Sunday, January 21, 2018

Birding in the Fog-Rondeau and Area

This post slightly delayed due to fog!

A trip down to Rondeau Park was in order today.  Although there was a bit of drizzle, the fog was eventually a factor.  It got quite dense by late morning and one could not see any distance.
The only good thing today was that it was dead calm and you could hear things.  We have had so much wind recently, it was a nice relief.

I started in the campground and soon found some birds at the north end.  Included was the resident Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.



Jim and Steve came along a bit later and we took another look at the sapsucker to check it off for the year list.



The south end of the campground had some birds as well including at least 7 Fox Sparrows.




A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the vicinity as well.



Some other 'year' birds in other areas of the park included Purple Finch American Robin.

After leaving the park, I swung around to Stefina Line to get a foggy look at the Wilson's Snipe in its winter home.  There has been a snipe wintering in this ditch as long as I can remember!  (one winter there were two).  This ditch never freezes completely in winter no matter how cold it gets.  I would assume it is spring-fed.  It does attract birds during winter, including the 12 Rusty Blackbirds I saw today (too foggy for photos!).  One time in January I saw an American Pipit there.

Snipe from a previous year


I went down to Erieau today as well in hopes of seeing the Greater White-fronted Geese.  However, it was pointless due to the dense fog.  If it is not one thing it is another!

I did see a Snowy Owl along the way on Bisnett Line.  Luckily, it was atop a hydro pole roadside, or I never would have seen it!


1 comment:

  1. The fog was quite heavy up Dufferin way today as well! Looks like there were some good birds to be found!

    ReplyDelete