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Monday, May 7, 2012

First babies….and other firsts….

Here it is, the end of the first week of May and this is the first time in days I’ve had something to report!  Ventured to the park on Friday but it was so chilly and windy there wasn’t a single thing I could find to take a picture of – and I can usually find something!!! 

May 7, 2012

That cool weather has actually meant that the water levels have dropped – however sounds like that is going to change pretty soon!

Tree Swallow on a cable

We started out today noticing all of the Tree Swallows…they seemed to be everywhere!  Saw a few Northern Rough Wing as well – still waiting for the Barn Swallows – it seems a bit late to have not seen them yet.

Song Sparrow

In an area that is just outside the park entrance there was a fair bit of activity, although most of it ‘furtive’ as I suspect there are quite a few nests in the area – here a Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

and here a White-crowned Sparrow….(everyone insisted on being in the shade so photos not as sharp as they could be)

Southwards

now back over at the log bay….we were standing where there had been water last week…

after a bath

this American Robin was drying off after a bath….should mention I could hear Bullock’s Orioles in the Poplar trees – the first of the season – couldn’t spot them for the life of me!  They blend in so well.

Rufous Hummingbird

This male Rufous Hummingbird can usually be found hanging out in the same location – most times I’ve tried a picture it has been a complete failure…

Orange Crowned Warbler

Spotted this Orange-crowned Warbler going over the willows on the submerged log….the first one I’ve seen of them this year.

Orange-crowned Warbler

here is another look at some of it’s antics as it goes over the leaves for tiny bugs…

Goldfinch

American Goldfinch are nearly always down here too…

First Goslings of the season

from the viewing platform I spotted this pair of Canada Geese with 5 goslings….the first babies of the season!

Gold-crowned Sparrow

heading back, in the same ‘just out of the park area’ spotted this Gold-crowned Sparrow

Towhee with mouthful of food

and in the same general area, this Spotted Towhee had a mouthful of food – we’ve suspected there was a Towhee nest somewhere, now we know for sure – don’t want to investigate too closely as don’t want to disturb them.

Yellow-rump Warbler

back at my end, there were some Yellow-rump Warblers….most of them right over head so a little difficult to get pictures of… and I should also mention that the other evening I could hear an American Bittern off across the water and today, besides the Orioles, I could hear a Pied billed Grebe and then this afternoon there was the unmistakable sound of a flock of Evening Grosbeaks – haven’t seen them yet, but sure have heard them!

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