Sad Ending for a Kinglet: April 12, 2022

Both morning and afternoon groups saw many Golden-crowned Kinglets today at Thomson Memorial Park:

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet

Nature can be very cruel and, even though parents most likely show their youngsters some of the possible perils in their search for food, occasionally calamity strikes and a horrible death is the result.

Golden-crowned Kinglet trapped in Burdock

Other birds:

American Goldfinch (male)
Red-tailed Hawk
Brown-headed Cowbird (female)
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch (male)
Red-tailed Hawk
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal (male)
Dark-eyed Junco (male)
American Robin
Red-tailed Hawk

Both groups saw butterflies:

Mourning Cloak
 Compton Tortoiseshell.
Mourning Cloak

Some botany:

Great Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
Silver Maple (Acer sachharinum)

10 am group:

1 pm group:

MAILBOX

Hi Miles
You asked me to send an article on butterflies such as the Mourning Cloak that overwinter as adults. When I first came to Canada, it amazed me to discover that the Mourning Cloak did this. I thought it was the only species that did, but others let me know this species is not alone. There are a number of good articles on the phenomenon, but I just quickly grabbed this one, knowing how efficient you are at getting reports out each day.
Thanks for a good, almost spring da
y of nature watching.

Overwintering butterflies – OFNC

NATURE POETRY

Look all around thee! How the Spring advances!
New life is playing through the gay, green trees
See how in yonder bower the light leaf dances
To the birds tread and the quivering breeze.     – Ludwig Tieck (1773–1853)

Miles Hearn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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