Saturday, September 27, 2008

Rondeau/Blenheim on a Drizzly Day


Not much to report this day, as the weather was crappy. I was hoping to go up to Point Edward to watch the lake for seabirds, but the wind did not materialize. All week a strong north wind was predicted, but as usual, the forecast was wrong. There is supposed to be a north wind tomorrow (Sunday), but not as strong a predicted, as usual.
I headed down to Rondeau first thing this morning. It was cloudy, but there were some breaks in the clouds. However, as I got south of Ridge Line, it was just like a dark veil was pulled over. Needless to say, it was drizzly most of the morning.
I did find a few warblers, including a large number of Black-throated Blue. Quite often with this species, if you find a male, a female will be nearby, or vice versa. This was the case this morning.
I also saw a number of Cape May Warblers.
A couple of Palm Warblers were around, but I saw some last weekend.

warbler silhouette (photo quiz: what species is this?)

The highlight was a Hooded Warbler, likely a first year male. The lighting was terrible so I did not get a photo. This is certainly the latest I have seen a Hooded Warbler. Actually I don't think I have ever seen one in fall migration--at least not recently.
I saw around 15 species of warbler this morning.
A number of Winter Wrens were creeping in the underbrush--a sure sign of fall.
I did see a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker. Lots of acorns this fall, so maybe some will stick around.
At Blenheim Lagoons, the first bird I looked at was an American Bittern. Back in pond 5, there were lots of shorebirds including a Golden Plover, Semipalmated Plover, both Yellowlegs (many), several Stilt Sandpipers, a White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpipers, a Least Sandpiper, 5 Long-billed Dowitchers, and two Snipe.
I checked along the back fence for butterflies. There were lots of sulphurs a few Painted Ladies, but nothing unusual. By this time there was partial sun, so the butterflies were out. Virtually none at Rondeau in the drizzle.
I saw one dragonfly that was likely a Variegated Meadowhawk. I did not get a long look at it, and it did not co-operate for a photo.

Evening Primrose, Rondeau (in the morning)

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