The cycle of rain and snow continues, accompanied by shifts between freezing temperatures and balmy days in the mid-teens Celcius.
Lake Margaret, March 29, 2026
Lake Margaret is a privately-owned lake in St Thomas that is adjacent to Pinafore Park and the Lake Margaret Estates housing development. The lake was created when a former gravel pit was filled with water.
On an overcast day with a brisk wind, we had time for a short walk along the paved trail that borders the lake.
Despite the proximity to housing, there were at least one hundred Ring-necked Ducks and smaller numbers of several other species of waterfowl in the lake. Of course, most were too far away for decent photos.
Below are Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, a Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Goose, female Greater Scaup, and male Ring-necked Duck. In addition, there were Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, and a Horned Grebe.
We were interested to see that the female Greater Scaup seemed to be paired with a male Ring-necked Duck.
In the leftmost photo, there is a female Ring-necked Duck behind the male. A female Greater Scaup is in the foreground. In the photo to the right, the female Greater Scaup is trailing the male Ring-necked Duck.
A few hardy songbirds were making their presence known.
Common Grackles, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird (two photos), Northern Cardinal.
The lake and the area surrounding it was full of life. A Muskrat swam across the lake. A bat house and an Opsprey platform had been erected beside the trail overlooking the lake. On a side trail, there were ponds where a few hardy Midland Painted Turtles perched on logs. A Canada Goose was nesting on a small island in the pond. As we watched, she produced an egg, then promptly settled down on it.
You can just see the white egg in the photo on the left
Vegetation is slowly coming to life. Some trees and shrubs are in bloom.
Pussy Willow, with pinecone shaped galls created by the Willow Pinecone Gall Midge. Silver Maple blossoms.
Grey or Speckled Alder is a hardy shrub that grows in sunny, wet areas along marshes, lakes, and streambanks. Male catkins and female cones are found on the same plant. Alders are used in habitat restoration in areas where they provide wildlife habitat and fix nitrogen in the soil to improve soil quality.
Osprey Update
We were wrong! Although the pair of Ospreys that arrived initially spent time together on the low platform and showed no interest in the high nest, they have since taken up residence in the park. The female often spends time on the nest and both male and female have amended the nest. The male often perches on the low platform or nearby stadium lights and has delivered fish, despite the murkiness of the water in the river.
Tulips!
Ontario greenhouses grow tulips and other spring flowers that have become available now. The tulips in Wandering Bee’s hoop house will be ready this weekend.
Last week’s flowers…
…still going strong.
Graham Nash
After seeing Joni Mitchell on television recently, I recalled that “Big Yellow Taxi” refers to her breakup with Graham. I browsed YouTube and read his Wikipedia entry to learn that he wrote so many songs that I like. He talks about Joni before singing “Our House” in the first video on this playlist. I added some cover versions of Hollies songs because I think they are better than the originals. Since the Hollies chose the name to honour Buddy Holly, I was interested in Graham’s connection to Buddy Holly’s guitar.
