The area has a rich history of hunting and hunt clubs and farming. Originally owned by Dover Marshes Ltd., the wildlife area was acquired by the Canadian Wildlife Service in spring 1974. It has been a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts ever since. I recall my first visit in the spring of 1987 and was impressed. Things have changed since then, as the marsh has filled in more and some species are no longer present. Yellow-headed Blackbirds were abundant here then, but now absent.
I think the first year I participated in this count was January 1, 1990. Steve Charbonneau and I looked around the Bradley property and came up with some decent birds. Included was Yellow-headed Blackbird and Tufted Titmouse, first for the count.
Today, I met up with Donald Pye and we walked the dike through the NWA, back up Balmoral Line and returned to the parking lot. It is over a 5 km distance by foot.
The day dawned with heavy overcast and a stiff northerly wind, but the wind died back a bit. The marsh area was alive with the sounds of Canada Geese, Mallards and some Tundra Swans even before it was light.
Oddly, there was not much in the way of birds in the cattails. Song and Swamp Sparrows were few and far between and we did not pick up a Marsh Wren at all, unlike two years ago. Last year we did not walk the dike as it was too brutally cold and windy and we would have met our death!
Ducks and geese were continually in the air, and at one point, several thousand waterfowl could be seen in the air. They settled somewhere in the marsh though!
From the viewing tower, we could pick out a few different ducks, including American Wigeon and Northern Pintail as well as Common Merganser. To the south, there was an impressive number of Ring-necked Ducks numbering over 200!
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| Mostly Ring-necked Ducks here |
Numbers could only be estimated for many species as we moved on.
Farther down the dike, we finally got a look at 60+ Snow Geese in the air.
A couple of Ross's Geese had been around, but we could not pick them out. They were seen today though.
Closer to Balmoral Marsh, we spotted a single American Coot, which quickly hid in the cattails. I have not had much luck getting photos of things lately, and this was no exception.
Along Balmoral Line, we took the occasional view of waterfowl in the sanctuary, being careful not to flush them. We picked out more American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, a pair of Bufflehead and even a male Canvasback.
We watched the tangles, and at one point I spotted a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Again, I had no luck in getting a photo! I tried, but got a good shot of some Bittersweet instead(!).
Along the driveway, we found some more species including the first Golden-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos of the day.
We watched for a recently-reported Gray Catbird, but it did not show in that area. Perhaps it was the same bird as we found last year in that nasty cold wind! Maybe it survived.
By the time we got back to the parking lot, it was time to thaw out and move on. I decided to let Don do the rest of the area which was mainly driving along the river. I prefer to do these walking areas rather than driving, so I worked my way home.
Snowy Owls and Bald Eagles were along the way.
Obviously I did not go the end-of-day tally, so we will see what transpired today a bit later.
This afternoon, I stopped by to see the Rough-winged Swallow doing its usual routine at the sewage plant. If this mild weather keeps up, it may survive the winter.
Not long after, I came across the "Sarnia Birding Club" making their annual New Year's tour. Later, I got word that they had found a Cape May Warbler at the sewage plant. Pardon?
I went back and managed to find the little rascal. Obviously this place will be examined in more detail next December on the Wallaceburg CBC! (At least I got the swallow for the CBC).
Happy New Year and may good birds fly your way.....
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