Ruthven Park Nature Blog

May 16th – A Sign Of Things To Come?

Rick L — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:47:16 +0000

David Brewer (far right) in a 2011 photo.

We had the great good fortune of having David Brewer drop in to help with the banding – he has done this for the last couple of years for several days throughout the banding season. He’s written several books on birds and banding and his birding travels have taken him all around the world – so he’s a guy who not only is fun to talk to but whose opinion is well worth considering.

Plumage comparison: young (SY) male Indigo Bunting on left; older (ASY) male on right.

David and I were sitting at the picnic table talking over the state of the (birding) world and the main topic of conversation was the apparent lack of long-distance warblers. This is something that I have been concerned about for several years and, as it turns out, so has David. In some ways, it must have sounded like a couple of fishermen talking about the good old days and the “lunkers” that we had caught. But there was a thread of truth in our discussion. For example, I have written a couple of times in the last week that there have been 12 or 13 species of warblers around the site on the same day. Folks, I can remember when I was a kid and just really getting into birding, running home from school and finding 13 species of warblers in just one big tree in our back yard in the east end of Hamilton. Not to be outdone, David recalled finding 8 species of warblers in one mist net at the same time. Now, warblers seem to be few and far between. And, frankly, I’m concerned when I wander along the wooded trails at Ruthven during what should be the height of the Spring migration and find none. Interestingly, Yellow Warblers are common and perhaps even increasing. But when you consider that they prefer “disturbed” or second-growth habitats – which are increasing in the Tropics – this shouldn’t be a surprise.

Interesting Warblers (like this Canada) are few and far between so far this season at Ruthven.

David discussed the idea that many species are suffering from the drastic destruction of habitat in their wintering areas. Even before this destruction, migrants would be faced with “compression” – in the breeding areas of northern Canada/U.S. they cover a huge area but then they are funneled down into a much smaller area in the Tropics. With the loss of habitat this compression becomes ever more critical. He mused that people of “our generation” may be the last ones that actually experienced the huge migrations of long-distance warblers. That, my friends, is a very sobering thought.

Despite inclement weather, our numbers continued to be modest.

One of two of our very active Martin houses - the colony now numbers at least 17 individuals.

Banded 28:
1 House Wren
3 Gray Catbirds
1 Tennessee Warbler
8 Yellow Warblers
3 Magnolia Warblers
1 American Redstart
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Canada Warbler
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
2 Indigo Buntings
1 Common Grackle
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 American Goldfinches

Four young Killdeer and their parents continue to thrive in the upper parking lot.

Retrapped 32:
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 House Wren
3 Gray Catbirds
2 Blue-winged Warblers
4 Yellow Warblers
2 Common Yellowthroats
9 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
2 Chipping Sparrows
3 Song Sparrows
2 Brown-headed Cowbirds
2 Baltimore Orioles
1 American Goldfinch

ET’s: 64 spp.

A couple of baby shrews were found in the mulch pile - they don't look like the fearsome predators they are as adults.

Rick

May 15th – The Wheels Fell Off

Rick L — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:16:41 +0000

Here it is, the middle of May, right when the bulk of the long-distance migrants should be pouring through and where are they? Although resident birds at Ruthven were making themselves heard (and often seen), the woods and edges were devoid of migrants. The early net rounds, usually the most productive, produced only a few birds and, later, we had some rounds that produced NO birds. About all I could do was work on my tan, eat muffins and chocolate cookies (thanks Carol!) and work my way through 6 years of data books to figure out how many birds of which species Faye has banded (quite a few as it turns out).

Matt et al. did the census and although the crew found 49 species only 8 of them were warblers, some represented by a single individual. Have they flown over or are there still lots to go? Only time will tell.

Banded 14:
1 Blue Jay
1 House Wren
1 Wood Thrush
1 American Robin
2 Yellow Warblers
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 American Redstart
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
3 Indigo Buntings
1 Song Sparrow
1 Brown-headed Cowbird

Retrapped 20:
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 House Wrens
1 Gray Catbird
1 Warbling Vireo
1 Blue-winged Warbler
1 Western Palm Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
3 Chipping Sparrows
1 Baltimore Oriole
1 American Goldfinch

ET’s: 60 spp.
Rick

May 14th – Official Birdathon Results (and Today’s Banding)

Rick L — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:44:17 +0000

The Dream Team - coming down after the big event. From left: Adam Timpf (Matt's brother and team logistics expert), Matt (reknowned for his birding "Olympic awesomeness", Marie-Pier (french language attache), Peter (team manager), and Joanne (enthusiasm facilitator).

This year marked the first time that the Ruthven Banding Station entered the Baillie Birdathon – in any fashion. In order to give it our best shot, we assembled what is known in birding circles as a “kick-ass” team – the Dream Team. In doing so we tried to cover as many demographics as possible: youth (Ben), maturity (Peter), in-between (Joanne and Matt), expert (Matt), really good (Peter), learning (Ben and Joanne), male (3 out of 4), female (Joanne). And then, at the last minute we included Marie-Pier to make it truly bilingual. You couldn’t have a more politically correct or (more importantly) a more fun group than this. They exuded camaraderie and enthusiasm right from the start and the emails I got from them when they finished in the wee hours of the next morning were just as enthusiastic. Below is Peter’s summary of the event.

Ruthven’s Dream Team. A report on our Baillie Birdathon
(by Peter Thoem)
The Dream Team: Ben Oldfield, Matthew Timpf, Marie-Pier Laplante, Joanne Fleet & Peter Thoem.
The Dream Team gathered at the Edge of the Day; Daybreak to most. We’d decided to anchor our day’s marathon by doing Ruthven Park’s daily census. It was a good idea because in a little over an hour we built a solid base of 73 species. It included all the usual bread and butter stuff like Northern Flicker, Yellow Warbler and White-breasted Nuthatch. But the combination of knowledge, experience and habitat variety helped us build a really strong foundation of birds; not only the usual inventory but some of the tougher species that might otherwise take some searching for; or a generous stroke of luck. Things like: Wild Turkey, Eastern Tufted Titmouse and Common Loon. It was warbler time too, so our route through the forest landed us 14 warbler species including Nashville, Bay-breasted and Blue-winged Warblers.
On the road, fresh and inspired, we swept along a few spots by the Grand River and quickly added some grassland birds: Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark. An Osprey, a Great Blue Heron and an Orchard Oriole filled a few worrisome gaps remaining from the census at Ruthven.
We then set off in the general direction of Long Point watching the roadside farms and fields for American Kestrel and Horned Lark. We got them eventually, as well as a Northern Mockingbird that was obligingly perched on utility line.
At Townsend we spent an hour or so prowling around the sewage lagoons. There are few people in the world who make a point of visiting sewage lagoons; municipal waste water officials and birders would probably comprise the entire list. But to a birder these are rich places because to birds they are delicious places. We quickly found 10 duck species including the always elegant Northern Pintail, striking Northern Shovelers and a mother Wood Duck with young in tow. There were shorebirds too including Dunlin, Greater Yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitcher. A real surprise was a single Wilson’s Phalarope hunched among some Dunlins and Killdeers.
A brief stop in Port Dover gave us Semi-plamated Plover, Wilson’s Snipe and a single Solitary Sandpiper. By now our species total was 108.
Then we moved into Long Point Country – the land of heavyweight birding; and we were getting tired.
A couple of stops in St. Williams brought us some real specialties. A Northern Goshawk made it quite clear that we were unwelcome, clearly it had a nest around somewhere so we moved on. As we did so we added Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ovenbird and Pine warbler to our list.
In the depths of some of Ontario’s richest woodlands we heard, but did not see, Hooded and Prothonotary Warbler and watched a mother Hooded Merganser leading a tribe of youngsters through a Buttonwood-clogged slough. Hooded Merganser females are highly secretive during breeding and care of young, so our sighting probably came about only because we were sitting quietly hoping to see the Prothonotary Warbler.
Matt led us to some parts of Long Point that are heavily used for camping and day-use during the summer months. The combination of open spaces and thick brushy privacy screens made for extraordinary birding. The trees were jumping with birds, most of them jumping out of sight or moving just as you found them in your binoculars. There must have been a major overnight arrival of Gray Catbirds, there seemed to be one in every tree. Many of the warblers that we’d only glimpsed or heard earlier showed themselves in their full glory. A small wave of Scarlet Tanagers, males and females, caught our attention for a while, one of the males was a very orangey-red; not scarlet at all. We added Tennessee, Orange-crowned and Chestnut-sided Warblers as well as Veery, Swainson’s Thrush and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. A mystery song left us wondering whether we’d heard a Carolina Wren (which we needed) or a more likely, another Tufted Titmouse.
We had to eat and needed rehydration, so we took a much needed dinner break back in Port Rowan; we’re human after all. But with the food barely off the plate we were back to another Matt Timpf Special Place and despite some weary foot dragging we topped up with a couple of missing warblers: Wilsons and Western Palm. These two brought our total warbler count to 24. Wow! Then we added two more vireos, Philadelphia and Blue-headed Vireo, giving us a total of five counting Red-eyed, Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos from earlier.
Standing on a viewing platform overlooking Big Creek Marsh, we wondered whether we’d catch a glimpse of a Sandhill Crane. Then as if to respond, two started bugling way off to our right. We searched and finally saw a pair flying our way. They came closer and closer, and in a perfectly choreographed flight, passed within a hundred yards of us at eye level, their long elegant legs and necks, gray bodies and rusty caps perfectly illuminated. We were silent for many minutes after. Some said it was the Bird of the Day.
As the sun went down we caught the distant sounds of an American Bittern and Least Bittern while Swamp Sparrows sang in the fading light.
It was dark as we headed home and as a last shot at two more species we stopped at a clearing along a sandy road. No sooner were we out of the car than we could hear the peeenting of an American Woodcock and from the far woodland margins the endless calling of a Whip-poor-will: “Wip-per-WILL Wip-per-WILL Wip-per-WILL. 141 species and perfect.
Birdathon Photos:

The Dream Team (+1) - Joanne, Marie-Pier, Ben, Peter, Matt.

Two generations of avian Top Guns: Matt and Ben -J. Fleet

Ben and Matt looking for a Prothonotary. -J. Fleet

Matt with "little" brother, Adam - who aided the Team immensely by locating rarities the day before. -J. Fleet

Checking out the treetops in Backus Woods. -J. Fleet

Marie-Pier, a birder for only one year, added 19+ new species to her Life List. -J. Fleet

Ruthven's Dream Team in action. -J. Fleet

Ruthven today:
It was a gorgeous day and the banding was consequently pretty slow. The birding was pretty good though as we encountered 76 species, the most notable being a Great Egret that flew by….going south!? We also had 13 species of warblers.

Wing of a young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak - note the old, juvenile brown flight feathers and primary coverts vs the new black secondary coverts and tertials.

Banded 28:
1 Least Flycatcher
1 Tree Swallow
1 House Wren
5 Gray Catbirds
2 Cedar Waxwings
1 Nashville Warbler
2 Yellow Warblers
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroats
2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
2 Eastern White-crowned Sparrows
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Orchard Oriole
6 American Goldfinches

Baby Killdeer, only a day or two out of the nest. There are 4 of them - please DO NOT DISTURB.

ET’s: 76 spp.

Rick

May 13th – Happy Mother’s Day! (and Birdathon Report)

Rick L — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:16:44 +0000

Mother bluebird with food for one of her recently fledged young. -R. Kinzie

My mother was a wonderful woman for whom I had the greatest affection. Same with my grandmother – the woman who fanned the early flame of my interest in birds. I could never thank them enough for who they were and what they gave to me. For me, mothers are a big deal.

Ruth with as nice a Mother's Day present as one could wish for.

So it was with great satisfaction that I was able to endow visitor Ruth Kinzie with a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. As she did last year, Ruth gave herself the gift of coming to the banding lab to spend a morning at her favourite pasttime – birding. She arrived early, just after opening, and after the usual pleasantries announced that she had never seen a Scarlet Tanager and her goal was to see one today – especially after seeing that we had caught one yesterday.
“Well”, I said, “You’re in luck. There’s one calling just behind me along the Carolinian Trail”. Ruth took her binos and the very first bird she focused on was a Scarlet Tanager. That made her very happy. But we like to do things in a big way at Ruthven, so on the first net round we turned into net lane #5 and found….not one but two gorgeous male Scarlet Tanagers. Happy Mother’s Day Ruth!

Two stunning male Scarlet Tanagers caught in the same net at the same time.

There were a number of displays of motherhood going on at Ruthven. At the confluence of the Fox Den and Carolinian Trails, we watched a mother Eastern Bluebird feeding just-fledged young. These must have been the three young from the nest box at the corner of the parking lot. Christine and Chris reported that the box contained young yesterday but that they were gone today. As upwards of 80% of young birds do not survive through their first year, mother bluebird (father too) will have her work cut out for her feeding them until they can forage for themselves. This pair took a chance and bred early, gambling that they would not be hit by a prolonged cold snap. They did go through a short one that killed 2 of the original five. But these three have emerged at an ideal time – the insects are emerging full force, giving them a really good chance of “making it”.

Another motherhood story is that of a Yellow Warbler that we retrapped today. It was hatched in June of 2005 making it just under 7 years old. Each winter it has gone south to the tropics and then has returned to Ruthven successfully. It would be interesting to know how many young it has fledged successfully and how many of those young are alive today. How many nests did it make and how many times did it bring food to its young? Motherhood is a tough job!

Gaby's grandparents, Margaret and John, host a picnic...just outside the banding lab door. Wonderful!!

Another example is the time and effort that Margaret (and John) Leiher takes to bring her granddaughter Gabrielle to Ruthven from Aurora so she can take part in the banding program. And if that wasn’t enough, she puts on a picnic lunch complete with table cloth! Mothers (and picnics)…you gotta love ‘em.

ASY male Orchard Oriole.

With overcast skies and reports of scattered showers throughout the area, I had great hopes for the day. We had a good first net round but after that the numbers went down as the cloud dissipated. Still, we had a lot of diversity recording a Clay-coloured Sparrow on census and banding the first American Redstart of the year. We also had 67 species for the day. Not a bad day.

Female American Redstart - first one of the year.

Census in the early morning. -R. Kinzie

Banded 42:
2 Blue Jays
1 Eastern Tufted Titmouse
1 House Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Veery
1 Swainson’s Thrush
2 American Robins
9 Gray Catbirds
1 Tennessee Warbler
3 Nashville Warblers
3 Yellow Warblers
3 Magnolia Warblers
1 Western Palm Warbler
2 American Redstarts
1 Ovenbird
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Scarlet Tanager (the other was a retrap)
3 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Orchard Oriole
3 American Goldfinches

Rhiannon and a redstart. -R. Kinzie

ET’s: 67 spp.

Dream Team checking out the river in the early morning light. - M-P. Laplante

(Unofficial) Birdathon Report:

In the words of Dream Team member, Ben Oldfield:

Ben birding. - B. Oldfield

Hi Everyone
Thank you so much for sponsoring me in the the birdathon.

We woke up at 4:00 in the morning and we had our breakfast. We got in the car and picked up one of my other partners. In total we had 4 people doing the bird a thon. We met at Ruthven, in Caledonia, Ruthven in a bird banding monitoring station When we were all together we started,at 6:00am

We called out all the birds we could see or hear. When we left Ruthven we were up to 72 species a very respectable number !. The highlights were scarlet tanager, bay breasted warbler and a early Canada warbler.

Next we were off to the sewage lagoons for water fowl and shore birds. On the way there, we saw a mocking bird.
Highlights there were Wilson’s phalarope,short billed dowitcher, northern pintail and a green winged teal.

Next to silver lake for more shorebirds.There we picked up semipalmated ploverand solitary sandpiper. Then we drove to St Williams where we looked for a goshawk nest. These birds are very dangerous they will dive bomb you and sometimes catch your head with their talons. This one did not dive at us we were lucky,another person went in and got dive bombed ouch!!!!
also we heard pine warbler and a red breasted nuthatch.
Next to the backus woods for rare warblers including cerulean hooded and prothonatary.The prothonatry warbler is critically endangered less then 10 pairs in Canada!!!
We were very lucky and heard all 3 !
next to long point it was the best by far.
Highlites were tennessee orange crowned chestnut sided warblers. also a veery and swainsons thrush.
Next to the new park in Long Point ..highlites were philadelphia vireo wilson’s warbler northern paurula.
Then to the swamp.highlites were a fly over of sandhill cranes also swamp sparrow marsh wren
It was getting to the end of the daylight. Not to the night birds we heard
a american woodcock,and a whipooorwill. We did not hear any owls. We ended our day in Ancaster at 11pm,
what a great day. We were hoping for 120 species for the day but we got 141 species. Awesome. Including 25 Warbler species.

I have attached some of my favorite pictures I have taken.
Thank you so much for sponsoring me. The money will help the bird banding observatories which helps identify species at risk, and find out the migration routes for these species.
Ben Oldfield

Red-winged Blackbird

Gray Catbird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blackburnian Warbler -B. Oldfield

Short-billed Dowitchers in breeding plumage - another great bird. - P. Thoem

Northern Goshawk - one of many great birds seen by the Team.

Waiting to see a Prothonotary Warbler. - P. Thoem

Rick