Rondeau Birding April 21

Although it was totally sunny with less wind today, it was cold!  There were far fewer birds today (if that is conceivable).  Perhaps the clear sky overnight encouraged the birds to pack their bags and leave.
Notable today were two White-eyed Vireos.  One very co-operative one on south point trail at our feet most of the time.  A Bell's Vireo would have been nicer, but...

The other vireo was beside the VC parking lot.  A couple of other birders including Chris Law saw it.  We had just come off tulip tree trail where we saw one of the Yellow-throated Warblers in a slough.  It was quite close, but for some reason I could not get a decent photo.  It eventually flew well south of that point.  Obviously this bird wanders widely.  Seeing it in the natural setting of a slough is nicer!
Some birders had previously seen it at the VC garden.  Chris Law got a great photo of it (see eBird).


We did quite a bit of walking but saw few birds other than lots of Ruby Kinglets and sapsuckers and Hermit Thrushes.  The early Wood Thrush was still on tulip tree trail in the exact same area I saw it yesterday.
Our Gray Catbird yesterday was record early for Rondeau by four days!

Today I saw my first few Green Darners patrolling Rondeau Road.  I saw a few Mourning Cloak butterflies, and to this day is the only species of butterfly I have seen this year!

The White Pelicans (3) obviously left Erieau late yesterday as they were not found to my knowledge.

Obviously lots of birds will come in this week and hopefully the weather will be ideal by next weekend.  We certainly deserve some more 'perfect' weather!

Do you know what this is?

BTW, still no gnatcatchers!!