Not too much to report this past week, but there were some highlights.
Tuesday, while I had to spend some time in Chatham, I checked out O'Neil Nature Reserve (Paxton's Bush). It is actually an impressive woodlot right on the north edge of Chatham that kind of sticks out. A good variety of large trees are within.
The forest floor has typical plants that one can find in a woodlot.
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| Bloodroot |
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| Yellow Trout Lily |
On Wednesday I had the urge to go up to Sarnia's Canatara Park for some birding. The weather was less than impressive (eventual rain!) but it is a good migrant trap for finding birds.
I saw my first Little Gull of the year on the lake.
A House Wren was chattering on the edge of Tarzanland. A bunch of them seemed to come early this year in various places.
Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the woods and migrating westward.
Thursday was quite disappointing with yet another rainy day. I managed to get out to Mitchell's Bay first thing, but there was hardly anything to look at. However, the same six Snow Geese were still in the area!
Friday was another nice weather day as I checked out Rondeau Park. Turned out to be a good birding day, with some early stuff.
I walked out marsh trail to Long Pond. Some first-of-year birds included Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and both Sora and Virginia Rails. Also, a couple of Palm Warblers.
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| Palm Warbler |
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| American Coot |
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| Tundra Swans (young ones!) |
On the way back we found some warblers! Other than Yellow-rumped, a Northern Parula and a Nashville Warbler were singing in the tree tops.
The parula was record early by one day (we had one on Spicebush Trail back on April 18, 2010), and the Nashville was record early by a few days. At least what I can see.
Nearer the parking lot, an early Yellow Warbler was singing its typical song as another first-of-year. It was an early arrival, but not record early. Steve and I had one April 13, 2001 on Tulip Tree trail. That year was quite impressive with lots of very early birds.
While out marsh trail, we saw a couple of Blanding's Turtles.
Today, I wanted to head into Essex County. It was another crappy weather day. Seems we cannot get two good days in a row this spring!
A Laughing Gull had been frequenting Wheatley Harbour for three days, but as usual, it did not show up today much to my disappointment.
Highlight was a Baikal Teal in Hillman shorebird cell. It was found a number of days ago there, and has stirred up quite a controversy. I saw it right away, but it was distant in poor light.
It was sleeping when I went back the second time, but very distant as well.
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| (attempt at digiscoping!) |
A duck of this type is usually considered an escapee, but who knows. There are a number of factors that might point towards this being a wild duck, but I will not delve into it here. An attractive duck in any case!
An early Solitary Sandpiper (yes it was solitary and alone!) was in the cell as well. Lighting was too horrible today to get any decent photos of anything, even with the ISO cranked up to 1000.
I left Hillman and went into Point Pelee for an hour. It was quiet, so I went back to Hillman!
Two Marbled Godwits were in the cell when I arrived.
A couple of Little Gulls were also present, but not photographable.
Just before getting home, I made a quick stop at Mitchell's Bay. Yellow-headed Blackbirds should be in now but I did not find one.
Only highlight was another early Yellow Warbler.
If this weather ever gets its act together, we should have some good birding days ahead.......
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