Last week, we finally had some sun. The temperature remained above freezing during the day.
On February 6, we headed to Pinafore Park in St. Thomas to a forested trail where we expected to see some birds. It was sunny when we left home, but had clouded over by the time we reached the park.
As we exited the car in the parking lot, we were greeted by the clamour of crows. They were trying to dislodge a small hawk perched near the top of a nearby tree – to no avail. The hawk remained where it was. At the same time, there were three Red-tailed Hawks circling higher up, but one came close enough to flush a small flock of European Starlings and the crows from the tree.
Once we had a chance to examine the photos, we could confirm that the perching bird was an immature Cooper’s Hawk. Immature hawks look quite different from adults.
As we entered the woods, we flushed a bird that flew directly up the path and landed on a low branch.
Here was an adult Cooper’s Hawk, apparently not pleased to have been disturbed.
Although the presence of the hawk may have limited the number of birds that we heard and saw in the woods (only Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-Breasted Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadees), we were happy to have had such a good look at this handsome bird.
The morning temperature was crisp and there was ice on the path and on the standing water. The deadwood hosted a variety of fungi and moss.
As we left the woods, a small raccoon watched from the side of the path. On the way back to the car, we passed this handsome Dawn Redwood tree in the park. Nearby, a pair of Gray Squirrels frolicked and a Blue Jay tossed fallen leaves, looking for insects.
On February 8, we had a short walk along the Thames and through the wooded path at the Civic Garden Centre. On the river, there was a raft of Common Mergansers sheltering out of the main current of the river.
We didn’t see or hear other birds apart from Black-capped Chickadees that bounced and called from the trees and bushes. They likely would have welcomed seeds if we’d had any.
There were more fungi to see on this winter walk.
Monday, February 12, was a sunny day, perfect for a long walk at Kilally Meadows Environmentally Significant Area. Despite the mild weather, we heard and saw few birds along the river and the wooded trails. Other birders we encountered remarked on how quiet the park was.
When we reached a small cove in the river, another birder was looking for a Greater Scaup that had been seen near the cove for several days. This is very unusual habitat for a Greater Scaup. They are diving ducks that breed in the Arctic and migrate in large flocks to spend the winter in the open water of the Great Lakes or the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Despite the odds, we spotted the lone bird, head tucked under its wing along the far shore of the river in the company of some Mallards and a couple of Canada Geese. At home, with the help of our Sibley bird guide, we could see that the profile of the sleeping bird fits that of a Greater Scaup. It added to our confidence that the identity of the bird had already been verified by several expert birders.
Seen along the way:
Amaryllis in bloom!
Johnny Rivers
He was a big star in the early ’60s, recording his own songs and songs by upcoming songwriters. Most of his early singles were covers. I heard his versions of Chuck Berry songs long before I heard about Chuck Berry. His early live albums were enhanced in the studio with clapping and “audience participation” sounds.
Rivers was one of the first to use go-go dancers in his live performances at The Whisky a Go Go – a historic nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, CA.
The above song became the theme song for the television show.
There are multiple versions of him performing a medley of these two hits.
I could not find a better version (by anyone on YouTube) of this song. And check out the quality of the band!
https://youtu.be/4YP4b51l_Rw?si=qbv7HJ-doL89M6n6
With a similar band, he delivers “Sea Cruise”..