Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Northern Flickers (Pics flamboyants) are back!

18 April 2016
Benjamin Park Trail
Waterloo, ON

     The Benjamin Park Trail is located right behind our house, thus being a convenient spot to go for a walk. 
     Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus is a migratory woodpecker which leaves our area in late fall and returns only in early spring. It seems as though once one is spotted, several others are seen in in quick succession.
     On our walk at the Westmount Golf and Country Club we had heard flickers but had been unable to spot one. On the Benjamin Park Trail there were at least four, with one male already excavating a nest hole.



     A couple of the other birds tried to usurp this industrious individual from his hole, but none were successful.



     In addition to the flickers many Ruby-crowned Kinglets Regulus calendula were moving through. This species flits about constantly and is difficult to photograph; especially when it flashes its ruby crown for the briefest of moments. This is the best I could do.


     There were many other species present, but this Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia seemed particularly ardent and deserving of inclusion.


     It's another fine day out there; perhaps I'll go for a walk after lunch and see what else might be newly arrived.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

27 comments:

  1. Always wanted to see and photograph one of those Kinglets..........

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  2. I love your photo's of the Ruby-crowned Kinglets, so nice to see.
    Thank you

    All the best Jan

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  3. Hello, the flickers are cool birds and one of my favorites. The kinglet is adorable, they move like the warblers. Too quick for me! Have a happy day!

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  4. You have taken great photos again. I like it very much. Greetings.

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  5. Bonsoir David,
    De superbes espèces, le Pic est somptueux ! MERCI !

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  6. I think I have heard them up here, but haven't made a point of seeing one yet.

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  7. Hi David.

    An magnificent woodpecker.
    Beautiful pictures you have made.

    Groettie from Patricia.

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  8. A very beautiful woodpecker. And beautiful pictures, David.
    Best regards, Corrie

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  9. Beautiful pictures. A special Woodpecker, David, with beautiful plumage.
    Pity you could not capture the crown of the Kinglet. Gr Jan W

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  10. Lovely little birds, and I do like the red on the first one.

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  11. It's fantastic that Northern Flickers are back! These birds are beautiful in your photos. Regards from Poland!

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  12. Pure photographer, that's you. Excellent images.

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  13. Very nice species and images; I love woodpeckers, Colaptes is one of my favorites genus

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  14. Great photos,Ruby-crowned Kinglets are beautiful.

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  15. Hi David, what a wonderful colourful bird the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is, super images. Regards John

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  16. Dearest David,
    You were fortunate with another of such bright days for making great photos. Glad you got your subjects!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  17. That woodpecker is so amazing beautyful David. And ofcourse the photos are stunning. Also good to read you get more and more birds coming in for Spring.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  18. I recall how at LPBO Northern Flickers were one of the most obvious visible migrants. This was in sheer numbers and also because of their size and their actual visibilty as they bounded overhead, all flying in the same direction one after the other. I wish I could recall some morning counts, almost certainly in the dozens, but alas the old grey matter won't stretch to such a feat of memory.

    Knowing roughly where you are I wonder if there is an inland geogrphical point where you might observe migration?

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  19. Now that is a pecker I would much love to photograph!!
    It is really exquisite!
    you've managed some great shot, David!
    Many thanks again for your kind words... it is only a matter of time now before wee meet again :)
    Muchos abrazos amigos :)

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  20. Hi David,
    fabulous photos of this very special bird. So cute in the sunshine.
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  21. Stunning Birds David,love the Flickers,one of my favourites.
    John.

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  22. What is a beautiful woodpecker David.
    Splendor photos you made.
    Greetings Tinie

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  23. After this delightful post, David, I'm looking forward even more to connecting with your Northern Flickers. I've only seen the western subspecies before.

    My very best wishes to you both - - Richard

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  24. Wonderful photos of the flickers. They're gorgeous birds.

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  25. I haven't seen a Northern Flicker in a very long time. You have taken lovely photos, and of the other birds.

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  26. Hi David,
    I also put a woodpecker on the blog but the woodpecker that you show I find much more beautiful. In the Netherlands we do not have these beautiful colored woodpeckers. Beautiful pictures you've made it and I'm a little jealous of you woodpecker. The other birds are wonderful to see. The sparrow is many times better than ours.

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  27. Love that wood pecker, what a great bird. I was lucky to get a shot of ours just before we went away last week. Some great shots here, Diane.

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