Because I am now farther west, the surveys, which begin one half hour before sunrise begin later. I left my lodging at 4:30 am and drove about 25 kms up a gravel logging road to begin the survey at 5:17.

MYSTERY BIRD

I will identify it at the end of the post.

Some birds that Southern Ontario bird fanciers see only in migration dominate in the sonic landscape here: Alder Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, Ovenbird, Nashville Warbler and Magnolia Warbler.

In my childhood we never saw ravens in the Toronto area due to DDT poisoning and hunting. I am delighted to say that they are now seen fairly regularly in the GTA.

But up here, north of Lake Superior, they are easy to find. Unlike the crow which is restricted to a vocabulary of “caw”, the raven has a large variety of clicks, clacks, bell-notes, screams, gurgles, croaks, harsh grating sounds and shrill alarms. This morning I saw some doing 360 degree turns in the sky. No wonder that Charles Dickens had one as a pet.

Here are some raven photos from this morning.

Near the Terrace Bay paper mill I found an adult with chicks.

Other birds:

The air this morning was drenched with the sweet perfume of the emerging Balsam Poplars:

Other botany:

MYSTERY BIRD

The broad black line through the eye with a white line above it and the rusty underparts identify this as a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

MAILBOX

Hi Miles, love those Sandhill cranes. Last week, Thursday June 3, 2021, I had the unbelievable good luck to see 35 or so American white pelicans off the tip of Point Pelee. I’d been birding with 2 of my brothers, still can hardly believe what I saw. May have to do with global warming. Thanks for your posts, I read them religiously.

NATURE POETRY

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted–nevermore! – Edgar Allen Poe

Miles Hearn