October – A Month On The Move and The Cold Winds of November

We knew that eventually the birds would be getting the heck out of town, and this month was the time for so many things to move through.

Mid-September is usually the big push for the Broadwing Hawks, but we still had a few stragglers passing through into the middle of October, but early October is the time the Sharp Shinned Hawks really get going, and we weren’t disappointed this year. Sharpies often follow the flocks of Blue Jays, and will try to pick up a meal along the way. As the Jays fly past the Holiday Beach tower, they are usually quiet, until suddenly a Sharpie makes an appearance and the Squawk goes up from the Jays as they dive for the trees.

Kestrels battle the winds as they struggle past, and the Merlins zip through on stronger wings.

A few of us were on the tower one day and watched as a Peregrine suddenly swooped in low over the trees, surprising the Jays that tried their best to hide. We watched the Peregrine go after a Jay and disappear behind a tree, then heard the Jay suddenly call and cut short, a splash, and observed the Peregrine fly off with the Jay in its talons. Thank you much, I’ll have my lunch to go.

One day we visited the tip at Point Pelee and enjoyed flocks of Blue Jays thinking about trying to cross Lake Erie, and deciding not to due to the winds blowing them back into the trees. It didn’t seem to bother some of the raptors who merrily headed out over the lake towards Pelee Island. Of course, some of the raptors stuck around looking for their own enjoyable little snack, much to the botherment of the Jays.

We noticed in September that many birds seemed to be really drab looking, and found out that they were molting (or moulting), the process of getting rid of the old feathers and getting new ones in. We were happy to find some nice looking Wood Ducks that had finished and were proudly showing off their new look to the world.

By the end of October many of the smaller birds have left us, and more of the larger Raptors are being counted on the Hawk Tower. We are getting more Bald Eagles making a layover and trying to get some fish before deciding to leave, the Red Tail Hawks are in abundance, and the Turkey Vultures have had an explosion this year. Apparently we have already broken a record in our area this year, and there are still more going through.

I was on the tower on Halloween afternoon, it was cold and overcast for most of the afternoon, with the sky just an ominous dark grey that is horrible for getting photographs in. Then at about 4:30, the sun broke through giving us a stunning contrast. Jokingly I said to the other counters on the tower that all we need now is a Golden Eagle to come by nice and slow so we could get our cameras out and take some photos. Not asking much.

We were all very surprised when about 2 minutes later I took my eyes off a couple of Swans, and suddenly saw an Eagle flying in. Immediately I checked through the binoculars and saw the patterning on the wings and called out “Golden Eagle!”. This was quickly confirmed and we whipped out our cameras and started clicking away. It came in just as I had asked for, and as it passed by the tower we were all totally stunned and elated and smiling from ear to ear. Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the Golden Eagle headed into the west, the sun vanished behind a cloud and we were left in shadow again. It gives me chills still as I write this.

This was a perfect way to end off the month.

So how many kids came to your place Trick or Treating? We had an excellent array of chocolates packaged up for at least 20, but for some reason it was very, very quiet. Total count? 4. What a letdown.

Sadly the weather turned in November and so did my time at the tower. It seemed like the time change brought out the winds and cloudy skies, and all the things that would keep my Lady and I busy.

Total number of days I spent on the tower? 6 if I was lucky.

This didn’t stop us from bird watching, it just kept us a bit closer to home.

We were babysitting our Grandpup the second week of November, and most days my Lady would take him out for his morning walks. On November 11, it was my pleasure to take him out, so at 10:00 we bundled up and just as we walked out the front door a Red Tailed Hawk flew over the house. That was pretty cool in itself, but then just 2 doors up the street something caught my attention, and when I looked up there was a Golden Eagle calmly circling over our little neighbourhood, about twice the height of the trees behind our houses. Both our Grandpup and I just stood there dumbfounded as we watched this beautiful creature give us a display before drifting off towards the river.

This was the month the Starlings were doing their thing and we were entitled to quite the shows. All around us we were able to see them gathering, and a few times they were hanging out in the trees right behind our house, creating a cacophony that just had to be heard to be believed.

Then we observed them as they created beautiful murmerations over the trees at Holiday Beach and I just had to keep taking photos as they weaved and painted their patterns in the sky.

Surprisingly knowing how much noise they make while sitting in the trees, they fly almost silently except for the sound of a million wings. This was noted one day when they flew directly over us as we stood amazed on the tower. One of the counters said afterward that he had never experienced anything like that. Sadly I only took photos, and no video.

So many Starlings, and only the sound of their wings

Although we heard of a Gannet in the area, we didn’t get a chance to see it, but we did go see the Ross’ Goose (geese) as there were 3 over at Jack Miner’s. Initially they stayed too far away to get any good views, but we eventually did get a chance to see them a little closer.

Then as we were leaving Jack Miner’s we spotted a male Ring Necked Pheasant at the side of the road that stayed there long enough for us to get some really good views, before running off into the corn field.

November ended on a high note for us. Sure we had snow, sure my last day on the tower was bloody cold and windy, sure the Hawk Count was coming to an end, but that didn’t stop the birds.

As my Lady and I were driving around the county we were able to find a good number of Horned Larks, Starlings and Sparrows. Then as we turned up one of the side roads a large flock of small birds on the road ahead of us. I quickly pulled over and grabbed my binos and were extremely happy to see our beloved Snow Buntings. It would have been easier to get some photos if they would stay still once in a while, but we were able to get a good number as they kept trying to figure out what they wanted.

Shortly after the Buntings gave us a show, we saw a raptor come up over the trees and of course we had to look as this looked a bit different than a Red Tail. Surprisingly it turned out to be a Rough Legged Hawk and I was able to get some wonderful photos. This was a first for my Lady, and only the third for me but the first I was able to photograph.

We were very happy as we made our way home and are looking forward to seeing wonderful things in the coming months.

Now for something completely different. Did you know that there’s an Oberon Class Submarine available to visit in Southern Ontario? My Lady and I spent a few days in the Long Point area and visited a number of locations, including Port Burwell where we had a wonderful tour of an actual decommissioned Canadian Submarine HMCS Ojibwa, by a Submariner who served aboard that vessel. A visit here is really worthwhile and is extremely important for anyone interested in Canada’s naval history.