The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is a project between Birds Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ministry of Natural Resources Government of Ontario , Ontario Field Ornithologists and Ontario Nature. The project uses volunteer birders to input data to determine the breeding birds of Ontario. It started Jan. 1, 2021, but I just started participating this year for the breeding season the end of May til mid July. It is the final of the 5 years and as I participated in the previous one, I volunteered to help out at the tail end.
I was given a square that was quite rural, on the south edge of Lambton county. I went out for 7 to 9am most weekends and did several point counts (determining the number of birds seen and heard in a 5 minute period at a predetermined area).
Male Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis on territory
It was fun and interesting, and a lot of work! I learned a great deal about birds, about their breeding habits, and also about the rural area of the county that I call home.
My square!
There were some surprises and some scary moments, but all in all it was an enjoyable experience!
Family of Sandhill Cranes Grus canadensis
Male Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla on territory
Hungry juvenile Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor
Northern House wren
Troglodytes aedon removing a fecal sac from her nest
Juvenile Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
I've always lived in a small town, surrounded by agriculture, and this reminded me of the country roads of my childhood. I loved looking at the horses and cows and though I didn't have bison or zebra in my square like others did, I did have Guinea Fowl that I thought were Wild Turkey.
I also had a surprise encounter with a beautiful doe and her 2 fawns.
I love the farm life and I've had the honour of owning a couple of horses, so of course these domesticated animals that helped us in settling this land were of special interest.
On my way to and from I noticed some things of note. My tour was through Oil City, Oil Springs and Dawn Euphemia, starting at Bentpath to Dawn Valley to Kent Line and Pretty Rd. I noticed some Barn Quilts on the way, this is one that is quite nice.
This whimsical gal greets those on the corner of Oil Heritage and Petrolia Line.
Many sad abandoned buildings.
Unfortunate feast for hungry Turkey Vultures Cathartes aura
Super friendly kitty! Also encountered one not so friendly dog, no photo!
Super friendly cows with babies!
View from the edge of the woodlot
Most of the point counts were roadside, but there were two off road. One was in a woodlot at the corner of Pretty Rd. and Lambton Line. I pulled up on the road and walked a little bit towards the woodlot, the field had not been planted yet and it was pretty muddy. I walked the perimeter a bit and then noticed a white pick up truck pulled up beside my car. I was happy to meet the property owner and we had a friendly conversation about the Atlas and what I was doing there. She let me know that there was a cabin in the woodlot and that if her husband agreed, I would have permission to go into to do the offroad. She asked me to text her when I went in and when I left and to wear bright clothing. They do target shooting in there, but likely not the time I would require. I eventually got permission and realized that 20 years ago when they set the offroad point counts that the land would look much different. They had gotten quite a bit of rain the previous night, but I persisted. Unfortunately I didn't have tools to bushwack and I only got Song Sparrow and Red Winged Blackbird. I know there was Pileated Woodpecker on the other side of the woodlot, so it is a good area for diversity.
I did not attempt to gain permission for the other offroad as it was too creepy, maybe if I had a group of people with me.
It was alot of driving, not so much hiking, but worth it for providing valuable data for the Atlas. and for getting in a lot of crop tours! The next one I will in my 80"s! Will I participate? Probably!
https://www.birdsontario.org/ Ontario Breeding bird Atlas
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