Some Thanksgiving Weekend Birding

 

I have been out the last couple of days looking around for birds.  It has been somewhat uneventful but one has to get out and try!  Still lots of leaves on the trees, so birds hid well.

Friday morning I started with a lakewatch at Rondeau.  The wind was not ideal, but it is always a good way to start the day at this time of year.  Lots of gulls were moving and a variety of ducks, but nothing of note.

We checked out south point trail afterwards.  Blackpoll Warblers seemed to be the dominant bird in the warbler category plus Yellow-rumped, but few other species.

Palm Warbler

Lots of Pine Siskins were flying overhead.  Soon we should see some Common Redpolls as many have been reported a bit farther north!

After the birding in the park, I stopped by Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  I spent a good amount of time there, as things are always changing.  Lots of birds fly overhead here, and one can get a good look at the sky.

Dunlin were the dominant shorebird, with a few other species mixed in.

Lots of Savannah Sparrow were in the weeds, and we were successful in seeing a couple of Nelson's.  They are often difficult to photograph, but this one co-operated nicely!

A lingering Sora was the other noteworthy bird.

Some butterflies were in the weedy area, including this Common Painted-Lady.

Several Bronze Coppers were seen.

Today, Point Pelee was calling, so I headed there on a stiff SW wind.  There was a fair bit of activity at the Tip, but once again nothing of note.  Many of the gulls were far out, as has been the case most times this fall.

There is a decent sand spit, and today there were three "islands" that the gulls were happy with.

A Peregrine Falcon made several appearances at the Tip.

At one point, I noticed a Savannah Sparrow lurking around the rocks at the Tip.

Lots of Turkey Vultures were riding the wind.

After a somewhat disappointing Tip Watch, we headed north.  A good amount of time was spent at De Laurier.  

Last weekend a Plumbeous Vireo was present, and all this week many birders were looking for it with no success.  However, it was probably still around.....somewhere!

The trail was busy, but a bonus bird made the day.  A Northern Saw-whet Owl was spotted by some keen observers.  Notice its lunch to the left!

There was a fair bit of activity at the back along the boardwalk to keep us busy.

To the north of the parking lot, a Cloudless Sulphur has been hanging out.  I noticed it travels widely, but I did manage a record photo.

At the parking area, there were lots of sparrows to watch as I ate my lunch.

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Then, it was time to jet, as too many tourists were invading the park on this holiday weekend!