Remembrance Day Birding

 Today I went down to Rondeau for some birding.  I did not really expect to see much, as things have been slow for birds.  Especially passerines in the woods!  The weather was deteriorating; it was nice all week, but the weekend was approaching....as usual you know the drill.

I joined Steve at dog beach for a lakewatch, as it would be the most interesting thing of the day.  There was actually a good movement of birds, especially ducks.

Some loons were in the distance, both Common and Red-throated, but Steve got on one that looked suspicious.  After some time, we both concluded it was a Pacific Loon!  It was slowly moving north, so we walked about half way to the VC to get closer.  It was still moving though, but more looks were obtained.

It was most certainly an adult in non-breeding plumage.  Too far for photos though, but seen well enough in the scope.

Pacific Loon is always uncommon in southern Ontario, and believe it or not, absent from the Rondeau Birding Area list.  Pacific Loon has never been recorded in the Rondeau birding area to our knowledge.....till today!  It was extremely long overdue for the list, but finally, we now have it.

While looking for the loon closer to the VC up the beach, I spotted a jaeger coming in from the north.  As it came closer, it was most certainly a Parasitic.  It played around with the gulls for more than ten minutes, and after it finally had enough it headed south!

Jaegers are very rare at Rondeau for whatever reason.  It almost seems like they avoid the area!  However, once in a while we see one and it is always a treat.

                                                                         

One must remember the importance of today, November 11.  We honour those who served in past wars, conflicts and peace-keeping missions.

My late father always had a vested interest in war and those who served.  He wrote several history books and articles over the years, but his most notable achievement was the book No Return Ticket.  It was the culmination of ten years of research into those from the Wallaceburg area who went overseas to serve, but never returned.

A trip overseas with the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment in the summer of 2006 was a dream come true for him.  They toured Dieppe and  other areas.

A stop at one of the cemeteries was on the agenda to see the marker of a local man who died overseas.

Lest we forget...