Early birds of the decade

Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio
(January 23)

Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus
(January 29)

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
(January 29)

White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera
(February 10)

White-winged Crossbill singing

(sorry for the video quality)

(February 10)

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
(March 5)

male Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
(March 5)

female Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
(March 5)

American Robin Turdus migratorius
(March 5)

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
(March 5)

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus
(March 5)

Saint-Côme
(February 10)

Saint-Côme
(February 10)

Swaggins Trail
(February 10)

  Or is it ‘birds of the early decade?’ Haven’t been getting out into the scrub much lately, with only some light birding every now and again to start the year. The majority of the trips have been failed twitches. Dips even. It’s gonna be one of those years. Mostly I have been writing, rotting, editing, mainlining Korean instant coffee, and washing my hands.

Some random high(low)lights:

January 23, Parc des Rapides/Parc Angrignon in Lasalle: Dipped on a Barrow’s Goldeneye. No scope = no distant duck. No passerines. Screech was snoozing in Angrignon, looked like a cat.

January 29, Yamachiche: Dipped on the Boreal Owl. Interesting area though.

February 10, up near Tremblant in Saint-Côme/Swaggins Trail: Dipped on an American Three-toed Woodpecker – but may have heard it (even worse). It was cold as hell. The White-winged Crossbills were a’singing in the sun.

March 5, Parc Jean-Drapeau on Ile Notre-Dame: Felt quite birdy for the time of year, with 20 species logged in two hours. Spotted the celeb Pine Warbler, and also White-throated Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, and a decent supporting cast.