A Day Out with the Ladies

12 November 2017

     Our stalwart helpers at our SpruceHaven banding operation, Heather, Daina and Debbie, indicated an interest in joining me for a day's birding. Today worked for everyone so we embarked on a quest for waterfowl - and any other species we could find.

Debbie Hernandez, Daina Anderson, Heather Polan

     Heather and Daina have had considerable exposure to waterfowl; Debbie much less so, and it was my aim to refine the identification skills of Heather and Daina a little, and begin the educational process for Debbie.

    The temperature was relatively mild and as November days in Ontario go, it was quite pleasant.

     We started our day at the DesJardins Canal in Dundas, a location which Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) seem to find particularly appealing, and large numbers can be found there as long as there is open water.

     There was not a whole lot else on the water, except for the predictable large numbers of Mallard (Anas platyrynchos), Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and, surprisingly, a couple of juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) still braving the cold. A few juvenile Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) were also still present, and some members of this species routinely spend a good part of the winter there. This always strikes me as odd in a species that needs to dry its wings after pursuing fish underwater, but they seem to accomplish this operation despite the freezing temperatures.

All species at DesJardins Canal: Canada Goose, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Black-crowned Night Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Carolina Wren (Heard only by Heather), House Sparrow. 

     We moved over to LaSalle Park and Marina in Burlington, our principal destination for the day, where we were amused to see the male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) observed there a couple of weeks ago, in ardent pursuit of what appears to be a female Mallard/American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) hybrid. This little duck, half the size of the object of his affections, provided a textbook demonstration of mate guarding, and fearlessly drove off any male Mallard that had the audacity to come near.

     The sheer number of ducks, geese and swans was not great, but there was a pleasing variety of species, allowing for many inter specific comparisons, identification of males and females and the opportunity to observe feeding strategies.

     Heather tried her best to gain entry into the world of the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator), but she was treated with nothing but disdain.

     Greater Scaup (Aytha marila) was seen in great numbers, generally far off, but a few individuals were obliging enough to come in close, prompting a discussion of the ways to identify Greater Scaup from the very similar Lesser Scaup (Aytha affinis).

     There were many Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) on the water, all females.

     Both Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) and White-winged Scoter (Malanitta deglandi) have begun to assume their annual residency on Lake Ontario. A few White-winged Scoters came in close enough for a photograph.

     Just a few weeks ago I was looking at Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) in Slovenia and Croatia and was given to pondering the difference a nine-hour flight can make as I gazed at American Wigeon (Anas americana) in Ontario!

     Surely one of the most under-appreciated ducks of all is Gadwall (Anas strepera) but I am always struck by its subtle, understated beauty, and more than once I have mused about the beautiful quilt that Miriam could fashion by combining all those shades of brown and beige. Perhaps she might even add a jaunty accent of black - just like the duck.

     A walk along the woodland trail was very pleasant but did not turn up anything of note.

All species at LaSalle Park and Marina: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot, Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.

     Our final destination of the day was Paletta Park, which was quiet, but we did see our only Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) of the day.

     Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) was also present, a familiar bird that often merits barely a passing glance, but it is indeed a creature of great beauty.

All species at Paletta Park: Canada Goose, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco.

     It was a very pleasant day indeed and it was a delight to spend time in the company of Heather, Daina and Debbie. I hope we can do it again.