In the 1960’s, the Mallard eclipsed the American Black Duck as the most important “puddle duck” in Ontario. Black Ducks have had to yield first place to the prettier and more trusting Mallards.

After some visits to Col. Sam Smith Park this fall when no American Black Ducks were seen, several were present today.

Other birds:

Species list: red-necked grebe, double-crested cormorant, mallard, American Black duck, gadwall, mute swan, ring-billed gull, Cooper’s hawk, rock dove, downy woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, golden-crowned kinglet, ruby-crowned kinglet, European starling, yellow-rumped warbler, house sparrow, northern cardinal, house finch, American goldfinch, white-crowned sparrow. (23 species)

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.                                           – Emily Brontë (1818–48)

Miles Hearn