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.