Spring is in the air

Everywhere we go these days, the activities of the birds catch our attention. They are courting, building nests, and nesting. Some, like the Great Blue Herons wear their best attire in season.

Soon fledglings will add to the populations.

I heard a rustle at the base of some trees along the boardwalk one day and watched the area for a few minutes. A Song Sparrow was building a nest among the grasses at the base of some bushes. The tiny creature was well camouflaged. 

We have noticed a pair of European Starlings around the boardwalk recently, two always together regardless of the location of the large flock. If one flies off the other follows.

Like the Starlings, a pair of Rock Pigeons follow each other around too. 

This pair of Herring Gulls stays together 

as do these Mallards.

The Mourning Doves are paired as well and provide an interesting chorus together. 

These Downy Woodpeckers are never far from each other.

I couldn’t manage a clear shot of both. When compared to the Herons, these Downies are miniature.

At Cavendish Grove, despite the low water conditions, the Canada Geese which nest there every spring, are back in fine form. Small islands in the ponds are home to nesting Geese such as this one settled in on an island among the bulrushes. 

Nearby the male stands over the scene, watching every move as an Osprey flies over and lands in a tree nearby. The gander keeps an eye on the Osprey. 

Some of the birds, like this Northern Flicker, don’t appear to have found a partner yet.

It spends much of its time high in the trees calling out for a lady friend. Someone should tell him the ladies might be tired of his whining. I feel sorry for him.

We’ve seen though that all is not domestic bliss with all of the birds.

Meet the Osprey which have a nest on a platform near the boardwalk. 

The birds are long term residents and like many Canadians, head south for the winter. Last fall, after they vacated the well-established nest, the Fiona weather system took down the pole and destroyed the nest. The city replaced the pole for the feathered visitors but the birds had to reconstruct the nest on their return a few weeks ago. 

As you can see, they have made progress. 

One day the two Osprey looked like they’d had a spat. One bird was on the nest while the other sat in a tree nearby, never once glancing at its partner. 

Meanwhile, a crow sat in a nearby tree, watching the scene, waiting for an opportunity to have eggs for breakfast.

Through this season, the other animals are mating too. This chipmunk is gathering peanuts into its den when any are offered. It looks out expectantly as we walk by. 

This time of year is wondrous!