By Howard Williams

For grandparenting reasons, Carole Donaldson and I moved to Windsor in October of last year and we have often been greeted by ‘Welcome to Windsor’.  We specifically settled close to Jackson Park, specifically for dog walking but imagine our delight when we experienced all the other aspects of that park: the many over-wintering birds followed by the spring-flowering trees and migrant birds (see photos from Jackson of Killdeer, Great Crested Flycatcher, Cooper’s Hawk and Cowbird.

When not busy in the garden which is rapidly becoming a haven for Carolinian species, we visit most of the Essex County Conservation areas as part of a naturalist circuit, making sure that we visit most about every two weeks or so to catch the rapid changes.  Each is a gem, very different in terms of their wildflowers, trees and birds.  Most of the conservation areas are densely wooded which makes birdsong all the more delightful in that it is not competing with the traffic and emergency vehicle noise that is so apparent in the city. The hawk photo above was taken of him standing guard for his much larger mate who was nest-sitting in early April.  

Amongst the early spring flowers we have seen Spice Bush, Mayapple, Wild lily of the Valley and Blue Phlox.

On a brief negative note but sticking with natural history, we are saddened to see so much litter in both the conservation areas and in the city parks.  For me it tells of a pervasive lack of pride in part of the community for which I blame poor parenting.  We try to keep humble by countering it with daily litter pickups in Jackson Park and I have seen Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club (ECFNC) members pick it up in the conservation areas too but know that the change to a less careless society has to start with the young.  Did you play your part?

As part of my contribution to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, I monitored the Cooper’s Hawk nest in Jackson Park, only to find it abandoned after a succession of cold and stormy days in April. We hope that the hawks have found more sheltered accommodation elsewhere in the area.  Please keep your eyes skinned in the south end of Victoria Avenue area.  

In Colchester our stay there in late April included access to an owl nesting box, containing a pair of Eastern Screech Owl.  

In Windsor, the many hollow concrete lamp standards in the city seem to be preferred nesting locations for European Starlings and House Sparrows, currently, many lamp standards are noisy with hungry chicks and the busy comings and goings of care-worn parents.

Hillman Marsh, like many of the conservation areas has been a joy for both birds and plants, As you can see from this photo, Blanding’s Turtle have been straining to see us during our visits there.

Late-May and early June will find me downtown at dusk looking at chimneys, trying to spot Chimney Swifts before I get picked up for vagrancy.  At the Windsor Market this month I managed to spot ten Chimney Swifts diving and swooping over the city streets. 

I first visited the St. Clair ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) a few days ago and found amongst the typical woodland wildflowers this Glaucous Honeysuckle climbing along the fence.

One reason for writing this piece is that I am pleased to report that the ECFNC has been our successful gateway into the community.  Those who regularly move from one province or country to another will recognise that to meet people you need one or more of the following: young children, socialised dogs, or a club to join and get involved.  We score two of these: a greyhound and an organisation that promotes our insatiable appetite for the natural wonders of this county.  

Thank you ECFNC.