River Runs and Other Findings

 I have not gone far lately, spending quite a bit of time along the St. Clair River and other places locally.  With more seasonal weather (for a change!), there has been more waterfowl on the St. Clair River.

Monday I found quite a few swans at the head of Fawn Island.  Most were Mutes unfortunately, but there were some Tundras.  One stood out though as a Trumpeter Swan, which has been increasingly more regular on the river.  It was still present today!

Long-tailed Ducks are the more common ducks along the river anymore.  I recall when it was a big deal to see one on the river!

And, a fair number of Common Goldeneye.

Afterwards, I drove some backroads and went for a short walk at Reid CA.  An immature Northern Shrike was along the road.  As usual, I was not in a position to get a decent photo.

Evidence of Pileated Woodpecker at Reid CA

Tuesday, I headed down Rondeau way for lack of any other idea.  It was too cold to do much walking, so it was mostly driving.  There was not much around, and some snow falling did not help.

Along Stefina Line, I saw the two Eastern Meadowlarks again, but as usual, they did refused to co-operate for any photo attempts.  I see them ahead, but then they fly behind me!

whatever!

Wednesday, it out the St. Clair River again.  It was clear when I headed out, and that old moon was shining bright.

There were even more swans at Fawn Island.  At least were 70 were Mutes unfortunately, but most were sleeping.  The Trumpeter was no doubt there, but I could not tell for sure with the sleeping swans.

Later in the afternoon, a Cooper's Hawk visited the backyard.  Hope it was hunting House Sparrows!

This photo I took very quickly through window glass, but it turned out quite well.

Today, it back out the river once again.  We had some snow and it was windy, so I did not want to venture far.

I stopped by Port Lambton first thing.  I noticed quite a few Redhead on the move or swimming.  No doubt the winter weather has put them into the river (the way we used to have it!).  Some Canvasback were amongst them as well.

A stope at Cathcart Park was worthwhile.  It seems to be one of the better spots of late.  I noticed a Glaucous Gull flying around, so I got out to get closer.

There have been very few white-winged gulls this year.

While scanning, I picked up on a Red-necked Grebe!  This species is quite rare at any time around here, let along this time of year.  It was a bit distant, but discernable by photo.

As luck would have it, a couple of seasoned Sarnia birders were only five minutes away.  They eventually got on the grebe.

I continued on up to Corunna.  Hundreds of Long-tailed Ducks at Mooretown as usual, but not much else.  There have not been many gulls along the river yet this winter.  I miss the days of hundreds of gulls!  It may happen yet.  Most are at Sarnia Bay it seems.

Later on and during one walk, I came across a cute little creature.  I came upon it suddenly, so maybe it was surprised to see me.

There was not much else the rest of my outing.  I drove back roads on the way home and barely saw a bird!  Stopped by Moore WMA and never saw a bird.  Usually this place is good in winter.  Goes to show how quiet things are this winter.

Debris Pile!

Gullable Along the St. Clair River

 Sunday, I headed in the Sarnia direction.  It started out a bit snowy as I walked the old landfill on Blackwell Road at first light.  I did not stir up anything new.  A Northern Shrike was near the back corner and the continuing meadowlark was briefly seen.  There is often a wintering Eastern Meadowlark in the area.

Next stop, I parked at Sarnia Harbour to look at gulls and such.  At least the harbour is not full of ships like the old days.  This photo I took in 1973!

Hundreds of gulls are in the area, but nothing stood out.  It was here back on 21 February 1992 that Dennis Rupert spotted a Ross's Gull.  We are certainly overdue for one again!

The usual gulls were seen.

I next moved down to Guthrie Park at Corunna. Eventually the sun came out here.  Later in the afternoon is always better here, but I am never there at that time.  For whatever reason, the gulls and ducks come in closer and increase in numbers later in the day.

I saw up to six Glaucous Gulls, but not a single Iceland.

Here are some shots:

I headed inland afterwards.  Came across a large flock of American Tree Sparrows at McKeough CA.  A Field Sparrow stood out.

Often one can find a Field Sparrow with American Tree Sparrows in winter!

I did a short walk at Reid CA later.  Only thing notable was a tight group of five Song Sparrows.  My camera lens had fogged up at this point for some reason, so no photos!

Some Early January Birding

 I have been out to see what around as the dismal weather continues.  Monday it was off to Point Pelee once more before it closes for the deer reduction program tomorrow.

I first checked the west side for the ongoing redpolls.  Two Hoary Redpolls have found a place to stay for some time recently.  Although I eventually found them, I was unable to get decent photos.  Some Common Redpolls were around as well, always scarce within Point Pelee.

Next stop was the Tip where there was an impressive showing of ducks.  All were flybys, but there were hundreds of mergansers, mostly Commons.  White-winged Scoters were around in good number as well.

I checked the Cactus Field and found quite a few birds including Yellow-rumped Warblers and Eastern Bluebirds among others.

On the way out of the park, I stopped at Sanctuary Pond, where there was still some open water.  Northern Shovelers and Gadwall, uncommon this time of year, were present.  As well, some of the usual Mallards and Black Ducks and a few Hooded Mergansers.

I headed home via Gracey Sideroad and veered over to Lighthouse Cove after a failed attempt to find the blackbird flock.  

It can be interesting this time of year, especially when there is ice.  However, as the mild winter continues, there was none!  Often we get lingering birds such as Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants here in winter.  The Cove was almost devoid of birds, so I went over Jeannette's Creek where one can go to the boat launch at the river. 

Cormorants on a Log

Here, I found one of the target birds, a Great Egret!  On January 2, Ken Burrell reported two at Lighthouse Cove which were probably around the day before on the CBC.  They were on the C-K side of the river though for him.

I saw the one on the marina property which is actually in Essex.  The borders get dicey around here, but it was indeed in Essex, albeit a distance.

Nearer home, I spotted at least five Snowy Owls in the usual area south of Mitchell's Bay.  They were far out in the field, as they often are.

Tuesday the usual weather continued.  It would be nice to see this end as it has been around about two months!

I went along the St. Clair River, seeing very little. It is probably the "quietest" I have ever seen the river for this time of year.  Climate change sure has made a difference!

It was too early in the day to see many gulls at Guthrie Park.  Later in the afternoon is better, but it would be even better if we had ice.  A couple of Glaucous Gulls were evident.

The rest of the day was a bit of a write-off as there was not much out there.

Today I decided Rondeau needed a visit.  As usual the weather forecast was wrong yet again....still no sun!  There was even a bit of fog and light wet snow which was not on the radar either.

I did my usual route starting at south point trail.  The lake was dead calm and virtually no birds on it.  I did see one Red-throated Loon.  Obviously a couple of days ago was better when about 200 were on the lake!  

There has been even more severe erosion along south point.  Soon the shoreline will be at the trail which used to be well inland.  As the shoreline recedes, structures from the past are revealed.

At the "washout" which was even more washed out, the bird of the day was hopping around.  An American Pipit!  Not often they are seen in January around here.

It was dragging its right wing, but was still able to fly.

I checked the campground before leaving.  Most birds were at the north end, but seemed to fly in while I was there.  Many juncos were on the move, and I caught sight of one Chipping Sparrow.  Could have been other things, but they were moving quickly.

I also found the standard Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

It was on its favourite tree, which we call the "sapsucker tree".

A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were roaming the campground as well.

Photos were not good today, but with the gloomy weather that is the way it will be.

I had enough of the damp weather after the campground walk, so headed home.

This afternoon I made a quick run out to Stewart Wetland.  Timing was just right, as the 100+ Sandhills Cranes were heading back to Michigan for the night!

River Run February 2

On Sunday I decided to just check out the St. Clair River.  There was quite a bit along the river.  Ducks were rather scarce of course, but gulls have been the story this winter.  We are overdue for a rarity!!
I started at Port Lambton.  Here is a scene from a couple of years ago:

At Sombra, lots of ducks were at the ferry(less) dock area.  The hybrid Ring-necked X Redhead was easily visible.  There was an American Wigeon reported later in the day which I missed.  Perhaps it was under a dock when I was there!  I did see it on Monday though, as I headed to Corunna.

Monday was one of the nicest days, but as usual, the skies cleared Sunday night for a cloudless Monday.  The vicious cycle continues.
There were hundreds of gulls and geese all along the river late Monday, but I did not look too closely.  Something of interest muct be there!

The Sombra waterfront is always a good place to see waterbirds.

Above photo shows the old cheese factory at Sombra on pilings.  I wrote about this building before since it was later owned by my Great Grandfather for his Thistle Rubber Type Works.  He died young, and my great Grandmother had it moved off the pilings and further inland in 1914.  The building still exists along St. Clair Parkway and South Street.

The Move, 1914

Back to Sunday, almost 1000 Canada Geese were at Cath's Cart park.  Do you think I could find any other goose type?  Of course not!

Cathcart Park is much better when we have a "cold" winter and lots of ice.  Clay Creek spills out here.

At Guthrie Park, Corunna I spent over two hours looking at the gulls and what ever else was around.
Well over 2000 Herring Gulls were present plus the less common types. Even a couple of Ring-billed Gulls made their presence known, which are usually scarce in winter.

Lighting was not the best, but afterall, it was still the weekend.

I came up with at least eight Glaucous Gulls, three Iceland (Kumlien's), one Lesser Black-backed.

Hybrids were also in the mix including two Herring X Great Black-backed and Glaucous X Great Black-backed.  I did not see any of the Herring X Glaucous ("Nelson's) Gulls that have been around though.

Other birds included several hundred Redhead, some Canvasback and other incidentals.  The wintering Snow Goose also made a brief appearance as most of the geese came from behind Stag Island.

Note:  The old postcards above are photos taken by Louis Pesha, a famous photographer of the day.  There was no copyright restriction on his work!