If you are a bird-watcher you will know that one of the most abundant bird species in our area is the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). These large waterfowl use local grain and corn fields after they have been cut down to stubble, to find food during the day and then fly back to Lake Ontario to spend the night.

Canada Geese Family. Photo by Barry Cherriere.

They are joined in this activity by other waterfowl such as Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes). Fallow fields (those not being actively ploughed and cropped) are also used by waterfowl and ground nesting birds like American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus).

Barns that are no longer being used can also act as homes for birds such as the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).

Before intensive farming practices became widespread, you might also have found Barn Owls (Tyto alba) nesting and hunting around old barns as well. Up until recently there had not been a report of this species in Ontario since in 1990. Happily, in the last few years, there have been occasional sightings in the Hamilton area.