Westdale, Hamilton. ON. November 1, 2024. Although not cold it was certainly November-ish this morning. With sudden gusts hurling fallen leaves back skyward and a ceiling of torn grey cloud, my companion and I struggled to count waterfowl species by the dozens and hundreds. Scattered over wide waters were Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Mallards, American Wigeons and many more. All hungrily refuelling as they retreat from northern breeding grounds and facing a long journey ahead to warmer waters.
Back on land, most summer visitor migrants had left, but the woodland edges were happily busy with American Goldfinches ravaging thickets of goldenrods, hungry for the seeds. My Birds of the Day were a pair of somber Common Ravens. Ravens are known to mate for life and these two seemed to be bonded, maybe not in courtship, a bit early even for Ravens, but one was making what sounded like gentle ‘glug’ sounds and little dance-like nods with flared wings. Its mate was obviously paying attention.
Photography of a black bird against the sky was difficult, but given the tone of the day and the date perhaps it is perfect.
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