One of the biggest measurements of the spring season is the migration of our fine feathered friends and it is definitely in full swing.
Merlin
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
Spring migration has a tendency to be more gradual than in fall, so it seems and often starts when you are not expecting it to, sometimes beginning with the surprise transient visitor who may have blown off course and is not abundant to the area.
So far this season I haven’t had any of the unusual appearances but it is still early. More often than not they will arrive before a large storm.
My first observation of the year for my home neighborhood was the arrival of one of our resident nesting pair of Merlin. Our feeders had been extremely busy with huge numbers of Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch, Dark Eyed Juncos with a few Common Redpolls thrown in as well as the usual feeder birds. The sound was deafening.
That particular day there was a major change from the norm as a late winter storm moved in. Inactivity led to silence. The behavior of the feeder birds had changed.
Bald Eagle
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
American Kestrel
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Rough Legged Hawk
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Pat – my husband, had walked up to the window just in time to see a large raptor flying towards it but didn’t get a good look at it – window strike averted.
Belted Kingfisher
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
As I arrived home that day I could see it sitting in a tree above the road just two doors down. It was good enough to sit and wait while I went into the house, changed my camera lens, and walked over to take a photo.
A few days later the mate arrived. And the two have been causing havoc at my feeders since – forcing us to start dismantling our feeding stations early.
It’s fascinating to watch a Merlin take down another bird like a Dark Eyed Junco for sustenance where the numbers are high , but, I would feel terrible if I witnessed it take one of my Northern Cardinal pair.
Wood Duck (Drake)
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
This is the first spring in quite some time I have been able to observe the greater part of the spring migration here in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District.
Not only am I on a constant learning curve and educating myself, but it’s a social event for me and others as well and after watching my home feeders all winter, when I arrive back home I feel fulfilled.
Northern Cardinal (female)
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
There is a great community of birders here with a common thread. They are knowledgeable, skilled, social and willing to share that knowledge. The group may consist of research scientists, botanists, ornithologists, entomologists, foresters, young adults and children or even photographers. There is no set stereotype.
American Coot
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
Most seasoned birders whoever they are, will acknowledge you when you approach and strike up a great conversation.
Safety is of utmost importance and when out walking trails alone. I feel there is a birder, a photographer or someone I know very near by so I am much more comfortable and I would hazard a guess others are as well.
Turkey Vulture
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
However, I never leave it to chance – there is always a game plan, I’m dressed for the weather conditions, there is a phone in my pocket, necessary tools with me, insect repellent, sunscreen, clothing with zippered pockets, extra clothing in the vehicle, camera gear, binoculars, roadside assistance plan on my person and no unnecessary risks are taken. I’m also following my new regime of full cover, SPF 70 sunscreen and a hat for sun protection.
Before I leave home I make someone there aware of where I am going and often also the person at my intended destination. When that destination changes I make a call to home.
For whatever reason I would never announce publicly on social media where I am or going to be especially when I am alone nor would I ask a stranger to take me somewhere. This appears to be a quite common practice as of late with folks who are wanting to go out aurora chasing (not necessarily birding) which could in effect be a recipe for disaster for both parties.
Red Wing Blackbird (male)
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
While out birding the priority is on learning the species, making the identification and getting photographic proof of sighting first and foremost. In my books next on my agenda and most important to me is being present in the moment and seizing what gift it is giving me. Images that I take at this time are not necessarily competition or portfolio worthy. If there is enough time to spend and the subject gives the opportunity then I make the most of it and sometime a great image comes my way and I am grateful.
Isn’t it amazing at this time of year the observed plumage change from winter to breeding as you can see the metamorphosis take place before your eyes like in the case of the American Goldfinch male you see here. Goldfinches tend to remain around a food source all winter – few will migrate. This year they were plentiful at my feeders.
Sandhill Crane
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
American Goldfinch (male – transitioning to breeding plumage)
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
Signs of the return of waterfowl are abundant and picking up more every day. Wet fields are populated with a plethora of species. One could spend hours combing over them with binoculars finding the odd one in the group. This is generally common with geese gulls and sometimes ducks like the Northern Pintails you see below.
Tundra Swans are common migrants at this time of year also favoring wet fields in addition to any available open water. You will often find them among the masses of Sandhill Cranes and geese.
I was lucky enough to find a couple of Trumpeter Swans this spring. A species that was once abundant here but dwindled off. We see the odd transients now. These birds movement are often monitored.
At this time we are experiencing large numbers of Purple Finches – both male and female, around the remaining feeding stations at home. For us this is unusual.
Tundra Swans
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Northern Pintails
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Pied Billed Grebe
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This leads me to my next thought – ethics. No property is entered without express permission of it’s owner. I carry my business cards with me and give one to each land owner I may approach. It helps introduce me, provides all the pertinent information about where to find me and who I am which gives that person reason to have trust in me and also keeps me accountable.
Trumpeter Swans
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All garbage brought in is packed back out – no footprints left, practice good land stewardship. That is for the landowners benefit and mine as well. A happy landowner can lead to more invitations to access their property.
Snow Goose
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
How ethics applies to the bird or subject being photographed is also very important.
No baiting takes place. This practice can mean changing a bird/animal’s acceptance of humans, making it dependent on them which is most often detrimental. No matter how good your intentions are not everyone practices good intention. Remember we live in their world!
The same thing would apply to constant calling by electronic means. At nesting time this can pull a bird off the nest causing them to abandon it believing a predator is near by or it may disturb their natural hunting pattern leading to starvation.
When I view my bird or wildlife in general I’m viewing at 600mm focal length or more or by binoculars – often remaining in my vehicle which serves as a makeshift blind of sorts. I am aware of all the warning signs of stress and as soon as they are displayed I leave.
Hooded Mergansers
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
Thirdly I never disclose exact locations for sensitive species. I will also often hold off on reporting the sighting until I know that bird has moved on. In e-Bird for example sensitive species will be made private right from reporting. For all of the reasons above.
Often times photographers put undue stress on the subject by following them, pushing further into their space which can have all of the effects explained above. Far too often we see a bird turn up deceased after such hardship. This is especially common in high population areas.
Wild Turkey (Tom)
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A good way to give back is to make contributions through citizen science programs like e-Bird, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas and even Facebook community birding groups. I was very involved in the two previous programs until I fell ill and haven’t yet started back regularly.
Snow Buntings
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
I contributed a few sightings and images last spring to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.
The Facebook community birding group that I belong to – Algoma District Birding for my area has been very helpful and there are communities set up in numerous locations across the country. I would recommend becoming a part of one for your region if you really want to learn more. They are helpful in getting positive ID’s and learning about new sightings.
Of course this is also a great way to spend parent child time – bonding if you will.
Ruffed Grouse
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Isn’t it wonderful to watch the Tom Turkey try to impress his gathering of lady friends? His tail all fanned out and his beard magnificent. He’s so proud.
Or, how about the dumbest bird on earth – the Ruffed Grouse, who walks out in front of you and stops, standing perfectly still with the attitude of “You can’t see me if I stand perfectly still”.
It’s early in the season yet for me this year. I will miss about a week at the end of April while I attend Canadian Imaging and Expo in Ottawa but I’m really enjoying what I have had so far.
It’s apparent we are having a very different birding year compared to some of the most recent previous years. All 22 species images featured within this blog where exposed during the first half of the month of April 2025. They are just the beginning and generally the first to arrive but there will be more to come. I hope you enjoy them. Wishing you happy birding.
Purple Finch (male)
© Violet Aubertin 2010 all rights reserved
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