The bird movements of late seem to be a little more delayed than usual, due to our still occurring warmer temperatures, which must be affecting their migration senses this year. Abundance of natural food is a factor in their delayed departures, so that we are getting to enjoy them a little longer than usual, but having said that, I am having quite a job today of deciding what I am going to talk about. The Canada Geese are still here and are flying back and forth from the Rideau River to the river (creek?) that runs past the end of our road, between Kemptville and Oxford Mills. They make this trip twice daily, as indicated by their honking, both in the morning and then later in the afternoon. It is always quite exciting to see them, especially as they usually negotiate their route at relatively low levels, giving you a chance of getting good in-flight views of them. Super! Especially more so on their evening trips, as they head into the lovely sunsets that we have been seeing, on their way back to the Rideau for the night.
Our other stalwarts are still here, but not showing themselves so predominately at present. We did get some good views of one of our regular “ground feeders”, the Slate Grey Juncos this morning, as they fed and then perched on the pine trees, whose vivid greens showed them up very nicely too. Dressed in their slate grey upper plumage, which sharply contrasts with their very white lower bodies, beautifully defined where the colors come together in very distinct lines. Their beaks are always quite striking as well, being a bit on the yellowish side, not like their eyes which are a very deep black.
Stay safe and well,
Cheers,
John Baldwin
