Bohemian Waxwings
Tuesday March 16 2010
By Phyllis Graydon, On the Wing-more from this author
In mid February, Dave Milsom reported a flock of 40 Bohemian Waxwings in Palgrave.
True to the directions, they were in the same tree on Highway 50. By the time I found them, there were just 10 dining on a crab apple tree.
Bohemian Waxwings are similar to Cedar Waxwings, but larger. Adults have crests, sleek brownish plumage, black patch through their eyes and yellow tail-tips. Instead of whitish under tail coverts, they sport a rich chestnut colour.
As is the habit of Waxwings, they are usually seen in flocks. In winter, they prefer various types of berries and fruit bearing trees and shrubs, often near buildings. Bohemians breed in North Western North America from western Alaska east to Manitoba and southern Alberta. Records report them breeding in northern Ontario, which is rare. The first documented Ontario nest was near James Bay in a tamarack forest in 2003.
They are irregular winter visitors throughout southern Ontario. Occasionally, one or two Bohemians are found with a flock of Cedars. These were gorgeous birds to see. About 14 years ago, we had a flock of 50 attack the ornamental crab apples in our yard but they only stayed for a few hours.
Last week I mentioned a Barred Owl spotted by John Abbott, who lives on Centreville Creek. It flew in front of him three times giving him a fairly good look at it. It returned a week later, this time perched in a chestnut tree about 25 feet from his house.
Gilbert Milorean from Airport Road spotted Grackles and a Red-winged Blackbird this week. We are always happy to see our spring arrivals, however, when they steadily empty our bird feeders, our happiness soon changes to frustration.
Valerie Swain from Palgrave was surprised to see three Golden-crowned Kinglets with a flock of chickadees this past week. I spotted another large flock of over 300, flitting over a corn field on Humber Station Road. Jean Compton from Mt. View reported Snow Buntings in her area as well. We are all wondering if the lack of snow will encourage the Buntings to head back north now.
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