Point Pelee to Erieau

Today was just a day to look around and see what I came up with. I decided to start at Point Pelee. There wasn't a strong SW wind, but activity was good at the Tip. I met Alan Wormington there, and Adam Pinch a little later.

Of course, the most common duck was Red-breasted Merganser, but there were flocks of both scaup, some Surf Scoters, three or four Long-tailed Ducks, and mix of other common diving ducks. A couple of Horned Grebes were also present.

Lot of Bonaparte's Gulls were moving by, but nothing unusal with them.

At least one Red-throated Loon went by, and a couple of Common Loons were seen in the distance.

A number of American Pipits were flying over, as well a few Cedar Waxwings, goldfinches and Common Redpolls. A few large flocks of blackbirds were heading south as well.

On the Ander's footpath south of De Laurier, I came across a small but interesting group of birds. In it was a Brown Thrasher, a couple of Hermit Thrushes, a couple of White-throated Sparrows, a Carolina Wren, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. There were also a couple of Cardinals.

After stopping at Pelee Wings Store, I headed east to Erieau. Lots of Bonaparte's Gulls (see one of them in the above photo!) were in the harbour, but the highlight was the Franklin's Gull. It was still there! I managed to get a decent photo of it (see attached).

Next stop was McGeachy Pond. The lake was fairly calm, and I could see a large number of Horned Grebes. I estimated 90-100. They were quite spread out, but some were in small groups. Not another species of grebe!

Some scaup were also in a raft out there, as well as quite a few bonies.

Only one group of Cedar Waxwings was along the dyke feeding on Russian Olive (or whatever that plentiful non-native shrub is there!).

Last stop was Blenheim Lagoons. The highlight was a group of eight Wilson's Snipe in the first pond.

Lots of Red-tailed Hawks were around today. I did see a couple of sharpies at Pelee, and a Coop at McGeachy Pond.

Weather looks better for tomorrow...