Common Goldeneye

Adult female breeding Common Goldeneye
Adult male breeding Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

L 18.5" ws 26" wt 1.9 lb (850 g) Male is larger than female

Stocky; rather large-headed like Barrow's. Files in small bunches with deep wingbeats.

Voice: Female gives low, grating arr arr . . . like Aythya ducks, often in flight. Male in display gives rasping, buzzy whistle jip JEEEV and low, hollow rattle. Wings produce low, metallic whistle in flight; loudest in adult male, female nearly silent.

Darlington Park

Adult Breeding Male Common Goldeneye
Worn adult Eastern Black-capped Chickadee
Coyote
Adult male American Robin

Eastern Dark adult Red-tailed Hawk
1st year Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Spring Thaw 2008

Adult male Eastern Downy Woodpecker

Today my dad and I went birding at Darlington Park. I awoke to a beautiful sunrise and then woke my dad and we got ready for the drive. We packed all our needed supplies and drove off. On our way there my dad spotted a Coyote and I got a shot of it. And as we arrived there I noticed a bird sightings board. I walked over to it and no bird sightings were submitted. So we went over to a trail and we spotted some chickadees. They we foraging for seeds on coniferous trees. Later there was a flock of Blue Jays. They were the loudest birds I've ever heard! All you could hear was JAAAYYY!!!!! JAAAYYY!!!!! BOURUNK!!!!! Until they finally left. Then a singing cardinal came flying around. It was very bright red. As some people refer to it as the red cardinal but the proper name is the Northern Cardinal. Anyway, we kept walking and found some more chickadees. Which my dad had mistaken for more cardinals. There was many waterfowl by the lake. Including goldeneyes, swans and geese. Again the geese were very loud, but two of them were courting. It was very interesting to watch. After that we turned our attention to the goldeneyes. They were so far away that I couldn't identify them until I looked at them on the computer. Then we went to the the ravine where we saw the Great Gray Owl last year. My dad thought we would see it again but they're so rare in Oshawa that I disagreed. So we walked there and all that was there were chickadees and a Sharp-shined Hawk. We left the ravine and walked back to the truck. On the way there, we saw a pair of cardinals singing. We had a great time. And as we arrived back home my friends had come over to play the Wii . Now they have left and I am typing this blog.

Hope you had a great Easter Weekend!!

Birdman

Easter Sunday

Jesse found his chocolate
Jesse found his pencils
Max's bowl is overflowing

Today my brother did the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. He found all the eggs. Max had more food than normal and I MEAN A LOT OF FOOD! We are having a great time! In a hour we have to go to church. So we have to get ready. What was your Easter morning like?

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Birdman

Purple Woods Conservation Area: Maple Syrup Festival

Bird feeder
Guide explaining maple syrup
Tap
Mallards
Northern Cardinal
Pileated Woodpeckers

Today we went to the Maple Syrup Festival at Purple Woods Conservation Area. As we drove in a employee showed us where to park. So we did, and then got out. First we walked over to the entrance and paid to visit. Then we walked over to many areas which talked about the history of maple syrup. I learned many interesting facts. Then we went to a Pancake & Beverage Shop at the festival. There was also a learning place and again I learned many interesting facts. Around that area was a horse and wagon ride. So we decided to go and I took a video of it. After that we followed the trail to a place that I DID NOT LIKE!!! It was a cabin full of animal skins and furs. DEAD ANIMALS, Oh well, I got over it and after that we started to head back . It was a short trip, we were only gone 2 and 1/2 hours, but we have to get prepared for a party today ( 14 people are coming here). And it should be starting any minute now. So, goodbye!

Birdman

Lynde Shores/Second Marsh

Black-capped Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Trumpeter Swan
Other birders
Mallards
Northern Cardinal
Today I woke up at 7:00am and then woke my dad up. We got ready to go birding and by 8:30am we were on the road. We drove over to Lynde Shores Conservation Area and by then it was 8:55am. We paid one dollar to stay to 9:55am. At first we saw Red-winged Blackbirds and Waterfowl sitting. We walked over to the birdfeeder trail and surprisingly there was no birds. A little further down the trail there were lots of Black-capped Chickadees. We followed the trail until it lead us to the entrance again. By then it was 9:30am and the waterfowl were feeding on bread and many other birds were there too. We stayed there for a while and we left at 9:55am. So, we got on the road again and we drove off to Second Marsh Wildlife Area. There were many Black-capped Chickadees at the entrance. We followed the Marshland Trail and it lead us into Maclaggan Bay. So we turned back and went to the Beaver Pond Trail which was also a marsh. There were many Downy Woodpeckers and Chipping Sparrows. We got many pictures of them and left. On the way home we talked about how much fun we had. By the time we were home it was 12:52pm.
We managed to see 13 species of birds.
Birdman

Lynde Shores Conservation Area

Yesterday my dad picked me up from school to go birding. At Lynde Shores, we saw many birds and I got chased by a hissing Canada Goose. But I'll talk about that later. As we pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a donation box. So we paid 2 dollars and we began our walk. First we went to the bird feeder trail and put seed on our hand. Soon Black-capped Chickadees came to our hand, I got ready to take a picture and we forgot our memory card! So we keep on walking and soon Downy Woodpeckers, Red-winged Blackbirds, White-breasted Nuthatches, Mourning Doves and Northern Cardinals came. And once again for the fourth time a woodpecker came flying directly at my hand and I pulled it back. Because its sharp claws looked like it would hurt. I have to get over that fear! So once again the woodpecker nearly landed on my hand for the fourth time! Awell, after that we keep on walking 'till we saw Mallards eating thistle seed. We feed them sunflower seeds and a goose came running in hissing. I noticed it had a tag on its foot and it said 427. And then I did a really dumb thing! I crouched down running at it hissing. Which was the dumbest thing I've probably ever done birding. I was soon chased by a goose sticking its touge out at me so I had to run and finally it stopped chasing me. After that I wanted to leave immediately! And this is not the first time its ever happened to me. Although the time when I got chased by a turkey and the time I got chased by a peacock. But that time I didn't chase them. Anyway after that we drove home talking about our next planed birding trip.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

This May I hope to see a Semipalmated Sandpiper, a Wood Thrush, a Cedar Waxwing and a Pileated Woodpecker. So if you have any ideas where to find these birds, feel free to leave any ideas in the comment box. Although these birds are hard to find, I think I will find them during spring migration. Also I will be answering any questions you leave.

Goodbye,

Birdman

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

I got these pictures from Body, soul and spirit's blog. I thought these birds were very fascinating. And in a few weekends I will be going birding with Ruth to find them and I'll probably have some pictures of them myself. But until then these are they only shots I have of them.

Birdman

Rare Parrot Flower

Parrot Flower
Parrot Flower
Parrot Flower

Those photos were forwarded

to me by Lois Tolman Chamberlain

(my grandma.)

They absouletely amazed me when I first saw it.

Infact I thought they were artificial at first glance.

These rare flowers are hard to get pictures of

because they are so protected.

I agree, these precious, delicut, endargered flowers

should be protected and handled with care.

Birdman

Cambridge Birding

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-winged Blackbird

Red-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker

Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch

Yesterday I went birding with my cousin Ruth again to Cambridge. We saw many birds including, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. But lets start from the beginning.

It was a sunny afternoon and Ruth was on her way to the library, but on the way there she thought what a sunny afternoon maybe I should go birding with Sam. So she called over and we talked about meeting up. So about ten minutes later cousin Ruth arrived. I got my camera, coat and boats and we were off. First as we pulled out of the driveway we saw a field nearby and saw some Horned Larks and Snow Buntings there. We took some pictures and drove off to Cambridge. On the way there we stopped by another birding trail so we decided to walk on it. There we walked over to a viewing spot but didn't see any birds. So we left and went to Cambridge. As we followed the trail I saw Black-capped Chickadees so I put my hand out to see if they would come and they did. So I scattered seed on my hand and soon there was a feeding frenzy. Ruth decided to put her hand out with seed too and then a Red-breasted Nuthatch came swooping by to see what all the excitement was about. And soon enough he came to our hands. We kept on walking and the chickadees followed us to a feeding station. We put some seed in all the feeders. And walked some more but it eventually lead to a steep hill so we turned back and when we passed by the feeding station again. There were Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers checking out the seed. And a Red-winged Blackbird had come since its by a marsh. So we stayed there for a while and went over to where the chickadees came to over hands. And it was about 3:30pm so we had to leave. And all the way back we talked about how much fun we had birding together. And as we pulled up by the driveway the Horned Larks were still there so we took some more pictures. And I thanked her for the trip and she thanked me for the book I got her. And that was my fantastic Saturday!!!!!

Bye,

Birdman

Victoria Park

Today our adventure began on our way to Victoria Park. We got a hot chocolate and headed down the road. When we arrived there were many dogs including a shcaunzher mix. We spotted a few cardinals and mallards. Some had inter breded a Mallard x Northern Shoveler. I forgot to bring my camera though so you cant see if I'm correct or not. But the most fun was wishing our dog Max a very Happy Birthday. He is one year in our years and three years in dog years. I think max had a great time meeting other dogs and chasing Canada Geese. We all had a blast including Max. See you next time on Nature. Birdman

eBird

I invite you to go on the ebird website and report all your bird sightings. It will help scientists (orthinoligists) to find out more about common and endargered species. Also when you report your sightings, you will get an organized with all your bird sightings in it. Trust me birders will love it, I love it myself.

What do you prefer blog posts to be about?

What do you prefer blog posts to be about?

- Wildlife

- Birds

- Dogs

- Other
*Please leave your votes in the comment box.*

Nintendo Wii

Last Friday we bought a Nintendo Wii, which included 2 Wii remotes and Nunchuks, 5 games and a sensor bar. We also bought 9 extra games and a Wii tennis racket, baseball bat and golf club. It is a lot of fun to play and you get lots of exercise which 5 of the games. The rest challenge you brain. Some of the games are tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. My skill level is about 750, my brothers is 510, my moms is 600, my dads is 370. There is also and extra training and Wii fitness game. On the training one it teaches you how to play the games. On the Wii fitness you take a test and it says your fitness age. With 20 being the best and 80 being the worst my age was 35. My brain age is 69 TERRIBLE!!!

Please fell free to comment on NATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIRDMAN

Last Day In Arizona

Cactus Wren
Beautiful Arizona Flower
Beautiful Arizona Sunset

Today is our last day in Arizona. Although I am excited to go home, I will miss all the sights and creatures you see here. I will try to write on our drive home but if I don't I'll write about when we get home. That's all I have to saw today fokes.

Goodbye,

Birdman

Mountain Climb

Desert Flowers
Mountain View
Lizard

This morning at 8:00am my dad and I woke up. We dressed ourselves appropriately for mountain climbing and had breakfast. Then we were off, as we started climbing it seemed easy then gradually became harder. First there were many flowers. Then a little higher and it was mostly rocks. Soon we were at the top of the mountain and I turned around to see... a beautiful mountain view. And a few more steps and we were at the top of the mountain! And there was a.........I was expecting to see a beautiful mountain valley. Which happened to be, a mountain with a few flowers and sage brush. But later we turned our attention to a lizard which I got a few shots of. So we headed down and drove to Denny's had lunch and went home. Later we went swimming and meet Mason and his sister. And we went home had super, I played CLUB Penguin and now here I am typing this blog.

Goodbye,

Birdman

Max

* You may need to turn the volume up *

Our dog Max is a 11 3/4 months old. He weighs 21.02 pounds. He knows many tricks including, sit, shake, roll over, jump and more! He spends most of his time, playing, sleeping and eating. We feed him adult Beneful dog food. His favourite places to sleep are his extra large dog bed, the couch and of course my bed. His favourite toys are ropes, chew toys (especially the one that squeak) and blankets. He secretly takes my bed covers. He is a hilarious fawn Pug. He has a couple white spots on him. And a black face and ears. We love him so much. He is an excellent dog, and I would recommend a Pug to any dog lover. The only thing you may not like is he snores EXTREMELY LOUD and is occasionally stubborn and/or aggressive. But despite all of the Pugs cons, their pros overcome them and they are like little comedians! He's a great or should I say EXCELLENT DOG!!! They're like little guards dogs also WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! Sometimes they bark for attention! Nearly anyone would love a PUG!! I sure do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you identify me?

Can You Identify Me?

#1

#2#3Answers: #1 = Curve-billed Thrasher

#2 = Gambel's Quail

#3 = Cactus Wren