First Trip to Kirk Cousins

As a novice birder, I've found one of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby has been exploring all the local wildlife spots. In the two months since I've began birding, I've stopped at all of London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) and have been to a number of parks along the Thames River. I have my thoughts and opinions on all of them (for me, they've all been worth checking out even in the winter) and my thoughts on these areas may be the subject of future posts.

Today, while scrolling through Google maps and the Ontario Trails website, I came across a few trails I had not yet explored that were owned and operated by the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority which has territory in the area to the south east of London, Ontario and down to St Thomas. From what I could gather from looking at their website (www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca) their properties usually require a day-pass to visit, but some are currently freely open to the public. 

One that caught my eye was the Kirk Cousins Conservation area located just south of London. It seemed like a good place for a short 30 minute hike in a relatively secluded natural area. The 1.47 kilometre loop trail currently available for hiking seems to be part of a larger trail that's currently closed. From the website map, the trail looked promising enough, and because it's a minor mission of mine to visit all the conservation area in the London area, I headed for the trail.

Upon arriving, I immediately noticed a flock of birds picking at the long grasses beyond the entrance fence of the park. I jumped out and applied glass to one of them perched in a bush to my right. Viewing the bird from behind, my first impression was that it was a Redpoll. 'Could it actually be?' I thought. Since I began birding I have seen almost a countless number of chickadees, cardinals and sparrows so to possibly see a lifer bird right upon entering a new wildlife area would be quite a welcome surprise. Sure enough, upon further inspection, I noted the dark red spot on the crown, the white breast and the brown streaked sides -- it was definitely a flock of redpolls! I noted some paler ones, but decided to forego trying to pick out the lighter Hoary Redpolls from the group of Commons -- a task even an expert birder struggles with, or so I've read.

Common Redpolls

The flock was very accommodating and I managed to get some reasonably close photos. My "Birds of Ontario" guide book explains that because Redpolls need to constantly glean seeds to stay warm, they generally tend to ignore humans when encountered allowing us to get some good open looks at the species. 

After the Redpoll meeting, I continued clockwise along the circular trail adhering to the website's recommended travel direction for social distancing precautions. Almost immediately, the path split with one direction leading to an overlook platform that provided a view of the local pond. The platform is only a few meters high, but I can imagine it affording incredible views of water fowl and soaring raptors in warmer seasons. In hindsight, I should have taken a picture of the viewing platform itself, for documentary purposes, but I did snap some photos from atop the structure. 

View from Kirk Cousins scenic overlook at the frozen pond.

I made my way back to the main trail and walked through about 500 meters more of low brushland and meadow before finding myself at the entrance of a mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland. A crow flew across the edge of the forest and I could hear one or two more calling from somewhere among the trees. 

Inside, the treed-area was mostly quiet, but I did manage to hear the  occasional cheep of a Chickadee and I spotted a Red Breasted Nut Hatch darting silently between some tall evergreens. 

Overall, the area is beautiful and I would love to come back in a warmer season. I didn't encounter a single person on my trip, but the trail was well marked with footprints in the snow.

Upon leaving the trail I got back in my car and headed east down the rural road Scotland Drive hoping to see some Horned Larks or Snow Buntings. I couldn't have travelled more than 500 metres before I saw some birds flitting about the fallow corn field on my left. I pulled the car over and was pleasantly surprised to see some slender looking birds whose profiles I did not recognize. I zoomed my camera lens in and saw the unmistakable feathered horns and black and yellow masks of the Horned Lark! My second lifer of the trip. The birds seemed more slender and lankier than I had seen in photos. 

Horned Larks

Satisfied with my explorations and my new species sightings I headed home.