The yellow warblers have returned to the marsh. It's a delight to hear their cheerful sweet, sweet, sweet song as they flit among the trees, or Cyd, Cyd, Cyd Charisse, as I liken it to. This male was singing his heart out yesterday, as he moved from one branch to another. Apparently the males precede the females by a week or two, and immediately begin their territorial singing. So I guess this fellow was doing what comes naturally.
I finally got back to the marsh today, the first time since Sunday there's been a break in the weather. I was a little surprised to see the buffleheads still in residence. I expected them to be off to their nesting grounds by now (our population probably nests in northern Ontario). This flock was taking short circling flights and then returning to the water this morning, perhaps getting ready to depart.
On Sunday, May 8th, not too much in evidence at the marsh - saw three pairs of Canada geese, but not the pair with young, darn - but did get several shots of this greater yellowlegs busily feeding in the shallows off one of the points. It caught at least two minnows while I was watching.
I didn't get to the marsh today (I was digging in compost, etc. in my new veggie garden before the rain), but my son Chris did, and got this shot of the first new Canada geese family of the season. I thought the way the pair had been acting the last few days it wouldn't be long. 'Can't wait to see them for myself.
This pair of greater yellowlegs which I caught this morning is newly arrived at the marsh, on the way to their nesting grounds farther north. They may spend days or a few weeks here before moving on, and then may stop here in the late summer for several weeks before heading south. When flushed, they emit a distinctive, ringing tew, tew, tew call.
Even the muskrats are in nesting mode, as seen by this shot I got this morning at the marsh. The muskrat was heading right for the bank where it disappeared, likely into a burrow inside the bank. Beside the trail above the spot where it disappeared is a fresh hole, perhaps the back entrance to the burrow.
Well, I was one excited person yesterday morning when I discovered the shape I could see sitting on the osprey platform at the marsh - was an osprey! In the years I have been walking this trail, I have never seen it used as a nesting site. Three sticks can be seen under the bird, and I thought - we just might have an osprey nesting at the marsh this year. However, I think my hopes were dashed, as this morning, the platform was as empty as ever...
I caught this Savannah sparrow at the marsh yesterday morning. A common sparrow, it can be easily overlooked. But this time of the year, in the breeding season, the yellow stripe over its eye is especially bright, helping it stand out.
I'm a little confused with what's going on with the wood ducks at the marsh. I keep seeing two pairs, including this pair who were resting on one of the berms in the marsh yesterday. About two weeks ago, I found a whole group of them, mostly males, swimming around a couple of females, but no sign of that group since. Apparently the two resident pair aren't in nesting mode as of yet...
The marsh is a busy - and noisy - place these days, with birdsong sounding from every corner and nesting activity on the upswing. This female red-winged blackbird was scouting for nesting material in the smaller marshy area alongside the railbed yesterday morning. She would pick up pieces like the one here, then discard them and go looking for another.
