Seabirds on the Lakes

 Lately we have been doing some lakewatches, as this time of year can produce some interesting results.  The big news this past week was the appearance of a Northern Gannet, both on Lake Huron and Lake Erie.  It appears it is the same bird!  Northern Gannets are often well-travelled birds, so not surprising.

On Monday, James Holdsworth spotted at Northern Gannet at Ipperwash (Mike Bouman was on site as well).  It was heading towards Sarnia, and interestingly, it was picked up at various points all the way to Sarnia at the mouth of Lake Huron!  Many Lambtonites got to see the bird as they had lots of warning.  Unfortunately I was stuck at work.

The next day was a long-shot, but it was again sighted at Sarnia in the morning.  I managed to get away from work at noon and went to Sarnia, but the bird was not seen.

I had to be satisfied with the ongoing female Harlequin Duck.  Always nice to see this species here anyway.

On Thursday, Steve Charbonneau briefly sighted a gannet at Rondeau, which was likely the Lake Huron bird.

Today, one was at the Tip of Point Pelee, and photos show that it is (likely) the same bird as the Lake Huron bird.  Once again I went in the wrong direction!

Today, I went to Sarnia since there was a stiff (and very cold!) NW wind.  I have not done many lakewatches there the last few years, but in the past we have had some good times there.

The female Harlequin Duck was in view the whole time, off and on.

Highlight today were Black-legged Kittiwakes!  We had at least four, but likely five.  Sometimes it is difficult to determine if one is a returnee.  Two were seen at one time, then singles later.  A couple of those were definitely new birds on a mission.

There were lots of gulls all morning and the kittiwakes did not show till later.  We remarked on the lack of variety of gulls early on!

Bonaparte's Gulls have been scarce up that way this season; we only had six today.  Kittigulls were were trying to outnumber bonies!

Some lakers were in nice light this morning.

Hon. James M. Oberstar

Tim S. Dool

The Wilfred Sykes, an attractive classic laker not often seen in these parts, was at anchor on the lake out of good camera range.  I later found it that it lost steerage furing the night at the mouth of Lake Huron downbound, and swung around.  It was towed to anchorage.