Bufflehead in Etobicoke Creek: Nov. 10, 2022

Buffleheads are fairly common in open waters in southern Ontario in winter but are very scarce anywhere in Ontario in summer. They breed in northern Canada and Alaska.

Bufflehead dive for aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks. They typically swallow their food while still underwater. Dives last on average about 12 seconds and rarely more than 25 seconds, typically staying on the surface another 12 seconds or so before diving again. (allaboutbirds)

We had a male this morning at Marie Curtis Park.

Bufflehead (male)
Bufflehead (male)
Bufflehead (male)
Bufflehead (male)

Other birds:

Canada Geese
hybrid “bib” duck
Canada Geese
Mallard hybrid
Mallard (male)
American Robin
Mallard (female)
Herring Gulls with Ring-bill (front)
Black Duck attacking female Mallard
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Black Duck (male)

Some botany:

Phragmites (Phragmite australis)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
White Sweet-clover (Melilotus alba)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Mullein (Verbascum thapsis)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
White Pine needles
Common Blackberry (Rubus alleghenisnsis)
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Sensitive Fern fertile fronds
Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta)

Today’s group:

MAILBOX

Some great photos of squabbling owls versus anything that flies. 😊

NATURE POETRY

Tis all a myth that Autumn grieves,
For, watch the rain among the leaves;
With silver fingers dimly seen
It makes each leaf a tambourine.     – Samuel Minturn Peck (1854–1938)

Miles Hearn

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