Rondeau Ric

Black-throated blue warbler, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Oct 8 2019. Setophaga caerulescens On the wintering grounds males and females use slightly different habitats. The male is most common in forest at lower to middle elevations, while the female uses shrubbier habitat at higher elevations.

Rusty Blackbird, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Oct 22, 2019. We have a flock of approximately 500 blackbirds drop into our yard several times a day. Along with grackles, redwings and cowbirds there have been a few rusty blackbirds. Euphagus carolinus The Rusty Blackbird feeds mostly on insects and plant matter, but it sometimes attacks and eats other birds. It has been documented feeding on sparrows, robins, and snipe, among others.

Purple sandpiper, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Oct 19, 2019. Got a call from a fellow birder of a cooperative purple sandpiper on the beach. It allowed us to get close and only flew when an eagle buzzed the beach. it returned a few minutes later. Calidris maritima The Purple Sandpiper has the northernmost winter range of any shorebird.

Swainson's Thrush, Oct 14, 2019, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Catharus ustulatus Territorial disputes between males often take the form of singing duels, with song volume and frequency escalating until the combatants’ physical exertions are clearly evident. During these contests, rivals very occasionally invert their customary melody so that it spirals downward in pitch. A sing-off can lead to a chase and even occasionally to physical attack

Pine Warbler, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Oct 14, 2019. Had a swarm of birds come into the water feature, 5 species of warbler, 3 or more sparrows and the usual suspects. Setophaga pinus The Pine Warbler is the only warbler that eats large quantities of seeds, primarily those of pines. This seed-eating ability means Pine Warblers sometimes visit bird feeders, unlike almost all other warblers.

Northern Walkingstick, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Oct 11, 2019.   Haven't seen many walking sticks this year. Anne spotted this one on the siding of the cottage. Rotated image 90 degrees. Diapheromera femorata

Dragonfly, skimmer family, Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Aug 23, 2019. Not out much right now so this is from the archives.

Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, Sept 29, 2019. Another visitor to the water in the yard. Migration is slow and spotty but there are birds showing up. Toxostoma rufum An aggressive defender of its nest, the Brown Thrasher is known to strike people and dogs hard enough to draw blood.