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On the brighter side some birds are back!

On the brighter side some birds are back!

nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

Nice
4/22/2020 at 8:46 PM

Collection of bird pics. The gulls you have pictured are Ring-billed gulls (they look chilled, don’t they?) ...one of few varieties of gulls we see on the prairies. Most prefer the ocean/coastlines.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Gulls
4/23/2020 at 10:23 AM

nicemoustache said "Collection of bird pics. The gulls you have pictured are Ring-billed gulls (they look chilled, don’t they?) ...one of few varieties of gulls we see on the prairies. Most prefer the ocean/coastlines. "
Thanks for that and all your tips, I've updated!

One more of the Kestrel about 2 seconds before a crow came in and shooed it away. Impressive looking little creature, but sure seems to have to put in a lot of effort to get to soaring height!
plane watcher
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 209

plane watcher
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 209

Not a bird
4/23/2020 at 6:58 PM

But still, a sign of the season. Finally.

Next up, soon, Tulips
GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

Yes that's a red-tailed hawk
4/27/2020 at 11:49 AM

Adam said "
Thanks all, learning lots and having fun doing it. Last night was a bit of a gold mine for this stuff... Was taking pics of the Osprey and a few of the usuals at the Discovery Centre (ducks, seagulls)... looked a little different direction and bald eagle passes over. It kept going toward Queen E/Rec Centre area where there was eventually a visible flock of a ton of something circling that looked similar size to the eagle. Figured I’d go for a drive and that’s where the turkey vultures ended up being (behind Rec centre). Saw at least one more turkey vulture around Corral today... from what I’ve seen we arent far from the limits of their range, maybe they’re around for the summer, or more typical to see a stopover for a few days??

Added another from this afternoon while we were waiting for a Corral Centre pickup... no award winning shot but hopefully enough to ID...bird app's best guess is red tailed hawk?
"
They vary a lot in plumage but the dark belly band is usually a giveaway
GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

Even the little birds are coming back
4/27/2020 at 12:28 PM

This ruby-crowned kinglet sat still for a moment so I could get this photo. I saw 4 on my morning walk.
GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

GMB
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5

Red crossbill
4/27/2020 at 12:33 PM

We usually only get these guys in Brandon in the winter - but here it is, posing very nicely.
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

House Finch
4/27/2020 at 4:40 PM

plane watcher said "I still think house finch. If I see streaky on the flanks or breast I think House. I still reserve the right to be shown wrong.

Get out there Adam and get some better pictures :-) "
I agree it looks like a House Finch to me. I took this photo near the cemetery.

Edited by CarolynJ, 2020-04-27 16:42:01
mycomment
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37

mycomment
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37

more birds
4/28/2020 at 5:02 PM

Loons and killdeer arrived back at Lake of the Prairies a few days ago.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

House finch
4/28/2020 at 7:54 PM

CarolynJ said "I agree it looks like a House Finch to me. I took this photo near the cemetery.

Edited by CarolynJ, 2020-04-27 16:42:01"
Great shot... so sharp!
Three of these (male and 2 females) have shown an interest in the grape vine today. Seem to be taking an interest in more than just the few leftover grapes from last year. They wouldn't go for buds before they pop would they?
curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

barn swallows!
5/14/2020 at 10:30 PM

Saw the first barn swallow tonight!
That means it's time to put up the hummingbird feeders. An older farmer told me that if you have the feeders up when the hummingbirds first come back, they will visit the feeders all summer as part of their regular 'route' for food. Have done this the past few years and have had so many hummingbirds fighting over the feeders that I now put up 6 of them on different parts of my property.
Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

Oriole’s are back!
5/15/2020 at 12:37 PM

Hummingbirds should be coming soon!
curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

Oooo
5/15/2020 at 12:47 PM

I gotta get some oranges to put up for the orioles!!
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

Buds
5/16/2020 at 3:49 PM

Adam said "
Great shot... so sharp!
Three of these (male and 2 females) have shown an interest in the grape vine today. Seem to be taking an interest in more than just the few leftover grapes from last year. They wouldn't go for buds before they pop would they?
"
I believe they eat the buds as well as seeds and some berries and fruit.
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
5/16/2020 at 3:57 PM

Yesterday in the west end.
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

Peregrine Falcon
5/16/2020 at 4:05 PM

*
Janet
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 255

Janet
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 255

Orioles
5/16/2020 at 5:16 PM

are back in my yard on the hill. One male and three females.
curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

curlysister
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2980

yay!
5/16/2020 at 6:05 PM

I put up my feeders Thursday night, and the first hummingbird was at one of them on Friday at supper! Yay!
Haven't seen any orioles here yet.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Bees
5/17/2020 at 8:27 PM

Haskap flowers have really popped this weekend. Not many bees onto them yet but the odd bumble bee like this one checks in to have it’s way... will be grand central station in a week or so by the time Apple blossoms open up!
Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

First hummingbird!
5/18/2020 at 8:00 AM

First hummingbird just arrived in my back yard!!
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

Goslings
5/25/2020 at 3:18 PM

I've been seeing quite a few goslings around in the last few days!
CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

CarolynJ
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266

... More Goslings
5/25/2020 at 3:21 PM

...more goslings
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Eagle
6/22/2020 at 12:35 AM

Better late than never, finally got a little closer of a crack at an eagle near Oak Lake...
Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

Hocus Pocus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 86

gorgeous Adam!
6/22/2020 at 10:24 PM

Wow.. that is incredible.. great photos. I’ve been looking for the one that was hanging around the riverbank every time I’m in the area.. might have to take a drive to Oak Lake...Stunning birds, incredible you’ve seen two.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Eagle
6/23/2020 at 9:02 AM

Thank you!
This one wasn’t right at Oak Lake, it was 10-15 min away from the general area. Maybe someone more familiar with the area can share if they’re at all common near the lake itself.

I wouldn’t totally rule out it being the same bird that was over Brandon, but isn’t the only one around. Saw a juvenile a few weeks ago on the way to Rivers, but not quite the same sight until they’ve developed that white head! Another more mature one soaring by the river near Melita when was down there last month but too high for a half decent pic.

Out of respect to wildlife and rural property owners I try not to share exact locations outside of the city, but generally speaking for any of these having a river nearby seems to increase probability!
BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

Robins
6/26/2020 at 2:58 AM

I've been seeing a few robins up in Minnedosa for last couple weeks already. Not too many mosquitoes. Lots of crows, ravens, sparrows...it's just so wonderful to see summer again and hear the birds chirping outside!
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Hawk
8/23/2020 at 10:16 PM

Calling hawk pros.... who am I looking at here from Discovery Centre tonight (were three of them hanging out in the field). Swainson's on account of yellow beak base?
nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

I would say correct
8/23/2020 at 11:30 PM

Swainson’s hawk in what they call a “light morph” version....and probably a juvenile judging by the blotchiness of some of the markings on the neck that will normally turn into a full dark bib /chest region.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Hawk
8/24/2020 at 9:17 AM

thx for the quick reply! I've had it suggested that it might actually be that they were broad winged hawks.

When it rains it pours it seems. This one perched on a light post this AM just off Kirkaldy. Distinct reddish eye, which from what I could tell might indicate Coopers Hawk?

Edited by Adam, 2020-08-24 09:25:51
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Hawks
8/24/2020 at 11:20 AM

Posted a few more pics at https://ebrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=874
nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

nicemoustache
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167

Swainson’s vs Broad-winged
8/24/2020 at 5:34 PM

Hard to tell the size without much to compare it to...but there is a significant size difference between the two, the Swainson’s would have a wingspan of about 4’...maybe just over... the Broad-winged is considerably smaller at around 33” wingspan, no bigger than a crow.

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