Fall Birding Season

Little to blog about this week.  Of course I am at work all day, but do get a bit of birding in just before work.  Unfortunately the days are getting too short!
The last blog post has reached 42 pageviews--a new high for a single post.  It was amazing to see that Red Phalarope up so close.  Steve Pike got some incredible shots.  Too bad Josh did not get it, but I have no doubt that he will see another.....it is early in the season.  Marianne, Jeremy and myself saw him driving in to the park while we were at Blue Heron.  Guess he should not have stopped at Subway for lunch! LOL.  (Just kidding around).

A fair number of birds at Port Lambton to look at this week.  It was nice and calm this morning and I could hear things.  Thought I heard Red Crossbills flying over--something I am on the lookout for.  I've never had a really good look at one as they are very rare in this area, although, ironically I saw one briefly late last fall at Brander Park.  One winter there was one at Rondeau in early to mid January, but I only got fleeting glimpses of it.
I recall it was the time of the Nashville Warbler that I found on south point trail.  We thought perhaps it was the ridgwayi subspecies as it exhibited appropriate characteristics.  In fact I am almost sure of it!

Fall is my favourite season of birding.  The morning air is crisp, birds are less hurried, and there are lots of possibilities for birds and birding.  It is interesting to do a Tip watch at Point Pelee on appropriate winds.  One never knows what will show up.  But, I just enjoy being out nor worrying whether I can find a rarity or not.
One always hopes to find a rarity.  Looks like some fellow birders are making a go of it.  Brandon has put out a challenge this fall:  50-days-of-rare
We will see what transpires!

Pine Siskins are moving.  I heard the first ones of the fall on Sunday at Point Pelee.  I have been hearing this week at Port Lambton as well.

I am off to Midland on Saturday for a non-birding trip, but will keep an eye open along the way.  It is once in a lifetime opportunity to visit a Great Lakes passenger ship that was, incredibly, built in 1907.  The Keewatin  was over in Saugatuk Michigan since 1966, and it has "come home" to Port McNicholl. It is in pristine condition.

It had a sister ship Assiniboia that made the same run from Port McNicholl to Thunder Bay.  I remember boarding the Assiniboia while it was in Sarnia after being purchased by local investors.  It was sold to entrepreneurs in Philadelphia, but unfortunately burned after arrival.
Here is proof (don't get too amused by the date!):