Sunday Report

I went back to Rondeau today. The weather was rather crappy and very windy out of the SE. An easterly wind means weather and it is the worst wind for birding around here. The lake was fairly active with gulls and ducks though. Landbirds were scarce.

The highlight of south point trail in the park was a group of five Bald Eagles. Two adults and four immatures. I heard the adults squawking long before I saw the birds roosting in trees.

three of the immature eagles

There were not many small birds and it was hard to hear with the wind and the waves. A couple of Pine Siskins were wandering around.

There were lots of gulls around, but most were too distant to bother looking at. Even at the Blenheim Lagoons, there were many gulls. The highlight there was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

A Horned Grebe was in Erieau Harbour.

Crossbills on the Move

The sun always rises at Rondeau!

It was a very nice day weatherwise, with practically no wind. I checked out Rondeau Park this morning. There were not many birds around, but the highlight was the fact that White-winged Crossbills were flying through. This is an excellent species to get on your Rondeau list, as they usually only appear every few years. I think I have only had them three times before in the over twenty years I have been birding there.

I could hear them coming with their distinctive flight calls. The first group I did not see, as they were very high and a bit ahead of me, but their calls gave them away. Later on near the start of south point trail, I heard another group. This one was a bit lower in altitude and contained about 50 birds. I could see the white wing patches and many were males (red in colour). This was immediately followed by a small group of about ten individuals.

I then decided to head a bit up Harrison Trail, since there are many pine trees there. I heard another small group, and these may have hesitated in a pine tree, but I never saw them.

I had one more male circling around the area of the maintenance compound later on.

It would be nice to see Red Crossbills, but this species is a real rarity in these parts. I have only seen one at Rondeau (January 25, 1998) and it was not a good look. Its call note was quite obvious.

Crossbills are certainly rare in southwestern Ontario. I have had a White-winged in the yard here on two occasions. One was a female March 11-13 1990 and an immature female on November 15, 2001. This latter bird was so intent on feeding on the nyjer seed, that I could walk right up to it. I used the macro lens on the camera to photograph it!

female White-winged Crossbill--note crossed bill! (It can vary in which direction the mandibles cross)

Other birds at Rondeau today included Purple Finches, a couple of Pine Siskins, a few White-throated Sparrows, and a Chipping Sparrow with Tree Sparrows.

A nice flock of Eastern Bluebirds was at the south end of the Campground, but I never got a good look as they seemed to be on a mission south.

The odd Golden-crowned Kinglet was around, and I found two Yellow-rumped Warblers. One was on south point trail along the beach, and the other in the campground.

I also caught a glimpse of a Hermit Thrush on south point trail.

I came across some type of moth this morning (see photo). Likely a very common (and hardy) species since I saw at least three of them.

moth in below zero temp

There were hundreds of gulls out on the ice of Rondeau Bay from Erieau, but too far to identify. Most of the ducks have left Rondeau Bay, according to a local hunter. I did not see many from Erieau, so that was an indication. While there, a female Wood Duck flew into the harbour.

Still hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls, but I did not see anything different. It is always better on a cloudy day to look at gulls!

Black-throated Gray Warbler at Rondeau Park

Sunrise at Rondeau Park 23 November

A new bird species for the Rondeau list was found today. Jim Burk and I came across a Black-throated Gray Warbler at the north end of Rondeau Provincial Park feeding in the Red Cedars.

Black-throated Gray Warbler at Rondeau

Just before Jim spotted it at the top a Red Cedar, I had heard a chip note that sounded something like a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Something did not seem right about it being a Yellow-rumped, but I passed it off because the Yellow-rumped frequently winters in this particular spot. After finding the bird, we heard it chip several times.


The warbler worked the cedar trees exclusively, moving from one to another. We watched it for over an hour. At one point we lost it for a long period of time, but then I refound it where we first spotted it.


I suspect it may stay in the area as there is lots of food. Refinding it is another matter! Even when we knew it was in a particular tree, it was difficult to see.
I managed to get some record shots, but nothing spectacular.

Previously, we had walked south point trail and the campground and noted rather few birds. On SPT, there were some Purple Finches, a couple of Fox Sparrows and a couple of Hermit Thrushes.
At the warbler location, there were quite a few birds since a lady has a nice feeder setup. I saw Fox, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows there. It will be a spot to keep an eye on the next few weeks.
Out of the park I noted a large number of hawks--mainly Red-tailed.
At Erieau, the Bonaparte's Gulls are building in numbers. In fact there are thousands of gulls around Erieau. Rondeau Bay had many in all directions, sitting on the ice.
A couple of cormorants are still hanging around and perhaps may stay until the Christmas Bird Count on December 14.
There is lots of ice around now with the recent cold weather. I hope it warms up a bit and melts it! Many birds have left with this cold weather, and that may make for slimmer numbers on the count.

Erieau off McGeachy Pond

A Cold Saturday

American Tree Sparrow at Moore

I had nothing particular in mind for birding today, but there was supposed to be a moderate NW wind. With that in mind, I headed to Point Edward and like many times in the past, that forecast was wrong. There was only a light west wind! It was very cold though.

Experience has shown that if there is not a strong northerly wind, you will not see much at Point Edward. Even on a good wind we have seen nothing of significance. It is a crap shoot and patience is required.

Among the gulls, was a second basic Glaucous Gull which was very white. There was a large number of Long-tailed Ducks, but not many other species. However, there was a sizable raft of ducks on the Michigan side farther north that were likely Redhead.

At one point I saw a flock of Snow Buntings with two Lapland Longspur amongst them.

I soon headed to east of Sarnia and noticed the increasing snow accumulation. The Kettle Point/Arkona area received almost four feet the last few days! Glad I do not live there.

I briefly went for a walk at Perch Creek CA and saw the first few Common Redpolls of the season.

My next stop was Moore WMA. I only walked to the river bank as the water was running high. A number of birds were around including Tree and Song Sparrows, Tufted Titmouse, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Purple Finches, other common birds, and woodpeckers including a Pileated. I only heard the Pileated and it was the first time I came across one at this location. Yellow-rumped Warblers winter in this valley every year with many other birds. It is protected and has lots of food for them.

American Goldfinch

When I arrived home, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was in the yard. I also had a Red-tailed Hawk cruising around overhead.

At home later in the day, I noticed an immature Bald Eagle flyingover! That is only the second Bald Eagle I have seen in Wallaceburg.

sharpie (below)

Another Windy Day

Bonaparte's Gull in Erieau harbour

It was not as near as windy as yesterday, but some places were uncomfortably cold in the wind. I started at Point Pelee Tip. The wind was more WNW and certainly not as productive as a SW wind. However, there were still thousands of birds if you counted all the blackbirds flying overhead. Even goldfinches were moving by the hundreds. Several Eastern Bluebirds were seen as well, and even a meadowlark.

One interesting sight was a Brown-headed Cowbird that came in off the lake noticeably tired. It perched in the nearest tree and stayed there for a long time. It was still there when we left.

Some birds do get quite tired after migrating long distances or fighting wind. We see this quite a bit in spring migration as birds come in off the lake. Scarlet Tanagers are a good example, as I have walked right up to them on the path. I remember one spring, a Winter Wren came in off the lake at Rondeau and basically just dove into a shrub right in front of us. It remained motionless for some time.

Anyway, some Long-tailed Ducks were sighted this morning off the Tip and a Red-throated Loon. A couple of Common Loons were out there as well, but no Arctic Loon (!).

Raptors were moving today with several Harriers, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered, Sharp-shinned and Rough-legged. That was actually the first Rough-legged I have seen this fall I think!

It was probably a good day for moving harriers. I saw a couple on the way over to Erieau, and another at Blenheim.

I looked at the spot (no pun intended) where a Spotted Towhee was found earlier in the week, but with no luck. That was no surprise as it one of my nemesis birds. It could still be around, but the weather was not ideal this morning.

Unspotted Towhee

A Yellow-rumped Warbler was near the start of Shuster Trail. It will likely attempt to winter at this point. Many do at Point Pelee.

A large number of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins were just north of White Pine.

I decided to head over to Erieau in hopes of seeing a Snowy Owl. At least that was successful! One young one was in the field just outside the village. I saw it from the road, and later it moved to where I saw it from the railroad tracks marsh trail.

Snowy Owl speck at Erieau

I checked the harbour area and lots of noisy bonies were around, but not much else.

Walking the old railroad tracks, I found a flock of sparrows with six Fox and others. Farther on were some Chipping Sparrows.

Off the trail a bit in the phragmites I heard the rattle of a Marsh Wren. I did my best to get a photo, but it did not come out too far. Some of these do stay around until at least early winter to be counted on Christmas Bird Counts. Perhaps this individual will stay around there.

elusive Marsh Wren at Erieau

Off McGeachy Pond on the lake were several Horned Grebes. I always hope for a Western Grebe, as one has never been officially recorded for the Rondeau area. That is one of many species that are overdue for the list.

As silly as it was, I braved the Blenheim lagoons. Lots of bonies and ducks there. Water is up with all the rain yesterday, so no shorebirds. I kept an eye out for the immature Black-crowned Night-Heron. It was still there last week, but I did not see it today. It had been there over a month.

Lake Huron Birding

A brutal north wind developed for Saturday, rather unexpectantly. As late as Thursday night, the wind was supposed to be out of the SW at 40 km/h with about 40% chance of rain. Obviously the forecast was dead wrong once again! So, I had to head to Point Edward on Lake Huron for birding on Saturday.

The wind eventually reach at least 50 km/h straight out of the north, and the rain never stopped. I spent six hours there, all in the car! I did venture out once, but my hat blew off twice. Good thing there was a fence on the hill, or my hat would have went south very quickly.

There was not a huge number of birds, perhaps it was too nasty. Some good birds though. Not a picture taking day, but I did get a couple of shots. The Pomarine Jaeger was rather distant, but you can see the jaeger shape. I will copy my Ontbirds posting here that sums up the day. (add about 175 Tundra Swans in several flocks).

Jaegers: 1 juv unidentified at distance (likely Parasitic) early morning. 1 juv Pomarine entirely on the Michigan side and disappeared over the city of Port Huron. I viewed this for about 7 minutes.

Loons: At least 50 Common Loons, many of which were strangely coming from overland behind me. 3 Red-throated.

Grebes: 1 Red-necked, and 3 Horned.

Gulls: Several flocks of Bonaparte's, but nothing with them. One juv Little Gull (came out of St. Clair R.). + Herring, Great Black-backed and Ring-billed.

Ducks: At least 20 Black Scoters swimming in the channel (the only scoters of the day). Plus common species.

One Red Phalarope (came out of St. Clair R.-Ontario side).

One ad. Bald Eagle carrying large fish from Michigan side. Later saw it go back empty-taloned.

Birding in the Rondeau Area

Bonies at Erieau

The weather was not very nice today, but that means better birding! I always say, the crappier the weather, the better the birding.

Birding was not as good as yesterday, but some decent finds were made. I spent a couple of hours birding with Jim Burk in Rondeau Park first thing. Many birds had left since last week, but some sparrows were still around, especially Juncos.

There was an Orange-crowned Warbler on south point trail, quite possibly the same one as last week. A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding on dogwood berries. Some of these birds will likely stick around to at least the Christmas Bird Count.

A flock of six or seven Eastern Bluebirds was nice to see, and I have a feeling this group will stay around for a while.

A Merlin was chasing Pine Siskins around. I have had a Merlin there the last three weeks in a row. There were still many groups of siskins patrolling the area.

Hardly anything was on the lake off the park, but east of the park there were hundreds of ducks including Redhead, both Scaup, Black and Surf Scoters, and others.

At Erieau, we found the gulls. Typically this time of year, Bonaparte's Gulls, as well as others congregate in large numbers in the harbour area. A number were feeding on the lake just off the end of the pier. Jim spotted a first basic Franklin's Gull for a brief period. Later, I went out the pier and stumbled upon a Purple Sandpiper. This is not unusual for this time of year. They are sometimes quite approachable, and this individual was no exception. I managed to get a few good photos.

Purple Sandpiper

I stood at the end of the pier for a while and spotted a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake. They are always a treat for the Rondeau area. Walking back, I picked out a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the breakwater.

Juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake (centre)

Some sparrows were on the Erieau Marsh Trail, including Fox. Jim and I spotted a pair of Snow Geese flying over from here.

At Blenheim Lagoons, there were hundreds of gulls, but no Franklin's! Many ducks as well, and about ten Dunlin. That juv Black-crowned Night-Heron was still sticking it out! If the water does not freeze, it will stay for some time I think.

Birding Bonanza at Point Pelee Tip

Today I spent the morning standing at the Tip of Point Pelee with Alan Wormington and Kevin McLaughlin. There were thousands of birds!

Cave Swallows and Franklin's Gulls were the highlights. Not a photo-taking day as it was quite overcast sometimes, and the birds were flying by at great speed or distance. I'll include photos from a year ago of the subject birds.

Cave Swallow and Barn Swallow at Erieau 7 Nov. 2008

I passed through Wheatley on the way home and added some Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs at Muddy Creek.
Near St. Clair NWA I came across a large flock of mixed blackbirds. There may even have been Brewer's in the flock.

Rusty Blackbird

Looks like an influx of Franklin's Gulls right now, as Michigan has reported some as well.

Franklin's Gull at Erieau Nov. 2007

My post from Ontbirds sums up the day..........

Thousands of birds were around the Tip of Point Pelee this morning during a five hour lake watch by myself, Kevin McLaughlin and Alan Wormington. A total of eight (8) Cave Swallows were counted.The first two at 09:05, another four about 11:35 and another two with a very pale Barn Swallow about 12:05. We also had another single Barn Swallow. All came down the East Beach.Another highlight at high noon was a remarkable flock of twenty-two (22) FRANKLIN'S GULLS heading SE! Most were first basic. Not a record high count, but impressive. (I see some were reported in Michigan today as well).Among the hundreds upon hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls, we spotted one first basic LITTLE GULL.Another interesting bird was an imm. Peregrine Falcon that set down on the sand for good looks. It was banded with a red band on the right leg, and a light blue band on the left leg.Shorebirds included a few Sanderlings and several groups of Dunlin.

Yellowlegs at Wheatley

Birding Pinery and Kettle Point

Kettle Point (last year)

I joined the OFO trip starting at Grand Bend today. The Pinery and Kettle Point area is an always interesting place for birding especially in the fall. It is good for finch types and waterbirds, and sometimes Townsend's Solitaires. Quite a number of solitaires have been found in Pinery this time of year.

On the way up there, I spotted a Golden Eagle southwest of Arkona--the only Golden Eagle of the day!

Our fearful leader, Maris Apse (wondering where everyone went!)

At the parking lot first thing in the morning, we had a couple of small flocks of White-winged Crossbills fly over. A good start to the day!
On the waterfront, the lake was fairly calm due to an easterly wind. We spotted three Red-throated Loons and a Common Loon. One Red-throated was fairly close. Last year we had a Pacific Loon here.
At Grand Bend Sewage Lagoons, a large number of ducks were present. Many species including a couple of Long-tailed and the surprise, a White-winged Scoter. The scoter is not a duck one usually sees on a sewage lagoon! We also had a lone small goose that appeared to be of the Cackling type.
Next stop was Pinery Provincial Park. Not many birds were to be found. A couple of Purple Finches, the usual Tufted Titmice at the feeders and some raptors overhead. We did come across a Ruffed Grouse. Three Red-headed Woodpeckers were visible in the burn out area.

feeder setup with Tufted Titmouse

an elusive Ruffed Grouse

The beach at Ipperwash produced four species of gulls and a Killdeer plus another White-winged Scoter. As well, a small raft of Black Scoters were offshore.

gulls at Ipperwash Beach

At Kettle Point we saw a large flock of Black-bellied Plover and one Dunlin on the reef. Two Bald Eagles were seen here. Later on the other side of the point we saw a couple more Bald Eagles and more Red-tailed Hawks.

At Cedar Cove, (a place I did not know existed!), there were many gulls and ducks. A Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult) was here and a couple of Hooded Mergansers to add to the list. I counted about 30 Horned Grebes out on the lake and another Common Loon. I heard White-winged Crossbills on the hill. This is a great spot for spotting birds on the lake!
Here, was a Painted Lady butterfly--a nice find for this late in the season. I did see some sulphurs (both types) on the west side of Kettle Point as well today.
It will be very warm this week, so more butterflies will be out I would think.

An Interesting Day!

Once again I got down to Rondeau Park to watch the sun rise over the lake. Lots of birds were flying about and I knew it was going to be an interesting day.

Certain species had arrived in large numbers, including Pine Siskins that were flying around all morning. I was hoping for White-winged Crossbills, but none were heard. They are a rare commodity at Rondeau, and I have only seen them there a couple of times. Juncos were in the park by the hundreds. One flock near the maintenance compound numbered over 100. Sparrows were numerous as I had all the usuals including White-crowned, White-throated, Tree, Chipping, Field, Vesper (one in campground), Savannah, Song (large numbers) and Swamp and Fox (surprisingly large numbers--I saw or heard at least 25). There were even several Eastern Towhees--more than the last couple of weeks.

Fox Sparrow

Both kinglets were plentiful, and Yellow-rumped Warblers were not in short supply. Other warblers included a single Orange-crowned on south point and a Nashville at the visitor centre.

Nashville Warbler

At one point I saw a Red-headed Woodpecker fly over--maybe it will stay a while. The acorn crop is large this year.

Raptors included a Merlin (possibly the same one as last week) and a Northern Goshawk (immature).

There were lots of ducks on the lake, especially south of Morpeth. A couple of Common Loons and a few Horned Grebes were swimming as well. A lone Long-tailed Duck (decent for Rondeau area) was sleeping by itself near the scaup raft.

At Blenheim lagoons, shorebirds included a Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 2 Least Sandpipers, numerous Dunlin and a few Killdeer. There were lots of ducks as well. The immature Black-crowned Night-Heron was still hanging around.


Butterflies were even out today. There were lots of Orange Sulphurs, a few Clouded Sulphurs, and even a tattered Common Buckeye!



I checked out Erieau marsh trail later on and came up with a Northern Mockingbird--not unusual for that area. Butterflies there included an Eastern Comma and a passing Monarch.

Northern Mockingbird

A number of Tundra Swans have shown up in the area.
It was a nice day to be out, even though I had been hoping to discover some type of rarity! (I am overdue!).