Migration has been a virtual trickle the last few days with the prevailing east winds. East winds have been the usual winds this time of year the last number of years for whatever reason. This year, has been the worst! However, we persevere.
Thursday evening, I decided to go and see the White-faced Ibis at Erieau in case it was not seen again. However, it was still there today! The bird was originally spotted by Jeff Tunstall.
It is only the second one I have seen in the Rondeau birding area.
Friday I was at Rondeau bright and early, or at least early since it was a dull day. I started with a watch at the entrance to the marsh trail where birds stream out first thing, especially on NE winds. As usual, hundreds of blackbirds, swallows and a few warblers were streaming out. Nothing special.
Before leaving, Steve and I walked a bit down marsh trail. We did not get far when some funky shorebirds, six of them, quickly flew by. Steve was sure they were American Avocets, but turned out they were cousins, namely Black-necked Stilts! There was no time for a photo.
Craig Anderson was nearby on Water Street, and ran out just in time to see the tail end of them in the distance. We figured they must have headed for Keith McLean C. L., so Craig rushed out to see them in the field to confirm ID. However, they quickly took off never to be seen again!
Likely the best species of Rondeau Park so far, at least for us!
We checked other areas later, but it was dead!
We came back to the marsh trail and headed out but were stopped when we spotted the Henslow's Sparrow that was found the previous day by Kevin Gevaert. We saw it well, but it did not co-operate for photos during our watch. We were going to head farther out, but as usual, rain was on way to coincide with the weekend.
This is the second Henslow's found in the park this year! We usually go years without one.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler was hopping on the ground at our feet, in desparate search for food.
Today was sunny and clear much to our amazement (it was Saturday!). Rain was forecast a couple of days ago, but then, long-range forecasts are usually 100% wrong.
We again stood at marsh trail at sun-up. Thousands of swallows were streaming north, but no warblers.
With lack of any other ideas, Steve and I decided to walk down the west side of south point trail. Very few birds, but some were at the end. A White-eyed Vireo was showing nicely in the morning sun.
The celebrity of the park was again showing off on marsh trail, so we went down to see the Henslow's Sparrow. It was virtually at our feet crawling like a mouse through the vegetation, as they typically do.
Not much was seen the rest of our stay in the park, except for a couple of Little Gulls on the Bay. Those were seen in a feeding frenzy from the marsh trail dock.
East winds are forecast the entire week strangely enough, so we will see what happens. There is certainly a big back-log of birds somewhere down south, many of which should already be here by this date.
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