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Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (9)

Tyrannus forficatus

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Apr 29 2022

Details: adult, outside normal range

Presqu'ile Provincial Park - What a treat to see this bird. I had the one In Montreal last fall but the setting was nowhere near as good as this. I could always orient myself for the right light unlike with the other bird. The flycatcher was likely blown up by warm stormy weather that originated on the Texas coast a few days ago.

It was very cold first thing in the morning and windy after that, keeping insects low or on the ground. It always fed on the ground and seldom went to a perch so most of my shots were of it on the ground.

Date uploaded: Apr 30 2022

Comments (4):
Ahmad Shah: That is an amazing bird, superb capture, fantastic setting.
BrianMorin: I selected a nice perched shot to show the bird rather than a lawn shot. I got plenty of those. This bird was fabulous and had us enjoying the show for almost four hours before it took a long break for the afternoon.

Eastern Screech Owl (23)

Otus asio

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Details: male, adult

Ottawa - This is a known bird, quite used to people, although this was my first visit in a few years. It roosts a short distance from the nest site which the female is currently occupying. When I shot the photo, the bird was cautiously watching a mother raccoon and two kits high in a tree 8 metres away. They had just emerged for a night ramble. After a couple of minutes it launched towards the raccoons and flew right at the mother's head with wings open, likely dragging his claws on her fur as he flew by, it was that close. After a couple of minutes he repeated the attack and five minutes later did it again, each time engaging her head. It was pretty dark at that point so I didn't see the final outcome but the issue is that raccoons are one of the prime predators for Screech Owl nests.

The shots were taken as darkness was setting in so this was at only 1/10 second on tripod using a remote and ISO was up to 3200 (I don't have a mirrorless camera so ISO is an issue). Many of the shots incredibly were in focus and looked not bad. I got lucky.

Date uploaded: Apr 24 2022

Comments (5):
Chris: What a story! Great job in the conditions! Out here, I’ve yet to see or hear a western screech, and a biologist told me there were none found in the entire Vancouver region…only one far east of the city during a detailed census.
BrianMorin: I wonder if the expansion of Barred Owls has done them in. That would be a primary predator for a Screech Owl.

Harris's Sparrow (9)

Zonotrichia querula

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Apr 18 2022

Details: male, molting, outside normal range

Vankleek Hill - A species that breeds in northern Manitoba, this bird was present in a yard all winter. I failed on two previous attempts to see it so after waiting a couple of hours I was happy to finally spot it. The bird was still moulting but was far along in its progression to breeding plumage. It sang for me for about an hour which in its opening was very similar to an abbreviated White-throated Sparrow song.

Date uploaded: Apr 20 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: Fabulous. I’ve only seen one ever, an immature in Chateauguay Montreal. It also took 3 trips and lots of scope work to id. That one looks great.
BrianMorin: In the end it worked out better because I got to see the plumage looking much closer to breeding colours.

Fox Sparrow (30)

Passerella iliaca

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Apr 18 2022

Details: adult

Vankleek Hill - It took me a while to find one this spring. Our numbers are always low.

Date uploaded: Apr 19 2022

Comments (4):
Sue Bishop: Beautiful,Brian!
BrianMorin: This is one of my favourite sparrows, probably in part because we don't see many.

Pine Warbler (18)

Setophaga pinus

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Apr 15 2022

Details: male, adult

Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary - I had my first spring warbler singing away. Pines are usually early and can tolerate the cold well as long as they have enough food. When insects are not available they will eat seeds as well as berries.

Date uploaded: Apr 16 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: Fabulous. Love their song as well - good that you got him low down. In and around Long Point, I've seen/heard them 100 feet up!
BrianMorin: Agreed re the normal height. They are often well up there in evergreens.

Red-bellied Woodpecker (36)

Melanerpes carolinus

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Details: male, adult

Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary - Locally uncommon species. I'm hoping the bird finds a mate because the habitat is perfect and there are plenty of existing nest sites on the market. :)

Date uploaded: Apr 15 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: Terrific find. Lots of dazzling colours to find that mate.
BrianMorin: I heard it first then followed the calls. It never came down too far but at least it moved into the light a few times to grab some shots.

Tufted Titmouse (18)

Parus bicolor

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Apr 12 2022

Details: adult

Cornwall - A pair set up territory in a conservation area and the male was singing heartily. An uncommon to rare breeder.

Date uploaded: Apr 13 2022

Comments (4):
Chris: Amazing to see and superb capture too! It’s interesting this species isn’t expanding more rapidly to the north, given its a hardy bird.
BrianMorin: It has been a slow expansion with breeding concentrated in very low numbers along the southern border in Ontario. The population is actually declining again in the southern part of the province but holding in the East.

Wood Duck (114)

Aix sponsa

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Mar 10 2022

Details: adult, summer plummage

Ottawa - An attractive pair resting following their migration.

Date uploaded: Mar 11 2022

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Great Grey Owl (55)

Strix nebulosa

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Mar 10 2022

Details: female, immature

Ottawa - There has been a minor irruption in the east along the St. Lawrence in Quebec and parts of Eastern Ontario. They have been very difficult to locate.

Date uploaded: Mar 11 2022

Comments (2):
Ahmad Shah: Nice job finding and photographing this magnificent Owl .
BrianMorin: A lovely young lady – one of my favourite birds.

Snowy Owl (217)

Nyctea scandiaca

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Mar 4 2022

Details: male, adult

St. Rose - This male has been in the area for the winter but it was the first time I had a chance to see it up close.

Date uploaded: Mar 8 2022

Comments (4):
Sue Bishop: Stunning,Brian!
BrianMorin: I waited all winter for a chance at this bird and with luck it was close enough. I originally spotted it in a field that day but too far out to shoot.