Easter Weekend

I went back to Rondeau Saturday morning. There was a cool NE wind, but what else is new? Not many birds have come in yet. It has been too cool. Certainly no warblers at Rondeau, and I do not think Pelee has had any either.

Lots of Red-breasted Mergansers were feeding close to shore off south point trail. Not often we see this many this close.

The only new bird I saw for the year was a Purple Martin flying overhead while I was on spicebush trail.

Outside the park, I heard Vesper Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow.

Sunday morning was once again cold and I did not know what to do. I checked out Stewart Wetland first thing and I finally saw my first shorebirds of the year--Greater Yellowlegs. Habitat is perfect there for shorebirds, so I will be checking it everyday from now on.

I then decided to head down to Point Pelee. Although it was nice for walking there, it was a waste of time for birds! Landbirds were conspicuously absent! However, there were thousands of diving ducks all along West Beach Trail from the visitor centre south. Most were scaup, but many Surf Scoters were mixed in as well as Black Scoters. I saw one imm. Common Loon far out, and a Horned Grebe in breeding plumage. There was probably a King Eider out there, but I could not find it!

A few Turkey Vultures were flying about. Someone wrote in Black Vulture yesterday for the Tip area, but who knows if that is valid. The sightings book has become a bit of a joke in recent years for inexperienced birders making misidentifications or people just being silly!

On the way home, I saw a Great Egret at Hillman Creek, and an adult Bald Eagle flying over near there.

I am sure next weekend will see lots of new birds.