Bird Watching
With its peaceful natural setting, tranquil pond and natural wetlands, Williamsburg Cemetery can’t help but be a haven for wildlife.

The sanctuary is home to many species of birds throughout the year. From cardinals and Canada geese, to the unmistakable Great Blue Heron and distinctive, brightly-coloured American goldfinch, many different species of birds native to Ontario spend their spring and summer months in the wooded and wetland areas at Williamsburg and along the shores of Promontory Pond.

Here is a brief visitor’s guide listing the birds that can be found at Williamsburg, including brief descriptions of them and information about their migration and nesting habits.

Turkey Vulture/Cathartes Aura (SUMMER)
Appearance:
Plumage entirely blackish-brown.
Underside of flight feathers appear silvery-grey in flight.
Small, unfeathered head; bare skin is red, short, whitish bill.
Legs are a dull orange.

Voice:
Inability to produce bird-like sounds due to lack of syrinx and associated muscles.
Gives low-pitched, nasal whine in flight.
Also utters short, low guttural hisses.

Red-Tailed Hawk/Buteo Jamaicensis (EARLY SUMMER)
Appearance:
Head and under parts brown with variable white and rufous mottling on mantle.
Head and nape lighter brown.
Tail is brick-red with narrow, black subterminal band and narrow white tip.
Underparts are cream-coloured.
Flight feathers are narrowly barred with dark brown.

Voice:
Loud, descending scream: keeer-r-r.

Great Crested Flycatcher/Miarchus Crinitus (SUMMER)
Appearance:
Upper parts are olive-brown; somewhat darker on the crown.
Chin, cheeks, throat and breast are medium grey.
Bill is dark brown above, paler below.
Wings are greyish brown, some edged in pale yellow.
Centre tail feathers olive-brown.
Belly and underfeather coverts yellow.

Voice:
Sings two alternating phrases: wheerrup and wheeuh.
Other calls including throaty, rolling purr-it, sharp whit-whit, and noisy rree-rree-rree.

Tree Swallow/Tachycineta Bicolor (SUMMER)
Appearance:
Adult male is dark greenish-blue above and white below.
Head shows clear, sharp line from white throat to dark cap.
Adult female is duller in colour than the male; sometimes brown with greenish-sheen.
Wide-based, triangular wings.
Slightly notched tail.
Very small, black bill.

Voice:
Several variable, bubbly, high-pitched notes or phrases: chi-chit, blup,plup,plup,
lweet-kleet.

Wilson’s Warbler/Wilsonia Pusilla (SPRING)
Appearance:
Breeding male has glossy black crown.
Forehead, eyebrow, lores and underparts are bright yellow.
Conspicuous black eyes.
Under parts and ear converts unmarked; yellowish-olive colour.
Adult female is similar in colour, but duller overall.
Crown patch is usually olive of black, mottled with olive.

Voice:
Loud, rapid chattering that drops in pitch: chi chi chi chi chet chet.

Great Blue Heron/Ardea Herodias (SUMMER)
Appearance:
Very large.
A white head with wide, black stripe above the eye extending to the nape.
Grey neck, streaked with white and black; long, dagger-like, yellow bill.
Bluish-grey body with black sides and rusty thighs that are often obscured by folded wings.
Flight feathers are darker grey.

Voice:
Usually silent.
Occasionally utters deep, harsh croaking frawnk.
Also gives go-go-go clucks that are answered by other nearby herons.
Male makes beak snap as part of courtship display.

American Goldfinch/Spinus Tristis (SUMMER)
Appearance:
Breeding male yellow above and below with black forehead, crown and lores.
Wings black with two white wing bars.
Black tail, with white spots on tips of inner webs.

Voice:
Male gives sweet, clear sometimes jumbled canary-like song.
In flight, per-chik-oree often sung between wing beats.
Call notes include whining chi-ee.

Birdwatching is one of life’s great joys, even if you don’t know a sparrow from a spotted owl. Here are some of the more common, recognizable birds that are often seen at Williamsburg, but are not listed.
Cardinals (Summer)
Blue Jays (Early Summer)
Robins (Spring)
Savana Sparrows (Summer)
Canada Geese (Spring)
Crows (Spring)
Red-Winged Black Bird (Spring)
Mourning Doves (Summer)