The Long Point Bird Observatory is one of North America’s oldest banding organizations. They operate a couple of banding stations including one at the tip of Long Point, a spit of land which attracts migrants who are weary from crossing the Great Lakes.
The tip banding station is an amazing place and I was lucky enough to be invited there a few years back. One of the first things that struck me was how quiet it was, it is not easy to find a spot where the noise of cars isn’t present.
The images are from the old Banders cabin where we stayed with sand, dry grasses and Indian Paintbrush in glorious flower.
Long Point Tip
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The Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina , is named for the black plumage which covers the neck and the cap of the male, and which sets of the gold face beautifully. It breeds in eastern North America, including small numbers in southern Canada. It is designated as threatened here due to low numbers and the increasing decline in deciduous and mixed woodland where it prefers to breed. It winters to the West Indies and Central America.
This image was taken in Long Point, Ontario where there a scattered breeding pairs.
Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina
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Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, is found throughout the Great Lakes region where it is endangered due to habitat loss. This image was taken at Long Point, Ontario
It has a high domed shell which often has spots on the top, and a deep yellow throat. It is said to live up to 80 years.
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This lovely Red-winged Blackbird was perched along the Big Creek marsh trail at Long Point. She sits on a graceful plant called phragmites or Common Reed. It is a tall plant that is often used in gardens but it has invaded natural marsh area throughout North America and is difficult to control.
Ontario Parks have recognized the dangers of this plant and are studying possible controls. They include herbicide, cutting, burning, smothering and biological.
Red-winged Blackbird female
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One of my favorite places to spend a spring morning is the Big Creek Marsh at Long Point, Ontario, one of the finest marshes left in Ontario. As a bonus, the wind was blowing enough to keep the biting bugs away.
The Marsh Wrens have arrived and set up territories and are into some serious singing. If you watch the video, you’ll see that they are not the most beautiful of singers but they are enthusiastic.
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Signs of spring creep in at a slow pace, the birds start to trickle back, trees to leaf, and the grass becomes greener. Suddenly one day, it seems to bust forth with a rush and the main sign is the flowering shrubs. Forsythia first, and later lilacs and flowering dogwood. My favorite is the Redbud. This specimen has toppled in some long ago wind but still brings forth these gorgeous cascades of color.
Early one morning, while looking for migrant birds along the lake at Long Point, Ontario,I spotted an adult fox standing like a sentinel on a pile of rubble. As I drove slowly closer I was delighted to see that there were a half a dozen young kits playing under her watchful eye. She gave a sharp alarm bark and they quickly disappeared.
I sat quietly in my car, and eventually they re-appeared. The mother had decided I was not a threat and I had the treat of watching them tussle and play. One curious young animal came within a few feet to examine me. I spent several hours watching them and eventually the adult became confident enough with my presence to go off on a hunt.
Little Blue Heron, although rare, appears annually in Ontario. This bird was reported a couple of days ago from Long Point and has been seen in the pond by the Bird Studies Canada building in Port Rowan.
The species is white as a juvenile and blue as an adult. This bird is in between those plumages. The early morning backlit light made these images difficult but it is an interesting looking plumage, well worth a look
It has been a very hard winter here in Ontario with snow and cold weather coming early and staying late. However now that it has finally broken, I know that I can look forward to my favorite time. The next six weeks will see the migrants coming through. One of the leaders of that wave is the Red-winged Blackbird. The males arrive first, chase each other about, sing and look for females. Hmm, sounds like Friday night at the local pub.
