Bird-watching at Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland

I was debating where to spend some time outside this long weekend, especially because the public transit schedule is different every single day.  Looking at eBird, I realized there was a bird-watching spot very close to where I live called Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland, so I searched for instructions on how to get there this morning and walked there right after.

The main purposes of this man-made wetland are to collect run-off water and de-silt the water before it flows into Sawmill Creek.

Alderville Black Oak Savanna - Control burning

Fire is a critical ecosystem process that has the ability to create new habitats for species and lead to the regeneration of forests and grasslands.  This process occurs both naturally and anthropogenically, and how it triggers the sprouting of dormant seeds is not very well understood (Edit: until just this Tuesday when another piece of knowledge is added to the puzzle.  Read this article and follow the link below for more information.).  Today, I volunteered to help out with managed burn of some sites at the Alderville Black Oak Savanna.  This area supports unique and important habitats (i.e., long-grass prairie and black oak savanna) here in Ontario, and you can find out more about this location at the official website. 

Before the actual burn took place, we went for a short walk around the site.

Flowers of Ivvavik

Celebrated my 27th birthday yesterday with people in my lab and had dinner at Tim Horton's.  Nothing super interesting in my life at the moment - working on my thesis, teaching, and thinking about what I should do with my future.

I have to teach a lab this Friday that requires me to identify tree species on one of the surrounding drumlins here at Trent.  I spent some time last Saturday identifying the trees from a guide, but I still wasn't too comfortable with my skills.  So yesterday, the lab coordinator took us teaching assistants to the drumlin again to identify the trees together.  Hopefully, everything will work out fine on Friday.

Speaking on trees and plants, I have been wanting to share my flower photos from this past field season for some time now.  Here they are.

Dwarf Fireweed (Epilobium latifolium)

Assorted photos from Mon to Wed

I have assorted photos since the Family Day on Monday.

Since there was no public transportation on Monday, I walked around the nearby trails.  Didn't see much of anything, except these bird-predated galls.

Quick post about past week - mostly pollinators

Long story short, I am heading to St. Louis this weekend to participate in a pollination field course in Missouri Botanical Garden. Before I leave, I had many many things to do. Most of the more important tasks are done now, and now onto posting photos and blog writing about what I did since last Friday.

2012/04/07

I biked to Jackson Park hoping it would be nice and pretty by now.

Unfortunately not. The lake/pond is still really low and the trees are just producing buds.

Blossoms are here! Good day to be out

Besides seeing the American Bittern today, I also saw many interesting things.

First, the blossoms are here! Despite seeing them every year, it's still exciting to see these beautiful flowers. I took these from the Phoenix Pond in Steveston, but they are starting to blossom everywhere in the city now.

Good time to visit Minoru Lakes Park!

I helped out my mother with grocery shopping today in Richmond center. Before that we walked around the Minoru Lakes Park. It was very beautiful with the blossoming flowers and the colors! It was a very nice walk!

White Magnolia flowers.

Colorful hyacinths.

Enjoying the blossoms on Seafair Drive with mother

My mother wanted to see the blossoms that I photographed whenever I went to the dyke. So today, we walked to the dyke and I showed her the streets where I saw the blossoms.

Along Seafair Drive.

Then we went to the trail.

Relatively Sunny Sunday

The gray and drizzling weathers in the last couple of days in January really dampened my desire and plans to use my bus pass for an extended day trip. So, off to the dyke I go again!

A Northern Harrier swooped by across from me.

Female Northern Harrier

House Finch


Saw a flock of House Sparrows today


A lonely Great Blue Heron.

This male harrier flew by near the heron and stopped on a log. By the time I tried to take a picture, it was off again.


Saw Snow Geese transferring from one field to the next - avoiding obstacles on the way.


Follow the leader


Landing

Panoramic view of Snow Geese...and with more coming.


Saw the Gadwells, Mallards, and a pair of female Hooded Mergansers at the slough today. But it was the budding Pussy Willows that caught my attention.


Almost like an insect undergoing metamorphosis.

The Fraser River - clouds blurring the line between sea and sky.

Stranded Gull.


Looking back at the slough.

Trees.






A pair of Bald Eagles near the trees.


Clouds breaking.


Many people visited the dyke today to enjoy the relatively sunny Sunday.


Crocus flowering - about 3 weeks ahead of last year's time.


Another look at the sky.

The Sun being blocked by clouds.

365 days ago (2009-01-31) ...
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The best day in Spring (so far)

Today was just amazing in terms of the bird species saw! Plus, it was sunny and cloudless and even warm! There were even some people running around in shorts and T-shirts. Anyways, lots of photos to show you guys. So enjoy!

First birds saw were this pair of Bald Eagles. The bottom one is definitely the adult, and I think the top one is a sub-adult in its third year, or at least that's what a third year looks like in my field guide.

Close-up on the sub-adult. No full white head yet.

Northern Shovelers arrived in Terra Nova again.

I am pretty sure this is the same Great Blue Heron that I saw fish-catching a few days ago. It is a master! Look at the size of that fish! Is that a catfish? The heron already had the fish in its bill when I spotted it. It then threw the fish on the ground and stabbed it a few times before getting it in the right position and swallowing it.

Fish in the throat.

Food enjoyed. First time I have ever seen a heron ruffing its feathers like that. Anyone know what that means?

And Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)! I saw them two days in this field. But I had no success in photographing them as they were too quick. Thankfully, they stopped for chit-chatting.

First time I paid attention to these fellows since I got into birding this year. What a pretty looking bird. It is identifiable by its blue-green back and white breast. I think I like looking at them gliding in the sky because they remind me of bats in Taiwan.

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Flowering Willows (Salix sp.) are very common right now.

A Muskrat was observed in the Terra Nova Slough. First time I see them in this area. Not too much vegetation for them here though, I don't think.

A difficult to photograph Belted Kingfisher was also observed. I chased it back and forth and this was the only image I got. I hope to see it again soon.

I just like the colors in this picture. Orangy-yellow and baby blue are my favorite colors.

And what is that sweet song in the air! Listening and looking for a while, I finally spotted this beautiful yellow bird. I didn't know what it was then, but I know now! It's an American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)! It spent at least ten minutes perched at the same willow (Salix sp.) branch singing away its beautiful cheerful song. Sadly, no one answered back.

According to Nature BC (by James Kavanagh), American Goldfinch is "one of the last birds to arrive in spring." Does this mean Spring is finally here for good? I mean, I also saw bees and other insects today.

Returning home, a Bald Eagle caught a prey and was removing its feathers. There were crows surrounding this eagle but I don't think they were after its food. In fact, I think the Bald Eagle was eating a crow.

The feathers that the Bald Eagle was removing were all black, but it was too far away for me to see clearly through my binocular or camera. Today was the best Spring day (so far)!
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