Crisp and Clear Day

Ice off Point Pelee Tip

I woke up this morning to clear skies. It was quite cold though. I looked out my window and the birds were already moving at 07:00. About 07:15 I noticed two birds alight a maple tree over in Steinhoff Park. I trained my binoculars on them and they turned out to be male White-winged Crossbills! Those were the first here in a few weeks.

I had plans to check out Point Pelee, so off I went. I arrived at the Tip parking lot about 09:10. I caught sight of a flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding along the road. I tried to approach them, but they were wary and suddenly took off with a whoosh!. There were about 30, and I did scan them for Bohemian, but no luck for that species.

Cedar Waxwings

I checked the famous area for the Spotted Towhee, but only saw two Song Sparrows (new spring migrants) and two Tree Sparrows. I then headed to the Tip and looked at some ducks and gulls among the piles of ice. Interestingly, that wayward channel marker is still anchored off the Tip!

The Tip (pointing east)

Returning from there, I noted some Tree Sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Carolina Wren in the underbrush.

At the towhee spot, other birders were there who turned out to be Glenn Coady, George and Mark Peck and Tyler Hoar. I spent the next couple of hours with them. The Spotted Towhee finally showed for some good views, but it sure moved around a lot.

Earlier I noted a couple of redpolls flying over.

Next stop was the visitor centre and a visit with Sarah Rupert. Turns out they were cleaning out the library there, and there were hundreds of books and journals. A real bargain for the book collector! They were only asking $1.00 donation for each book! We all left with something in hand.

Next stop was De Laurier where upon arrival we noted hundreds of American Robins flying south as well as 30-40 Eastern Bluebirds. There was even a Hermit Thrush or two amongst them.

We then parted, but I headed down to Chinquapin Oak Trail and the cemetery area and noted more robins, kinglets as well as a creeper and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I also came across a flock of about 40 Purple Finches. I heard a flicker in the distance, but did not see it.

I headed home and passed through Wheatley. There were quite a few gulls in the harbour, but I did not note any Mew Gull or anything of that nature!

Gulls on the harbour ice

Comet Lulin--the Green Comet

The most recent comet is now quite visible with binoculars. Tonight is near Saturn in the SE sky. Luckily it is very clear tonight above Wallaceburg. I just came in from seeing the comet. It is rather faint, but visible. On the night of February 25, it makes its closest approach to earth at only 61 million km!

Here are some links for more information:

TheNightSkyGuy

NASA

SkyandTelescope

Rondeau on Sunday

Red-breasted Nuthatch

The weather was much nicer today, although a bit windy. The sun was out by the time I arrived at Rondeau Park. I saw the usual wintering birds. Nothing new has shown up yet.

White-breasted Nuthatch

I started at the Visitor Centre feeders where among other things, there were two Tufted Titmice, two Red-breasted Nuthatches, two Carolina Wrens, and a Pileated Woodpecker calling back in the woods.

Tufted Titmouse

I did check out south point trail and found some Chickadees, Hairy Woodpeckers, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

In the campground, I found the wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers, Purple Finches, Brown Creeper and other woodpeckers. There were also a couple of White-throated Sparrows at the north end.

female Purple Finch

Along Kent Bridge Road I noticed dozens of Horned Larks. This is the usual time of year that they build up in numbers.

No new birds for the day, but it was nice to get out for a walk in the sun.

Blustery Saturday

Not much to report here for today or recently. The predicted snow did not hit until the noon hour here. It came all of a sudden when the wind picked up and the snow instantly appeared!

I managed to get out for a drive along the St. Clair River and inland, but as for birds, there were hardly any!

There were hardly any ducks on the river. A few of the wintering Long-tailed were off Port Lambton.

Even inland I could not find any birds. I do not think I even saw a single hawk other than a couple of Kestrels. Lots of Horned Larks have shown up recently.

Earlier in the week, there were ducks moving along the river at Port Lambton including some White-winged Scoters.

I think the Snowy Owl near here has long since moved on. I have not located it for almost three weeks.

Once the snow came, the feeders were busy this afternoon, mainly with Pine Siskins. No new birds have shown up yet. I have not seen any Redpolls for over a week.

Pine Siskins

Maybe I can get out somewhere tomorrow!

You can use your imagination on the photo below. (It was a boring afternoon!)

February 1968 Flood

With the flooding last week, it brought back memories of the flood in 1968. It was a similar situation when the ice jammed at some point, and backed up the river. It was quite severe in 1968 though. Here are some photos at the same location as the ones I took!

February 1968 (above)

February 2009 (below)

I was very young, but I remember watching the water level rise higher and higher, until it covered the road.

Change of Scenery

the Toronto skyline from Col Sam Smith Park

I spent the Valentine's weekend birding in and around Mississauga. The weather was fantastic. Today was perfect with clear skies, no wind, and mild temperatures. I spent the time with my girlfriend Jo-Anne and I helped her record some observations for the Great Backyard Bird Count at various locations.

Our first target was Colonel Sam Smith Park in Etobicoke on Saturday morning. The main attraction here was the waterfowl, plus the wintering Snowy Owl.

Snowy Owl atop electrical service box in the marina

We saw the owl first thing in the marina. This is the same bird we saw just before New Year's. A couple of Horned Grebes had been reported previously, but I saw at least four on the lake! As well, I spotted a Red-necked Grebe quite far out.

Gadwall and other ducks

Thanks to a tip from Glenn Coady, we found the three Harlequin Ducks, albeit far away.

Our last location there led us to the well-reported male King Eider. We had almost lost hope in seeing it for the trip. I did take a poor photo, but I only had my small point and shoot camera. I was not too interested in photography for this trip.

The next stop before lunch was the park at Port Credit. There were lots of ducks and swans, including three Trumpeter Swans (all tagged). The numbers were recorded and will be reported to Harry Lumsden (#06, #E26. #137). Interestingly, we saw #E21 and #E27 at Humber Bay on our last visit.

I also spotted a lone Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Here, I got a closer look at the Ridgetown that I mentioned a while back. She is looking rather sad, but this hull is 104 years old! The paint is wearing off, and I could see her old name peeking through: William E. Corey. A complete history of the vessel is pasted below (from the book Ahoy and Farewell).

After lunch we checked out Riverwood Park where the much-mentioned Brown Thrasher was wintering. Depite many attempts, I did not see it! Jo-Anne first reported this bird on January 11.

One of many Chickadees getting handouts

There were lots of birds here including Pine Siskins, Redpolls, nuthatches, etc. I even caught a glimpse of a Song Sparrow. We luckily caught sight of a Hairy Woodpecker peeking out its hole!

Hairy Woodpecker

Next day we first stopped at Riverwood Park, but still the thrasher was not to be seen while I was there. Dave Milsom was looking as well, but it was quiet there.

Our main target for the day was Jack Darling Park and Rattray Marsh. There were lots of woodpeckers and chickadees there. A couple of redpolls flew over, as well as some siskins. I heard a Carolina Wren singing in the distance.

We had robins at almost every location on the trip. There are lots wintering all over when you down to it. Many people thought these were spring birds, but obviously they are not familiar to the fact that thousands of robins do winter in Ontario every year.

wintering American Robin

After finishing here, it was time for lunch then my trip home to Wallaceburg.

As a side note, the Thames River is now flooding. Coming through Thamesville this afternoon, the water was up to the highway! I have not seen it this high.

RIDGETOWN, C.305991, Lake Bulk Freighter built in 1905, at a cost of $475,000, by the Chicago Shipbuilding Co., Chicago, IL as Hull #67. Launched June 24, 1905 as a) WILLIAM E. COREY, US.202296, the first flagship for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co., Cleveland, OH. 569'loa, 549'x 56'x 31'; 6363 GRT, 5045 NRT. Powered by an 1,800 ihp triple expansion steam engine, 24",39 1/8",65 1/2" dia. x 42" stroke, and two coal-fired Scotch marine boilers, 15'4" x 11'6", with a combined heating surface of 5964 sq.ft. Engine and boilers built in 1905 by the American Ship Building Co., Cleveland. She was the near sistership to the HENRY C. FRICK, ELBERT H. GARY, and GEORGE W. PERKINS. The CORY sailed from Chicago on her maiden voyage August 12, 1905 bound for Duluth, MN to load iron ore. On November 28, 1905 the WILLIAM E. COREY was driven hard aground onto Gull Island Reef in the Apostle Islands in western Lake Superior during what some say was the worst November storm on the Great Lakes. In a very short period of time, temperatures dropped to twelve degrees F below zero and winds reached hurricane force. Three days of seventy to eighty mile per hour winds, blinding snow showers and mountainous seas wrecked thirty vessels with a loss of seventy-eight lives. After taking a terrible beating, a monumental effort was required to free her. At one time the salvage force included 158 men, four steamers (MANOLA, MARINA, SIR WILLIAM SIEMENS and DOUGLASS HOUGHTON) and the tugs EDNA G. and GLADIATOR. On December 10, 1905 the CORY finally was pulled free and refloated. The cost of salvage and repairs totaled $100,000. During the ordeal the SIEMENS and EDNA G. also grounded on the same reef, their damage amounted to $6,000. The CORY was reconstructed with 17 hatches on 24' centers which replaced her original 12' center hatches. A new tank top and two coal-fired Babcock & Wilcox water tube boilers, with a heating surface of 6980 sq.ft., were installed in April 1937. New tonnage; 6485 GRT, 5118 NRT, 10,950 dwt. The WILLIAM E. COREY was laid up at Duluth early in 1960 until she was sold to Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., and placed into British registry; London, England in July 1963 and renamed b) RIDGETOWN. In 1965 she was registered Canadian to Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., Toronto, Ont. Canadian tonnage: 7637 GRT, 5362 NRT, 11,300 dwt. The RIDGETOWN operated regularly until November 17, 1969 when she was laid up at Toronto with a load of grain. She was sold in May 1970 to the Canadian Dredge & Dry Dock Co. Ltd. of Toronto. On June 1, 1970 the RIDGETOWN was towed to Port Colborne, Ont. where she was loaded with stone and was towed to Nanticoke, Ont. to form a temporary breakwall during the construction of the Ontario Hydro Power Plant. The de-activated steamers LACKAWANNA and KINSMAN VENTURE were also used as temporary breakwalls there. After being raised, the RIDGETOWN was towed by the tugs SALVAGE MONARCH and HELEN M. McALLISTER to Toronto on September 5, 1973 where she spent the winter. On June 21, 1974 the RIDGETOWN was loaded with stone and again sunk as a breakwater at the entrance to Port Credit Harbour (on the north shore of Lake Ontario just west of Toronto) with her cabins and stack still in place. She remains there to this time. The registry for the RIDGETOWN was closed on June 19, 1974.

Wallaceburg Floods!

It was enevitable! With the heavy rain, very mild conditions, and all this winter's snow melting, the chance of a flood was very real.

view out the front door!

The water was quite high this morning when I left for work. There was still a thick layer of ice on the river. I noticed near the work place that the Chenal Ecarte (Snye River) had reversed its flow. Normally it flows from the St. Clair River, but it was actually flowing into the St. Clair River! That was not a good sign.

Chenel Ecarte near Johnston Channel (flowing north!)

I got a call at work just after 11 a.m. to come home and move some things since the street was flooded. It was a challenge just to get home due to flooded streets, but I did make it.

Margaret Avenue looking west at Napier St.

The level had receded a bit by the time I got home, as you could see the debris line part way up the driveway. Chunks of ice, logs and other debris was in the street.

Clearing debris. Notice the wooden pallet!

A State of Emergency was declared in Wallaceburg because of the uncertainty of what would happen. There were plans to evacuate the hospital just down the street.

The McKeough Floodway was utilized for the first time since 1991. The dam gates were closed thereby diverting water out to the St. Clair River. Most of the flow had stopped in the north branch, thereby relieving some of the pressure on the flow from the east branch.

Previous to that, the gates had been used on Valentine's Day 1984, almost exactly 25 years ago!

The Floodway was obviously a worthwhile project.

Late in the afternoon when things settled down, I drove around, and went as far as Port Lambton. A tug, Menasha, from Sarnia was just coming up on the entrance to the Snye. It was called in to break up any ice jams. Apparently there may be a jam farther east of Wallaceburg.

north branch at Running Creek

Common Redpoll

On my travels today, I saw a few Tundra Swans outside of Wallaceburg. These would be early spring migrants!

Lots of Pine Siskins and a couple of Redpolls at the feeder today. Nothing new!

Missed by a Hare

Today was rather nice--absolutely no wind, mild and full sun. I checked out the St. Clair River first thing. I have not been out there much this winter due to the weather, or lack of time. The river had opened up as a result of the mild weather on Saturday. Waterfowl was spread out all along the river. I only went as far as Courtright.

I noted a large number of Mute Swans today. They seemed to be all over, and certainly not a good sign as they are increasing exponentially. This non-native species is aggressive towards native waterfowl, displaces native waterfowl, and consumes a large amount of food otherwise available for other waterfowl.

Twenty Tundra Swans were on the ice at Fawn Island.

Three White-winged Scoters were noteworthy just north of the Sombra dock. As well, at least 15 Ring-necked Ducks were there. That is the highest number of that species I had seen this winter so far.

Long-tailed Ducks were all along the river. Obviously they have found a new wintering spot.

A large number of Common Goldeneye were at the north edge of Courtright. I did not scope them out, but perhaps there was a Barrow's amongst them. We almost never have a Barrow's Goldeneye here.

I did not see any Gadwall even though there was a report of one last Sunday in the usual area off Terra Industries. In fact I have not seen a Gadwall on the river yet this winter.

A Bald Eagle was on the ice near Cathcart Park. A report from last Sunday indicated that there were a total of five on the river!

I headed inland later. There is not much in the way of birds in the countryside this winter. Practically no hawks are around, and very few if any owls. I have not seen the Snowy Owl since last Monday despite searching. A few Harriers are around though. I took a photo of one taking off along Pretty Road south of Holt Line.

male Northern Harrier

It was here that I drove by something alongside the road. I though it was a chunk of debris so I almost missed it, but I backed up and it turned out to be a European Hare huddled up. It must have seen me coming and huddled up in a defensive posture. After I snapped a photo, it bounded away down the road and across the field.

Hare today, Gone tomorrow!

My next stop was to walk into Reid Conservation Area. I had not been there all winter due to the weather. It is a beautiful place to walk at any time. Not much in the way of birds, but I did pish down a passing Common Redpoll. It sat at the top of a tree for a few seconds, then took off again.

I checked out the Wood Duck boxes that we erected way back in the winter of 2003. They had been cleaned out the previous day by some friends of mine. They are located in an ancient oxbow that has lots of buttonbush.

I left there, and a little ways south I spotted a group of Wild Turkeys in the distance.

With the mild weather this week, some spring migrants (maily waterfowl) will show.

Mild Weather!

A much-needed break in the weather happened today. The temperature rose above zero celsius! I went to Rondeau Park for a walk, then checked out Erieau.
I started on south point trail, where there were absolutely no birds! Probably a first there! Some ducks and gulls were out over the lake though.
The visitor centre area held many birds, attracted to the feeders there. Birds included both types of nuthatches (the first Red-breasted I have seen this year!), two Tufted Titmice, Tree Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, Goldfinches, Chickadees, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.


There was also a pair of Carolina Wrens.


A Pileated frequents the area, but I did not see it today.
I then walked the campground. It was hard going in the slushy deep snow. Not much was there actually. I did come across a group of four Golden-crowned Kinglets. At the north end, I looked at a flock of blackbirds. It was mostly Brown-headed Cowbirds, but there were several Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Starlings.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Along New Scotland Line, I saw two Northern Flickers--first for the year.

I then headed over to Erieau, and the sun finally came out. It was supposed to rain today, but as usual the weather forecast was totally wrong. We did not get a drop!!

A few Ring-billed Gulls were on the ice along with a couple of Herring Gulls. A Great Blue Heron was still hanging out around a bubbler in the harbour.

At home, the Pine Siskins and Goldfinches are still gorging themselves on nyjer seed. I had only one Common Redpoll today, and it was a bright one.

At dusk, I went out of town to look for the Snowy Owl. No luck there, but I did see a nice sunset.

Feeder Watch Day: February 1

I did get out to the St. Clair River on Sunday. There were ducks to see, but not big numbers. Long-tailed ducks are still hanging out just south of Lambton Generating Station.

I attempted to go on back roads, but they had not yet been ploughed, so I had to just head home. Big drifts were in some spots.

I spent most of the day watching the feeders. Nothing new though. I still have at least 35 Pine Siskins, but no Redpolls showed up this weekend. No crossbills till this morning!

An adult (very large) Sharpshinned Hawk was cruising around town all day. I managed to photograph it on one of its passes.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Late in the day, I caught sight of an immature Cooper's Hawk.