Sunday - Out Walking
Sunday 26 October
What will #100 be … ?
Still a couple of months left until the end of the year. We have been paying particular attention to the garden birds this year, in particular during the first hour of the morning, every morning, and have now - with considerable surprise - achieved a total of 95 species since January 1.
The first species of the year was a Mourning Dove and the 95th has been a Rock Pigeon - the intermediary 93 species have been a lot more interesting. However, this means that achieving 100 species by December 31 has just become a possibility that we have to aim for. It’s simply too close not get excited about the possibility. If the winter finches - Pine Siskins, Redpoll are both possible - if the irruption gods do their thing, then 97 is within reach. Evening Grosbeak just might, probably won’t but just might, put in an appearance. A Tufted Titmouse is a theoretical possibility but I am not betting the house on one arriving - that would be a red-letter day. If all those come then I would reach 99 species. I am going to be disappointed if 98 cannot be reached … but what could #100 be if it arrives? What I would like, and they have been visitors - just not for a couple of years - is a Red-bellied Woodpecker. A small breeding population is nearby.
Would anyone like to add to the comments with a suggestion? If I do make the century, and you foresaw what the last bird would be, there will be (nominal) prize for you 😉 and a little bit of glory. Use the comments below please.
Now - some walking:
Photographs are always popular, so here are some seasonal observations from this past week (including a couple from this week in history). Mostly, these are just pleasant bits of nature found down the road - within ten minutes of my home. Wildlife in suburbia.
Hallowe’en will be behind us by next Sunday, so in preparation, here’s a neighbour of ours taking advantage of what he can find.
A Coopers Hawk sat in this tree for half an hour, observing the world going by. We presume, because we have seen it before, that a meal was being digested.
A noble little flower hanging on as temperatures fall.
Birds, of course. A bathing Carolina Wren and a waterside Hermit Thrush.
A Fox Sparrow in the garden with a Long-tailed Duck on the river
Some seasonally warm-coloured scenery. The first two photos were taken in the local Morgan Arboretum which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this very day. Any readers who live nearby and can get there on Sunday, are invited to join me on a forest walk that I shall be leading as one of the events - starting at the Conservation Centre at 2pm.
… and to finish, a couple of mammals. Red Squirrel and a Fox. The fox watched with caution and then simply strolled past us, not really in a hurry to get anywhere. Pity I only had a phone to capture the moment.
Birding - Who and why and, indeed, why not?
I happened upon an article for which I give the link below. It asks why birding is apparently “having a moment” and increasing in popularity. Here’s a brief quote:
For decades, the dominant story about birdwatching has created unnecessary barriers: It’s a hobby for retirees, something you do when you have time to kill; it requires expertise … this narrow, outdated narrative has kept millions away. They think they’re not qualified; they think it’s not for them. Here’s the truth: The reason birdwatching is stereotyped as “for old people” is because our culture is so dysfunctional it takes most people 50 years or more to figure out what makes for a meaningful life. The answer is genuine connection to other people and nature. Birds are how most people can get there fastest. Birdwatching is not a hobby for old people. It’s one of the most important things anyone can do at any age to improve the quality of their life.
I/we would go beyond that. In fact, “ … one of the most important things anyone can do at any age to improve the quality of their life” applies equally to all the other features of the natural world that catch our interest. Plants are the obvious thing, plus they don’t move around and fly away when you try to look at them, but also butterflies and fungi and things that go bump in the night.
The cultural moment is here. People are ready. They’re looking for a way back to what’s real. People don’t need another hobby. They need connection. They need birds.
Bonus - the article has some gorgeous photography too.
Green Space Matters
Lack of access to nature has crucial implications for physical and mental health. Recent studies show that living near parks or natural green space reduces anxiety and depression by about 20%. Conversely, those living more than 800 metres from green spaces reported notably higher levels of wellbeing issues. With risks, therefore, that the increasing unaffordability of homes in nature-rich areas for younger homeowners could be deepening health inequalities. The government is right to address the housing crisis, but it must also tackle the parallel crisis in access to nature. Green space isn’t a luxury – it’s a basic human need, vital for physical and mental health.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/26/young-first-time-buyers-uk-homes-green-spaces
We have Black backed and red headed woodpeckers in Ottawa now, when we didn't have them before. Maybe you'll see some? Do you have suet feeders?