Lambton Swallows

After a grocery run for the house, I popped into Lambton for a very quick look around. I'm happy to report at least one pair of Tree Swallows were present and checking out a couple of the boxes. In 2018 I initially set up 3 boxes and had one family of Swallows, 3 of the 5 young fledged. I've since added a 4th.

The birds are slowly moving in or through this volatile April. It makes me anxious.

A Return to the Creek

After a rainy couple days over the Easter long weekend, Angie and I ventured over to the creek. It was one part to get in a good walk after some festive eating and also to see if there was any action going on at the boxes. I'm not all that awake this morning as I key this, still working on my first coffee so this may not be so, uh, detailed.

We agreed to park further away so as to get a better walk in. First sighting of the day is a Raccoon curled up in this tree. How they can sleep so soundly in what would seem like not a very comfortable spot astounds me.

We pass the old boxes I've mentioned in the last blog. A pair of Tree Swallows were going back and forth, inspecting both boxes. I will touch upon these boxes later.

As we make our way along the path and towards my boxes at the other end, we chance upon a Belted Kingfisher sitting on the bridge. These birds nest here and I believe I have found their chosen location. I will observe from a distance through the next few months, hopefully I can share something from a new family later in the summer.

We near my boxes and are delighted to see at least 3 Tree Swallows going about the 4 boxes. One pair seemed to be favouring a box, let's hope they decide to stay and use it.

A few other bird sightings around here included...

Many Golden-crowned Kinglets. This one was picking insects out of the puddles.

Despite the cool dark morning, the Song Sparrows (dozens) were singing away.

Angie spotted this Brown Thrasher high atop a tree. First of year for both of us. That's a Red-winged Blackbird behind (no shortage of them along the creek).

On our way out, I stopped at the old boxes to give them a look over. They are showing signs of aging. Both are empty. So I wonder if someone is monitoring them every year? They look worn inside, like they've been used in the past. I don't care much for the big nails sticking out of each, like a perch for the birds. As you can see in the photo, the Tree Swallows do not sit on these nails but rather hold on at the entry hole. I do believe the nail bothers me more than it does them.

One box, the front is barely holding on by just 2 nails. There's no access from the sides so to me it would seem one just pulls the front off to get inside. The one nail is only in a couple milimetres, I guess for easier access.

The other has 2 screws across the top of the front and one at the bottom. The top screws are not fully driven in, so there is a sizable gap which would definitely allow for rain to seep inside. Again no side access. I unscrew the bottom screw and with that play across the top, the front wall can be pulled outwards to peer inside. I'm not sure if that is their intent, or they just take the whole wall off in the fall to clean the box out.

I thought about taking both boxes down and putting up the last couple I have at home from the Forgotten Land but these boxes are set up on smooth round steel posts and attached with a large screw through the back wall. I have too much else going on to attempt any modifications so I leave them be.

The next day I return and decide to tightly screw in the one box so there is no more gap. The other box, I added a screw in the front wall to hold it in tight. It will be interesting to see if whoever put these boxes up returns and notices the slight upgrade.

On this second walk I enjoy watching the pair of Kingfishers fly up and down the creek.

I saw 4 White-tailed Deer in the distance. They saw me too.

I spotted a Robin working on a new nest. Another to observe from a respectable distance.

I did not go as far as the 4 new boxes with this short visit.

Lambton - Raccoons Oh My!

A day after my check of the Forgotten Land, I decided to visit the Lambton spot. There's only 4 boxes here and it's around the corner from our house. The fact that Thursday morning was the last bit of mild dry weather for a number of days gave me all the more reason to go.

I wasn't expecting any birds yet despite Area One and "TFL" getting some arrivals. Of course I was hopeful, ready to get things going, but Mother Nature goes her own speed and it can vary from one year to the next.

As I mentioned in my last blog, these nest box checks give me good reason to have some time out with nature as well as get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. Here is what I saw with my 40 minute walk.

Look who greeted me upon arrival!

This spot is rather popular with Raccoons. I often find one, but sometimes three, five and once seven. A lot of birds nest in this area and the Raccoons can be a threat to the eggs and young birds.

A few pairs of Robins were busy gathering nesting material. We can only wish them the best of luck. Before anyone gets too upset, I can assure you many young Robins fledge from the nests built here each year.

As I make my way to the first nest box. I find a second Raccoon.

I scope out the first box, which had a family of Tree Swallows in 2018. An Eastern Phoebe sits in a nearby tree. A new spring arrival. Too bad his kind do not use nest boxes. A coat of paint could be in order for next year as I look at the box.

As I head to the next two boxes, I pass a third Raccoon. This one really favours this tree as I've often seen it here.

The next two boxes look welcoming don't they?

Brown Creepers are climbing many of the trees. Can you spot the bird?

Golden-crowned Kinglets surround me. They are tiny birds but easy to spot with that bright crown.

Turkey Vultures soar over. Always nice to see through the season.

I am across a gully of sorts, looking to the fourth nest box. Chickadees started a nest here in 2018 but abandoned it for some reason. I think they took to a natural cavity nearby which unfortunately came down sometime last summer after an intense storm. Maybe they will re-think their nesting strategy this year and give this box another try?

So no nesting birds yet but a nice outing I must say. If it wasn't for those boxes, I might not have gone for this walk.

Let's see how things are in Lambton when I revisit in about 10 days or so.

2019 - Here We Go!

Finally! Tree Swallows are arriving back in the greater Toronto area. Angie and I saw 3 pairs in Area One last weekend. I saw one pair at The Forgotten Land yesterday.

While we walked Area One, I didn't see it as an official tour of the grounds and inspecting the boxes.

Friends at Area One have been getting them ready for the season by closing the side walls and next up will be some pole greasing. NOTE: side walls and doors have been left opened through the winter months to deter Deer Mice from using them. You may recall that starting the previous winter, we offered the mice alternate housing by setting up old boxes on some of the posts below the new houses.

So the Forgotten Land is my first official nest box trail check of the season.

It was a mild sunny morning. Upon arrival I was treated to a courting pair of Red-tailed Hawks. The male had prey in it's talons and was circling over head, steadily calling out. The female followed, making her own circles in the sky. A sure sign of spring!

Numerous Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds were about the field. A few female Red-winged Blackbirds were present (they always return some weeks after the males have begun setting up territory). Downy Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadees were calling from the wood lot. A pair of Mockingbirds were chasing each other back and forth near where I parked. I saw at least 4 Northern Flickers too. Unfortunately one Flicker was in the talons of the above mentioned Red-tailed Hawk.

In a few more weeks this area will be even better for birds with many more migrant species either stopping in for a rest or setting up territory.

Then I heard Tree Swallows as I approached the first 3 nest boxes along West Hill. Interestingly enough, they were at one particular box that has been used every year I've been monitoring. It makes me believe it is the same adults. I watched one bird go into the box while the other sat in a nearby tree chattering away. Of course the bird was very cooperative as I passed by and I only had my smaller lens on the camera. I remind myself that this is not a photo op outing; I have work to do.

The second box is good to go. Then I get to the third and am a tad annoyed. I hope this was the extent of human interference and this box, or any other box I'm monitoring. This is why I try to do everything on the cheap, salvaging old boxes and not investing much more than my time. Scribes on the front and the side. Ugh.

The birds do deserve better but some people ruin things, don't they? It's nothing compared to an area I know of where people went in one night and smashed all the nest boxes; thankfully the birds weren't back yet.

I get to the last two on West Hill which are further along, and they are fine. I've had one nest here each year and am hopeful for another this season.

Now I back track, heading over to East Ravine. I notice a Tree Swallow come out of the vandalized box. I cannot say for certain if it's another bird, or one of the pair I initially spotted. It's still very early in the season and no one has officially set up shop. We shall see come next visit.

As I enter the East Ravine area, I pass this antique on the side of the road. I love old cars and trucks.

I find myself having to walk around a bold Canada Goose. Kill Deer were calling from the creek. Red-wings and Grackles, Cowbirds and Robins surround me as I move along. This is a great Yellow Warbler nesting spot and I cannot wait to hear the males singing in a few more weeks.

I just realize as I key this, I forgot to mention that I recently set up 2 boxes along this stretch. I fixed up 2 old boxes the other week and found a couple t-posts.

The green "memorial" box still stands further down where the big dramatic Bluebird tale from 2017 occurred. I should move this box out into the open so it may get used one year; or close it up so that no bird can ever access it. Soon this box will be lost in the green that surrounds it through the warm months.

I walk further east, looking for a natural cavity I know of, where Flickers have nested in the past. It's also a nice hole for a Screech Owl to get into and once I had such an Owl here. Nothing going on but it's always good to check.

It is here that I see my next annoyance from some person. Seriously?!?! Who would think this is a great idea? Sleeping under the stars does sound nice. Having a toilet nearby is every campers' dream. But here? Out in the open? Someone want to come out with me next visit? I will buy you a coffee if you lift the lid and see if they're actually using it.

I shake my head and call it a day.

I almost stepped in some Coyote poop on the way back. Maybe he should learn to use that toilet? Heh heh.

There are 8 boxes here. Let's see how many nests we get and by what species.

Welcome to the Creek

The last couple years I've been exploring an area not too far from our home; and in the last year Angie has taken an interest along with me (blame it on working opposite shifts). It's a great, undiscovered spot and hopefully remains that way. Honestly I think it will because the surroundings to this location aren't very desirable. The thought of it being a good birding spot probably wouldn't cross the minds of many. The roads have heavy traffic all day long. There are warehouses, production facilities and trucking companies every where you look.

But where there is water, and green space, there is life. As you can see in these photos, there's a wide variety of life in this area.

A Great Blue Heron hides out along the shore of the creek.

Red-tailed Hawks watch the open fields for prey.

A DeKay's Brown Snake suns itself along the path.

A Black and Yellow Garden Spider waits for her lunch amidst the golden rod.

A juvenile Turkey Vulture has a time out in a barren tree one fall morning.

Being observed by Coyote atop the hills is not uncommon at all.

The deer are well aware of the canine predators. One day we watched this group high tail it away from a pair in the area.

I've seen mink on a number of occasions.

A tiny Toad enjoys the sun.

An American Dagger Moth Caterpillar strolling through the green.

Dragonflies can zip by your head at times.

Sometimes those aren't Dragonflies though and you have to get a better look. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched atop a tree.

Eastern Kingbirds can be seen all through the summer. Adult Kingbird feeding young.

Baltimore Orioles.

Even Spotted Sandpipers which was a surprise to me.

American Kestrels nest somewhere nearby. We were blessed to see a family of them on more than one occasion. Here is the adult male.

Bank Swallows also nest in the vicinity (along with so many other species).

This introduction to the area was a tad overkill but you get the idea, it's definitely a nice spot.

Angie and I spend many Sunday mornings there going for walks, when the trails aren't iced up. We've been keeping a species list and are at 67 bird species. That's awesome for an unassuming stretch of green space.

I've always thought it would be a great location for a few nest boxes. Then when we saw over 12 Eastern Bluebirds in the area last fall, that really got me thinking about putting a couple boxes in.

I purchased 4 boxes from one of the guys through the Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society. I applied roof shingles, and metal predator guard rings to the entry holes.

I pounded a couple t-posts into the ground before everything froze up late last year. I decided to wait until we were pretty much done with winter before returning and installing 2 nest boxes.

We visited the area on March 31st. It certainly was not a nice Spring stroll.

I would like to get the other 2 boxes set up. I hope to "find" some t-posts soon.

Of course, like so many other areas I walk, the remnants of good ideas still stand, just forgotten. Two of three old nest boxes remain much further down the path. Personally I would not have set them up there, right along the bottom of a hillside with northern exposure. I plan on giving them a good look over, once the snow and ice is gone.

Much like how I set some boxes up in an area of Lambton last Spring, this new location will be an experimentation. It's comical to some how I am just throwing nest boxes up in public areas. This is now 4 areas I monitor in Toronto's west end. I assure you this is it for me. Only Area One has double digit numbers of boxes to look after, and thankfully I now have help. Every location has had Bluebirds, and 2 areas had nesting Bluebirds in the past, which is my "goal" nesting bird; but as you know I won't shun any Tree Swallows.

I'm glad that most respect what I am doing, along with the fact that I don't publicize where any of these nest boxes are exactly. It's not selfish. It's for the birds.

Will you follow me along with this new nest box trail? And the others of course. I'm hoping for my best year yet since I started monitoring.