Nightjar Today

I went back to Rondeau today to meet up with Steve and Jim at south point trail.  It was a dreary day (and yes, the weather forecast was totally wrong AGAIN!).  Despite the weather it was a decent day of birding with some good finds.
Not too far along south point, we were startled as a "nightjar" flushed off the side of the trail.  Any member of this family in November is a good find so we started looking for it.  Shortly, I managed to find it again (not sure how I ever spotted it in the underbrush!).  We tried to get a little closer, but it flushed again and flew to perch high in a Pine tree.

It was obviously not a Nighthawk, and bit too small for a Chuck.  We assumed Whip-poor-will!  We checked books upon arrival at the parking lot and concluded it was a male Whip.  Nothing else seemed to fit even though we tried to make it so.
The last latest record for Rondeau is October 26, 1972 (Paul D. Pratt)!
I noticed that one was found in Michigan today as well and brought in for rehabilitation somewhere.

Walking back on the trail we heard a Red Crossbill fly over.
Up at the campground some White-winged Crossbills flew over (they sure have been on the move this week!).  A Common Redpoll flew over at one point.
No sign of the owl from yesterday.  Some geese flying over included a few Cackling.

We separated for a while then later met up on Craford Road west of Cedar Springs.  This is an excellent location for all kinds of birds.  When I arrived, a flock of about ten Evening Grosbeaks flew over and lots of "dickie" birds were around.  Brown Creepers were creeping over the gravestones in the cemetery!
There is a good overlook of the lake at the end of the road and lots of gulls, ducks, loons and grebes were present.

Next was a walk through the old McKeough estate grounds.  There is a pathway along the bluff that the locals use.  I have been there several times before as my uncle lives next to the property.
On our walk back I spotted a Saw-whet Owl sitting rather open!

(notice pine needle on face!)

It was a good hawk day so we stood in front of the cemetery there and watched dozens of Red-tailed Hawks among others head west.
At one point a flock of about 15 Red Crossbills flew by heading west!  Their distinctive flight calls alerted us to their presence.