We’ve had every kind of weather this week including sun, rain, temperatures of up to 18C and snow.
Spring arrived this week with the vernal/spring equinox when the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. Daylight hours will continue to increase until the summer soltice on June 21.
One sunny day took us along the river to look for signs of spring. We found snowdrops in the park and Silver Maple trees in bloom.
Birds were not too plentiful, but included this wind-blown House Sparrow and a handsome American Robin. Two Northern Cardinals sang from different trees. Along the riverbank, we heard a Song Sparrow for the first time this year.
Mallards, in full breeding plumage, have started to search for nesting sites.
Aylmer Wildlife Management Area
March 19 was very warm – prefect for a day spent with friends.
In the morning, we visited the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area to take in the spectacle of the migrating Tundra Swans that stop to refuel on the grain provided there. That morning there were hundreds of swans resting, grazing and clamouring.
Unfortunately, the sun shining through high, thin cloud cover cast a glare that was extremely unkind to photographers.
As we watched, small skeins of swans would circle and land in the pond.
Here are some shaky, hand-held videos of the action and noise. In flight, the swans hold their feet straight back. As they aproach the water, they hold their feet apart and steer with them for a precise landing location. Just before spashdown, they swing their feet forward to slow down on the water.
The closest views of the birds were through the chain link fence or through the shaded glass of the observation cabin that overlooks the bird feeders. You can see the trails of grain scattered for the birds.
There were a few birds still taking advantage of the feeders.
Mourning Dove, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow collecting swan feathers for nesting material, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle.
We walked to the back ponds where far-off Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers were diving for food. We counted 17 species for the morning.
Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons
The settlement ponds of sewage lagoons are popular birding hotspots around the province. The ponds are important stopover places for migrating ducks and waterfowl. The afternoon viewing conditions at the Port Stanley lagoons were again affected by the glare off the water.
Despite the cover of the hides, the birds remained distant in the far reaches of the pond, often obscured by the vegation. With the help of our friends and a spotting scope, we identified 10 species of waterfowl (Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, American Coot).
The best sighting of the afternoon, thanks to our sharp-eyed friends, was a pair of Sandhill Cranes that circled overhead before continuing on their way.
Cheerful Sentimental Songs (1950s)
I realized that I still remember many popular songs from the 1950s that are not rock and rock. They are tender without being sappy. Some of the doo-wop tunes have a bit of bounce.
