2013/05/05

International Migratory Bird Day

Today (May 5) is International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), and one of the nearby events takes place in Alderville where I helped out with the managed burn last week.

Alderville black oak savannah
Back at Alderville.  I wish I took a better photo of the burn last week, so that I can compare it with this photo.  But from afar, I think the burned ground is green now.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Tree Swallows still occupying this nest box.

After a presentation about grassland birds found in the region and their statuses, we went to Hazel Bird Nature Reserve, a new land purchased by Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to do some birding.

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The reserve has a good mix of tree species.

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And just beyond the previous photo was this large grassland.  Amazing!  There were three type of flowering species at the moment.

Prairie Buttercup (Ranunculus rhomboideus)
Prairie Buttercup (Ranunculus rhomboideus) with unfused ovaries.

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Pussytoe (Antennaria sp.)

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Saxifraga virginiensis

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We spent some time looking for this Grey-coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida).  Not exactly sure why All About Birds doesn't have a proper webpage for this species.

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We then walked along a forest trail and I saw many interesting insects, including this Tiger Beetle!  This reminds me of the first (and only) Tiger Beetle I have ever seen before.

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And this elfin butterfly (Callophrys sp.).  Perhaps a Brown Elfin?

A good day to be outside and celebrate migratory birds.  Speaking of migratory birds, I wonder how the Loggerhead Shrikes are doing...

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