Early March Nature Observations

FOY Great Blue Heron

At this time last year, I walked along the trail at the confluence of the Grand and Speed Rivers and stepped carefully through the snow and ice that still covered the ground. Spring is definitely early this year compared to last and the birds and plants are aware of this too. Yesterday, at midday, I briefly checked three of my favourite birding spots in the region.

Carolina Wren- A year-round resident here unlike its cousin the House Wren

I found one Carolina Wren a few years ago on the shoreline of Burlington Bay and haven't seen one since. Walking a local trail yesterday, I heard one singing but could not spot it in the trees. A few minutes later it landed close to me and sang its heart out. Wrens have big voices that are way out of proportion to their size and the Carolina Wren has a distinctive and more melodious song compared to the House Wren. I heard another loud bird song that I did not recognize and after recording it on the Merlin Bird ID app, discovered it was a Tufted Titmouse. The Tufted Titmouse is not widespread in our area but there are several in this park. Other birders and photographers had left seeds on the posts of the boardwalk, attracting the usual winter birds such as Juncos, American Tree Sparrows, Chickadees, Nuthatches and Northern Cardinals.

Red-bellied Woodpecker- another non-migrating species

I noticed another bird in a pine tree and when it came into the open, it was a beautiful Red-bellied Woodpecker. Its belly was more yellow than others I have seen. These three birds;- the Tufted Titmouse, the Carolina Wren, and the Red-bellied Woodpecker- are birds of the Carolinian Forest that have gradually extended their territories northward over the past few decades. Ontario has Carolinian Forests along the northern shores of Lake Ontario and Erie, as well as the southeast shore of Lake Huron. The Tufted Titmouse moved into our region in the past couple of years and has been nesting successfully.

L-R, top to bottom: Skunk Cabbage, Red Maple flowers, Crocus, Snowdrops, Pussywillow, Snowdrops

I checked out early spring flowers which are blooming about three weeks earlier than last year. Skunk Cabbage blooms were emerging out of the swamp and a Pussy Willow bush hid an American Tree Sparrow. Red Maple trees are in full bloom. Driving home I spotted clumps of Snowdrops (Galanthus) and Crocuses which are not native North American plants but have become harbingers of spring.

Spring and winter usually battle for supremacy in March and April but clearly, spring is a winner this year. We will undoubtedly see more snow, but I hope there are no dry frosts during the crucial budding season of our fruit trees. The ground is very dry and today's rains are most welcome. 

Birds seen or heard: I did not count prevalent birds like Canada Geese, Mallards, Starlings, Crows, etc.

FOY:                                               OTHER:

Turkey Vulture                                American Robin

Song Sparrow                                 Red-winged Blackbird

Carolina Wren                                Great Blue Heron  

Common Grackle                           Bald Eagle

Eastern Bluebird                             American Tree Sparrow

                                                        Black-capped Chickadee

                                                        Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                        Tufted Titmouse (very loud calls)

                                                        Northern Cardinal

                                                        White-breasted Nuthatch

                                                        Junco