KP and the Kettles

Visited Kettle Point (KP) yesterday in hopes of seeing the reported Gyrfalcon.  As usual, no luck there!  Alf Rider did get a fuzzy photo of it the other day, which he showed to us.  Quite a few birders stopped by yesterday morning.  Many of those people I had not seen in quite a while, so it was nice to talk to them.
Afterwards, I toured the area stopping at various spots but did not see much.  There was a general lack of birds!  Usually this time of year there are lots of things to see, but yesterday was very disappointing from a birdwatching standpoint.
It is a good spot to view moving waterbirds.  We have had good times there in the past.  Yesterday I counted at least 20 Common Loons moving in ones or twos.  Three Bald Eagle were hunting the point.  One immature had a transmitter on its back.
Snowy Owls usually congregate here in good numbers.  Obviously this winter is not a good year to see them!  Sometimes you can see up to five at once here.

Kettle Point is a unique place, not only for birds, but geology.  "Kettle" comes from the concretions that have been found there where their shape resembles the bottom of large cooking pots.  These are rounded or spheroid stones in various sizes formed mainly of calcite with other minerals included.  They are crystalline structures that have grown outward from a central core.  They grow in softer sedimentary deposits by mineral precipiation around the core.

Kettle Point is the outcrop of black shale that covered much of the eastern United States and parts of central Canada during the Upper Devonian and Early Mississippian period.

View from the Point

I found this old postcard that depicts a photo at Kettle Point.

Back in the 1960's, a "kettle" was dug up in Wallaceburg during sewer work.  It is now in the Wallaceburg Museum.

Harriers to Phalarope

Another Chickadee!

Some good birds have recently been showing up in the province (if you are lucky and in the right place at the right time!).  A Painted Bunting is in Kincardine right now.  Nice feeder bird!  I have seen one of those, so there was no need to head up that way.

I headed south again, starting at Point Pelee.  It was not the best wind for the Tip, but the west wind was very strong.  Much less activity than last Sunday.  Interesting were several Harriers that headed out over the lake.  Some came back, and at a distance they looked jaeger-like coming in.

Acrobatic Harrier

I may have had a jaeger way out first thing, but I could not get a focus on it.  It sure appeared like one though.
A Turkey Vulture was on the East Beach where the trail comes out from the "42" sign.  Not sure what it was up to, but it was not too active.

Lots of dogwood berries are along Shuster Trail attracting birds.  Quite a few White-throated Sparrows were along here with a couple of Hermit Thrushes.
Bluebirds were near the visitor centre.

A good number of birds were near the cemetery including a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers and some Cedar Waxwings.

A flicker was also making some noise here.
While there, a nice dark morph Rough-legged Hawk soared overhead.

 On the way out, the silouhette of a Great Horned Owl caught my eye beside Sanctuary Pond.

I decided to head towards Blenheim to check for the Wilson's Phalarope.  On the way I caught sight of a Golden Eagle just west of Port Alma dodging wind turbines. 
I had no doubt the phalarope would be there, but nobody had reported it since I saw it last Saturday.

The phalarope was still in its usual spot in Pond 1.  No other shorebirds were present.

Misc. Things

Anna's Hummingbird in Cottam.  Hmmm.....

The bat I photographed at Point Pelee on Sunday was indeed a Pipistrelle.  My photo was a bit dark, so it was misleading.  Thanks to Paul Pratt for letting me know. Also, that Little Brown bats are somewhat rare in Essex!

Pipistrelle Bat at Point Pelee

I was going through some archived photos tonight.  The evenings are getting too long, so I have lots of time!
Hints of things to come....

Winter Scene along Chenal Ecarte

This photo was one of the better ones I took one morning where I worked.  I am still in the area, only across the canal!  Walpole Island (Highbanks area) is in the background and it shows the Heritage Centre.

Ice at Rondeau February 2007.  This formation was there for two weekends.  I photographed it in different lighting conditions and it looked considerable different.  The sunny one is scanned, as the original got destroyed when the disc corrupted. (You need backups to backups!).

(scan from orignal)

These guys have not shown up here yet, but very soon...

Common Redpoll

To The Tip! Point Pelee Birding

This weekend we finally had access to the Tip of Point Pelee after several weeks.  Many of us had withdrawal symptons, so it was nice go birding there again today.  The sun never really came out today for any length of time.
The wind was southeast somewhat brisk and moved more easterly later.  It was supposed to go south, but as usual that did not happen.
I was the only birder there for the first two hours, but Steve Pike and his friend came along later.  There was lots of activity, especially with Red-breasted Mergansers.  There were thousands, and after a while I realized it was a big day for them, so I tried to count.  I estimated at least 50,000+.  Could have been more, especially since they were still coming when we left the Tip.  Last year on 7 November we had 54,000 in three hours. 

Pike at the Tip!

There were several other species of ducks including all three scoters.  Only three Common Loons and three Horned Grebes were seen.  No shorebirds!
At the Tip washrooms, a bat was clinging to the wall.  Its fur was all mussed up though.

Afterwards, we walked up West Beach Trail, but activity was minimal.  There were lots of Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets. One male kinglet had a bold fiery crest!  I have never seen one so boldly displayed.

Firecrest

Raptors included a couple of Harriers, three dark morph Rough-legged Hawks (together!), an adult Red-shouldered Hawk, a Peregrine Falcon and a Cooper's Hawk.
The best activity was at the group campground where there was a large gathering of birds.  Included were about 15 Eastern Bluebirds, a couple of American Robins, Hermit Thrushes, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Chickadees, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warblers, etc.

Fat Chickadee!

On the way home I caught sight of a Red-necked Grebe in Hillman Marsh at the bridge on Mersea Rd. 2.  I had just looked at two Pied-billed Grebes on the other side of the bridge.
Checked out Wheatley Harbour also.  An Irene Woods sighting and just ordinary gulls there...

Serious-looking Herring Gull

Content Ring-billed Gull

There have been considerable changes at Point Pelee. The road to the Tip has been repaved and the Tip Loop modified.  The VC parking lot is totally reconfigured to give a better flow of traffic. However there seems to be fewer parking spaces!

Phalarope Fun

I checked out the Rondeau area again today.  Where else to go?  (I know, Long Point.  Another Spotted Towhee this week!)  The winds just do not seem to co-operate for weekends. 
Once again it was not appropriate for doing a lakewatch at Point Edward. There was only one good day there back in early October.  And the Tip of Point Pelee has been closed for several weeks, so that has been out of the question.

There really was not anything worth noting in Rondeau Park.  There were lots of Chickadees.  A couple of Hermit Thrushes were taking advantage of dogwood berries, as was an American Robin.  Sparrows have been incredibly scarce this fall.  Besides a few (very few) Tree Sparrows, one Field and one Fox Sparrow were seen. A Swamp Sparrow heard.  No Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Some do always stay the winter, so hopefully a few will come in.

Over at Blenheim Lagoons, the crazy Wilson's Phalarope was making its rounds.  We should set up a lottery and see how long it stays.  It may stay until freeze-up, but if this weather does not get its act together, that may be a while!  Other shorebirds included about 50 Dunlin and a Baird's Sandpiper.  Two Semipalmated Sandpipers were noted on ebird yesterday, but I have doubts about that one.  It would be very late for them, although I did have two November 24, 2002 which were probably record late.
I cannot help but think this phalarope may be the same bird we saw last March.  I haven't looked too closely at plumage here, but it would be fun to think so.  There was a Wilson's Phalarope in late May and certainly in July.  Nobody checks there much in June.  Wilson's have nested there in the past as well.

March 21, 2010

At Erieau the lingering Osprey was at McGeachy Pond carrying a fish dinner at lunch time.

Lots of Horned Grebes were on the lake, as well as Bonaparte's Gulls.

Ducks 'n Things

Today was a rather disappointing day for birding.  Hardly anything around!  There was quite a bit of activity on the lake, but nothing special.  No Gannets here.
At Erieau, some Long-tailed ducks were around.  One was right in the channel.

Also off McGeachy Pond, 3 Black Scoters were hanging out with two Surf Scoters near the raft of scaup.  A couple of Long-tailed ducks were there as well.
Lots of gulls were way out.

I checked out Ridgetown Lagoons too.  Some Dunlin, one White-rumped and about 20 Killdeer were present among the many Canada Geese.
The Wilson's Phalarope was still at Blenheim.

I covered lots of ground and was home by 1 p.m.!
Later I went out to Port Lambton and found the local Mallards.  The oddball was swimming close by with six other mallards.  An interesting duck!

Cackling Goose from last week:

Saturday November 13 Birding

Rising Sun at Rondeau

The weather was simply too nice today!  Very quiet for birds.  There was a fair bit of activity on the lake off Rondeau though.  Lots of Horned Grebes, ducks and gulls.  One Common Loon was swimming off Rondeau's south point.
There are still a few dogwood berries attracting birds.  We did not see much bird activity in that area today.

I saw my first Golden Eagle (adult) over Stefina Line around noon.  In some years they are difficult to find, while others I see several.
Blenheim Lagoons was interesting with the lingering Wilson's Phalarope.  Also present was a rather late Baird's Sandpiper.  There is actually a CBC record of Baird's (1971)!  Other shorebirds included White-rumped, Pectoral, Dunlin and Killdeer.
Butterflies were still out today as well.  I saw at least 3 Eastern Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Mourning Cloak and both Common and Orange Sulphurs.

distant Comma!

Red Admiral

Late yesterday I stopped at Stewart Wetland along the Snye.  The Snye was a smooth as glass.  The Walpole Island shoreline was reflected in the water.  It has been calm all week!

November Storms

Its been another quiet week around here so far for birds.  Another rarity at Long Point this week--what's up with that place?  Not for lack of trying here and elsewhere for good birds!!
The last couple of days have been unseasonably warm and calm, unlike some times in the past.

Edmund Fitzgerald liferaft on display at the Soo (1978!)

Today is the 35th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  On November 10, 1975 the Fitz went down on Lake Superior during a severe storm.

Many ships have gone down in November during some big late fall storms.  The Glenlyon sank near Isle Royale in Lake Superior on November 1, 1924.  No lives were lost in that one.  The Glenlyon used to call on Wallaceburg before that.

Postcard showing the Glenlyon in Wallaceburg

On November 18, 1958, the Carl D. Bradley went down on Lake Michigan with only two survivors.  This vessel was only 31 years old, but many factors probably contributed to its demise.

Carl D. Bradley

On November 26, 1966 the Daniel J. Morrell broke in two on Lake Huron during a storm.  The sole survivor was Dennis Hale, who has written a book about the ordeal.  He goes around speaking about the incident, and a number of years ago we went to Port Huron to hear him speak.

November is a time to remember for many reasons.

Sunday Odds and Sods

colour at dawn

It was a slow birding day, but things seem to pick up as time went on.  Jim Burk and I started on South Point Trail as usual.
The Red-eyed Vireo was still in the same area, but we also heard a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher.  The gnatcatcher was reported yesterday by Allen Woodliffe.  We also had a Blue-headed Vireo at the same spot, so we were still doing well with vireos.
Most of the birds were hanging out in this area due to dogwood berries.  They are fastly disappearing and will be gone in a few days.

"Hey!  Mind your own business!"

At Erieau, an Osprey is still hanging around the onion fields.
On the way out, I caught sight of a Cattle Egret at the horse pasture at the corner of Bisnett and Erieau Rd.  One was there back in early May.
At Blenheim Lagoons, the Wilson's Phalarope is still sticking it out in Pond 1.  Just before I was about to leave, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers flew over and circled back towards Pond 5.  I could not find them when I went back there, but a Harrier had spooked everything (I knew it would happen!).

Wilson's Phalarope

On the way home, I stopped at Mud Creek in Chatham to look at Canada Geese.  Recently, Cackling Geese have been seen there.  I managed to find one.  Probably others there as there were at least 300+ geese.

Cackler!

Saturday's Birding--Another Vireo

Much quieter this week!  Pine Siskins have increased in numbers though.  Lots were flying around Rondeau this morning, and many arrived here at home.

Pine Siskin

Two species of vireos today!  A Red-eyed was on south point trail.  I am sure it was there last weekend, but we just did not see it.  I also found the White-eyed again at McGeachy Pond, Erieau.  It looks quite attractive this time of year.

White-eyed Vireo

The Wilson's Phalarope was still at Blenheim Lagoons.  It will be interesting to see how long it stays.  Next week is supposed to be unseasonably mild.  In other words, TOO nice!

Fox Sparrows were quite numerous today.  They have finally showed up in numbers in the last week or so.

a Foxy Sparrow

Finally, dozens of Horned Grebes were on the lake.  Good time of year to find a Western--another species the Rondeau area has never recorded.

Tundra Swans--numbers increasing

Butterflies today included Eastern Comma (1-Erieau), Common Sulphur (2-Blenheim), Common Buckeye (1-Blenheim).

Not much opportunity for photography today......

No New Material

Its been a boring week.  This is a depressing time of year, at least on weekdays as I go to work in the dark, and the day is almost ending when I come home.  The chickadees seem to be the last birds of the day at the feeder now.  I have three or four right now, not surprisingly.  Some years I get none!
I knew something was up when I had a couple pass through the yard in August.  Signs of a mass movement to come?
I was going through some old photos in the archives to pass some time.  Brings back some memories of good times, such at the stay at the Tip of Long Point one summer.  The above photo of the moon I digiscoped.  Four of us stayed at the Tip station for four nights during July when the banding was in hiatus.
It was an experience I could not pass up, even though I had just started work with a new employer.

Long Point Tip at Dawn

Came across a photo of a Franklin's Gull taken at Erieau in fall 2007.  I was surprised none showed up as a result of that brutal wind last week.  In the past, strong westerlies sometimes bring in some Franklin's Gulls.

 Two years ago, while at Point Pelee Tip in early November, we (Alan Wormington, Kevin McLaughlin, myself) saw a flock of 22 fly past the Tip.  It was an excellent day with lots of birds including Cave Swallows (and two other swallow species), etc.  There is still time for some to show!
Speaking of Cave Swallow, here is another from 2007 at Erieau. A Cave with a Barn!

One has to go to Lake of the Woods near Rainy River to see hundreds of Franklin's Gulls in the breeding season.  This second photo (scanned from a slide) shows some on a trip there in July 1996.  That was an incredible trip that will never be equalled!  (Baird's Sparrow [just happened to be there when it was found by John Lamey!], Great Gray Owl, Piping Plover, Gray Jays, WW Crossbills, etc...).

Franklin's Gulls at Windy Point

Looks good for birding this weekend......I hope....