Chirps and Cheeps

I spent a little time up along the southern shore of Lake Ontario today, hitting a few "hot spots". I missed a few and got a few, coming home quite satisfied after a full day of birding.

One highlight was seeing a Northern Shrike at a fairly close range. I watched it hunt in a field by the lake shore for quite awhile, mesmerized by its tactics. Usually, they're pretty difficult to photograph for me so this opportunity was a real treat!

While photographing the shrike, some of the geese I had actually stopped to scan lifted from the lake. Their perfect V formation included a Ross's Goose!  Thanks to Brian Morse for passing along the info that the Ross's might be near this area - and also to Andy Guthrie for letting Brian know about it - plus his confirmation on the ID. 

I found it interesting that this one Ross's Goose is traveling around with all of these Canada Geese instead of the numerous migrating flocks of Snow Geese that I've seen.  I saw a flock of 70 Snow Geese fly overhead up near Braddock Bay this morning - and one would think the Ross's would be hanging with THOSE guys!

The Ross's Goose is very similar to the Snow Goose, however it's smaller, has a stubby bill, a rounder head, and lacks the "grin", a black line around the bill that makes the Snow Goose appear as though it's smiling.  The almost rare Ross's Goose is becoming a little more frequent in our area, however, they winter mainly in California. Its numbers are increasing, though, which is so nice to hear these days!

Before the shrike and goose, a report came out that a Eurasian Wigeon was seen up at Braddock Bay.  I was literally 15 minutes away, so I was happy to see that beautiful bird too. No photos, though, as it was pretty far out and my digi-scoping needs much improvement! 

I found a female American Kestrel on the way to the lake earlier in the day and she allowed me a few photos. Other birds seen were: Tundra Swans, Mute Swans, American Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, a Common Goldeneye and merganser hybrid (interesting!), White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Redhead, Canvasback, Scaup, American Coot, American Black Duck, Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinch, House Finches, and Red-winged Blackbird.