Redpolls at Ashbridges Bay: November 23, 2020

I went early to Ashbridge’s Bay hoping to get some photos of the snow that fell yesterday. My neighbourhood was full of it.

Curiously, there was no snow at Ashbridge’s perhaps because the lake keeps the area warmer than residential streets further north.

Hornet’s nest

Some botany:

English Oak (Quercus robur)
Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Larch (Larix decidua)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

This is my 3rd post of the fall which highlights Redpolls. We have also had them at Col Sam Smith Park and Marie Curtis Park plus a short fly-by at the Bluffs.

Common Redpoll

Redpolls are small, stubby-billed finches with a bright red cap, blackish chin and dark streaks on the side.

Common Redpoll

They particularly enjoy the many Black Alder cones found here.

Common Redpoll

They are winter visitors are usually seen in twittering flocks of various sizes, feeding either in weed patches on the ground or in trees.

Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll

As usual here, the chickadees were happy to see us and brought a White-breasted Nuthatch with them.

Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch

Other birds:

American Robin
Long-tailed Duck (female)
Long-tailed Ducks (female)
Long-tailed Duck (female)
Long-tailed Duck (male)
Canada Goose
Mallard (female)
Buffleheads
Hybrid “Bib” Duck
Common Mergansers (female)
Common Mergansers (female)
Gadwall (female)
Gadwall

Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, gadwall, long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, common merganser, bufflehead, ring-billed gull, black-capped chickadee, American robin, white-breasted nuthatch, northern cardinal, common redpoll. (16 species)

Today’s group:

Here is a fine short video of a starling “murmuration.”

POETRY

Away with the bird that twitters!

All that glitters is jitters!

Roses, roses are gray,

Violets cry Boo! and frighten me.

Melancholy is what I brag and boast of,

Melancholy I plan to make the most of.

You beaming optimists shall not destroy it,

But while I am at it, I intend to enjoy it. – Ogden Nash

Miles Hearn

5 thoughts on “Redpolls at Ashbridges Bay: November 23, 2020

  1. rosemarie fischer

    thanks Miles for the cute pics,they actually eat right out of your hands,amazing,also,the video of the starlings is something else. They came from Europe but adapted here,that is really something else!!!

    Reply
  2. Roberta Benson

    Love the pictures of the chickadees and RBN eating from the hands, they wait for you to come by I’m sure.
    The starling murmuration video was breathtaking, thanks.

    Reply
  3. Gail Adams

    I am frustrated trying to sign up for the winter session.
    The system for replacing your username is not working and the mail boxes at TDSB are all full.
    Do you know if there are many free spaces? Have you had any others from your class report difficulty in signing in? I hope I shall be able to join the class in January .

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *