We finally have had some nice warm days, although yesterday morning was miserably cold at first.
This past Friday morning I was out to Mitchell's Bay. A lone Tundra Swan has been hanging around, and I do not think it is entirely well. It was still there yesterday.
A bit of a surprise was a flyover of six Snow Geese.
In the evening, likely many of us watched the historic and picture-perfect splashdown of the space capsule Artemis II. Humans got to circle the moon for the first time since the early 1970's during the Apollo program! I remember the Apollo program (now I am aging myself!) and found that fascinating at the time.
I watched the recent event live on the NASA YouTube channel. I just took some screen shots with my phone.
Next day, I headed down to Rondeau Park quite early. Target was a Louisiana Waterthrush that had been sighted the day before. I found it right away in the early morning light singing away in a slough. It was really too early for photos, as it was not very light, but I tried anyway.
I did a lot of walking that day as it was a nice sunny and calm day for a change. Later, I walked out the marsh trail to the half way point.
I saw three species of butterflies, including a Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral and an American Painted-Lady.
I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. before going home to see both yellowlegs, and first-of-year Pectoral Sandpipers.
They finally got a burn done on the property. They have been trying for two years!
Yesterday, as alluded to above, it was terribly cold and windy at Mitchell's Bay first thing. There were not many birds in the uncomfortable weather. The Tundra Swan was in close.
In the afternoon, it warmed up considerably as the sun was out, so I went for a drive along the St. Clair River. Loons are heading north this time of year, and one can see many.
Today, I headed down to Rondeau Park in anticipation of some good birding. Overnight, there was a brisk southwest wind with rain, and the temperature rose dramatically. Surprisingly, it was rather quiet for birds.
I did get the first Purple Martins finally, as they arrived yesterday.
The park was full of Red Admirals.
Some plants are just emerging from the leaf litter, and I noticed this Bloodroot at one point.
While there, I got word that some early Marbled Godwits had set down in the Hillman Marsh shorebird cell. They were found by the "morning shift", which used to be the "afternoon shift"! LOL.
I headed in that direction since there was not much else to do.
They were still present upon my arrival.
Several birders came by to see the godwits. It was nice to talk to some long-time fellow birders after a long winter.
While there, I caught sight of a Variegated Meadowhawk. First time I have seen one in a few years. They are not all that common at times.
As well, a Blanding's Turtle was lurking in the weeds.
Now that we are in mid-April, we will see lot of birds coming in. The excitement of spring migration has now begun!
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