Today, we walked the dogs in Petroglyphs Provincial Park. Five singing male Pine Siskins were heard and after watching a pair for about 10 minutes the female was observed gathering and carrying nesting material to a nearly completed nest ~5-6m up in a 8-9m young White Spruce. Near the entrance kiosk, a Common Raven pair was observed at their nest, ~12m in a White Pine. Also heard/observed were a displaying male Northern Goshawk, a pair of Merlin (near park entrance) and about a dozen Brown Creepers. Lots of vocal Red-breasted Nuthatches (most paired), White-breasted Nuthatches and chickadees. Also observed were a single Mourning Cloak and a Comma (Polygonia sp.) butterflies. No chorus frogs heard yet. Thicket swamps in the park are still ice/snow-covered, but outside the park, particularly along the South Stony Lake Rd. thicket swamps at many sites are now ice-free, and there should be some choruses following 25-30mm of rain forecasted for tonight.
Location: Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Observer: Don Sutherland
