Despite the ongoing pandemic, spring continues its slow march (or crawl) forward. It has been a slow start to the spring in southern Ontario, but there is still lots to see! I have been out enjoying nature within 5 miles of my house for the ongoing "5 Mile Radius Challenge" to see as many birds as you can in this area in a calendar year. This has turned out to be a great distraction from the current situation, and I have enjoyed finding new and exciting spots to bird watch near my house. I am currently up to 73 species for my 5MR this year!
This morning I was out at my favourite new spot that has a nice mix of forest, thicket, and wetland. I was rewarded with 45 species this morning including a bunch of new ones for the year! Here are a few shots from my outing:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc5KjrN0NaBlBWPE1YZEQ3wn3bR9mhBTxqkq6_L3P5HmTXCJKzsOl35seG_7vasfdl0vnlPhiJXkTGmzhCxpV4v28YDua00-RaTRPaDMFDC6cXBE6-sWM1m6Y7W_Z0DEROeMvyiKhtx27/s640/DSCN3896.JPG) |
Hermit Thrush |
Our backyard Northern Shrike has returned a couple of times this winter. The photo below was taken through my kitchen window.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqxGq5R90DVEbFY_b9pASQRK_DFlMjPDHlauS1zGQ4sLgFuHOk9KpDtGPwI51ST_6Oq9r8e1KUpjaLPw3lEa0CyE6l9DVmPq97ekm4XrgsVxhmaeiiVH-qTEWluW1Fjiu0y4pI6V1aUII/s640/DSCN3881.JPG) |
Northern Shrike |
The Fox Sparrow was a welcome surprise while out walking last week, but it didn't want to pose for the camera!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ERIhjaXHdQwoblkWy5iUdBpCV-yCDkp_j0BL5U2A3YJlYhd4nmfaBKfStzAyzS6IFvanHDDkAe3m7hxdg_e3pwIZ1_5twJpfeSsbeTTERVqTYDb06gM2wIseA6EcI15GxX4CMJwTcZcI/s640/DSCN3880.JPG) |
Fox Sparrow |
Wood Frogs and Chorus Frogs have been calling while I have been out and about. I spotted these Wood Frog egg masses in a small ditch of water.
I have enjoyed the vacant trails the past few weeks. Social distancing has been quite easy these days while out and about. I look forward to getting out more in the coming weeks to enjoy the glory of spring.