The Wonders of Bird Migration

I headed down to Rondeau this morning to take advantage of the nice weather. It was supposed to be rainy all weekend, but as usual, the weather forecast was wrong.

Migration is well underway with many new arrivals today.

Exhausted Golden-crowned Kinglet

The first thing I noted was the arrival of many Golden-crowned Kinglets. They were all over the park. Later in my walk, I came across one sleeping on the trail. It was obviously exhausted from migration and was content to rest there. I picked it up and moved it off the trail. A little later I looked at it again and it had perked up.
Quite often one will see exhausted birds. Some are a little more perky, but quite approachable. I have seen Scarlet Tanagers on the trail before. It is one of the perils of migration.


A number of Eastern Phoebes were in the park as well. I also came across my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the spring on Spicebush Trail.

Song Sparrows were once again in large numbers all over the park. Some Tree Sparrows were mixed in and the odd Field Sparrow as well. A Chipping Sparrow was near the visitor centre. I caught a glimpse of one Fox Sparrow which would be a fresh migrant as there were none all winter in the park.

Many ducks were on the Bay to look at. I scoped from the Rondeau Dock. I saw a couple of Horned Grebes also, starting to get their breeding plumage.

At Blenheim Lagoons, the same ducks as last week were there plus I noted two Tree Swallows.

Duck Quiz: What species is this (above)?

Several Turkey Vultures were in the air today.

At home, a male Purple Finch was at the feeder today.