Crossbills, Chippie, Cranes Today

I started out at Rondeau's campground first thing this morning.  It was a clear crisp day for birding.  The campground seems to be the best spot around for a variety of things, and I was not disappointed.  First off I heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the south end.  I never did see it though.  Near the north end, where most birds are, I milled about for a good half hour.  Best species was White-winged Crossbill.  A flock of about a dozen came into a spruce tree, then a cedar tree in front of me.

White-winged Crossbills!

A number of juncos were feeding on weed seeds.  Amongst them was a Chipping Sparrow.  While watching those, likely another sapsucker came in which at least I got a good look at.  It was making quite a bit of noise before I saw it.  As I was just about to leave the spot, a Fox Sparrow came in out of nowhere to join the group.
Also seen were Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Tree Sparrows.  Lots of Blue Jays were around this morning as well.  Yellow-rumped Warblers seem to be absent again this winter.
South Point Trail was very quiet, but I did get a good look at a Pileated Woodpecker--something I need to see next Sunday!
As I left the park, I heard a Pine Siskin at the gate, but did not pursue it.

I drove some back roads including Sinclair's Line and Stefina Line not seeing much.  Steve Charbonneau had a female Eastern Towhee at Sinclair's Bush.  Also he had a Wilson's Snipe near Blenheim.
I looked for Snipe at the usual Stefina spot, but came up empty.  A cow was also looking for snipe it seems.

Snipe Hunting

Erieau was rather quiet but just outside the village a pair of Sandhill Cranes was in a field.

Hardly a thing at the R/R and McGeachy.  Only a few Tree Sparrows, a Swamp Sparrow and a White-throated Sparrow.

Ridgetown Waterfowl Festival

I decided to swing by Ridgetown Lagoons.  It was quite impressive with waterfowl in the back pond with hundreds of Canada Geese, Tundra Swans and ducks.  A Green-winged Teal was the only notable duck among Mallard, Black, Shoveler, Bufflehead and Hooded Merganser.

Shoeless Joe's shoes??