Yesterday I decided to head down to Rondeau Park to get some exercise and for a change in scenery. There is no decent place close to home for a vigorous walk, so Rondeau's marsh trail was a good choice! I was joined by Steve Charbonneau and we walked out to Long Pond.
It is a good spot to shoot for then turn back; a 10 km round trip!
This 'point' on the trail is where we always went to when conducting Big Days of birding at Rondeau. Steve, Mac McAlpine and I (and other companions in certain years) had a tradition of doing this walk in May on a given evening for the Big Day. It is always an interesting walk and you never know what you may encounter. We could get several species that we usually would not find in other parts of the park.
The entire marsh trail is a linear feature, about a 14 km round trip. It used to be open to the public for driving to the "half way parking lot", but that was before my time. Up until a few years ago, it was still drivable for park staff or hunters in the fall months. But, with the recent high water and erosion, it is not possible any more. The first section of the trail has eroded away and it is even difficult to walk. Once you are past this, it is fairly easy walking on the old road.
Any time of year can be interesting.
Summer is nice for butterflies. The sedge skippers can be found in abundance. One can find Mulberry-Wing, for example.
The marsh tower is long gone. It was really built too far out, and the unforseen high water and erosion took its toll on the structure in later years.
Our walk yesterday was quite nice with virtually no wind, but of course under the usual cloudy skies. At Long Pond, a pair of Sandhill Cranes was standing on the ice. We were looking through phragmites though.
A rare Rondeau Poly-Duck was on Long Pond struggling in the ice. It should have migrated weeks ago!
We encountered a couple of Marsh Wrens and a Common Yellowthroat closer to the Long Pond trail. On the way back, we found more birds, including another more Marsh Wrens.
Another Common Yellowthroat was a little more co-operative.
Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets were spotted, each in a different location.
American Tree Sparrows are rather few this winter, but some were noted on the walk.
The walk was enjoyable and one wonders what all is actually out there. Since we only see a very small portion of the marsh, no doubt there are many more wrens and yellowthroats out there, plus some Virginia Rails I am sure.
Our list for the walk: https://ebird.org/checklist/S79885008
As noted previously, this flock has been around town for some weeks, but mostly seems to be at the east end. I live near the east end of town and kept watch late this afternoon for any blackbirds. Sure enough, they headed southwest to roost around 5:15-5:20. No doubt the Yellow-headeds were there, but I did not spot them.
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