Today is only the first of March, yet the recent weather and subsequent bird sightings make it feel more like late March or early April. Here in Niagara Region many of the early spring migrants have already appeared, including large numbers of Killdeer, dabbling ducks, Turkey Vultures, blackbirds, and even the first migrant Northern Harriers. So before we get too far along in this early spring we have been experiencing, I wanted to make a post about one of the more popular winter birding locations here in Niagara.
Dufferin Islands is a natural area located very close to Niagara Falls. Popular among picnickers during the summer and light aficionados in the winter (to view many of the elaborate lit up structures as part of the Festival of Lights), Dufferin Islands is also a popular area to go birding. The shrubby areas and woodlands can be ok for migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn, but during the winter the feeder setup attracts a wide variety of the common woodland birds found in the area. In particular, Dufferin Islands is noted as a reliable location to see Tufted Titmouse, a species which is just at the northern extent of its range in southern Ontario and often a target species for birders visiting Niagara. On January 5 while birding the Niagara River with the Riley's, we made a quick stop at Dufferin Islands before walking over to the overlook above the falls. We ended up staying much longer than usual, as the cold weather and abundant food source meant that scads of Tufted Titmice and Black-capped Chickadees were constantly visiting the feeding area, along with a few Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays and Northern Cardinals. Even the continuing male Pine Warbler dropped in for a few moments to brighten up the dull winter day. Below are a few of the photos from the impromptu photo shoot.
 |
| Blue Jay - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| male Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Tufted Titmouse - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Northern Cardinal - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Tufted Titmouse - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| male Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| female House Sparrow - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Tufted Titmouse - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
On February 5 I returned to Dufferin Islands to try to improve on my photos of a few species. It was nice to finally get a couple of decent-ish photos of American Black Duck and Mallard, two species I do not usually look at too closely.
 |
| American Black Duck - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| male (rear) and female (foreground) American Black Ducks - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Mallard - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
Both Pine Warblers were easily found as well, providing stellar looks. The female in particular I had not photographed before this point.
 |
| female Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| male Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| male Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| female Pine Warbler - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
Winter Wrens are curious little birds to observe as they scurry around, not unlike a small rodent, in search of morsels to eat. I find it is almost impossible to take a good photo of them! At least two have been overwintering at Dufferin Islands, their antics providing a modicum of entertainment. One day I will improve my photos of this species.
 |
| Winter Wren - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
And I will finish with some images of this Northern Cardinal, one of the more spectacular year-round residents found in Ontario, if one is judging based on the intensity of color.
 |
| Northern Cardinal - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
 |
| Northern Cardinal - Dufferin Islands, Niagara |
No comments:
Post a Comment