I wonder, however, how many of these people actually know about one of the biggest passions in his life? I wonder how many realize that he was also an avid bird watcher?

So much so, in fact, that John Stott actually wrote a book called The Birds Our Teachers: Biblical Lessons From A Lifelong Bird-Watcher.  But not only did he write the book, showing amazing knowledge of birds,  he also includes in the book more than 150 of his (amazing) bird photographs. It’s a highly wonderful volume rich with great lessons and great photos, especially the rare photos of the Snowy Owls!

The book also reveals that John has seen about 2,500 of the world’s estimated 9,000 bird species!

Something about the place makes me want to play some Chris Hillman

It was fairly mild given the recent temperatures, but still pretty cool for this time of year. It was really cloudy and looked like it could rain any second. I only spent about an hour or so there.

I saw a Downy Woodpecker. As expected, there were Robins, tons of Canadian Geese, and tons of Red-Winged Blackbirds.  I did not to expect to see as many Tree Swallows as I did, though.  I remember how excited I was when I saw and identified my first Tree Swallow. Now, I easily saw 10-15 in one shot. They were crazily flying everywhere as some of the videos I took show.

Here are some photos:

I have no evidence that any species of birds has come to the feeders besides the three stated so far (Northern Cardinals, American Tree Sparrows, and House Sparrows).  However, since I don’t monitor the feeders all day, I’m sure there have been others.

The feed is going quickly. I bought some more suet cakes and I just ran out of my4kg bag of bird seed mix I got from Canadian Tire December 30th.  Doing some quick math, the birds eat about 0.148 kg of mixed bird seed per day.  If the current rate were to be steady throughout the year, that would mean 54 kg of seed would be eaten in a year. Unlikely, since I’m sure winter consumption is higher. But still interesting nonetheless.  Since the 4kg bag is $5.00, I looked for cheaper bulk options.

At Essex Feed Warehouse I found that I can get a 40 pound bag (which is 18 kg) for around $10.  But of course, I don’t really know what the difference in quality is between the seed used in the 4kg bag and the 18kg bag, since they are different brands.  Is this price difference because it is in bulk, or is it because it is bad, cheap seed? I don’t know. But at this point I don’t care too much, as long as the birds eat it. The seed I picked was Smorgas Bird Economy Wild Bird Food, which is apparently made by a local Essex company called Essex Topcrop Sales Ltd.

The last couple of days have been pretty snowy and very windy. That the feeder at the side of the house stayed up through the storm may indicate that my method of hanging the feeder using that L-bracket is at least half-descent!

Now, the selection of birds hasn’t been very impressive. But it’s a start..Our cat certainly loves it!

All we’ve seen thus far are American Tree Sparrows (Spizella arborea). Lots of them, I’ve seen at least 10 of them at a time.

Reported in this post:

• American Tree Sparrows – 10

So in this period I went out and a got a cage/block suet feeder and hung it off a tree in a different part of my yard.  Immediately the next morning–bingo. Results. A male and female cardinal came by to eat. A black-capped chickadee also came to visit.

(sorry for the shoddy cell phone pictures)

Reported in this post:

• Northern Cardinal – 2

• Black-capped Chickadee – 1

For seed, I picked Red Ribbon Mixed Wild Bird Seed from Canadian Tire (4 kilograms — I paid just under $5.00). I sprinkled some of it on the ground below the feeder and also on our deck right by the feeder.

So far (3 days later), I haven’t seen any birds. Our cat loves perching inside beside the window and watching it, but hasn’t had any luck in her bird hunting. I’m not too concerned, it certainly is not unheard of for it to take a few days for the birds to come.

Here’s some evident downfalls to the setup:

1. It’s too close to busy roads
2. It’s too close to the window
3. I’m told I didn’t start out with optimal “first time” seed

Eventually, I would like to add one or two other bird feeders on our property, ideally with different seed.

It’s funny when I think about it,  it wasn’t until I went all the way out to Jamaica that I’ve been able to see a Cattle Egret or Green Heron–even though these species definitely make local appearances right here in Essex County. Actually, on second thought, its quite likely that I may have seen a Cattle Egret or Green Heron in Essex County, but I’ve never photographed or identified one as such before.

1. Aristelliger praesignis – Croaking lizard

2. Anolis lineatopus – Jamaican gray anole

3. Bubulcus ibis – Cattle Egret

4. Butorides virescens – Green Heron

5. Coereba flaveola – Bananaquit

6. Tyrannus caudifasciatus – Loggerhead kingbird

7. Melanerpes radiolatus – Jamaican Woodpecker

8. Patagioenas leucocephala – White-Crowned Dove

9. Trochilus polytmus – Red-billed streamertail

10. Herpestes javanicus – Indian Mongoose

<Sorry, no picture for this one… only a fleeting glance>

In my exploration around Ojibway / Brunet Park, I found an adult common snapping turtle, a few cardinals, a downy woodpecker, a woodchuck, a few garter snakes, a tufted titmouse, trilliums, morels, and perhaps a few other things.