If you see a hawk or crow being harassed high in the sky by a much smaller bird, there is a good chance you are seeing an Eastern Kingbird.

They do not hesitate to attack any interloper: hence the name.

Kingbirds breed in open areas and are usually easy to spot.

The song consists of sharp, electric, rasping or sputtering notes.

In August, kingbirds begin their long migration to South America.

One year I saw one in January (South American summer) in Argentina.

I had considered calling this post March of the Red Soldier Beetles because I saw so many on this day. These beetles are native to Europe and were introduced here. In Britain, they are called ”bonking beetles.”

The Waterfront Trail extends from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Brockville.

The Pickering section has frequent short trails to Lake Ontario and many benches with panoramic views.

Other life:

Some botany:

NATURE POETRY

Tis the middle watch of a summer night–
The earth is dark, but the heavens are bright;
Naught is seen in the vault on high
But the moon, and the stars, and the cloudless sky.   – Joseph Rodman Drake (1795–1820)

Miles Hearn