Some Recent Observations

Got out today and ended up doing much more driving that I wanted to.  With the lack of birds around, one has to roam around!  I ended up at Rondeau again first thing, checking the campground, then around the visitor centre.  I wanted to go out Marsh Trail, but AS USUAL strong SW winds again today, so it would have been unbearable.  I guess we will have to live them!

I found the Chipping Sparrow again but not most of the other birds from yesterday.  A Purple Finch near maintenance and a Robin were different.  The visitor centre feeders became active after the local Cooper's Hawk had left.  I think there were up to five Tufted Titmouse, so likely a family group.

Outside the park, I stopped south of Morpeth to scope the lake.  Very few ducks still and no scoters.  Usually there are some scoter, but I do not know where they are this fall.  I noticed at least four Horned Grebes as well.  John Lamey came along and the discussion was lack of birds lately. In fact he does not recall things so lack-lustre down this way.

Hey You!

I continued up to Ridgetown lagoons which were mostly frozen like most other still bodies of water this weekend.  Nothing new there from yesterday.

I did some touring north of Wallaceburg and some walking but saw few birds.  I did come across a Field Sparrow at McKeough CA accompanying a Song Sparrow and a couple of Tree Sparrows.  Along the floodway, I noted 8 Red-tailed Hawks while I stood in one spot.  It seems that there are lots of those everywhere right now.  Only one Rough-legged today.  Numerous Kestrels.

Late this afternoon, I again headed north of Wallaceburg, travelling along the St. Clair River first.  Some ducks are in including lots of Bufflehead.  A female Green-winged Teal looked out of place among Mallards at the Sombra ferry dock.
I sat for a while at my favourite park -Seager (Ivory Gull spot!).  A surprise was a Horned Grebe floating downriver with the current.  They are rather uncommon on the river, but it was not one I was expecting while sitting there today.

I wanted to check for Sandhill Cranes, so I timed myself heading south on back roads.  I was delighted to find a young Northern Shrike since it was the first in a year!! Rather distant.

imm. Northern Shrike!

Farther down near Sombra, I was surprised to find what appeared to be a Bald Eagle nest in a woodlot.  Had no idea it was there!  Location will remain a bit fuzzy here.

Still farther down, I saw a white bump in a field which I knew had to be a Snowy Owl.  This looked like a female, but different from the one near Becher.

Snowy Owl

At Stewart Line, I noticed flocks of Sandhill Cranes circling around and it appeared the 70 are still with us.  However, they headed over to Walpole Island just north of the bridge.  I did find half a dozen along Stewart Line though.  It will be interesting to see how long they linger around.  Sixteen days I hope!

Sandhill Cranes in the Sunset