American Robin: May Backyard Bird, Regina, SK

The American Robin was one of the first after-winter arrivals in my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard. I love robins in spring, when their feathers are all still crisp and mating-flashy-new.

There are several pairs of American Robins in our neighbourhood now, swooping and chasing each other — but so far, in my yard at least, no signs of nests.  (Several years ago, they nested in our apple tree. It was a little alarming the first day the young fledged — what with rain and neighbourhood cats!)

American Robin - a sociable bird that usually looks cross.   © SB 

While some American Robins live year-round in the U.S. (and parts of B.C. and the Maritimes), others only winter in the south and then migrate back north to the rest of Canada (and Alaska) for summer and to breed.

So for us, these are spring birds, and their appearance is a welcome sign that winter is over.

What is this? American Robin.

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: May 21, 2013.

~~~~~

Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek: Ancient dance, ancient birds

Sharp-tailed Grouse displaying purple neck patch.  © SB

Recently, I had an awesome opportunity — to visit a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek near Regina, Saskatchewan, and watch these prairie birds perform their dance of dominance.

It's all about mating — but the female grouse didn't seem to care.

In fact, we only saw one bird that may (or may not) have been a female Sharp-tailed Grouse during the two hours we were there. (Males and females look alike, except when the males are actively lekking.)

I love that word, lek, whether in verb or noun form.

It so well describes the dominance displays of a few human males I've known, who apparently saw fashion (no jeans/running shoes, please!) as part of their corporate dominance plan.

The video, below, shows some footage I took of part of their lek dance.

And I loved seeing these birds! If any avian species has ever made me think of dinosaurs, their potential cousins or ancestors, Sharp-tailed Grouse in full lek would be it.

They prowl, they pounce, they prance, they dance. They make themselves very tall, then very broad. And then they stare. Long meaningful stares of threat... or forgetfulness. They sit down. The focus, perhaps wanders, or perhaps it's all a waiting game. Eventually, one male ambles off. A pause, and then the lek begins again.

Low and broad, the Sharp-tailed Grouse strut. © SB

The Sharp-tailed Grouse also leap into the air
- and at other males. Beware! © SB

The birds I saw claimed a section of pasture near Regina — there used to be several Sharp-tailed Grouse leks near the city, but this seems to be the only one now left.

Every morning around dawn (that's now about 5:30 a.m.), the birds gather. They cluck, they chatter, their pinions rattle and they do a gobbling thing, a little like the sound of turkeys.

About 12 grouse were gathered for the lekking display when we arrived. The neighbour's dog chased them off by rushing across the pasture to meet our two cars, but dogs are easily bored and mating birds, determined... So the dogs wandered off and the grouse flew back to their chosen spot of trampled prairie. (Yes, this was a remnant of original prairie, with club moss and other low plants forming the fragile and essential base layer.)

The Sharp-tailed Grouse appeared to divide the lek space into sections, within which several individual dominance displays took place. They say not all breed, just the ultimate winners, so the gene stakes are high.

Sharp-tailed Grouse on the lek. © SB

The Sharp-tailed Grouse has been Saskatchewan's bird emblem since 1945. I visited this lek with friends (including Trevor Herriot) from the Public Pastures - Public Interest group, to learn more about this amazing native prairie bird.

What are these? Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Location: Near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: April 27, 2013.

~~~~~

First Robin Near Regina - Finally Spring!

I finally saw my first American Robin of the year in the Qu'Appelle Valley near Regina, Saskatchewan. (I'd heard rumours of these birds in various part of the city, but they still haven't come near my backyard.)

And so, I present: Robin on a wire fence.

Beneath the robin, snow. Behind the robin, snow...   © SB

There's something about their beady stare that makes me nervous around robins...

Or, perhaps I feel that way because I have some past history with these birds. Back when I lived in Montreal, one of the local robins became an attack bird with only one target: Me. And these are birds with very long memories...

Still, it's lovely to see robins return. It must really be (almost) spring.


What is this? American Robin.

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: April 13, 2013.

~~~~~

Regina Backyard Birds: March and early April in Saskatchewan

What birds come to our Regina backyard feeders? Right now, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches, Common Redpolls, House Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and one American Tree Sparrow. All of these birds were in my yard yesterday; all but two of these pictures were taken then.

(Note: This post is only one of many on my blog that deal with birds seen feeding in gardens and lawns in my part of Regina, Saskatchewan. Use the index for more, or search "backyard.") 

There is quite a range in size with these birds, from the tiny wintering Common Redpolls through our seasonal birds, up to the large male resident House Sparrows. And range of songs, too. I love having the migrating native prairie and northern song birds, as they really sound lovely.

First, a few of the Redpolls, from a red-breasted male and paler female, to a copper-headed bird. These very small birds have been here most of the winter, but will soon be heading north to the Boreal Forest and/or tundra. (Apparently, we had such a high number this winter because the white birch seed crop was poor in the north... So says the e-bird forecast.)

Male Common Redpoll in the lilac branches.   © SB

Brightly capped female Common Redpoll. © SB

Copper-topped Common Redpoll - perhaps a variant
or young bird. © SB

Next, the House Sparrows — our constant and noisy companions, whose call sounds to me like they are accusing us of being, "CHEAP!" The male looks quite threatening, with his scowly-face markings, while the female is a gentle looking beige and brown.

Male House Sparrow - a bird that always looks angry! © SB

The much gentler-looking female House Sparrow.  © SB

Among my ongoing favourites are the House Finches. (I was surprised to learn that they weren't common in Saskatchewan until fairly recently — but more on that another time.) The most common finches are red and scarlet, but sometimes we see birds with orange and yellow markings, too. I used to wonder if these were young birds, but I understand that these are a variant. Yeah for variety!)

Their primary ID factors, for me at least, are the finches' delicate breast stripes and slightly crossed, better-to-open seeds bills. The females are brown, the males more colourful.

Female House Finch  © SB

Another female House Finch, somewhat unimpressed
by her potential mate, an orange male House Finch. © SB

Male House Finch, showing head and back colour.  © SB

Pale yellow male House Finch. © SB

Another orange House Finch -
I love this one's clear marking! © SB

The Dark-eyed Juncos are seasonal visitors. We started seeing them a couple of weeks ago, and now have up to a dozen at a time in the yard. (The one below is looking particularly dark-eyed, shadowed and in the snow...) The Juncos are easy to identify: Gray on the top, white on the bottom... And when they fly, their tails are white and gray. Love the notched tail they display when perched!

Grumpy Dark-eyed Junco in snow. © SB

A Red-breasted Nuthatch frequently shows up, usually at the suet feeder. There are several in our neighbourhood, and I often see groups of three or four in the front yard, but our backyard visitor is always solitary. It's also usually upside-down; I rotated this picture to more clearly show its head.

Red-breasted Nuthatch, feeding on seeds in suet. © SB

And, finally, another shot of the American Tree Sparrow that started visiting us in the past few days. The Tree Sparrow's red head and red eye lines are its most obvious marker.  

American Tree Sparrow.  © SB

We expect more sparrows and other finches will soon find their way north to visit. 


What are these? Common Redpolls, House Sparrows, House Finches, Dark-eyed Junco, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and an American Tree Sparrow.
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo dates: All taken April 7, 2013, except the Nuthatch (March 31, 2013) and the male House Sparrow (April 3, 2013). All were in the backyard April 7, 2013... 

~~~~~

American Tree Sparrows Arrive in Regina, Saskatchewan

Another wonderful sign of spring: American Tree Sparrows have arrived back in Regina, Saskatchewan — I wonder what they think of our remaining three feet of snow?

These red and gray native birds winter across the U.S., migrate through southern Canada, and summer in the north: the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska. They're songbirds (yeah!), so a lovely — if temporary — addition to our backyard flock.

Two shots of the most visible
American Tree Sparrow.  © SB

I love that red crowned head! © SB

The American Tree Sparrows in my yard were shy, perhaps just because this was their first day near our feeders? If so, perhaps they'll be more bold if they stay a while? Whatever the reason, the two that dropped by hid deep in the lilacs and back near the garage.

I love their red heads and crisp marking — a lovely change from our resident gray and black House Sparrows.


What is this? An American Tree Sparrow, migrating north
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 3, 2013. 

~~~~~

First Gopher of the Year: Spring?

We saw our first Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka prairie gopher, of the year today, looking stunned — or sunbathing? — on a snowbank beside the road.

These gophers hibernate for many, many months... Males apparently wake before females, so perhaps this little fellow was wondering where his mates were.

So, the question of the day: Now that he's awake, does that make it spring? (Please?)

All right, now, I'm awake! Bring on the fun! © SB 

What is this? A Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka a gopher.   

Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: March 14, 2013. 

~~~~~