If you like bird song, the next six weeks or so are the best weeks of the year. The finest time to hear the most birds is always right around dawn so that is the time that I arrived at Marie Curtis Park:
One bird song stood out as I walked through the forest here: A Field Sparrow.
In southern Ontario, Field Sparrows are usually found in abandoned fields with scattered small shrubs. However in migration, one had chosen to roost in the woods.
The pink bill is the most obvious field mark.
A conspicuous eye ring is also diagnostic:
The Field Sparrow resembles the American Tree Sparrow but that species has a central breast spot:
Other birds:
TEST BIRD
I received a letter suggesting that I add an unidentified “test” bird or plant to each post. At the conclusion of the post, I will identify it.
I love the woods at Marie Curtis Park and was pleased to see that the tiny flowers of Beaked Hazel were on display:
Other botany:
NATURE POETRY
The bluebird knows it is April,
and soars toward the Sun and sings. – Eben Eugene Rexford (1848–1916)
TODAY’S TEST BIRD
Though this bird is neither black nor has red wings, it is a female Red-winged Blackbird.
Miles Hearn