{"id":3440,"date":"2021-02-24T01:57:51","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T06:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bg.esilverstrike.com\/?post_type=programs&p=3440"},"modified":"2024-02-16T15:08:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T20:08:48","slug":"daves-feathered-friends","status":"publish","type":"programs","link":"https:\/\/www.burlingtongreen.org\/es\/programs\/naturaleza-amigable-burlington-2\/daves-emplumed-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"#Daves Feathered Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We love sharing resources and tips to help YOU connect with nature, not just more often, but in different ways. Observing and learning to identify local wildlife is not only a great way to interact with nature, but it is also fun and rewarding!<\/p>\n

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Friend to both BurlingtonGreen and our local feathered friends, resident Dave Tourchin, is teaching us about local birds. Our #DavesFeatheredFriends social media feature is all about showcasing birds you can observe locally, including how to identify them, where you may find them and even what they sound like.<\/p>\n

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Print out this handy Checklist for Beginner-Intermediate Birders (PDF)<\/a><\/span>, so you can check out all of the amazing birds you have been learning about and spotting at home and out in nature!<\/p>\n

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Check out the growing list of #DavesFeatheredFriends features below, and click here for a fabulous series of BurlingtonGreen video recordings about birds<\/a> featuring special guest presenter Bob Bell.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAn Introduction to Warblers<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Spring is special, with so many birds arriving to breed, or migrate through our city. Most notable are the active and colourful warblers!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Birds migrate at night, landing in early morning to rest and forage. If you’re outside before 9am in the spring, you might get lucky and see many warblers. They typically don’t visit feeders, as they mainly feed on insects and larvae in trees and bushes. Warblers are among the last to arrive, and the first to leave in mid-August\/Sept. on their long journey to Latin America.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Why not use this stay-at-home period to learn the warblers? Many are distinctive and visible near the ground or mid-level tree canopy – learn those ones first (we’ll help you!).
Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmerican Coot<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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This interesting and unusual bird can be spotted near the shore at several parks around Burlington Bay and Hamilton Harbour (eg. LaSalle Park, Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park). Often mistaken for a duck, the American Coot is actually in a family of birds called “Rails”.<\/div>\n
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It has a dark grey body, a white bill, red eye, and unmistakable green legs, and feeds on plant material. They are most numerous locally between fall and early spring. See if you can spot some on the Bay!<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmerican Goldfinch<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Ahh, good old Goldfinch! Their brilliant yellow plumage, stark black wings, and orange beak is always a treat for the eyes. They are common locally year-round, albeit their bright plumage molts into more subdued colours by the time they flock to winter backyard feeders.<\/div>\n
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Their unique flight pattern consists of BIG dips in the air. At the bottom of each dip, they chirp 4 times (saying “po-ta-to-chip”) as they flap their wings and rise up again…watch them land in a nearby tree, and there’s your Goldfinch! Also, watch for them feeding on seeds of small plants, like thistles.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAmerican Redstart<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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This striking warbler is fairly common, but takes a bit of looking to spot. Listen for their high-pitched song to hone in on them in the low to mid-level tree canopy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Look for a small, black bird with orange on sides and distinctive orange notch marks on the tail (females are greyish with similar yellow markings). Their colouring resembles an Oriole, but they are much smaller and have a white belly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hotspot to see them: along the trails at the east end of LaSalle Park in spring & summer!<\/div>\n
Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Let’s take a pause from winter ducks to meet the American Tree Sparrow! You may spot this one foraging for seeds on the ground while out hiking, or below your bird feeder, or perched low in a tree. At first glance you may think it’s just another local sparrow, but far from it. This winter visitor comes to us from the tundra regions of the Canadian far north!<\/div>\n
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To identify a Tree Sparrow, look at its unique beak — the top half is black, the bottom half is yellow. Also, look for a dark spot in the centre of its clear (non-streaked) breast. These, together with a brown cap and brown eye line, are unmistakable ID marks.<\/div>\n
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They can be spotted anywhere around the city in winter, but good places to look are trails at Cityview Park, LaSalle Park, RBG’s Hendrie Valley, and Bronte Creek Provincial Park.<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlack-Capped Chickadee<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Who doesn’t love the super cute Chickadees? Did you know that the number of ‘dees’ they add to their namesake ‘Chickadee-dee-dee’ call can indicate their level of alarm? Did you know they also have a song? It’s 1 high note followed by 2 low notes, as if saying, “Hey, sweetie”. Listen for it the next time you’re in a wooded area.
Hear it and learn more<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlack-and-white Warbler<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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As far as warblers go, this one is easy to identify and remember. It is simply a streaked black and white warbler.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hotspots to see them are Hendrie Valley (RBG) and LaSalle Park, but really they can be found anywhere, foraging for insects on tree limbs.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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They are quite vocal, so listen for their high-pitched song to help locate them.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlack-crowned Night-Heron<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Many are familiar with the Great Blue Heron, but have you seen this other local heron? A heron’s plumage can make them difficult to spot as they stand motionless amongst trees, reeds, and driftwood, but careful scanning of wetlands can reveal their presence.<\/p>\n

The stocky Black-crowned Night-Heron is most commonly seen near dusk, as it ventures out from its daytime roosting hideaway to feed along shorelines.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hotspots to look: Hendrie Valley boardwalk & trails, LaSalle Park shoreline, and Cootes Paradise. (Also, keep an eye out for Green Herons, too!)<\/p>\n

Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlack-Throated Blue Warbler<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Our city is a brief stopover destination for this warbler each spring and fall, on their migratory journey between the Caribbean and the more northern forests of Ontario and Quebec. Watch for them in May and again in September\/October, in the shrubby understory and lower canopy of forested areas.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Learning their buzzy, “I am so lazzzy” song, with the last note rising upward, can alert you to their presence. The females are mostly light brown, yet have the same distinctive white square mark (“handkerchief”) on their wings, as the males do.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlack-throated Green Warbler<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

It’s warbler time…again! In May, we featured a few warblers of spring migration. Well, the warblers have bred, raised their young, and are now passing back through the city in September and October, on their long journey to their winter homes in Latin America.<\/p>\n

Some young birds don’t have their full colours yet, and some adults have lost their bright, spring breeding\u00a0colours, making them trickier to identify. Fortunately, there are many that do retain their colours, such as the Black-throated Green Warbler. This one has a black and white body, a yellow face with a dusky cheek patch, and a greenish back. Males have a black throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Watch for them and other warblers fueling up on insects in a tree canopy near you! (Tip: mornings are the best time to look.)<\/p>\n

Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrown Creeper<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
The Brown Creeper is common to our region and is fun to watch. You are more likely to see them in fall & winter. However, because they are small, and their brown backs resemble tree bark, they are easy to miss. They typically fly down to the base of a tree trunk, and creep up the tree in a spiral pattern in search of insects, then swoop down to the base of the next tree and repeat. Keep a keen eye out for them while walking on wooded trails in winter, or on the wooded edges of parks.<\/div>\n
Learn more.<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrown Thrasher<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Another mimic, the Brown Thrasher is also a pro at imitating other birds’ songs. It’s a Robin-sized, light brown bird, with a yellow eye. They can be hard to spot at times, hidden in dense foliage. Cityview Park is a hotspot to listen for them (near south parking lot area).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen for a bird perched in a tree singing a wide variety of songs back-to-back, with each sung only twice before moving to the next song. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of this striking bird!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBufflehead<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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This duck breeds in the boreal forest of central Canada, with many migrating to our local shorelines for winter. The Bufflehead is a very small duck, with a large head. Males have a characteristic white patch on the back of their head (in suitable light, you may also see green\/purple iridescence). Females have a brown head with a white cheek patch.<\/div>\n
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Being diving ducks, Buffleheads are under water a lot, foraging for food. You can often spot them through binoculars from any of our waterfront parks during winter.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Interesting nature niche: Buffleheads nest in old tree holes made by Northern Flickers that other cavity nesting ducks can’t fit into!<\/div>\n
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Listen and learn more!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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This large duck breeds in central and northwest Canada, with many migrating to our local shorelines for the winter. They are easily recognized by their uniquely sloped forehead that continues down through their bill, reminiscent of a ‘ski jump’. The males have a grey-white body, with black on either end, and a beautiful rust-red head and red eye. Females are similar with a light brown head.<\/div>\n
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Canvasbacks are divers that often feed on the base of plants at the lake bottom. They are particularly fond of the Burlington Bay area off of LaSalle Park and Bayshore Park, where it’s not uncommon to see 50 to 100 of them in winter, through binoculars.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCarolina Wren<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

This small vocal bird is full of character! Listen for a loud “tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle” song and other loud calls, to help you locate them. They have the typical wren shape (plump body and narrow, upright tail), but their bold, white eye-stripe and yellow belly is unique. Watch for them low to the ground and in bushes. Good places to look\/listen are along the LaSalle Park and Paletta Lakefront Park wooded trails.
Listen and learn more<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCardinals<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Have you ever wondered, are Cardinals actually a brighter red in winter? Yes, they are!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Male Northern Cardinals molt and regrow their feathers in late summer and early fall, with the colour of the fresh new feathers reaching a peak in winter, just as mating season approaches.\u00a0
Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCedar Waxwing<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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How impressive is this bird’s colourful plumage? They are often up high in the trees and are more prevalent than you may realize, year-round. They are late breeders and can be seen attending to nests as late as July and August. Their courtship ritual involves a ‘hopping dance’ toward each other and the exchange of berries and other offerings.<\/div>\n
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Listen for their faint and extremely high-pitched “zeeeee” call. Checking the tops of nearby trees may reveal several of them perched together, often on exposed branches or feeding on berries. Learn their call and see if you can spot them more often!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChestnut-Sided Warbler<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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This is also one of Dave’s favourite warblers!\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It’s the bird that sings, “Pleased, pleased, pleased to meetch-you!” This dapper warbler has a yellow cap and chestnut patch on sides, and can often be spotted at close range on the branches of young trees along the edges of open spaces.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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They also respond well to “pishing”. If you make a “Pshh, pshh, pshh” sound, they will sometimes come closer to investigate!<\/div>\n
Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChimney Swift<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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If you find yourself in downtown Burlington in spring or summer, between Maria and Pine Street, listen for the chattering of Chimney Swifts overhead, especially around sunset.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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They are dark grey with a cigar-shaped body, and wings that arc backward (ie. a “flying cigar”). Check out their aerial acrobatics, often high up, as they glean insects from the air!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & view<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCliff Swallow<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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They look similar to the familiar Barn Swallow, but have a squared-off tail, rather than the deeply forked “swallow tail” of the Barn Swallow. Also, note the white, triangular patch on the forehead, and white belly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hot spot tip: Cliff Swallows nest under the Brant Street Pier! Spring and summer mornings are the best time to see many of them foraging for flying insects around the pier. They’re very fast and busy, but see if you can identify them!<\/div>\n
Learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommon Goldeneye<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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This duck is plentiful at our end of Lake Ontario during winter. The male has a green head, with a large, white dot behind its bill, and a golden eye. The female has a brown head with a yellow tip on the bill, and a golden eye.<\/div>\n
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They can be seen from any of the waterfront parks around the GTHA. Watch for the males’ unusual courtship display, where they stretch their head back to touch their rump, then spring forward. When in flight, their wings make a unique whistling sound. Goldeneye numbers have increased here since Zebra Mussels invaded the Great Lakes, as they are a food source.<\/div>\n
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Note: if you ever see a male that has a large, white inverted comma behind its bill instead of a dot, this is the similar Barrow’s Goldeneye, a rare and highly sought-after find by local birders!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Listen & learn more<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommon Redpoll<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
Redpolls in Burlington?\u00a0 Finches that usually dwell farther north have moved south in search of more food. The cute Common Redpoll is the most likely finch you’d see, at a feeder or in large flocks in birch trees feeding on catkins. There’s also the odd chance of spotting an Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, or White-winged Crossbill. They’re not everywhere, but a few are around, so if you do see one, consider it a special treat!<\/div>\n
Learn more.<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommon Yellowthroat<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

There’s a good chance you’ve heard this common warbler before, if haven’t seen it. It sings a “witchety – witchety – witchety – witchety” song, often heard while walking along edges of wetlands or brushy fields.<\/p>\n

They are small and often hidden, but if you watch where their song is coming from, you’ll likely spot them darting out periodically. The males have an unmistakable black mask. Yellowthroats respond well to “pishing” and will often pop out to investigate the curious sound. Try it…”Pshh, pshh, pshh!”<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDark-Eyed Junco<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
This beautiful bird is common to our region each fall\/winter. They can be seen flitting around near the ground, or perched low in a tree. Look for them on the edge of trails or walking paths lined by bushes and trees, in your yard or at a feeder. A key ID feature is their bright white tail edges that flash white when they fly. Their song is a steady trill.<\/div>\n