Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

Bronte Harbour, Oakville, ON

11 May 2013

    Once again a pair of Red-necked Grebes is nesting in the inner harbour. The nest contains more fresh greenery than I have ever seen and one bird (the female I assume) was sitting on the nest. The male delivered new material to her (as seen in the photograph below) which she accepted and carefully rearranged according to her sense of what seemed right. There was considerable vocalization between the two birds, and the male even attempted some minor housekeeping at the nest.

    Last year, as far as I know, they failed to rear any young; let us hope that this year brings more success.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Bronte Harbour, Oakville, ON

11 May 2013

    Nothing says Spring like the arrival of young Canada Geese. Every year it seems that once I have seen the first brood, these little goslings are everywhere. Canada Geese are devoted parents and fierce in the defence of their young. This family was photographed at Bronte Harbour this afternoon.

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Bronte Harbour, Oakville, ON

11 May 2013

    Today there was a spectacular movement of Double-crested Cormorants at Bronte Harbour. The stream of birds flying by lasted for several minutes and comprised at least 1,250 birds, and I am sure that our count is conservative. All the birds settled in an area just outside the breakwater at the west end of the harbour until a couple of people in a small motor boat aimed their craft directly into the birds, causing them to move farther out into the lake. What satisfaction these yahoos derived from their action I cannot imagine.

    In Ontario we are engaged once again this year in a dreadful and shameful cull of this species. I have never seen any sane rationale for this annual slaughter, yet it continues under sanction from the Ministry of the Environment. Obviously, all birds are not killed outright, and wounded birds are left to die a lingering, painful, miserable death.

    I am sure that some people claim that there are too many cormorants, although who determines what is too many I have no idea. Perhaps we should look at ourselves before we pass judgement on other species. In any event the population of all species is ultimately self-regulating in its own way and needs no interference from us.

    Apart from anything else, I view the increased numbers of Double-crested Cormorants on the Great Lakes as a very positive indicator that the health of the lakes is improving. I think it's time we all boycotted locations such as Point Pelee National Park and Presqu-ile Provincial Park where this carnage takes place. Perhaps the economic hit taken by the communities that benefit from the money birders spend will be enough to stop the annual kill.

Muskrat

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus

Mill Race, St. Jacobs

7 May 2013

    The Muskrat is the largest of North American rats, sometimes reaching sixty centimetres in total length. Formerly hunted extensively for its fur, it is now mostly left alone to enjoy its aquatic lifestyle, for which it is superbly adapted. We see it quite often and always count ourselves fortunate when we do.

American Crow

American Crow Corvus brachyrynchos

If men had wings and bore black feathers, a few of them would be clever enough to be crows.

Henry Ward Beecher

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

5 May 2013

    It was both a pleasure and a privilege to see this immature Sandhill Crane today, meandering through the wetland, feeding and preening as it went. The healthy population of this species in the Grass Lake area, with regular breeding success, is a cause for rejoicing. One never becomes blasé at the sight of this magnificent bird.

Common Gallinule

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

Grass Lake, Cambridge, ON

5 May 2013

    The Common Gallinule is an infrequent visitor to our area and it was a great pleasure to see this individual at Grass Lake this afternoon. Formerly considered conspecific with the Eurasian Common Moorhen it has been resplit and is now accorded full species status.