Some Observations May 3-5

Needless to say, the last couple of days have been a bit slow for migrants.  I have been checking various spots, and the best spot locally seems to be Peers Wetland.

Solitary Sandpiper on a log at Peers (cell phone photo)

Sunday, I toured around and lucked upon a rarity.  Although I found it independently, a local birder had spotted a White-faced Ibis just before I arrived!
Initially I was looking into the sun and instantly realized that it was an ibis.  I moved to a different location and recognized it as a White-faced.

It is only the second one I have seen in Ontario since I normally do not "chase" birds any distance.

May 3, I added a few FOY including Willet, Least Flycatcher and Eastern Kingbird. I also saw some Common Terns.

The yard has had a trickle of migrants including White-crowned Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Nashville Warbler and Baltimore Oriole.

Warbler from Nashville

Sparrow with white crown

May 4 was rather depressing under gloomy skies and a brisk cold north wind.  I added no new FOY birds.  A Black-throated Green Warbler and Least Flycatcher were the only notables in Reid CA.
Still looking at the ground, I found the small patch of Twinleaf.  It seems to be the only spot on the property so far.

The sun came out in the afternoon and I went for a drive in the old Dover Township.  There were lots of Palm Warblers, a species which is very plentiful lately.  I lucked upon a Prothonotary Warbler at one spot!
Palm Warblers were in multiples once again.

Today I did quite a bit of driving and actually checked out Skunk's Misery.  It was terribly quiet.  Hooded Warblers are common there, but I found none, which tells you how late things are.  I did come across several Ovenbirds, FOY, as well as a Great-crested Flycatcher.

Mayflower (leaf) in Skunk's

Virginia Strawberry at Skunk's

Peers Wetland continues to be the hotspot with lots of warblers.  Most were Yellow-rumped (dozens) of course, but I added Northern Parula, Magnolia and Northern Waterthrush for the year list.  The waterthrush was long overdue!

Maggie

Palm Warblers continue to be very common.  Seems I have seen more Palm Warblers so far this spring than I ever have!

I went back this afternoon on a tip from a local birder and saw a Clay-colored Sparrow.  A new bird for my list there.  I was not able to get a photo, but I saw it well.

View from "Chicken Island" at Peers (cell phone photo)

The weather this week is more like early to mid March, so who knows how the birds will react.  We will continue on though.

Running Strawberry on Chicken Island