More Spring Walks

 Weather was up and down all week but by Friday it settled down enough for my long walk out Rondeau's marsh trail. It was till a bit windy, but at least it was out of the NE which is better for marsh trail.  Birds have been a bit slow in showing up this spring, but waterfowl has been plentiful on Rondeau Bay.

Ring-necked Ducks

A couple of Tundra Swans were still out marsh trail in one of the ponds.

Last week there was one tucked in the reeds not looking too well at this location.  Maybe it perked up!

My walk was a little less interesting than the previous week, but it was still good to get out there for fresh air and exercise.

Two Horned Grebe were fairly close, seen near the end of my walk

After that walk, I drove around the park, then walked the campground.  The reliable owl was visible again after a hard night, as I passed by.

The campground was not too productive, but a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was a possible early spring migrant.  Difficult to say since one or two wintered there!  This one was quite bright.

I also looked at ducks off the old dock.  There was much to see, but no sign of a Euro wigeon.  Probably one there somewhere, but I did not get a long look as a local boater came along and flushed the ducks en masse.

Today was one of the nicest days of the spring with clear skies and no wind.  The temp warmed up nicely as the day wore on.  I needed a change in scenery and headed up to Port Franks and Ipperwash area.  

Although there were not too many birds, it was quite enjoyable walking through the woods.  I started at Ausable River Cut CA.  The only northern finch was a Common Redpoll flyover.  I was hoping for other things since all those finches that headed south last fall have to come back north!

Tufted Titmouse was common there and elsewhere today....as expected.

Next walk was the L-Lake/NCC trail at Port Franks.  A good variety of birds were here, including a drumming Ruffed Grouse.  It was quite peaceful walking through the woods.

It will be interesting to see how the trees recover from last summer's Gypsy Moth infestation which was quite severe.  Even the hemlock trees were devestated.

There are plans to spray for the moths this year, which does the other lep types no good.  Although there is widespread support for spraying the general public has no clue how much damage this can do to other butterflies and moths.  This area is rich in leps, so I do not want to see any spraying.

I also stopped to walk around the MNR parking lot area at Ipperwash.  Another flyover Common Redpoll was the only northern finch I heard.  There was nothing else of note except a Common Raven, which seems regular anymore in north Lambton.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

I did come across an attractive moth fluttering in the warm morning sun.  It is called The Infant, a fairly common moth seen in early spring when there can still be snow on the ground.  (There were still a few patches of snow in the shaded areas!).

In any case, it was an enjoyable early spring outing.