"Bill", Dunlins, Foxes, Mergs and Snipes

 Things are getting quieter for birdlife (except for waterfowl!).  Making my rounds this week, I found it a bit slim for numbers of birds.

Recently, a Hudsonian Godwit showed up at Keith McLean C. L.  It was distinctive in that it had a deformed bill.  These things readily identify a bird if it travels some distance.  Apparently, this same bird was in Durham region a couple days earlier!  I will name him Busted Bill!

The day I saw "Bill", he was on the distant shoreline of the pond.  Some observers got lucky and it was quite close.

The numbers of Dunlin this fall has been exceptional in some  locales.  Several hundred have been seen at McLean's and other places.

On Monday, I headed down down Hillman and Pelee way.  I was going to go there anyway, but the day before, a Purple Gallinule showed up along the dike at Hillman Marsh.  Unfortunately it was a one-day wonder, despite many birders searching on Monday.

Dunlin (600+) were plentiful here as well.

I checked out Point Pelee National Park.  Nothing of note came my way, and it was somewhat quiet for birds.

After Point Pelee, I once again stopped at Hillman marsh.  Meanwhile, a Black-legged Kittiwake was found by Steve Pike.  I checked later, and possibly saw it in the distance, but sitting on the water.  I was not 100% certain, so did not list it.

I walked around the shorebird cell.  It was a warm day, and some butterflies were out.

Eastern Comma

shy Orange Sulphur

Tuesday, I stayed fairly local.  At McKeough CA, there were lots of Pine Siskins among other things.  A lingering Eastern Phoebe was working a wet area.

Wednesday, a lakewatch was in order at dog beach in Rondeau Park.  It looked promising, but nothing substantial showed up.  A Red-necked Grebe was the highlight.

Red-breasted Mergansers are in exceptional numbers right now around Rondeau.  Steve reported over 55,000 the day before.  Likely the number persisted on my visit, but difficult to count.  Most were at the north end.

This species is usually in pure flocks, but some other ducks get mixed in.  In the past at Point Pelee, I have seen King Eider (twice) with them!

Passerines were few and far between.  I found a group of sparrows in the campground.  I saw at least 15 Fox Sparrows, but I know there were some more.  They were nice to see, since Fox is my favourite sparrow.

The next cold front should be better, especially in the campground.  Perhaps a rare warbler will pop out!

Today, I went to Mitchell's Bay and St. Clair NWA.  I  was waiting for a wind-less day with clear skies, and this was it!

There was nothing noteworthy along the south shore trail, but I had to try!

Winter Wren

Cooper's Hawk

I next moved on to St. Clair NWA.  It was littered with waterfowl, with 2000+ Tundra Swans, and a few thousand Canada Geese.  Lots of ducks, but lighting was too harsh to get on a lot of things.

A Marsh Wrens are still lingering, and lots of Swamp Sparrows.

I suppose the highlight was a flyover Common Redpoll!  First I have heard of in this area this fall.  Hopefully some will show up this winter.

One last walk this morning was at Peers Wetland.  Very quiet, as it always is once cold weather sets in.  Notable were the two Wilson's Snipe on the mudflat at the south end.

Too bad this mud was not showing during peak shorebird migration.

With climate change, weather has been quite warm lately.  This Midland Painted Turtle was taking advantage of the sun this morning at Peers.