Cedar Waxwing

We went to Shoal Lake yesterday and I went for my usual walk in the park. I saw two cedar waxwings (photo) as well as Eastern Kingbirds and the ubiquitous red-winged blackbirds. There was also a robin foraging for worms in the grass.

The feeder is still quite busy with the usual visitors: goldfinches, pine siskins, chipping sparrows (not many) and house sparrows. However yesterday another purple finch visited again. I haven't seen a chickadee for several days now.

There seem to be more and more mourning doves on the sides of the road and on the telephone wires. Gophers are much more prevalent too. They must have had large broods already because there were very few this spring.

Trip to Napinka

Yesterday we drove to Napinka about 120 miles to the southwest of here. It is in the southwest corner of Manitoba. Along the way I saw plenty of red-winged blackbirds. At Shoal Lake I saw another yellow headed blackbird. There were a few ducks on sloughs but not many. There will be many more in the fall. I also saw a couple of mourning doves at the side of the road. There seem to be more gophers now.

At Napinka there were numerous tree swallows swooping around the yard where we were visiting. I saw at least half a dozen Eastern Kingbirds in one tree making quite a bit of noise. At dusk the eerie calls of the mourning dove could be heard and I saw two sitting on the telephone lines.

Before we left I saw plenty of chipping sparrows, pine siskins and goldfinches at the feeder. When we got back they had knocked a lot of seeds onto the ground!

Eastern Kingbird

I forgot to mention that a couple of days ago when we went to Shoal Lake, I took the opportunity to take a walk by the lake. I saw several Eastern Kingbirds by the banks of the Oak River where it runs into the lake. I was able to observe them closely through my binoculars. These are the first kingbirds I have noticed this season. I have not seen any back in Oakburn although they are common enough in this area.