A Few Autumn Colours and Notes

 Fall colours are in full swing now.  A few days ago I took a short walk at Reid C. L.  Here are some scenes along the trail.

Also went into the woods to the "tall oaks" section!

I took note of another Chinquapin Oak at Reid.  I saw the leaves on the ground a year ago but did not find the tree.  I finally found it this week.  Not a big tree by any means, but that brings my count there to five small trees, and one very large Chinquapin at Reid.

Of course, I have been to Mitchell's Bay a couple of times, but bird diversity is now low.  I am looking for quality birds now...

If you like blackbirds, that is the place to be.  There were hundreds on my last visit roosting in trees and feeding in the field, so it was quite noisy!  I did not pick out any with yellow heads this time though.

A Wilson's Snipe was in the same spot two days in a row.

I seem to have  habit of taking a photo the water tower each time....

Peers Wetland has not been very productive lately, but I get there maybe three times a week for a walk.

Colourful Scene at south end of Peers.

Purple Finches are almost in every location right now.  Some are hanging around the yard taking advantage of the seeds in the trees or garden.

Yesterday, I went to Rondeau to try a lakewatch.  I have been anxious to do one, but conditions have been less than ideal this fall so far.  It was better this time, but no too exciting.

Looking SE

However, I did catch sight of a "decent" bird in the form of a Red Phalarope.  Distant scope views were only obtained, but it is a bird we can expect this time of year.

Looking NE

The day was threatening rain, and it did start just as I decided to leave.  Therefore, there was no other birding for the day!

Random Roadside Scene

On the way home, I got word that a Cattle Egret was spotted in the usual pasture at the corner of Bisnett and Erieau Roads.  It is almost an annual thing here, and there have been at least five that I can think of here over the years.  They are called Western Cattle Egret now.  There must be an Eastern Cattle Egret somewhere....

It was too late to head back down, so this morning I did so.  Unfortunately, it was in a bad location upon my arrival.  There is no place to properly pull off on Erieau Road, especially when most drivers are going at excessive speeds (like every place else!).

LOL

Here is a distant view from Bisnett!

Angus the cow

While in the general area, I decided it would  be a good day to visit Keith McLean Conservation Lands.  It was indeed, as there were a lot of birds there. 

 

Upon arrival, there was a lot of activity in the trees not far from the parking lot.  Yellow-rumped Warblers seemed to be streaming in over the field (and still were when I left), so I have no idea how many went through.

Lots of sparrows too, especially Chipping and White-crowned.

Chippie

The mudflats had quite a few shorebirds, including a couple of dowitchers with long bills, Dunlin, both yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers and a flock of Pectoral Sandpipers which flew in while I was standing there.

Pecs

LBDO

Greater Yellowlegs

Just before I left, coming up to the parking lot, a Peregrine Falcon went through.  All the ducks and shorebirds got up.  I had no idea there were that many Killdeer there....

That is it for now, as yet another weekend approaches.