Arrival of Spring

Common Mergansers

Yesterday, with the warm front coming in, there was a noticeable change in the air. There were lots of spring birds! Today, there were even more birds moving around and singing.
The robins were plentiful today, and Tundra Swans were moving north in big numbers, along with some geese.
Everywhere you went you could here Killdeer calling and other birds singing.
A welcome sound after the winter.

I always go for a walk at Brander Park in the south end of Port Lambton just before I head over to work. There is a trail through a small woodlot with a tiny creek running through it. This spot is a migrant trap and I have tallied an impressive number of birds here. A large pond is on the property as well.
My list for this location stands at 197 (although I have not updated it for over a year) which includes birds seen on the property or from the property. The St. Clair River is the west border, and on the other side the Port Lambton Sewage Lagoons are just past the NE border. Walpole Island is less than a kilometre away.
Best birds here have included a Virginia's Warbler (2003) along the north treeline and the White-winged Tern (1991) at the lagoons.

The Woodlot at Brander Park

It is nice to get some birding in just before I go to work (which is a two minute drive from here). It gets your spirits up! Sometimes after work I stop by.
This morning Tundra Swans and geese were flying over. A flock of Northern Pintail was circling the still-frozen lagoons wondering where to set down, and other birds were singing. A pair of Tufted Titmouse was in the woodlot. They have been there all week, but I have never had them nesting there. Once in a while, one or two show up there, but never stay.
I noticed several pairs of Robins on the way to work this morning as well.
I also sometimes take a look at the river from the Port Lambton Dock. Swans, geese and gulls were heading north. Some Common Mergansers were on the river, as seen in the above photo.

I am looking forward to spring birding!

Copy of the Spring Birds of Point Pelee book (belonged to naturalist H. B. Wressell)