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Monday 26 April 2021

Song and dance

The birds which live along the Rotary Trail are not as tolerant of people as those along the boardwalk in Summerside. On the Rotary Trail, they are more difficult to observe as they flit around the treetops so high above one’s view. 





However, I was able to take a few photos and videos of the spring avian song and dance here on Prince Edward Island. I hope with time to improve the quality of my work.  


Patience is important in this endeavour. My husband walked on while I waited and followed a Red-breasted Nuthatch among the trees. 





It had a nest, a hole in a tree which it tended. Back and forth it went to the hole.





After a few minutes it started a step dance along nearby branches, doing footwork and moving back and forth. It turned around on the branch and repeated the performance. It did this for several minutes, then moved to another branch and repeated the behaviour. The entire time it called out in its best nuthatch way. A video is here. While it is not great quality, you can see and hear its dance and song.


Another interesting sight was the American Robin, with the breast which looked like velvet. 





It flitted around, calling out as it went. It wasn’t as high in the trees and was easier to photograph and video which you can see here.


There are lots of Black-capped Chickadees at the Rotary Park and on the Confederation Trail. On the latter trail a few days ago, we could hear the chickadees in one section of the trail singing. 





We stopped for a time and watched one in an apple tree. It was the same song being sung by chickadees all along that section of trail. The wind made it impossible to take a good video.


Yesterday my husband and I rode along the Confederation Trail again, this time near O’Leary. I watched and listened to two Northern Flickers high in a tree.





The birds had a unique song I didn’t recognize and though I recorded them, the video quality is terrible. 


The birds are singing and dancing their way through April here on the island and we are privileged to witness their performance.



30 comments:

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

An interesting cast of dancers and vocalists. You have more patience than me - if the birds don't co-operate I soon give up and walk on.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

What a lovely collection of birds. Some birds prefer the treetops, with the leaves coming on the trees it is hard to see the birds. I like your photos, awesome shots of Flicker, Chickadee, the Robin and the Nuthatch. Have a great day and a happy new week!

Martha said...

Beautiful photos Marie and I enjoyed the videos too, especially the second one - what a little cutie!

Tabor said...

You have many of the same birds as we have here in the mid-Atlantic. Ours winter over.

Rose said...

I saw the videos last night and figured you had a post up...loved the videos..and love your flicker photo...

Beside a babbling brook... said...

That first bird, doing the little dance... Imagine he knew you were around, and was trying to distract you, from his nest area.

Rotary Trail... Was this area, purchased by the local Rotary Club????

πŸŒ·πŸŒΈπŸŽ€πŸŒΈπŸŒ·

Boud said...

You really have the mindset of a natural life photographer, skills always developing, patience, endlessly.

Susan Zarzycki said...

Marie, your videos are much better than my attempts to publish directly on my blog. I guess I will have to check out YouTube. The colors of the Northern Flicker are stunning. Walking and snapping, a great way to forget the troubles of the world. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your comments. I hope you become a Follower!πŸ’–

Bill said...

Wow, great photos Marie and wonderful videos. Patience is what it takes and is something I lack. :)

photowannabe said...

I have watched our common house finches doing the sidestep dance too.
Spring mating urges sure have some interesting things to watch.
Beautiful photos.
What amazing nature and variety in our world.
Sue

DJan said...

What great encounters, Marie. I appreciate you sharing these with your avid fans, of which I am one.

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you for sharing that privilege.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

That robin looks preggers to me!

Red said...

The flicker dance is a thing of beauty. So are the other woodpecker dances.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The beauty of spring! All the birds are busy and calling out to prospective mates. I love that time of year. Oh, and that first picture with the white tree trunks is simply amazing.

Joanne Noragon said...

While I waited for my hairdresser to come and open her shop at 10 am, I looked up and watched a chickadee calling his mating song.

William Kendall said...

Wonderful shots!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Love (aka lust) is in the air all around. Birds have pretty much one thing on their minds at this time of year!

Tanza Erlambang said...

Nice sounds of Red-breasted Nuthatch and Robin.... Lovely birds.

thank you for sharing videos...

Have a wonderful day.

Anvilcloud said...

How pleasant for you -- cycling or hiking plus birding.

Anita said...

So much beautiful bird photoes!Many I have never seen before.Thank you for sharing!

Anita

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I love your bird shots Marie and am really enjoying your short videos, the Red Robin is a delight πŸ’›

Ulrika50v said...

Very cool!!!! :)

peppylady (Dora) said...

I love birches among the fir tree.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

It is such a delight to actually hear what you are showing us in photos. Do the birds seem to perk up their songs for you ?

Catarina said...

Congratulations!! You succeeded!
The pictures are great and the videos are not bad. : ))

Debbie said...

Lovely birds, a wonderful success story! The flicker is gorgeous, a bird I see so I infrequently!

You are out on your bike? How wonderful!!!

MARY G said...

You are doing an amazing job - and I love the velvet robin.

baili said...

thank you sooo much for bird songs :)))

i really appreciate your captures and videos that keep us connected with vibrant natural beauty around you :)

bill said...

I came to Ontario from Newfoundland 50 years ago , lived in Oshawa , Ajax and the 'Beach' in Toronto . I moved to Iroquois , Ontario and this spring I finally had my first Cardinal visit the feeder , What a great feeling !