River Rambles, Warbler Wanderings, and Showstopper Shorebirds

 As autumn approaches, I have been making my usual rounds as much as possible.  Friday, it was down to Rondeau first thing.  The weekend was a bit too warm, so birds were less active.  South point trail was sparse for warblers, but I found the south end of Harrison Trail, as well as the north end of it rather active for warblers.

Black-and-White Warbler

I later stopped by Blenheim lagoons and saw the pair of American Avocets. They were quite obliging, and always showstoppers!

Based on the curvature of their bills, these were male and female.

The Red Knot and phalaropes had finally departed for greener pastures (err, lagoons), as they were nowhere to be found.

What to do next?  I got the notion to head to the Thames River east of Thamesville.  The Tecumseh Monument stop is a good place to get down to the riverbank.  I found a few Smoky Rubyspots, but they were far out or on the other side!  A few American Rubyspots were dancing about as well.

I looked at mussels also, but nothing new.  An Elktoe was the only notable.

Saturday, I had no particular place to go, so went back to Rondeau.  A moderate wind was blowing so I went to dog beach for a lakewatch.  As usual, nothing of note showed.  We need to get rid of this hot and muggy weather!

I checked out south point trail, and it was totally dead!  I have seen more birds in the winter there!

The maintenance area was very good for birds though.  The usual warblers were flitting about.

I knew Blenheim lagoon was not productive, so I headed east to Clear Creek.  One can only keep trying to see more Marine Blues!  Not to be, but many Common Buckeye were on the site.

Not much in the way of odes this time of year.

Black Saddlebags

A solitary bird was along the quarry pond.  A Solitary Sandpiper!

Heading home, the bridge over the Thames south of Thamesville was on the way, so I stopped there.  There were lots of Smoky Rubyspots, as well as a few American Rubyspots.  Nothing else really in the way of odes except a couple of Blue-fronted Dancers.  I had hoped for Elusive Clubtail, which I have seen there before, but no such luck.

I had never looked for mussels there, but I found a few, including Fragile Papershell, and this Mucket.

There have been several bridges at this location since early settlement.  To the right of the old abutment from the 1880's, once can see remains of even a previous wooden structure just above the water.

The day was not complete without a walk at Reid CA in the afternoon.  I found one of my friends hanging around.

Royal River Cruiser

Today, it down to Point Pelee for lack of any other place to go.  A decent south wind was blowing, but as my luck would have it, nothing much was moving.  An early White-winged Scoter flew by us at one point.

There were lots of warblers throughout the park.  The best spot was just south of west beach parking lot, where I found dozens of them.  De Laurier was half decent as well.

Locally, some warblers have been hanging around the yard, including several Bay-breasted.  Over at Peers Wetland, a decent flock (finally!) was at the woodlot.

Common Checkered-skippers have been visiting the yard.

A couple of Philadelphia Vireos were nice to see.  My favourite vireo.

This Blackpoll Warbler posed for a few seconds in the evening sun.

After next weekend, something rare will show up, since I am on my usual trip north.  Never fails!