Point Pelee National Park (Part 4)

Common Carp

Koi

Blue Racer Snake

Fox Snakes

Painted Turtles

Mayflies

Wild Daisies

Dense Vegetation

Prickly Pear Cactus

Point Pelee National Park (Part 3)

Yellow Warbler Adult Male Eastern

At Point Pelee this year we saw and/or heard 3 species I've never seen before, Orchhard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and American Redstart. I've seen 9 new species this year, Ruffed Grouse, Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, Forster's Tern, Black Tern, Cerulean Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonatary Warbler and the Scarlet Tanager. Of course this is just a brief guessing as to I might of seen much more. Like over 50 species in total, although I was hoping to beat my record of bird sightings at Point Pelee (64)...I think. Do you think I should continue to write about Point Pelee or move on to other events. Please submit your entries in the comments. Goodbye,

Birdman

Point Pelee National Park (Part 2)

After waking at 8 we got dressed, comb hair, etc. It took us 'till 9 and we had breakfast and arrived at Point Pelee at 10. Then we parked at White Pine and we saw Orchard Orioles and Baltimore Orioles. We started walking at Chinquapin Oak Trail and there was birds everywhere. Including orioles, robins, warblers etc. Then we finished that trail and moved on to the Tilden Woods Trail. Here there was a group of birders watching Cerulean, Yellow and Prothonatary Warblers. Also American Redstarts, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. I saw all of them accept the redstart. Then my dad saw the Scarlet Tanager. So we went to the Visitor Center and took the tour bus to the Tip Trail. Although we didn't get to see the tip because it was hailing heavily. We took the tour bus back and it was past noon so I finally convinced my parents to take me to the Woodland Nature Trail. We did and as soon as we did Jesse was tired, so Jesse and my dad went to find our van while my mom and I walked. We started walking and another group of birders were looking at something. They showed me and it was a pair of Yellow Warblers building their nest. They told my mom where another nest was and we kept walking. There wasn't much but Baltimore Orioles until we came to the Redbud Footpath. We only walked on it for a few minutes and my mom couldn't take it anymore so we turned back on the Woodland Nature Trail. There we heard a sound like a robin singing very fast and it was... a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We kept walking for a few minutes after that and we heard a warbler singing all these tones, notes and calls. We had no idea what it was! About twenty minutes after that we saw a male American Redstart singing its lovely song in the dense bush. But it was soon the afternoon and we had to start heading back. We did, picked up Max and went home. That is our Point Pelee Trip in two blog posts. Thank you mom and dad for taking me to Point Pelee National Park. Goodbye, Birdman

Point Pelee National Park

This long weekend we went to Point Pelee. This is how it began. Last Friday we drove to Kitchener to renovate. We slept overnight there and on Saturday morning we showed our grandparents how to care for Max and left to go to Point Pelee. It took a long time to get there so we watched "The Sandlot". By the time it was over we were near Point Pelee so we got a bite to eat and arrived at Point Pelee. First we drove to the gates paid the required money to visit and drove off to the Marsh Boardwalk trail. We parked got prepared to bird and started walking. First there was a family of Canada Geese and there was seven goslings. Next we saw some carp and Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere. Then all of a sudden my dad spotted little green birds in the reeds. None of us could identify them so we kept walking. Ahead of us was a group of birders taking photos of something. We asked them and they were watching Black Terns. We got a couple photos of them and kept walking. Then a lady with a transmitter came to tell us she spotted twelve Fox Snakes. So from then we were on the lookout for Fox Snakes. (Red-winged Blackbirds are still everywhere.) Then the Black Terns came again ecept this time they came very closely perched to us. We could not miss this rare moment and got lots of photos of them. Then all of a sudden Forster's Terns came flying everywhere. And the little green birds came back but this time I noticed yellow on one of their bellies. Still we could not identify it. Next we saw twelve fox snakes and a blue racer and painted turtles. By now we were finished the boardwalk and I went on one of the lookouts to see what I could see. As a mater of fact there was lots of nesting Barn Swallows. We left, took a bathroom break and took the tour bus to the tip trail. The tip is the most southern tip of mainland Canada but there is dangerous currents so no swimming or wading is allowed. It started to rain so we didn't get to see the tip and drove to Point Pelee Inn. We had lots of fun on the water slides and played arcade games. It was soon our bedtime so we went to sleep. To be continued tommorow.

Upcoming Avents

May 17 Point Pelee National Park Trip Begins
Armed Forces Day
May 18 Point Pelee National Park Trip Ends
May 19 Victoria Day (Canada)
May 20 Quarter Moon
May 26 Memorial Day Observed
Spring Bank Holiday (United Kingdom)
May 27 Rachel Carson's Birthday
May 28 Half Moon
May 30 Traditional Memorial Day
June 2 Queen's Birthday (New Zealand)
June 3 Full Moon
June 8 Oceans Day
June 9 Queen's Birthday (Australia exc. WA)
June 14 Flag Day
June 15 Father's Day
June 18 Quarter Moon
June 20 Moving Trip To Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
June 21 Solstice
June 24 St. Jean Bapsite Day (Canada)

Unfortunate Inflamed Acident!

Unfortunately the bird had a upnormaly large belly and upnormaly small lungs causing it to have breathing issues. So the weaker it got late this morning it stop breathing while I was at school and died. Although it is both good and bad, good because we gave it love and attention and bad becuase if it didn't die, it would have a very painful life with its imflamed belly and very small lungs. This is probably one of the worst days of my life! Birdman

High Maintenance Bird

We've been caring for the bird until now but were not able to feed it at night. Here is what we do and tell me if we should change our schedule: We keep the young flightless bird under a lamp during the day and a hot water bottle under the basket during the night. From 7:00am to 9:00pm we feed it every hour. Anytime it has droppings in the basket we change the tissues. The basket has a towel and tissues above it then the chick rests on it. We feed it crushed up worms and apple sauce. For water we give it our freshed water. At feeding time we drop the food in and let it swalow then give it fresh water. Goodbye, Birdman

Found Homeless Young Bird

0-3 Day Old Young Bird

After school today my friends found a baby bird so I rushed over to see it. When I found it I looked everywhere for its nest, but I couldn't find it anywhere. So I called my mom over to come help me take it home. We carefully toke it home and placed it in a basket (large enough for it to move) with cotton balls. We called the an animal place but none of them could come because they were closed. So we quickly gave it worms and water and now its sleeping. Mon@rch or anyone please tell me what to do with it, I don't know what to do?

Spectacular Adventure at McLaughlin Bay

Pair of Tree Swallows by the sunset
Pine cones

Baltimore Oriole

Flock of Canada Geese

Croaking Frog

Red-winged Blackbird sticking his tongue out

Marching Deer Bottoms Up!

"I'm out of here, these so called "humans" are scaring me!"

Beautiful Flowers

Peeping Frogs by the Marsh in the Evening

Yesterday my dad and I went birding at McLaughlin Bay. As we arrived there we saw a Song Sparrow on a post we got a few photos of it and kept walking. I decided to use my bird whistle and a Fox Sparrow was attracted to it. Check for 2008, we followed it to the marsh and there we heard the sound it made which was simliar to my bird whistle. We kept walking along the marsh to find Tree Swallows at a nesting sight. We wanted to leave them alone because they were courting, mating and building nests. Then along the trail came some White-crowned Sparrows foraging but something perfectly yellow caught my attention and was very curious about it so we followed it and it wasn't a goldfinch. It was something else but we couldn't figure out what it was in the dense hedge until it flew out. Showing its beautiful colors then it perched where we could identify it. It was a Yellow Warbler check for 2008. Then I spotted the coughed up remains of a owl, so after that we were on the lookout for owls at the lookouts. There was no owl but we had evidence there was an owl here the coughed up remains of a small mammal. Then hundreds of frogs were peeping and croaking so I got a video of it. Then in the cedar hedge came a very bright colored bird and after looking closely at it we figured it was a Baltimore Oriole check for 2008. When we were walking to another trail a rabbit came, and we followed it to another trail. Which lead us to a huge White-throated Sparrow almost as big as a Fox Sparrow. We followed the trail to a pond were Canada Geese flocks were flying overhead and a Canada Goose pertecting her nest in the middle of the pond. Then we saw a Red-winged Blackbird stickig his tounge our when he called then it flew to his mate and they both went to drink from the pond. Then both a White-crowned Sparrow came and a frog swam to the surface of the pond. Which at first I thought it was a stick. It was already dark and it was almost my bedtime, so we quickly followed the loop and there was a deer. As soon as it saw us it walked very slowly lifting their legs and tail and left. Then another deer came and did the same thing. By then it was very late and I was very tired but I thought we might see an owl. My dad spotted something even neater a racoon just climbing down his tree to get ready to hunt. My dad started hissing, swaying his arm and other disturbances but I still didn't move. I wanted my dad to stop disturbing it so I prented to take a video of him disturbing it and post it on my blog. Opps, did I say that outloud, uh oh I hope my dad doesn't see this but I for the racoon own good. No offense dad, ha ha ha! Anyway, thanks dad for taking me if you do see this post. Thank you mom too for hoping that I would see a new bird. Goodbye,

Birdman

Book Report

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008 I started a book report on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. It is due Thursday, May 22, 2008 so I might no be able to do a blog until then.

Goodbye,

Birdman

P. S. I might scan and copy my book report and publish it on my blog when I'm finished.

Grand River Trail: Peter Halman Family Trailway

This morning I woke up, had a shower and got dressed. As I was combing my hair I noticed a Ladybug in the bathroom. I let it crawl on my hand and I let it free outside. It was very cold out so I got my vest on and went birding with my dad. We were searching for the Great Blue Heron at Peter Halman Family Trailway. On the way there we saw our first Tree Swallows for 2008. We also saw Purple Martins, Red-winged Blackbirds and Canada Geese. Soon 15 minutes past and we arrived at Halman's Trailway. There we noticed even more Tree Swallows, Brown-headed Cowbirds, European Starlings, Purple Martins, Killdeers and Red-winged Blackbirds. We started walking and we saw flowers buding through the cement path! Then we heard Northern Cardinals so we followed them and a duck quickly dived underwater not giving us a chance to identify it. Ducks can stay underwater for a whole hour but we had to go home soon a and go to church. So we were about to leave and a Purple Martin swooped a foot over my head. Then I saw the most beautiful background behind two displaying Red-winged blackbirds. I didn't post the photo of it because my blog is having some technical difficulties.

Goodbye,
Birdman

Birding With My Dad

This morning I woke to a beautiful sunrise, I got dressed feed Max and went outside. My dad was outside too and we watched Purple Martins, Brown-headed Cowbirds and more. Only my dad saw a Great-Blue Heron. Then we went to a birding trail that a had a platform for Birds of Prey. We saw a pair of hawks or eagles mate. Then we saw a pair of European Starlings mate. We started to get hungry so we went to Tim Horton's. There we got ten Sour Cream Glazed Timbits. We finished them and went to another trail. This one had birds singing a rapid tit-tit-tit-tit-tit! And a cardinal was singing loudly. Then we watched a pair of Black-capped Chickadees leave their nest. Then a group of American Goldfinches came singing their lovely song varying so much that a can't word it. After that a Scarlet Tanager flew by calling twit! It sounded so much like a person saying "twit" that was joking a said that Scarlet Tanager was rude. But I was just joking it was just calling to his mate. Then we saw the most beautiful lily ever! I got a clear picture of it but I can't post it sadly. Anyway, we left to go to another park that had three baseball diamonds. As soon as we opened the door we heard tons of birds singing. Even ones I couldn't identify like a peep! I don't have much time to do a blog write now but it ends with us seeing Whip-or-Wills, Kildeers and lots more! We managed to see over ten new species for 2008. That was my exciting Saturday. I will write about this tomorrow also and I think the Mallards nesting by our church courted from 3 weeks ago 'till now. Goodbye, Birdman. This blog may have mistakes because we have guests and I don't have time until tomorrow to do a blog. Bye!

Mallard Nest

Today as I arrived in Kitchener I first went to the Mallard nest I was told about. At first I thought they were mistaken, but my dad soon shook the bush and it jumped out at him. Then it went back in the bush at a position that I could see it. I took some pictures of it then left it alone because it was probably very stressed after this. I soon went to help my dad unpack the trailer and unfortunately many Brown-headed Cowbirds were feeding at our unfinished bird feeder station. My brother wanted to scare the nest parasites (cowbirds) away but I said there was also many other types of birds there too and the cowbirds usually come back after being flushed. Oh well, despite the nest parasites I am happy to hear Mallards are reproducing. I will soon get some more info ie; when they courted, mated, started and finished the nest and when the female laid the eggs. I will also try to post some close photos of the nest if the female doesn't think I'm a harm to her nest. Maybe while the female is incubating the nest I could get a picture of the male bringing food to the family. Also, I just found out that Mourning Doves have a difference between each gender.

Birdman

Mallard Nesting

Today I have just been informed by my mom that Mallards are nesting in the church we go to in Kitchener. My grandpa is the bishop of the church so this weekend I will be posting some photos of it.

Birdman

Earth Day

Common Yellowthroat Eastern Adult Male (I got this photo from http://www.pointpelee.ca)

Today's adventure or should I say trip begins before school. This morning before school Black-capped Chickadees caught my attention from the beautiful sunrise. Then at 8:45am I got prepared for school. We started driving at 8:55am and arrived at school 9:05am. Just in time to play a quick game of football in the school yard. Then at 9:10am the bell rang and we went inside prepared for class. Of course we had recess break and nutrition break. At 1:15pm we went outside walking to a senior motel. When we arrived there our teacher and the owner of the senior motel instructed us how to plant chives and other herbs into pots. We did and brought over to the table. The owner gave us popsicles, a wristband that said "Make Every Day Earth Day" "earthday.ca" and a non-permanent tattoo that had a green leaf with blue streaks around it. It also showed "EARTHDAY CANADA earthday.ca". Then we walked back to school at 3:00pm and wrote our homework in our S. T. Worden. P. S. agendas. Then our teacher let us outside early to play football for the fourth time today. My team lost 9 to 14. Then at 3:30pm we went home and I heard American Goldfinches in our backyard.

Birdman

Squirrel-proof Yard

I have not done a blog in since the 15th because I was playing football. Anyway, I think I finally have the solution on how to stop squirrels, combine all the great ideas together like "if you can't bet 'em, join 'em". Well, here it is.
1. Place baffles on all your feeders.
2. Place feeders far trees or anywhere else squirrels can jump from.
3. Use cage feeders that have the special grove for a perch.
4. Use safflower seed.
5. Provide a squirrel feeding station far from the feeders.

That is my idea, but you don't have to limit it to these five ideas. You can use even more if necessary.

Birdman

Late Evening Birding

Mourning Dove Adult Landing
European Starling Adult Breeding Mimicking
Dark-eyed Junco Adult Female Perched

Common Grackle Adult Male Interior (Bronzed) Foraging

Brown-headed Cowbird Pair Whistling

Brown-headed Cowbird Adult Male Eastern Flying

Mourning Dove Adult Preening

House Sparrow Adult Male Breeding Drinking

House Sparrows Calling

Did you know early morning (6-9) and late evening (6-9) are the best time to go birding? In early morning and late evening I see Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, Common Grackles, American Crows, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos and Downy Woodpeckers! From 9am to 6pm you would probably only see a few of these. And this is only the list of them I see in my back yard during these periods of the day. If you went anywhere in early morning and late evening you would see a lot more birds than you would in another time of day. Ok, lets move on to dealing with squirrels. If squirrels are a nuisance in your area buy feeders that are easy for squirrels to get to. I know, it may seem crazy but here's why. If you buy what companies call "squirrel proof feeders" it will be a challenge for them to get. But they will get the seed anyway and leave a mess and a broken feeder. If you buy a feeder that is easy for squirrels to get they will get a little seed and leave no mess and no broken bird feeders. That is why "squirrel proof feeders" are almost completely useless. If you have any questions about this please leave them in the comment box or e-mail me by samwpsnook@hotmail.com.

Birdman

Backyard Birding

Song Sparrow Adult Eastern Perched
Max
Brown-headed Cowbird Flock Calling
Song Sparrow Adult Eastern Perched
Dark-eyed Junco Adult Male Feeding
Song Sparrow Adult Eastern
My Grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary on April 12th 2008
Congratulations On Your Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa!
Common Peafowl Pair Roosting
American Crow Adult Flying

Evening Noises
These are the pictures for 2 blog posts ago.

Blog Problems

My blog is having problems so I can not do a proper blog. All I can write is we saw Wood Ducks.

Birding With New Species

Early this morning I woke up and showered. Then I got dressed appropriately to go outside and went out for Max's bathroom break. But it was more like a birding break. I saw adult female Red-winged Blackbirds, and I heard Wood Ducks, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Common Mergansers, American Crows, Blue Jays and frogs croaking. I went inside again and told my dad that Wood Ducks were in the cornfield. So we both went out with Max to a trail. At first a pair of Red-winged Blackbirds were calling kon-ka-reeeee! There was also two adult male robins territorial fighting. As we arrived at the trail we had made in our 40 acre property there was animal tracks and flowers. We started walking and a flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds were singing tseeeee - teeea, seeeeeetiti and kkkkkk. So went went home and got prepared for church. That was morning birding with my dad, Max and many new bird species for 08. Birdman

Brown-headed Cowbirds Have Arrived! (Video)

*Turn volume up very, very high to hear the cowbird whistle*

Birding With My Brother Jesse

American Robin Adult Male

Northern Cardinal Adult Male Eastern

Dark-eyed Junco Slate-colored Adult Male

House Sparrow Adult Male Breeding and Adult Female

Mourning Dove Adult

Black-capped Chickadee Worn-adult Eastern

Common Grackle Adult Male Interior (Bronzed)

American Robin Adult Male

Mourning Dove Adults

This morning I went outside and I heard House Finches singing. And a Black-capped Chickadee feeding on the hopper feeder. And after school I went outside with Jesse and we filled the feeders and birdbaths. Then we sat down and waited for birds. Soon enough many birds came including doves doing "you know what" again and a robin pair. But Jesse couldn't sit for long so we brought Max out and he started chasing all the birds away, so we went inside with him. Or we thought he came in. About ten minutes later we realized Max was still outside. I quickly went out there to find Max whining at the patio. A tarp was blocking the door so I moved it and toke him inside. And now I'm here typing this blog, so goodbye. That was my day birding with Jesse!

Birdman