Speckle-bellies and Ducks

I checked out the St. Clair River today.  Best spot was at Fawn Island where there were lots of ducks, and later, geese.  The eleven Greater White-fronted Geese were not there first thing this morning, but were at noon.  They were at the very south end of the island, feeding on the lawns.  A bit too distant for satisfactory photos.

Canada Geese were all along the island walking amongst the cottages.  The geese are rather inconsistent with regards to when they show up. So, it is hit and miss.
Ducks were plentiful in the channel there.  Most were Redhead of course, but both scaup, Canvasback, Ring-necked, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Common Mergansers were mixed in.  A coot was nearby too, but it has been around. I think this coot is probably the same one I saw up at LGS a couple of weeks ago or so.
Also the two White-winged Scoters were present (there since early January).

The rest of the river was disappointing for ducks (and gulls).  One of the Iceland Gulls was still at LGS and two Glaucous were off Guthrie Park.
The five White-winged Scoters were still at the head of Stag Island off Corunna (there most of the winter).

I went inland to walk a few spots and birds seemed to be absent!  It was a nice sunny day, but no birds to look at (!).

inland geese along Telfer Road

At McKellar I checked a duck box and found a Screech-owl.  Not uncommon to find them sleeping inside during the day in winter.  Interesting what you might find in those boxes. One winter we found flying squirrel parts!  Obviously a meal cache for an owl.

One of these days it is going to warm up and melt all this ice and snow.  Rondeau Bay is opening up and lots of waterfowl are moving in.