Low Water and Recent Rambles

 Been quite uneventful for birds lately.  Looks like a quiet winter!

Of interest this week, water levels are the lowest they have been in years.  Lots of mud exposed!

This past Saturday I made some rounds locally.  At Mitchell's Bay lots of mud exposed along this shallow lake.

Roberta Stewart Wetland has much mud showing for a change.  Here is a view looking at the Snye towards Walpole Island.

Quite a few raptors are around right now, including Northern Harriers.

Sunday was a very nice day so I just went for a drive into Middlesex and Elgin.  I walked Wardsville Woods.  There were a few birds there to keep up one's interest.

Here is a view of the frozen pond where I find some nice insects in the summer:

From there, I headed down Furnival Road straight to Port Glashow marina.  This can be an interesting spot at times!  Gulls congregate in the marina (no Black-tailed  this time!), and to the west is a nice natural area where one can walk.

White-throated Sparrow

Here is a view looking west.  There are scenic bluffs both to the east and west.

Looks like eyes are a delicacy for some scavengers!  This Freshwater Drum (we called them Sheephead when I was young) was recently washed up.

I continued west from here, then home.  Along the way I stopped at a field where some raptors were hunting.

Monday I spent some time on the St. Clair River.  It was foggy, and then got even foggier!

Here is a scene at Cathcart Park.  Mud was exposed here when a laker went by.  Lots of Common Mergansers were at this location.  Well over 200!

Algoma Niagara

Today was very calm for a change, and it gave me a chance to walk out Rondeau's marsh trail.  The Bay was still partly frozen, but was fogged over due to the unseasonably warm temps.  However, visibility was good along the trail.

One can see the low water situation here.  Lots of mud.  Too bad shorebirds were not around at this time!

Nothing unusual popped up in the way of birds though, but it was a nice long walk for fresh air and exercise.

Some bracket fungus along the way:

After walking to the half way point and back, I took a quick lap around the campground.  Once again very quiet.  I hope things are better on Sunday for the bird count!  There were lots of juncos, but that was it.

I would have stayed longer, but had things to do in the afternoon at home.

Sunset over Walpole Island