Post Christmas Birding Post

Boxing Day, I checked out the St. Clair River first thing, starting within the Wallaceburg CBC circle.  As previously alluded to, there is not much on the river in our area!  A decent variety of ducks is around, but in very low numbers.  Gulls are scattered about, but most are up towards Sarnia.

I did some checking at inland sites as well.  At least one Long-eared Owl is still at McKeough. It has been there for some time given all the white-wash and pellets in one area!  I could not get an decent photo, as often is the case.

I met Steve at Reid CA and while we were talking, a Snow Bunting flew over.  A rare bird here right now!
It was quite unseasonably warm yesterday, hardly feeling like Christmas time.

Today I headed up to Sarnia.  Word did not get out until late Thursday that three Harlequin Ducks were in the north slip.  I did not intend to go to Sarnia today, as I wanted to scout around for tomorrow's CBC around Wallaceburg.  However, given the "misses" that I have accumulated this year, I had to try!

It turned out to be a nice day, starting with balmy temps. I took a quick look at Roberta Stewart Wetland before heading upriver.  With the mild weather, much of the ice in ponds has melted.  Some Mallards and two Gadwall were in the wetland for the first time in weeks.  A good sign for tomorrow!

By the time I got to Sarnia, temps had dropped a bit and the wind picked up.  I arrived at the north slip to find other local birders with long faces.  No sign of the Harlequin Ducks.
We then checked the harbour and Bay area with no luck.  Some other waterfowl was around, but not the target ducks.
I then mentioned that under the Bluewater Bridges would be a good spot to look, particularly on the Michigan shoreline.  I have seen Harlequin Ducks there before.
I was the first to arrive under the bridge, and quickly spotted the three Harlequin Duck right where I expected them!  Appeared to be two immature males and female.

It was a nice holiday gift for some birders!

I headed back downriver under sunny skies.  I had to stop by Guthrie Park, Corunna to look at gulls.  The large concentration is still there.  Too bad at least a few hundred could not move downriver!

It was difficult to estimate the number as they were quite spread out and moving around.  Perhaps up to 1800 today. 

I did pick out one adult Lesser Black-backed.  Also, one adult Iceland (Thayer's) for a change.

At Port Lambton, I checked the field across from the marina (south of Brander Park).  For the last month or so, a number of Sandhill Cranes have stopped in there.  I had not seen them recently, but today there were back!

With the Wallaceburg CBC tomorrow, they  will be nice to get on the list, if some are not seen elsewhere.
The big flock (100+) near Stewart Line west of Wallaceburg has not been seen in over a week.  Perhaps they finally headed out, but you never know.

The Wallaceburg CBC tomorrow should prove interesting as it always does.  Stay tuned!