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It continues to be a cool spring here with occasional storms and spikes in temperature. The canopy is filling out. Some trees are not yet in full leaf. Erieau Marsh Trail The Erieau Marsh Trail runs along the trackbed of a former railway. It provides a variety of habitats for birds with marshland on one side and woody vegetation on the other. We often see several turtle species in the pond, but that day we saw only Midland Painted Turtles and a Common Snapping Turtle lurking under the water. Mute Swans were nesting, but there were no mudflats this year…

We have experienced wide fluctuations in weather over the past week. Heat and humidity warnings have been followed by plunges in temperature into the low teens and below. High winds and rapidly falling temperatures brought heavy rain and tornado warnings. Hazy skies Storm clouds gathering, tornado warning in effect… Blenheim Sewage Lagoons Sewage lagoons are birding hotspots that attract migrating gulls, waterfowl, and shorebirds. The high levels of organic waste in the settlement ponds promote the growth of aquatic invertebrates, a calorie-rich food for birds. Ponds with mudflats or shallow water provide foraging habitat for wading birds and sandpipers. There…

It has been a cold spring in southern Ontario. Temperatures have risen, but very slowly. Nevertheless, the canopy in London has become greener. Here is our view on May 4 and May 13. Spring Migration During the spring migration, songbirds arrive on the shores of Lake Erie (and elsewhere!) to feed and recharge for their continued journey north. Over the past week, we spent five days near the lake, close to Rondeau Provincial Park . We stayed outside the small town of Blenheim with easy access to the park, the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons and the Erieau Marsh Trail where we…

Warmer spring weather has been slow to arrive. There have been overnight frost warnings with temperatures rising slowly through the day. The skies are often overcast and stormy. Still, there are some sunny days and temperatures are gradually creeping up. We hope that convinces the birds to continue their journeys north! The canopy is a little greener every week: Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons – April 30 April 30 brought a brisk, cold wind. The temperature was below 10 C, but the sun occasionally broke through the clouds to bring some warmth. Port Stanley lies south of London, on the shore…

The temperature continues to swing as spring gradually unfolds. The canopy is noticeably greener. Around town and in the parks, trees are in bloom. Cherry and serviceberry in Harris Park and magnolia at Eldon House . The Coves Environmentally Significant Area The day was sunny, perfect for a visit to the Coves. We found this handsome Great Blue Heron wading in a watery ditch. The paths along the east pond are lined with Wild Garlic. Foraging in nature reserves is not permitted. Canada Geese populate the ponds, as do Midland Painted Turtles and Red-eared Sliders. Red-eared Sliders are native to…