Boat Cruise

Canadian Transfer

Today was not a birding day, but I did see some birds! I organized a boat cruise on the St. Clair River for the Sydenham Field Naturalists and friends. It was aboard the Hammond Bay owned by George and Dave Lee of Port Lambton. They offer tours on their boat of up to 40 people. Click here for more information on the boat and cruises.

We lucked out with the weather. With the way it has been this spring, it was a crapshoot. It was a very hot day, but on the water with the wind, made it pleasant. We had full sun as well!

interesting cloud formation

We headed down the St. Clair River and part way down the south channel. The St. Clair River delta is a complex system of channels and islands that are very interesting. The main channels are the North, Middle and South. All are deep until they open to Lake St. Clair.

The south channel is bordered by Seaway Island (Ontario side) and Harsen's Island (US side). That is where the ships used to go. Seaway Island was created from dredgings when the cutoff channel was dug in the early 1960's to straighten the shipping channel. That island is a haven for birds and small animals. Water snakes abound here! (Photo shows one on Seaway Island during 2005 atlas work)We spent a bit of time on this island during the breeding bird atlas survey.

Our cruise passed Walpole Island, Squirrel Island, and the tip of Bassett Island as part of the Walpole Island First Nation. At the tip of Bassett Island and entrance to the Bassett Channel, we saw 6 or 7 Redhead ducks. I find this is a usual spot for them to congregate during the spring and summer and I see them anytime I head down that way in the boat. They do breed in the area. We did not see much bird life, but did see the usual things like Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, Forster's Terns, Black Terns, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants and various swallows.

Even some butterflies were travelling the river such as Monarch, Question Mark, possibly Painted Lady and a dark one that I thought was a Spicebush Swallowtail.

The St. Clair Flats, as the delta area is sometimes called, has a rich history with boats, ships and hunting. Several hotels, dance halls, and drinking holes used to dot the US side. It now a paradise for the more wealthy with cottages and huge homes.

late 1930's Chris Craft

It was a nice day for a boat cruise, and all were pleased with the result.