Yesterday I went by this house and observed a grackle paying it particular attention. Today I saw a grackle enter and leave the house a couple of times and began to wonder if there was a nest in there. Later I returned to see sparrows coming and going from the house. Ultimately I deduced there was some kind of food in there, maybe chunks of bread.
When I grow up I'm gonna be a red-neck!
I visited this family again today and only saw two youngster. I'm beginning to suspect that third egg didn't fully hatch.
As I watched the parents and the kids, grackles visited the nest and appeared to be collecting food (bugs)? Twice the unencumbered, adult grebe attacked the interlopers. On one of those occasions the grackle was momentarily captured in that wicked beak.
Yesterday I went by this house and observed a grackle paying it particular attention. Today I saw a grackle enter and leave the house a couple of times and began to wonder if there was a nest in there. Later I returned to see sparrows coming and going from the house. Ultimately I deduced there was some kind of food in there, maybe chunks of bread.
After the sparrows left, this grackle came and entered the house but may not have found more food.
Most of the grebe nest on Beaumaris are out in the open. This one is hard to spot but the occupant is watching those that approach. Can you find that alert eye?
Was told the pelicans were back. Later I saw these but they are not the same two we have had at Beaumaris recently. These don't have the protrusion on their bills. As I watched a male red-winged black bird harassed them as they had approached the reeds where there was a nest. One of these birds snapped at him with that big bill, which he easily avoided.
Since the egg is starting to hatch, I'm calling this 3 youngsters. I happened along just as the shift was changing. The lake is up considerably and the adults are building up the nest.
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
These two have been here most if not all of the day. I'm not certain what purpose that horn serves but it would seem to be a nuisance, picking up weeds.
Whenever I pass this box, now that it has residents, a head is protruding from the hole. That causes me to suspect nesting material has been stacked, from the bottom up, to facilitate a vigil.
Dug this out of my archives in response to a query and thought I should share it here. This youngster had fallen through a grate on my condo's property. I took this shot after the rescue.
Too many!
I counted 28 geese in this immediate area. I think there are 21 goslings in this shot. The dominant pair, I believe, are the birds I first saw with 15 youngsters. I suspect they have been kidnapping to build the brood. The gander tends to chase off other geese that approach the youngsters.
Canada Geese
Thursday May 30, 2013
near Campbell, 01
I forgot to report that I have yet to observe a young goose on the water at Beaumaris this season. What's with that?
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
Black Terns
Thursday May 30, 2013
near Campbell, 01
Saw two of these birds patrolling the Beaumaris shore. Later saw a single; so there might have been three. Have seen them here before but not often.
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
I watched these youngsters and their parents for over an hour hoping they would take to the water. During that time the gander chased off several immatures that ventured to close.
As soon as I saw the tree swallow I wondered if it/they might be claiming the birdhouse where I had seen the nuthatch a while back. This is evidence that the nuthatches are still the occupants.
As I took several photos of this brood I thought I counted 16 youngster. This photo shows 15 and you have to look closely. There is nothing to suggest this is not a single brood. If it is it's the largest Canada Goose brood I have seen
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
Birds observed in different areas of Beaumaris. One was 'perched' in a tree about 3 feet above the water, not a place I would expect to see a coot. Wondering if it was chased there by a pugnacious grebe?
I didn't see the heron today but as I looked at yesterday's shots I detected a wee fish in this bird's beak. How many of those would it take to satisfy the needs of a bird this size?
Floating well off shore, too far for photos. Since these birds seem to come and go, it would be interesting to know where they are spending the rest of their time.
Most recent activity
All sightings >>
Red-necked Grebes
Open wide! Watched this family for some time. Saw the delivery of a fine fish and observed the youngsters in the water.
Red-necked Grebes
Made to swim (and eat fish). Watched this family for some time. Saw the delivery of a fine fish and observed the youngsters in the water.
House Sparrow
Yesterday I went by this house and observed a grackle paying it particular attention. Today I saw a grackle enter and leave the house a couple of times and began to wonder if there was a nest in there. Later I returned to see sparrows coming and going from the house. Ultimately I deduced there was some kind of food in there, maybe chunks of bread.
Red-necked Grebes
Perfect profiles. Watched this family for some time. Saw the delivery of a fine fish and observed the youngsters in the water.
Red-necked Grebe
When I grow up I'm gonna be a red-neck! I visited this family again today and only saw two youngster. I'm beginning to suspect that third egg didn't fully hatch. As I watched the parents and the kids, grackles visited the nest and appeared to be collecting food (bugs)? Twice the unencumbered, adult grebe attacked the interlopers. On one of those occasions the grackle was momentarily captured in that wicked beak.
Common Grackle
Yesterday I went by this house and observed a grackle paying it particular attention. Today I saw a grackle enter and leave the house a couple of times and began to wonder if there was a nest in there. Later I returned to see sparrows coming and going from the house. Ultimately I deduced there was some kind of food in there, maybe chunks of bread. After the sparrows left, this grackle came and entered the house but may not have found more food.
Red-winged Blackbird
In my experience it's the males that do most of the attacking/chasing. This hen took a few runs at the big, bad bird that got too close to her nest.
Bufflehead
Observed a lone male well off the shore on Beaumaris.
Red-necked Grebes
Hey...I can see my reflection! Watched these guys for quite a while trying to get a glimpse of the third youngster, which I have yet to see.
Red-winged Blackbird
Putting your best wing forward...
Red-necked Grebe
Most of the grebe nest on Beaumaris are out in the open. This one is hard to spot but the occupant is watching those that approach. Can you find that alert eye?
Mallard
This little guy looks rather pugnacious but was only in the process of grooming.
Black Tern
I got some good looks at this bird but they are sure hard to catch.
Mallards
Each day brings new batches of mallards.
Ruddy Ducks
Observed two males but saw no female...hope they are setting nests here at Beaumaris.
House Wren
Heard a bit of a fuss and found this one looking at me over its shoulder.
Canada Geese
These goslings are getting big; counted 28 youngsters in this gaggle.
Red-winged Blackbird
This gal had just been for a dip.
Red-winged Blackbirds
This gal had just been for a dip.
House Finch
Heard this guy singing before I spotted him way up there.
American White Pelicans
Was told the pelicans were back. Later I saw these but they are not the same two we have had at Beaumaris recently. These don't have the protrusion on their bills. As I watched a male red-winged black bird harassed them as they had approached the reeds where there was a nest. One of these birds snapped at him with that big bill, which he easily avoided.
Red-necked Grebes
Since the egg is starting to hatch, I'm calling this 3 youngsters. I happened along just as the shift was changing. The lake is up considerably and the adults are building up the nest.
Mallards
The race is on!
House Sparrow
While I'm watchin' the grebes this guy lit at my feet. Had to back up to take the picture.
Red-necked Grebes
Check the resemblance...our profiles are identical.
Red-necked Grebes
A pair I have been watching for several days is starting to rear kids. I watched the adult take the bug out of the air and offer it to this youngster.
Red-necked Grebes
Ironic, as one pair starts to rear kids, this pair is just establishing a nest.
Red-necked Grebes
When the adults traded places one of the youngsters was dumped into the water. In that process the adults seems to have caught another bug.
Observed a crow chasing a mature sparrow from spruce tree to spruce tree...not typical behaviour in my experience.
Two birds flew across the road in front of my truck within the city of St. Albert
This year and last these little clowns have been conspicuous by their absence from Beaumaris.
Canada Geese
The big 'family' was grazing between showers.
Black-capped Chickadees
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
Black-capped Chickadees
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
Black-capped Chickadees
Spent about 25 minutes (between rains) watching the comings and goings of this pair. Often they brought caterpillars. This departing birds is carrying what I suspect is processed food.
Black-capped Chickadee
Saw a bird disappear into this hole and waited...
American White Pelican
Only saw one pelican today but I wasn't the only one looking.
American White Pelicans
These two have been here most if not all of the day. I'm not certain what purpose that horn serves but it would seem to be a nuisance, picking up weeds.
A lone male observed near Beaumaris shore.
Tree Swallow
Whenever I pass this box, now that it has residents, a head is protruding from the hole. That causes me to suspect nesting material has been stacked, from the bottom up, to facilitate a vigil.
American White Pelicans
Glanced out my window to see this pair on Beaumaris.
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
The kidnapped kids, the kidnappers and some of the birds that lost kids are doing well and helping to manage the grass.
Red-breasted Nuthatches
Watched this pair by their house. The first time I have seen either of them for a few days.
Red-winged Blackbird
Assume these birds are nesting but have yet to see definite signs of that. Said another way, I have yet to be attacked as I walk around Beaumaris.
Lesser Scaups
Circling high above Beaumaris.
Canada Geese
Caught a dabbling demo at the goose daycare. I got a shot of this batch on the water last evening...I will post it below.
Canada Geese
Sometimes it's a lot of work to get to the good grazing.
Mallards
Dug this out of my archives in response to a query and thought I should share it here. This youngster had fallen through a grate on my condo's property. I took this shot after the rescue.
Canada Geese
Almost like a parade.
Observed doing a couple of circuits over Beaumaris and being pursued by red-winged blackbirds.
American White Pelican
Seems only one showed up today.
Neighbours reported seeing pelicans earlier but these are the first I have observed this year.
Mallards
Too cute! There were 8 youngsters with the hen.
Canada Geese
Too many! I counted 28 geese in this immediate area. I think there are 21 goslings in this shot. The dominant pair, I believe, are the birds I first saw with 15 youngsters. I suspect they have been kidnapping to build the brood. The gander tends to chase off other geese that approach the youngsters.
I forgot to report that I have yet to observe a young goose on the water at Beaumaris this season. What's with that?
Mallard
Not much left, nary a bone. When I suggested coyote a passer-by claimed to have heard coyotes hear last night.
Great Blue Herons
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
Saw two of these birds patrolling the Beaumaris shore. Later saw a single; so there might have been three. Have seen them here before but not often.
Great Blue Heron
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
Great Blue Herons
Observed in flight at a distance, seen to land twice from afar but the scum of floating pollen, left by yesterday's heavy rain, made fishing well nigh impossible. I'm posting the shots of the bird merely to brag on the zoom of the Nikon P510. This bird, on shore, was not visible to my unaided eye. I'm also posting a shot of the pollen scum that impeded fishing.
Lesser Scaups
These two have been at Beaumaris a few days.
Tree Swallows
There's work to be done...don't just sit there lookin' pretty!
Tree Swallows
Seems the tree swallows have occupied another box, near the nuthatches.
Tree Swallows
Seems the tree swallows have occupied another box, near the nuthatches.
Mallards
Production is pickin' up. I suspect some of these just got out of the egg today.
Mallard
This little guy was chasin' bugs and a larger version of this pic shows one in his mouth.
Forster's Terns
This is not a great shot but they would not sit still. I opted for Forster's but it may be a common. Help.
House Sparrow
Just posing...
Mallards
The males are still on the prod...he's comin' in and she's leavin'...
House Finch
Seeing more of these this year.
Mallards
The males are still on the prod...he's comin' in and she's leavin'...
Canada Geese
She has 3 more under her...they hatched yesterday.
Black-billed Magpie
This one was just out of the tub.
Black-billed Magpie
I think this one was lookin' back at me.
Red-winged Blackbird
This guy was feeding in the grass. Every once in a while he would stop to sing...
Red-winged Blackbirds
...then he flew off.
Mallards
This hen has 10 youngsters but I couldn't catch them all in one shot. These are the first young mallards I've seen this spring.
Canada Geese
The goose nesting on the Junipers, near the Beaumaris boat launch has five hatched youngsters and the gander is waiting and watching nearby.
Red-necked Grebe
Looks like the grebes using the raft have at least 4 eggs.
Mallard
This is one of the few Beaumaris hens not setting a nest. It looked to me like she was contemplating the web missing from her left foot.
American Crows
This crow also seemed to be interested in the young geese.
American Crows
This crow also seemed to be interested in the young geese.
American Crow
This crow also seemed to be interested in the young geese.
Canada Geese
I watched these youngsters and their parents for over an hour hoping they would take to the water. During that time the gander chased off several immatures that ventured to close.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
As soon as I saw the tree swallow I wondered if it/they might be claiming the birdhouse where I had seen the nuthatch a while back. This is evidence that the nuthatches are still the occupants.
Mallard
Just too fine to pass up.
My first at Beaumaris this season just flew by my balcony.
Canada Geese
As I took several photos of this brood I thought I counted 16 youngster. This photo shows 15 and you have to look closely. There is nothing to suggest this is not a single brood. If it is it's the largest Canada Goose brood I have seen
Ring-billed Gull
These folks started shooting at a distance and worked in closer.
Common Goldeneyes
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
Canada Geese
Methinks this pair will be glad to vacate this nest!
Common Goldeneyes
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
Common Goldeneyes
This pair has been in the same spot along the Beaumaris shore for over a month. Today I watched them diving and took several shots. They are hard to catch just right in that process.
Canada Geese
First observed bird production @ Beaumaris...a pair with 4 youngsters but I couldn't catch them all together.
Canada Geese
First observed bird production @ Beaumaris...a pair with 4 youngsters but I couldn't catch them all together.
House Finch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
There is often much competition for this house before a nuthatch or a tree swallow occupies it. Haven't seen a tree swallow at Beaumaris this year.
Red-necked Grebe
Seems grebes are nesting on the Beaumaris raft.
Mallards
Mainly males...most of the hens are settin' nests.
American Crow
...lookin' back to see if I was lookin'.
Common Terns
Left my camera at home but my trusty phone caught these.
Red-winged Blackbirds
Seems the females have arrived and this guy was trying to keep an eye on some of them.
Observed 3 pairs of grebes at three active nests; one nest has 2 eggs, one has one egg and the third was covered by a setting bird.
Observed a lone bird fishing off from shore.
Observed the first grebe setting a nest on Beaumaris. Other nests are under construction.
Seemed to be alone on Beaumaris.
Observed a nest containing only shells...perhaps these are the first hatched on Beaumaris.
Canada Geese
The splashing behaviour lasted a few minutes prior to copulation. I recall similar behaviour with mallards.
Canada Geese
This, and the next goose shot, was taken on May 2. The splashing behaviour lasted a few minutes prior to copulation.
Spoke to soon...just looked off my balcony and saw four red-breasted mergansers.
At least five of these birds remain.
Six of these birds remain but saw no sign of their red-breasted cousins.
A lone male well off shore and my first of the season here at Beaumaris.
All males...my first of the season here at Beaumaris.
Perhaps there were 12...when there's that many some are usually under water.
Common Loons
At least 5 loons remain on Beaumaris. The forage fish must be thinning what with all the loons, mergansers, grebes and cormorants.
Double-crested Cormorants
I couldn't catch them all on the raft at the same time although each spent some time there, dryin' out.
Almost forgot to mention my first lesser scaups of the season, two males and a female, well off Beaumaris shores.
40 or more mallards on the lake and beginning to see more males than females, suggesting nesting has commenced
At least 10 pairs courting but see no signs of nest construction.
At least 2 pairs well off shore.
At least 3 pairs well off shore.
At least five of these birds remain on Beaumaris.
American Coot
Hope a few of these birds will nest on Beaumaris this year.
Common Goldeneyes
Saw two pairs in different areas. The males were sleeping or pretending to do that.
Bonaparte's Gull
There may have been two birds in separated areas.
All 5 birds were fishing hard.
Spotted two, high in the trees, as I sought the recently arrived grackles. So why was this bird dubbed Sturnus vulgaris?
Birds observed in different areas of Beaumaris. One was 'perched' in a tree about 3 feet above the water, not a place I would expect to see a coot. Wondering if it was chased there by a pugnacious grebe?
Likely the bird observed yesterday.
Just headed out to do a lake lap when an osprey flew over.
Great Blue Herons
The GPS feature pinpoints the location of the photo.
Great Blue Herons
A closer look...
Great Blue Herons
I didn't see the heron today but as I looked at yesterday's shots I detected a wee fish in this bird's beak. How many of those would it take to satisfy the needs of a bird this size?
Well off shore with the mergansers.
A single bird among the reeds.
Floating well off shore, too far for photos.
Floating well off shore, too far for photos. Since these birds seem to come and go, it would be interesting to know where they are spending the rest of their time.
The first of the season, for me, flew by my balcony. Others were making noise in the trees.
Great Blue Herons
Up, up and away.
Horned Grebes
These birds were fishing, right up by the shore.
Great Blue Heron
Got many shots of this bird in two locations...probably the same bird as yesterday.
Observed a single bird on Beaumaris.
Just checked the brick planter at the condo north of my building and see a goose is nesting there again.
Just looked out a some returning mergansers (common and red-breasted) to see a cormorant in their midst.
There are at least 16 and perhaps as many as 20 loons on Beaumaris today.
Great Blue Heron
Several cameras chasing this bird around Beaumaris. Tried to catch it in flight but missed.
Red-breasted Mergansers
These are the first Red-breasted Mergansers for me on Beaumaris.
Common Goldeneyes
I suspect this is one of the birds I saw earlier...showin' off to a lady sitting on a rock.
Common Goldeneyes
...the object of his attention.
Red-necked Grebes
Fishin' was good!
Red-necked Grebes
Fishin' was good!
Common Loons
Lethal weapon!
Horned Grebes
Ring-billed Gulls
This shot was taken April 25 but thought I would post it as the fish is not typical for Beaumaris.
Common Mergansers
The wouldn't bunch up but they were traveling together.
Common Goldeneyes
These birds flew over Beaumaris a couple of times but I didn't see them land.
Another fly by but I talked to a guy who caught it sitting.
Mallards
Mostly pairs.
Common Goldeneyes
1 pair.
Four pairs.
A pair of coots is drifting on the lake. Hope coots will nest on Beaumaris again this year. They gave us a pass last year.
The presence of these birds and the grebes suggest the forage fish in Beaumaris Lake survived over winter.
A single nesting goose is visible from my balcony, although I am aware of two more active nests.
A closer look out over Beaumaris, from which the gusty wind took the ice today, produced 2 more loons for a total of 3.
Just stepped out on my balcony to listen to the red-necked grebes and saw four of them.
Just stepped out on my balcony to listen to the red-necked grebes and saw a pair of Redheads.
Just stepped out on my balcony to listen to the red-necked grebes and saw a single loon.