The Hunt Was On!

 Sunday turned out fairly well in the weather department, unlike Saturday.  I had it on my mind to find a Eurasian Wigeon since we had been searching in vain at Rondeau.  There had to be one somewhere!

I started at St. Clair NWA, and was surprised to find very few ducks.  Two years ago I found a Eurasian Wigeon there just before the COVID Pandemic really took hold.

There was not too much there, oddly enough.  A Marsh Wren, which I am sure was a winter leftover was singing in the cattails--the only highlight.

From there, it was on to Hillman Marsh.  One of those Euro ducks often shows up there this time of year as well.  I also saw one there two years ago in late April.  I was the only birder there for some time at the shorebird cell, but in short order, I spotted one of those red-headed rascals!  Mission accomplished!

As with most of these European imports, it was some distance away.  I have never actually seen one really close!  It was too distant for a decent photo unless one tried to digiscope.  

I put out the word and stayed another hour, but nobody showed up from the local birding fraternity.  When I left, the subject bird was at the far edge of the shorebird cell, difficult to spot.

Once birders started to arrive, the duck was nowhere to be seen!  Luckily, it showed up late in the afternoon for those seeking the star of the show.  It was a lifer for some, a tick for Essex birders, and Big Year birders too.

Gadwall were the dominant duck in the cell and the adjacent areas, numbering almost 500.

A few Green-winged Teal were present as well, and I even had thoughts of finding a Eurasian Teal.  The only one I have seen was there a few years ago.  Also,  I have seen a hybrid of those at Mersea 21 fields.

Eurasian Wigeon also hybridizes with its American cousin.  I have seen a couple of those, including one on Rondeau Bay.

I have seen lots of the European version of the wigeon over the years in various counties.  I recall my lifer at Lee Brown's Pond, Long Point.  It used to show up there every year!

A regular at Hillman is the Trumpeter Swan.  It too came in during my visit.  Not rare anymore!

Lo and behold, the next day on Monday, a Eurasian Wigeon was finally spotted on Rondeau Bay.  There had to be one out there somewhere!  They are annual, with at least one in the spring and fall.  I remember seeing two on Rondeau Bay once.

Also on my mind, Sunday, was Black Vulture.  I had no intentions of going into Point Pelee that day, but maybe I should have done so.  On my way home, the Turkey's cousin showed up at Point Pelee!

A Pelee Black Vulture from the past