Common Mergansers and Two Firsts: Jan. 21, 2023

On an overcast January morning at 8 am, it is still very dark as you can see by these photos.

We were fortunate to see a group of Common Mergansers out in the Humber River. The long, low profile and “sawbill” beak identify them as mergansers.

Common Mergansers
Common Mergansers
Common Mergansers
Common Mergansers
Common Merganser (male)
Common Merganser (male) with Goldeneye
Common Merganser (male)
Common Merganser (male)

Other birds:

Canada Geese
Common Goldeneyes
Downy Woodpecker (male)
Northern Cardinal (male)
American Black Duck (male)
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker (male)
American Crows
Common Goldeneye (male)
Canada Geese
Common Goldeneye (male)

In my experience, the first two bird species which start singing in late January are the Cardinal (any day now!) and the House Finch. We had a loud and joyous one this morning.

House Finch (male)

Just about every year, the first plant which I see vigorously growing is Skunk Cabbage. Some are already appearing here.

Skunk-cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Skunk-cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

Today’s group:

MILES NOTE:

I neglected to include yesterday’s (Bat Box) group photo. It is there now.

MAILBOX

The balcony hawks of West Harlem are back for another breeding season – right on schedule!

BLESSING

May you have warm words on a cold evening,

a full Moon on a dark night,

and the road downhill all the way to your door.   – Irish blessing

Miles Hearn

1 thought on “Common Mergansers and Two Firsts: Jan. 21, 2023

  1. Leigh Davidson

    Hi, Miles. My rule of thumb for cardinal song was Feb. 1 so I was surprised to hear one on Logan Ave. about a week ago. Precocious?

    I was even more surprised — concerned, in fact — to hear one in mid-December! I hope he was just extra-keen on practice, not befuddled by climate change.

    Reply

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