Finches on the Move

Autumn Scene at Reid CA

Yesterday I noticed a few Purple Finches in the yard. They are never common in the Wallaceburg area and NEVER stay. I have had them visiting the feeder and feeding on the trees in the yard, but they never stay more than one day.

This morning there were a few at Rondeau Park, and this afternoon there a number at Reid Conservation Area north of Wallaceburg.

At Rondeau this morning, lots of Pine Siskins were flying around, and when I got home this afternoon, there was a flock in the yard! Although I heard a few at Point Pelee last weekend, these are the first ones here.

Large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and kinglets were at Rondeau today. The only other warblers were a single Blackpoll and a single Tennessee. White-throated Sparrows were in big numbers. We saw a single Fox Sparrow, finally. They seem to be late this fall.

At Reid CA, I came across the first Tree Sparrow.

white Orange Sulphur

The only butterflies today were the sulphurs, a couple of Painted Lady, and at Reid a worn Summer Azure. Some sulphurs were completely motionless due to the cold.

Summer Azure

Blenheim Lagoons held at least 150 Dunlin, some Yellowlegs, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Lots of ducks were around too.

Almost forgot to mention, Jim Burk and I saw the first Golden Eagle of the fall at Rondeau. Lots of Turkey Vultures were along the shoreline outside the park. No Black Vulture, but there were some yound TV's with black faces!