legs extended upward, positioned to grab
its prey. In Ontario there are only two species of Mantid and both are
introduced species - this one, Mantis religiosa (European Mantis), and Tenodera
sinensis (Chinese Mantis). photo
(Bracebridge)
references:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/22947
http://ninnescahlife.wichita.edu/node/691
Re(1): ID request -
fall warbler
Posted on September 16, 2016 at 04:35:40 PM by Barbara Taylor
The Common Yellowthroat does tend to hold its
tail up like a Wren when perched, and would show yellow on its throat. The
American Redstart tends to flick its tail up when it lands on a perch, but its
throat should look white, not yellowish (note the female does have a yellow
area on its sides near the throat). Both will forage low in shrubs. In my
experience the Common Yellowthroat usually responds to pishing, popping into
view to check you out. It is also much less "hyper" than most other
Warblers flitting about.
This website sorts out some of the
characteristics of fall warblers: http://www.migrationresearch.org/mbo/id/fall_warblers.html
There is a downloadable East Fall Quick Finder
as well as other comparison sheets from The Warbler Guide by Tom Stephenson and
Scott Whittle at: http://blog.press.princeton.edu/2013/07/25/downloadable-warbler-guide-quick-finders/
ID request - fall
warbler
Posted on September 15, 2016 at 11:00:21 AM by John Challis
There were quite a few migrants calling along
our street (Green River Dr., Washago) this morning, including one brown creeper
who was singing his heart out. Only one bird came out into view though, and it
threw me. I'm still learning fall plumage, so would like a hand with this. It
was uniformly grey-green above, no wing bars, and I don't believe there was an
eye-ring either. Underside was off-white, extending to its undertail coverts
(only a quick glimpse as it ducked down into a shrub) and yellowish white at
the throat.
One good behavioural trait: when it landed at
another perch, it always flipped its tail, wren-like. It stayed low in the
shrubs, too, and when I pished, another bird stirred in the same shrubs but
didn't show itself.
Female common yellowthroat, maybe?
Waxwings with
orange tail tips
Posted on September 14, 2016 at 08:35:22 PM by Alex Mills
From the Cornell Lab:
Cedar Waxwings with orange instead of yellow
tail tips began appearing in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in
the 1960s. The orange color is the result of a red pigment picked up from the
berries of an introduced species of honeysuckle. If a waxwing eats enough of
the berries while it is growing a tail feather, the tip of the feather will be
orange.
Re(2): Pied-billed
Grebe
Posted on September 14, 2016 at 02:37:53 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning the Pied-billed Grebe was still in
cell 1. Cool, overcast conditions and a strong north wind made Warbler watching
very "challenging" today to say the least. Most birds stayed back in
the woods out of sight or blew past in a hurry. I was only able to find a
couple American Redstarts, Blackburnian, a Wilson's, Yellow Warbler, Common
Yellowthroat, Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Red-eyed Vireos. An interesting
Cedar Waxwing had an orange tail tip instead of the usual yellow. Two Least
Sandpipers were at the south end of cell 2.
Re(1): Pied-billed
Grebe
Posted on September 14, 2016 at 09:00:53 AM by George
Bryant
Sixteen species of warblers in one fall morning
at an interior Ontario site is remarkably high. They may not do that well at
Pelee or Long Point. Great reports.
Pied-billed Grebe
Posted on September 13, 2016 at 12:56:59 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Pied-billed Grebe in cell 1.
Here are some of the other birds seen:
Blue-winged Teal 1
Green-winged Teal 2
Hooded Merganser 3
Green Heron 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Gray Catbird 2
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 8
Wilson's Warbler 2
Scarlet Tanager 2
Sora
Posted on September 10, 2016 at 10:50:00 AM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a Sora at the south end of cell 2 towards the east side of "the
beach".
Barred Owls calling
Posted on September 9, 2016 at 11:49:34 PM by Barbara Taylor
Two Barred Owls were just calling near our
house for 10 minutes. Hope they catch the Skunk that wandered by earlier this
evening...pheww! (Bracebridge)
Check out fall
sparrows
Posted on September 9, 2016 at 12:32:26 PM by DBurton
I had a sparrow flock turn up in my driveway a
few times this week. There were quite a few juvenile birds, mostly Chipping
Sparrows, but some others including a pink-billed individual that turned out to
be a juvenile Field Sparrow. There may have been more, but the flock was very
skiddish, so I have just the one for now. This is a first occurance of Field
Sparrow in my yard. Last year around this time I had Vesper Sparrows among a
Chipping Sparrow flock in Sundridge, so it's a good idea to check each bird
carefully this time of year.
Tricolored Bumble
Bee
Posted on September 7, 2016 at 05:22:27 PM by Barbara Taylor
There have not been many bees in our yard this
summer, so I was pleased to find this Tricolored Bumble Bee on some Sedum this
afternoon. (Bracebridge)
photo1 photo2 Bombus ternarius - reference: http://bugguide.net/node/view/15062
Re(1): Trumpeter
swan
Posted on September 6, 2016 at 12:48:54 PM by Barbara Taylor
I checked the Bird Board Archives and Trumpeter
Swan K80 was seen on the Muskoka River near Santa's Village in Bracebridge in
2015 on May 20 and again August 24.
Wye Marsh also has a reporting form you can
fill out for your sighting: https://www.wyemarsh.com/swan-sightings
Re(1): Trumpeter
swan
Posted on September 6, 2016 at 08:47:03 AM by AlwynLane
You can report your sighting to ...
trumpeterswan@live.com ... They appreciate any information they can get. Also
they might be able to provide you some history on this particular bird. Also
their FaceBook page 'Ontario Trumpeter Swans' has loads of info on these Swans.
If you enter K80 into the search box top right of the page any posts with the
number will come up.
Trumpeter swan
Posted on September 5, 2016 at 06:27:38 PM by IanP
The trumpeter swan I saw earlier this year I
have been seeing at least once a week driving by the swamp. I finally got a
good look on Friday, and it had a wing tag that says it was "K80". If
anyone knows anything about tagged swans, please let me know.
Fisher eating
apples
Posted on September 5, 2016 at 10:41:28 AM by Barbara Taylor
Early this morning at the Bracebridge Ponds
there was a Fisher in the apple tree west of cell 3. I didn't know they would
eat apples. There were three Otters swimming around cell 1. A Belted Kingfisher
flew past, heading west. Five newly hatched Snapping Turtles were on the
roadway east of cell 1. A large mixed flock of Warblers was moving along the
edge of the woods west of cell 2. Highlights included two Canada Warblers,
three Northern Parulas, some Wilson's, three Magnolias, and several
Black-throated Greens.
Here's a poor shot of one of the Wilson's
peeking out from the foliage: photo
And there is hope Al...a fresh Monarch this morning: photo
Re(1): Philadelphia
Vireos
Posted on September 9, 2016 at 10:34:34 AM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were only a few Warblers and Vireos at the edge of the woods west of cell 2, no
shorebirds seen, and no new ducks.
Seen west of cell 2:
Philadelphia Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 2
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 2
Northern Flicker 1
Philadelphia Vireos
Posted on September 4, 2016 at 01:36:54 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a nice variety of warblers and vireos moving along the edge of the woods west
of cell 2 until a Merlin shut things down. Some of the highlights were two
Philadelphia Vireos, two Black-throated Blue Warblers (yipee!), Northern
Parula, Magnolia, Blackburnian, and Wilson's. Although there is some freshly
exposed mud at the south end of cell 2, no shorebirds were seen. There were
many Ring-billed Gulls hawking insects over that area...there has been a large
hatch of Mayflies. The lone male Scaup was still in cell 4. In cell 1 there
were four more Scaup and two Ring-necked Ducks. A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was
perched in a dead tree north of cell 4. Only two Turkey Vultures were seen
migrating south. A juvenile Green Heron flew up from the south end of cell 1 as
I was leaving.
This very worn and tattered Fritillary was at
the south end of cell 4. photo1
photo2
Monarch Butterfly
sighting
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 05:13:43 PM by Al Sinclair
We saw this one in our yard on August 29. This
was only the 3rd Monarch seen here this year and all were in August. A few
years ago I wouldn't have bothered with a photo, now I'm worried it may be the
last one I'll ever see. photo
Barred Owl watching
the fish pond
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 05:04:51 PM by Al Sinclair
This morning at 7:30 we noticed this owl
sitting on the pump house roof. It flew down beside the pond and looked in the
water, then flew across to the other side and looked again, then back up to the
roof. Blue Jays noticed it then and harassed it until it flew back into the
woods. In the pond there are frogs and fancy goldfish. In late May this year we
saw a Barred Owl swoop down across the big pond and fly off with a frog. photo
Re(2): Wilson's
Warblers, Bala
Posted on September 4, 2016 at 08:35:19 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
I saw that an OFO trip to the Toronto Islands
counted 20 yesterday!
Re(1): Wilson's
Warblers, Bala
Posted on September 4, 2016 at 02:42:02 PM by Barbara Taylor
I checked eBird, and there seemed to be a first
wave of Wilson's into southern Ontario around Aug. 27-28, with several reports.
This morning I had five at the Bracebridge Ponds.
Wilson's Warblers,
Bala
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 10:06:27 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Male and female adult Wilson's Warblers here
today! Seems very early! Photographed them in Nome, Alaska in June.
American Black Duck
Posted on September 3, 2016 at 08:53:49 AM by janice
house
Geoff flushed a black duck from Beaver Creek
this morning while on a dog walk, Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst. I have yet to see
one this year.
Hawk migration
picking up
Posted on September 2, 2016 at 01:50:19 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning I spent some time "hawk
watching" at the Bracebridge Ponds by cell 4. There was a continual
trickle of Turkey Vultures streaming by, with total count of 29 by the time I
left. Most Hawks seemed to be taking a more westerly route so were too distant
to identify - but I had at least one Red-tailed and four Broad-winged
(including an adult perched in a dead tree). There were six Palm Warblers north
of cell 2 by the viewing stand, as well as a small mixed flock east of cell 1
again. I asked if the water level could be lowered some in cells 1 and 2, so
there should be a bit more exposed mud for any migrating shorebirds in a couple
days.
To follow the Hawk migration, check the daily
tallies at HawkCount.org,
or scroll through reports submitted to Ontbirds.
Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on September 1, 2016 at 11:34:37 AM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there was
a nice mixed flock of birds east of cell 1 where it was sheltered from the
wind. There were three Scarlet Tanagers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Red-eyed
and Warbling Vireos, and several Warblers, including Wilson's, Chestnut-sided,
Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and an Ovenbird. Three Green-winged
Teal were in cell 2, a few Hooded Mergansers were in cell 1, and a juvenile
Green Heron was at the north end of cell 1. The male Scaup was still in cell 4.
Only one shorebird was seen, a Spotted Sandpiper. Water levels remain high with
barely any beach left at the south end of cell 2. Thirty-six Canada Geese flew
overhead in a vee heading south.
Ragged Rapids Rd,
Butterflies
Posted on August 28, 2016 at 03:51:00 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Yesterday, Saturday August 28, 2016, I spent
2.5 hours driving Ragged Rapids Rd very slowly looking for butterflies. Not a
single Monarch seen and almost no indication that any caterpillars had been
feeding on milkweed any time during the summer.
The only butterflies seen were 2 or 3
fritillaries. One photographed that was in very poor condition with no
photographs suitable for ID.
Lots of goldenrod and swamp milkweed in bloom
but very few asters.
Re(1): ID help with
a Hawk?
Posted on August 30, 2016 at 12:38:15 PM by
michaelhatton
Thanks for the assistance.
Re(1): ID help with
a Hawk?
Posted on August 28, 2016 at 08:21:19 PM by Ron Tozer
I believe this is a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk,
as does an experienced observer that I asked to look at the photos.
Re(1): ID help with
a Hawk?
Posted on August 28, 2016 at 11:02:44 AM by Al Sinclair
Check juvenile merlin.
ID help with a
Hawk?
Posted on August 28, 2016 at 09:50:38 AM by
michaelhatton
Looking for help on an ID for this hawk. Seen
off Daventry Road, near Brain Lake in the northern part of Algonquin Park.
Tiger Swallowtail
caterpillar update
Posted on August 27, 2016 at 02:50:27 PM by Barbara Taylor
I've been monitoring a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar
at the Bracebridge Ponds since I found it on a leaf July 25. Yesterday it was
starting to take on a brown colour (photo below). That's the sign that it would
soon start wandering about to find a good place to pupate and spend the winter.
Today it was no longer resting on its silken mat on the leaf, so hopefully it
is now a chrysalis. photo
Previous
post with photo taken Aug. 22
Previous post with photo taken July 25
Warblers on the
move
Posted on August 27, 2016 at 02:30:48 PM by Barbara Taylor
Late this morning at the Bracebridge Ponds
there was a large mixed flock of Warblers moving through the woods west of cell
2. I was able to get good looks at several, including two Tennessee, a Northern
Parula, Bay-breasted, Wilson's, Blackburnian, Magnolia, Nashville, and
Black-throated Blue. Nine Hooded Mergansers and two Blue-winged Teal were in
cell 1. Three Broad-winged Hawks circled overhead before continuing their
journey south. Two recently fledged Green Herons (second brood) flew down from
a tree north of cell 2 onto the roadway not far from where I stood. After a
good look around they moved out of sight down into cell 2. Here are a couple
photos of one of them. photo1
photo2
Snapper
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 07:34:43 PM by
BrendaLaking
Barbara, I think I found the mama to the little
snapper you missed running over the other day. She was at the far corner of
cell 4. photo
We saw many Familiar Bluets, Slender Spreadwings, Spotted Spreadwings, Eastern
Forktails, White-faced Meadowhawks, couple of Black-shouldered Spinylegs, a
female Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Widow Skimmers, Common Whitetails,
Twelve-spotted Skimmers, Common Green Darner, and other Darner sps. In
butterflies we had Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Northern Crescent, Least
Skipper, Eastern Tailed Blues, and a few Monarchs.
Re(1): Cormorants
v. Loons
Posted on August 22, 2016 at 07:53:21 PM by
missyinmuskoka
I am the loon lake stewart for Kahshe lake, and
we used to have 3 successful pairs. 2 years ago we had one pair with 2 chicks,
and one pair with 2 dead eggs that never hatched. Last year we had one
successful pair and they had 2 chicks. This year the suspected same pair only
lay 1 egg, but is still rearing that chick. We have had increasing numbers of
cormorants too.
Cormorants v. Loons
Posted on August 22, 2016 at 03:48:51 PM by George Bryant
On Saturday we spent 13 hours aboard the RMS
Segwun on the 100-mile cruise through the three Muskoka lakes. We observed
100’s of cormorants but not one Common Loon. The Lake Muskoka Eleanor Island
cormorant colony has been there for about ten years but I was surprised to see
two new-to-me cormorant nest islands in Lake Rousseau. I suspect there are
others. Although never nesting, loons once were a common feature of our lake,
Pine Lake, near Gravenhurst. This year I’ve only heard them five times. The
decline in our loons cannot be blamed on cormorants entirely. Canada Geese now
dominate all the wetlands during nesting season and what self-respecting loon would
be prepared to co-exist with geese?
Re(1): Northern
Shovelers
Posted on August 22, 2016 at 06:33:17 PM by janice
house
A merlin was calling from the top of the pine
trees behind the Pentacostal Church? at Pine Street and Taylor Rd (Bracebridge)
tonight at 5pm
Northern Shovelers
Posted on August 22, 2016 at 12:35:53 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were two Northern Shovelers in cell 2 and also two Blue-winged Teal. A nice
mixed flock of Warblers was at the edge of the woods west of cell 2, including
several Chestnut-sided and Blackburnians. The usual Gray Catbird and a
Baltimore Oriole were west of cell 3 near the apple tree. A Merlin was
perched in a dead tree north of cell 4.
The Swallowtail caterpillar I posted about
earlier in the summer has moved to a new leaf and is in its final 5th instar.
Here are a couple photos from today. photo1
photo2
Re(1): Painted
Turtle shedding scutes
Posted on August 24, 2016 at 02:39:32 PM by dinnymccraney
Fascinating! Must show this to my grandson.
Thank you as always for keeping us informed.
Painted Turtle
shedding scutes
Posted on August 22, 2016 at 12:23:53 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday I noticed this Painted Turtle with
something stuck on its shell near the tail end. After a closer look, I realized
it was "shedding its scutes". The new top layer that is revealed
looks nice and clean now.
photo1
photo2
photo3
reference: http://www.turtleholic.com/turtle-shell-peeling/
not about scutes, but interesting: Painted Turtle Research in Algonquin Park
Re(4): Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 08:56:33 PM by ksmith
I was looking up an evening Grosbeak but never
thought to look at a rose-breasted. That's it. I think it was a male juvenile.
Thank you
Re(3): Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 08:06:40 PM by Barbara Taylor
Could the bird have been a Rose-breasted
Grosbeak? In certain plumages they will show white spots on their wings and it
is a larger bird than a Purple Finch. We had an immature male "Rosie"
show up at our feeder Friday.
Karen, is this photo similar to your bird?
http://www.sialis.org/images/female_rbgr.jpg
Here's a webpage with several photos to check
for similarities:
http://www.howardsview.com/Rose-breastedGrosbeak/Rose-breastedGrosbeak.html
Re(2): Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 11:19:07 AM by ksmith
It's the black lines over the face that are unusual
but my first thought was a purple finch because the beak was the same. I will
go with that one for now! Juvenile birds are tricky to ID.
Re(1): Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 10:23:45 AM by George
Bryant
A young or female Purple Finch could fit that
description and they do patronize Niger feeders.
Re(1): Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 09:27:59 AM by Al Sinclair
I think it would be unusual to see them at a feeder.
They are ground foragers like most sparrows. They are a rare in Ontario, very
few records for Muskoka. Can you get a photo?
Lark Sparrow
Posted on August 21, 2016 at 08:28:54 AM by ksmith
At my Niger Feedr this morning in Port Sydney
area I saw a large bird, with a large finch beak eating Niger seed awkwardly
because it was so big. It had a long tail, black streaks over its eyes and head
and brown streaks on its breast and white dots over its back and wings. It's
body colour was a dull grey/pale brown. I am taking a guess and would like to
know if this is possible. A juvenile Lark Sparrow?
Great Black Wasp
Posted on August 20, 2016 at 12:41:49 PM by Barbara Taylor
Several Great Black Wasps have been visiting
our Oregano patch. This one was unusually calm and let me get some close-up
shots. I have not found them to be very aggressive, but since they are so large
and fly around at great speed, they can be a bit intimidating.
(Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
photo3
photo4
references:
http://bugeric.blogspot.ca/2013/01/wasp-wednesday-great-black-wasp.html
http://bugguide.net/node/view/5530
Re(2): Common
Nighthawks
Posted on August 27, 2016 at 06:58:08 PM by janice
house
I was out on the back deck and saw 1 nighthawk,
looked back over the roof and lots more appeared. Conservative estimate at one
point 40, they would disappear to the south west then another 20 would swirl
over. Can't be sure if it was the original group or more joining the group, I
watched for at least 20 minutes
Re(1): Common
Nighthawks
Posted on August 20, 2016 at 06:59:28 PM by Barbara
Taylor
Just came in from watching a flock of about 30
swirling around overhead feeding on flying insects as they migrate.
Common Nighthawks
Posted on August 19, 2016 at 07:06:49 PM by Barbara Taylor
They are on the move tonight...so far counted
six flying over our house. (Bracebridge)
whip-poor-will
Posted on August 18, 2016 at 08:59:09 PM by John Challis
We had a whip-poor-will calling in our backyard
right now. Green River Dr, Washago. I've never heard one at this time of year
before; must be a young teenager strutting his stuff.
Snapping Turtle
hatch
Posted on August 18, 2016 at 03:50:38 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday I almost drove over this little guy
at the Lagoon Lane deadend. I carried it to the edge of cell 3 so it was well
away from any traffic. (Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
Re(1): Feeder
Activity
Posted on August 16, 2016 at 06:41:30 PM by ksmith
My feeder in Port Sydney was mobbed this past
weekend. The weeke before the goldfinches fought bitterly over the Niger seed.
This weekend just pass I had 6-8 on the feeder at the same time. Lots of juvenile
chickadees, WBNH, RDNH. Did the cooler weather and rain bring them out?
Feeder Activity
Posted on August 16, 2016 at 03:58:24 PM by George
Bryant
Remarkable to us, our cottage feeders are now a
hive of bird and mammal activity—by far the busiest since we put them up four
months’ ago. Amongst other species, dozens of goldfinches (where do they all
nest?). several Downy Woodpeckers (usually we have none), multi-Song, Chipping
and White-throated Sparrows darting under the feeders, then taking cover in the
junipers. Many Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, the latter readily
hopping about the rocks. Still the odd male hummingbird but many female-types
squabbling at the window feeders. Family groups of Blue Jays and Purple Finches
are now regulars. Not a feeder bird but this morning three Pileated Woodpecker
were on one tree by the window. The hundreds (I exaggerate) of endearing
chipmunks and red squirrels are forever finding new ways to access the dangling
feeders. Feeders are retired to the toolshed at sunset. If neglected, raccoons
are guaranteed to knock them all down and destroy several. No bears reported
since my tidi-bin was tossed into the road in June.
Re(1): Bumble Bee -
ID?
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 02:09:33 PM by Al Sinclair
That's the same species I had here this week. I
am calling it Northern Amber Bumblebee based on the colour of the body segments
and distribution maps as shown the Bumble Bees of North America (2014). The
queens are easier to photograph it seems. I tried to capture photos of a worker
here on different days with poor success because it was constantly on the move.
Nice clear shot of the leg spines and stinger. Queens and workers both sting.
Bumble Bee - ID?
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 11:41:38 AM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday this very large Bumble Bee (queen?)
spent several minutes nectaring from the snapdragons in our garden. It was not
collecting pollen although it sure got covered with it as it crawled down into
each flower. After reviewing all my shots, it appears the bee has a spine on
its leg - see third photo. The last photo seems to show a stinger on its tail.
(Bracebridge)
photo1 photo2 photo3 photo4 photo5 photo6
Birds on the Moon
River
Posted on August 10, 2016 at 06:16:46 PM by DinnyNimmo
This morning my son in law Doug Tate spotted a
caspian tern on the river. We also saw a red breasted nuthatch fledgling in the
tree in front of our place.It fluttered its way up the tree. Doug is wildlife
biologist for Nahanni National Park.
Eastern Tailed
Blues
Posted on August 9, 2016 at 09:55:20 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning I found two Eastern Tailed Blue
butterflies at the Bracebridge Ponds - first ones I've seen this year.
photo
There were several Monarchs flying around the bumper crop of milkweed. The
Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar in my July 25 photo was still on the same leaf, resting on its
silken mat, but has advanced to the next instar.
Pileated
Woodpeckers update
Posted on August 8, 2016 at 08:11:14 PM by Barbara Taylor
This evening I heard a Woodpecker hammering
away at a dead pine tree out behind our house. This time it was the male adult
Pileated with one of his offspring. The adult seemed to be showing the young
male bird how to strip bark off the tree. He fed it something and then the
young bird started knocking off big pieces of bark on the opposite side of the
tree from its parent. Bark was flying everywhere!
On July 29 the female adult Pileated had
visited our yard accompanied by a young female, but we haven't seen them since.
(Bracebridge)
Another species -
Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count
Posted on August 7, 2016 at 06:42:11 PM by Al Sinclair
Northern amber bumble bee (Bombus
borealis)worker - in the yard today on hedge nettle. I could not get a good
photo, moved too fast, but I think this one confirms it. We will see when the
experts check my Bumble Bee Watch record. photo
And the Plant
is....
Posted on August 7, 2016 at 01:37:52 PM by Al Sinclair
Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium subsp.
telephium 'Purple Emperor')
Hylotelephium
telephium=Sedum telephium
Great Canadian
Bumble Bee Count
Posted on August 6, 2016 at 09:56:32 PM by Al Sinclair
I'm only seeing one species in the yard this
week, the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens). I entered these photos
of a worker on a flower in Joan's garden. They want to know what flower it was
on. Joan is away, does anybody know what it is? photo1
photo2
photo3
photo4
Tick Found -
Bracebridge
Posted on August 5, 2016 at 09:17:05 PM by Al Sinclair
I found my first tick in Muskoka a few days
ago. Also saw another alarmist tick story in the media. Not that Lyme disease
is not serious, but ticks are still rare in Muskoka from my experience. And this
one is most likely a groundhog tick (Ixodes cookei), a species that does not
transmit Lyme disease.
I say most likely because it is the most
commonly found species in Ontario, it is small (sesame seed size), there are
very few deer around us, we do have groundhogs and other small animals here
including many deer mice, and it was found on the chin of an indoor house cat
that has been hunting mice in an attached garage.
I hope the fear of ticks doesn't prevent people
from getting out and enjoying nature in Muskoka. But I suppose just in case it
is a good idea to tuck your pant legs into your socks even if it looks stupid.
Note: the background of these photos is a
recycled paper envelope not my arm. We used the body rotation trick we found on
Youtube to remove it from the cat. Just spin the body around with a Qtip until
it lets go.
Great Spangled
Fritillaries
Posted on August 5, 2016 at 05:25:31 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday there were two Great Spangled
Fritillary butterflies in our Purple Coneflower garden. They were a little
nervous at first, but eventually I was able to get close enough for
photos...thankfully before heatstroke set in. (Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
photo3
Re(2): Shorebirds
Posted on August 8, 2016 at 02:37:42 PM by Barbara Taylor
More recent arrivals seen this morning at the
south end of cell 2.
2 Killdeer
4 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Greater Yellowlegs
8 Lesser Yellowlegs
6 Least Sandpiper
2 Semipalmated Sandpiper
Re(1): Olive-sided
Flycatcher and shorebirds
Posted on August 6, 2016 at 02:26:15 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds I didn't
see the Olive-sided Flycatcher, but there was a calling Least Flycatcher and
possibly a Yellow-bellied (only got a quick look). There was a little mixed
flock of Warblers moving through the shrubbery north of cell 2, including a
Cape May, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and an
Ovenbird. The long-staying male Lesser Scaup is still around...in cell 4. I
didn't see the Pectoral Sandpiper, but there was still a Lesser Yellowlegs, two
Solitary Sandpipers, and a few Leasts at the south end of cell 2. Seven
Double-crested Cormorants flew around for a while, but didn't land.
Here's a poor shot of the Cape May: photo
Olive-sided
Flycatcher and shorebirds
Posted on August 5, 2016 at 01:47:53 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were a few shorebirds along the south end of cell 2 - a Pectoral Sandpiper,
Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, and a Spotted
Sandpiper. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was hawking insects from the top of a dead
poplar near the NW corner of cell 2. Several Barn Swallows and a few Bank and
Tree Swallows were also feeding in the area. A young Green Heron was at the NW
corner of cell 1. Two Hooded Mergansers were in cell 1. I didn't see the male
Lesser Scaup...has it left or did I miss it?
New Bird for Bala
Yard List
Posted on August 3, 2016 at 01:47:57 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Juvenile Northern Parula this morning foraging
in the pin cherries.
Bird bathing
techniques
Posted on August 2, 2016 at 11:23:05 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning a Robin was in our birdbath making
quite a splash, flapping its wings, puffing up its feathers, and shaking its
tail. Later as I was adjusting the aim of our water sprinkler onto the garden,
I noticed a Hummingbird fly through the spray. It perched on a branch where it
received a gentle shower from the sprinkler, then preened while awaiting the
next pass of the sprinkler. While at the Bracebridge Ponds, a Belted Kingfisher
flew past me low over cell 4. It made several quick bellyflops onto the surface
of the water, keeping its back and head above water. It reminded me of a
skipping stone. The bird then settled on a perch to preen. This afternoon a
young Blue Jay came to our birdbath for a drink and seemed to want a bath, but
couldn't quite get up the courage to jump in. Instead, it took a beak full of
water and threw it up over its head, repeating the procedure three times...not
terribly effective from my vantage point.
American Copper
Posted on August 1, 2016 at 05:17:01 PM by Barbara Taylor
This American Copper butterfly was enjoying the
oregano blooms in our garden this afternoon. It was hard to get a photo since
several Great
Black Wasps kept zipping by, making me and the butterfly very nervous.
(Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
Ontario Odonata
Posted on August 1, 2016 at 05:15:42 PM by BrendaLaking
For those interested in Dragonflies and
Damselflies, it has recently come to my attention that the 7 volume series
entitled Ontario Odonata that the TEA published containing the observations
from 1999 to 2005 are now available for free download. Go to their website
OntarioInsects.org and click on Publications and then click on Ontario Odonata
- Annual Seasonal Summaries. This will take you to a new page where you can
choose to look at a table of contents or the whole volume of any one of the
seven. Lots of articles, not just observations.
Re(1): Bracebridge
Ponds
Posted on August 1, 2016 at 02:22:11 PM by Barbara
Taylor
This morning started out very quiet too, but
picked up after I flushed a Green Heron which in turn flushed a Merlin that had
been perched near the dumping ponds. Seven Hooded Mergansers were in cell 1.
The only shorebirds seen were a Killdeer and a Solitary Sandpiper near the
south-west corner of cell 2. Two Otters were in cell 4. The continuing male
Lesser Scaup was in cell 4 for a change instead of cell 2. A Mink has been
hanging around the south end of cell 2, probably trying to catch an
unsuspecting duck resting on the small beach.
Northern Harrier
Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 06:36:05 PM by janice house
This morning I was surprised by the number of
birds I heard and saw as it seemed quiet at first. I watched a northern harrier
circling west of cell 4, it looked like it had a long piece of grass dangling
from its talons, I assume it was a snake....
Re(1): Ruby Crowned
Kinglet ?, Bala
Posted on August 3, 2016 at 01:46:54 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Chestnut sided has quite a green yellow head. I
haven't seen it since so no further ID points.
Re(1): Ruby Crowned
Kinglet ?, Bala
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 01:45:28 PM by George Bryant
How about a young Chestnut-sided Warbler? They
certainly look different
Re(2): Ruby Crowned
Kinglet ?, Bala
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 11:17:07 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
I didn't think they should be here but no idea
what it was. Not seen for the last 2 days.
Re(1): Ruby Crowned
Kinglet ?, Bala
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 09:43:58 AM by Al Sinclair
Too early for ruby-crowned. They aren't
normally seen here until the fall migration starts. The eBird rare sighting
filter is set to "0" until September 6.
Ruby Crowned
Kinglet ?, Bala
Posted on July 29, 2016 at 08:10:46 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
I have seen, what I am pretty sure, is a Ruby
Crowned Kinglet foraging in the pine cherry trees several times. Way too fast
for me to get any photographs so far. Lots of leaves to hide in as well.
Smaller than a warbler, no greenish colour on
the head, white wing bars, white eye ring, no defined colour change between
crown and cheek.
Pileated
Woodpeckers
Posted on July 29, 2016 at 05:33:51 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon the female Pileated visited our
yard with one of her offspring. They both went to work chipping the bark off a
dead pine tree. Earlier in the year the male Pileated would collect bits of
eggshell from the compost pile and carry them off, so we knew there were young
birds in the nest. This was the first fledgling we've seen.
Hopefully more birds will return to our
neighbourhood now that the Cooper's Hawk family seems to have moved on. Here is
one of the young hawks trying to find a Chipmunk in the brush pile a few days
ago. photo1
photo2
Fawn Sphinx Moth
Posted on July 26, 2016 at 05:00:11 PM by janice house
Geoff found this moth on the side of Doe Lake
Rd Gravenhurst this morning while walking our springer spaniel. He got a photo
on his phone and I also went to look at the moth, it moved when I touched it so
was probably not warmed up yet. We checked the id in my caterpillar book.
Re(2): Muskoka
Odonata
Posted on July 27, 2016 at 10:03:00 AM by Barbara
Taylor
Bob Bowles said he will get in touch with
Brenda to compare records. His Muskoka checklist currently has 103 species.
Re(1): Muskoka
Odonata
Posted on July 27, 2016 at 07:39:11 AM by Doug Smith
Hi Brenda -- have you checked with Bob Bowles?
He was involved in creating a list for Muskoka -- his e-mai address is on the
Simcoe Nature Board --
http://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=SimcoeNatureBoard
Muskoka Odonata
Posted on July 26, 2016 at 04:04:58 PM by BrendaLaking
I am trying to compile a checklist of the
dragonflies and damselflies of Muskoka. With dot maps from Catling and
Brownell's book from 2000, and info from the now defunct Ode Atlas (thanks
George), and my own records, I now have a list of 96 species. I am looking for
recent records for the following species which were recorded in Muskoka prior
to 1999 and were not on the Atlas: Amber-winged Spreadwing, Subarctic Bluet,
Rusty Snaketail, Kennedy's Emerald, and Blue Dasher. Does anyone have records
for these five? You can contact me at sirpippin@sympatico.ca Thanks, Brenda
Re(1): Tiger
Swallowtail caterpillar - photos
Posted on July 26, 2016 at 01:52:56 PM by DinnyNimmo
Love your photographs, Barbara. Those are
fascinating! I have never seen anything like those before. Dinny
Tiger Swallowtail
caterpillar - photos
Posted on July 25, 2016 at 09:12:18 PM by Barbara Taylor
I was checking some Cherry trees this morning
for Promethea Moth Caterpillars, but found this Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar
instead. It was resting on its silken mat, which it returns to after feeding.
This is one of the easiest caterpillars to find since they rest on top of a
leaf instead of hiding underneath. photo
Last year I raised a caterpillar I had found so I'd finally get to see a Tiger Swallowtail chrysalis which I've never seen in the wild. I've included a few photos from last summer below today's caterpillar.
Tiny caterpillar found July 1, 2015 (at this early stage, resembles birdpoop...good camouflage): photo
Second instar (taking on a green tone): photo
Last instar (markings near the head look like big eyes): photo
Turned brown day before forming chrysalis: photo
Chrysalis (you can see the silken sling attached to the branch): photo1 photo2
Shorebirds
Posted on July 25, 2016 at 04:26:41 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were a few shorebirds along the south end of cell 2 - two Lesser Yellowlegs,
Least Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, and two Wilson's Snipe. The
male Lesser Scaup is still in cell 2, along with a Green-winged Teal, and
several Mallards and Wood Ducks. A Hooded Merganser was in cell 1. There were
two Green Herons at the west side of cell 4. A few Bank and Barn Swallows were
flying over cell 1 along with three Chimney Swifts. Two Alder Flycatchers were
calling west of cell 4.
Yellow Bellied
Sapsucker
Posted on July 24, 2016 at 07:25:46 AM by janice house
Late yesterday afternoon a juvenile sapsucker
was on my peanut feeder, he was back this morning. A common night hawk was
calling last night around 9:30. Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst.
A Green Heron day
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 03:17:18 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds there
were four Green Herons around cell 4. This one was very co-operative and stayed
perched in the tree as I slowly walked by:
Three recently fledged Green Herons were at Kerr Park and received a food drop from one of their parents. Here are some photos of the young birds:
Birds at Moon Wood,
Bala
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 09:52:05 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
The only birds I have not seen yet that are
seen most years here are Canada and Magnolia Warblers. After the extremes of
last year seeing all those that have dropped by lately is heart-warming. It was
thought that nesting hawks could have been the reason for last year's extremely
low sightings so I guess they have found a site further away.
Re(1): Odonata
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 09:56:38 PM by George Bryant
Actually I have an Excel spreadsheet of Muskoka
odes which I'd be happy to send to anyone. g.bryant@sympatico.ca
Re(1): Odonata
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 10:24:59 AM by George Bryant
There is no recent odonate list but Colin
Jones' Algonquin Odonate Guide is all you need. There used to be an on-line
Ontario Atlas but it has been taken down, possibly because species at risk were
being shown. Muskoka has a few differences from Algonquin; e.g. Slaty Skimmer
is abundant here while rare in Algonquin.
Odonata
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 06:50:50 AM by BrendaLaking
Can someone tell me where I can get an up to
date checklist for Muskoka Odonata, a list of actually verified sightings,
without the probables? Thanks
deer with young
Posted on July 21, 2016 at 02:10:17 PM by pmoase
the deer are now out with this years
babes,please remind people to drive on the back roads with care even to drop
the speed.little ones may be on road even after mom runs off.
Eastern Milksnake
Posted on July 21, 2016 at 01:38:23 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning I came across an Eastern Milksnake
at Kerr Park. It was only about two feet long, so much smaller than the one I
found June 16 by Lagoon Lane. I only managed to get this one photo for the
record before it zipped off the trail into the leaf litter out of sight. I had
been looking up at a family of Baltimore Orioles, so almost stepped on the
snake! photo
Re(1): Busy Bala,
This Week
Posted on July 30, 2016 at 11:23:28 AM by Eleanor Kee
Wellman
Cedar Waxwings, F & M Black and White
Warblers and F Scarlet Tanager in the drip.
Several F & J American Redstarts foraging.
F or J Canada Warbler today. A very yellow warbler which must be a F Yellow
Warbler foraging today.
Re(1): Busy Bala,
This Week
Posted on July 20, 2016 at 10:15:25 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Missed m & f yellow-rumps coming into water
drip!
Birds feeding young out computer room window -
Blue Jay, chickadees, Purple finches
Busy Bala, This
Week
Posted on July 20, 2016 at 09:59:37 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman
Birds coming to find pin cherries - Cedar
Waxwings, Purple Finches, Robins, Hermit Thrushes, Chickadees, Blue Jays
Birds Looking for insects in pin cherry trees -
Black and White Warblers, one female seen several days in a row, Black-throated
Blue Warblers, m & F, Red-eyed Vireos, phoebes, Scarlet Tanagers, phoebes
Birds coming into water drip - Mourning doves,
flickers, Blue Jays, Purple finches, goldfinches, chickadees, Red-breasted
Nuthatches, Scarlet Tanager, M
Animals making a nuisance of themselves - Red
Squirrels, Gray Squirrels and racoons
Feeding flock...
Posted on July 19, 2016 at 08:25:34 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon at Kerr Park I came across a
nice bunch of birds feeding in the shrubbery where it was sheltered from the
wind. Finally, a mixed flock of warblers. There were more juveniles than
adults. (Bracebridge)
Here's my complete list:
1 Mallard
1 Green Heron
20 Ring-billed Gull
1 Northern Flicker
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee (heard only)
2 Eastern Phoebe
2 Eastern Kingbird
1 Warbling Vireo
2 Blue Jay
2 Tree Swallow
3 Barn Swallow
4 Black-capped Chickadee
3 White-breasted Nuthatch
3 American Robin
1
Brown Thrasher
2 Cedar Waxwing
2 Nashville Warbler
3 Common Yellowthroat
3 Blackburnian Warbler
6 Yellow Warbler
4 Chestnut-sided Warbler
10 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-throated Green Warbler
2 Chipping Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
1 Indigo Bunting
1 Baltimore Oriole
3 Purple Finch
4 American Goldfinch
Re(1): Cooper's
Hawk
Posted on July 23, 2016 at 05:15:30 PM by Barbara Taylor
The young Cooper's Hawk was here again. It
tried to catch a squirrel in the brush pile and then back to the Crows...photo
Cooper's Hawk
Posted on July 19, 2016 at 05:36:23 PM by Barbara Taylor
A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was just in our yard
harassing a family of Crows. The young Crows seemed a little too nonchalant and
a couple times I thought the Hawk was going to get one, but perhaps it was just
"playing" with them. It ended up perched on a branch just inches away
from two of the crows...wish I'd had my camera handy. (Bracebridge)
Re(1): Redhead -
Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on July 18, 2016 at 02:32:48 PM by Barbara
Taylor
The Redhead was still in cell 1 at noon today.
A family of Otters was in cell 4 towards the south end.
Redhead -
Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on July 17, 2016 at 04:34:38 PM by Barbara Taylor
This afternoon at the Bracebridge Ponds there
was a male Redhead hanging out with a bunch of Mallards in cell 1. photo
Dragonhunter
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 10:23:31 PM by Barbara
Taylor
I've never seen a Dragonhunter (Hagenius
brevistylus) at the Bracebridge Ponds before. This one was at the north side of
cell 2 this afternoon.
Re(2): Japanese
Beetle breeding ground!
Posted on July 21, 2016 at 02:03:47 PM by pmoase
i have seen grackles eating these beetles.boy
do they love them.
Re(1): Japanese
Beetle breeding ground!
Posted on July 17, 2016 at 11:02:19 AM by DBurton
They are also congregating on rugosa rose
flowers, virginia creeper, and grape vines. Has anyone seen any birds eat these
beetles?
Japanese Beetle
breeding ground!
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 09:54:02 PM by Barbara Taylor
I couldn't believe how many Japanese Beetles
were feeding and mating on the Pickerel Weed in the Kerr Park pond today. Must
have been 100 or more. Yuuuck! photo1
photo2
Re(1): First of
Year Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper
Posted on July 17, 2016 at 09:13:20 AM by janice house
I saw my first monarch this morning, beautiful
female feeding on dog bane on Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst
Re(1): First of
Year Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 09:49:57 PM by Barbara Taylor
There were two Monarchs at the Bracebridge
Ponds this afternoon...but might be from the Hospice Muskoka butterfly release
a week ago. How long would they live?
I had seen a total of 3 Monarchs previously
this year in Bracebridge well before the July 10 release fundraiser. The
first date I saw one was June 4 at the Bracebridge Ponds: photo
First of Year
Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 09:37:29 PM by George Bryant
The old, doubtless soon-to-be abandoned ONR
rail line provides a warm open corridor for northbound insects. Today in south
Gravenhurst I observed my first of year Monarch (4), Orange Sulphur (1) and
Silver-spotted Skipper (4), the last at a northernly Ontario location. As
feared, the number of dragonfly and butterfly species and individuals was
sharply reduced from two weeks' ago, the variety and profusion of attractive
wildflowers providing compensation. The railroad is private property,
trespassers could be prosecuted but the cultural paths paralleling the line
allow one to view open areas from a discrete distance.
Re(1): Clay
Coloured Sparrow
Posted on July 15, 2016 at 08:56:58 AM by janice house
Got the bird this morning, sitting at top of
spruce trees along the edge of the road
Clay Coloured Sparrow
Posted on July 14, 2016 at 04:59:58 PM by janice house
This morning I heard the sparrow buzzing at
7am, 9am and this afternoon at 4pm. It is calling from our neighbours front
yard (1185 Doe Lake Rd), just went by again and still can't see the sparrow.
Re(2): Monarch
Release Bracebridge
Posted on July 14, 2016 at 10:16:14 PM by Al Sinclair
The Bracebridge newspaper reports that 650
Monarchs were released.
Re(1): Monarch
Release Bracebridge
Posted on July 14, 2016 at 03:11:53 PM by Barbara
Taylor
A very fresh looking female Monarch was at Kerr
Park this morning. There were also four Chimney Swifts flying around the
viewing stand area.
Re(1): Monarch
Release Bracebridge
Posted on July 11, 2016 at 06:36:34 PM by janice house
I have not seen any monarchs this year, we had
a viceroy about 3 weeks ago in our yard. I check the milkweeds in my
neighbourhood for eggs but so far no luck.
Monarch Release
Bracebridge
Posted on July 10, 2016 at 10:35:20 PM by Al Sinclair
You may see some monarchs around Bracebridge
this week. Muskoka Hospice fundraiser butterfly release was July 10. They have
released around 500 in past years. I would feel better about this if I knew
where these butterflies came from and what happens to the migratory instincts
of their offspring when they mate with wild monarchs.
BTW I have not seen a monarch in Muskoka so far
this year.
Re(1): Common
Nighthawk
Posted on July 13, 2016 at 09:10:24 PM by janice house
Two birds calling and circling right now,
really high...wow
Re(1): Common
Nighthawk
Posted on July 10, 2016 at 09:46:31 AM by DBurton
Has anyone else been hearing Nighthawks? There
numbers seem low this year.
Common Nighthawk
Posted on July 10, 2016 at 06:55:47 AM by janice house
Last night at 9:15 the nighthawk was calling
and circling over the house, a hermit thrush was also calling. ( Doe Lake Rd
Gravenhurst)
18th annual Bala
Butterfly Count results
Posted on July 9, 2016 at 04:36:57 PM by Al Sinclair
18th annual Bala NABA Butterfly Count results
Sponsored by the Muskoka Field Naturalists
June 25, 2016, sunny 24C to 29C, winds calm
Distance traveled on foot 3.5 km
19 species 1559 individuals (59 excluding
European Skippers)
(In 2015 22 species 306 individuals (91
excluding European Skippers)
7 observers: George Bryant, Sid Daniels, Janet
Fraser, Cyril Fry, Martha Gillier, Al Sinclair, Rick Snider
The weather was hot and sunny, excellent for
counting butterflies, but numbers were lower than normal likely because of lack
of rain in the 3 weeks before the count.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail 4
Bog Copper 2
Great Spangled Fritillary 4
Silver-Bordered Fritillary 1
Silvery Checkerspot 1
Harris' Checkerspot 4
Northern Crescent 7
White Admiral 2
Eyed Brown 1
Little Wood Satyr 3
Common Ringlet 1
Northern Cloudywing 2
European Skipper 1500
Indian Skipper 1
Tawny-Edged Skipper 4
Long Dash 12
Hobomok Skipper 3
Two-Spotted Skipper 5
Dun Skipper 2
THE COUNTERS (minus Janet) Photograph by Janet Fraser: photo
Dragonflies
Posted on July 8, 2016 at 05:25:04 PM by Barbara Taylor
Yesterday afternoon I made a quick visit to the
Bracebridge Ponds...hot, humid, and great weather for dragonflies. Along the
roadway north of cell 4 there were at least 40 Common Whitetails, 20 Widow
Skimmers, and a couple Twelve-spotted Skimmers. A Killdeer was still sitting on
eggs. There were two Green Herons - an adult and a recently fledged young bird
which still had white tufts of downy feathers on its head. A single Least
Sandpiper was at the south end of cell 2.
Widow Skimmer (male): photo
Common Whitetail: male - photo females - photo
Bird songs this am
Posted on July 8, 2016 at 04:10:44 PM by John Challis
I guess the birds were encouraged by the scent
of (potential) rain this morning. It sounded like early June.
Winter wrens have been at it several mornings lately,
and there were a couple in full scat-mode during a half-hour bike ride. Also
heard, or seen:
Catbird
Scarlet tanager
Great crested flycatcher
Chestnut sided warbler
Common yellowthroat
Blackburnian warbler
Ovenbird
Pine warbler
(and yesterday heard a black-throated green
warbler)
Flicker, pileated and, I think, hairy
woodpeckers
Indigo bunting
Swamp, song and chipping sparrow
A baby wood duck
..along with the usual gang of jays,
chickadees, grackles, RWBBs and red-eyed vireos. Quite a chorus.
Pileated versus
Hydro One Pole at Leonard Lake
Posted on July 7, 2016 at 09:07:58 PM by michaelhatton
photo
Broad-winged Hawks
Posted on July 7, 2016 at 08:51:01 PM by Barbara Taylor
This Broad-winged Hawk spent over ten minutes
preening while perched in a pine tree by our house this afternoon. A second
Broadwing was calling as it circled overhead. (Bracebridge) photo1
photo2
Chimney Swift
Posted on July 6, 2016 at 08:41:50 PM by janice house
On the way to work this morning a chimney swift
was chittering above the intersection of Manitoba St and Taylor Rd in
Bracebridge, a cardinal was singing close to the skate board park behind the
arena.
Sandhill Cranes in
Raymond
Posted on July 5, 2016 at 12:42:51 PM by janice house
Tim Mason from Raymond ( Luckey Rd ) reports
there are 4 cranes in the field across from his home. He believes it is the
nesting pair from last year and their 2 offspring (previous year). Any
thoughts? He also has a pair of black billed cuckoos nesting.
Kingfisher
predation
Posted on July 3, 2016 at 12:23:25 PM by Barbara Taylor
I was hoping to announce some happy news that two
Kingfishers had fledged at the Bracebridge Ponds yesterday, but sadly this
morning I found they had already been killed by something. I guess they never
made it up out of the ditch into a tree so they were very vulnerable.
Yesterday morning I hadn't realized they had left their burrow until I
was leaving and saw the female adult carry a big frog into the nesthole. She
soon came back out, still with the frog, and then went down into the ditch
below. I took this quick photo as I walked past. One young bird is looking
straight into the camera, and the other one is barely visible at the bottom
left. photo
Program
Announcement
Posted on July 3, 2016 at 06:18:19 AM by janice house
Dr. John Confer of Ithaca College will be
delivering an interesting talk on
the Northern Saw-whet Owl. His presentation
entitled : The Northern
Saw-whet Owl in Your Back Yard, describes his
fall banding station for
migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls on Hammond
Hill near Ithaca, NY and
describes saw-whet migration and population
dynamics in eastern North
America. Wednesday, July 20, at 7:30 at
Bracebridge United Church. All are
welcome and admission by donation. This event
is sponsored by the Muskoka
Conservancy.`
Black Tern
Posted on July 2, 2016 at 03:25:31 PM by Barbara Taylor
This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds I was
watching the many Tree, Bank, and Barn Swallows when a larger bird came into
view...a Black Tern. It flew around picking insects off the surface of cell 2
for about 20 minutes, but left after repeated attacks by a Red-winged Blackbird
and some Swallow adults protecting their fledglings feeding in the same area. I
only managed to get very poor photos of the Tern, but you can make out its
black head and underside if you squint. It had a fairly uniform gray back,
wings and top of tail; head mostly black; breast and belly blotchy black and
white; white undertail and vent; slightly forked tail; black bill. photo1
photo2
photo3
Bracebridge Lagoons
Posted on July 2, 2016 at 07:50:31 AM by janice house
I was at the ponds around 2pm yesterday, 3
lesser yellow legs were in the south end of cell 2, a spotted sandpiper was
bathing in the south end of cell 1, goldfinch and common yellow throat were
bathing outside the gate in the water running from the culvert, lots of
fledgling swallows in the trees by the gate and on the facility fence. Watch
out as the adults are dive bombing. A kingfisher had what looked like a small
sunfish in it's bill, it sat and called on the fence but did not go to the nest
while I watched.
