Canatara Creature and a Rondeau Rodent

 Today was bright and sunny after a dusting of snow overnight.  Roads were a rather wet and salty, so I stayed in for a while until I could not stand it!  Just my luck, I had washed my car yesterday, so I did not want to get it dirty.  So much for that idea! Never fails.

It was too nice to stay in, so I headed up to Sarnia to look for the Yellow-throated Warbler.  This creature was found by the Nethercott's over a couple of weeks ago and has stuck in the same area around the animal farm.  

I did attempt to see it a couple of days after it was found, but with no luck.  Today seemed to be the day to find it.  Actually, I was not going to leave until I did see it!

It was seen earlier in the day, and a couple of other birders were looking upon my arrival.  One left, and the other was walking away when I found it.  I heard the characteristic chip notes and it took a minute or two to find it.  It was at the peak of the barn in the animal farm picking at spider webs!

Since it was a sunny day, I managed to get decent photos, including the one for the header of this blog.

There are a handful of records for Lambton County, including the one at the west side of Canatara Park at the end of April 2023.  I managed to see that one for my first Lambton record.

Yellow-throated Warbler is an annual regular rarity in Ontario, usually in the spring.  I have seen several at Rondeau Provincial Park, including the year that a pair likely nested.  Several of us saw one of the birds gathering nesting material, but it was never confirmed as nesting.  It would have been Ontario's first nesting record if proven.

Yesterday, I went down to Rondeau since it was a calm day for a change.  I started at dog beach for a lakewatch even though winds were not conducive for a good passage of birds.  There was not much to see, so I left that spot after one half hour.

I checked out south point trail.  There were a few birds, including a decent mixed flock of birds at one point.

Bald Eagle

Next walk was the campground.  A few birds kept up my interest, but nothing of note.

I also walked the old maintenance loop.  There were a few birds, but most interesting was a Red Squirrel.  It is likely the same creature that was here the last couple of years.  Not known to inhabit the park, this chattery critter likely came in via someone's camper.

I stopped for a walk at Keith McLean C. L. before heading home.  There were lots of birds there just past the parking lot.  Nothing in the noteworthy department though.

The big pond area is essentially dried up, but what little water is there was frozen.  Up to seven Killdeer were slip-sliding on the ice, wondering what the heck they were doing there.

Christmas Bird Counts are less than two weeks away already.  Where has the time gone?

Early Winter Birding: Some Highlights

 The past few days have been winter-like for a change.  Not much in the way of snow around here, but more seasonal temperatures.  The northerly winds have made for some short walks!

There are not many "land birds" around this winter, but the cold and snow recently has helped to concentrate what few are around.

On Sunday, I made some rounds in the Rondeau area.  It was one of the better birding days of late.  I started at Rondeau Park for some short walks.  I have had the urge to do along walk out marsh trail, but it has been too windy on that side of the park.  So, I just checked the start of the trail which has harboured some birds.  The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still flitting around, and I caught a glimpse of the Common Yellowthroat that has been there for some time.

I walked the campground, but it was quiet for birds, which has been the case for the most part.

While there, I got word that a Harris's Sparrow was found along Stefina Line.  I bypassed that spot for the time being and went to McGeachy Pond at Erieau.  There were not many birds, but the Northern Mockingbird was still taking advantage of various berries.

After seeing it further along the trail, I headed back to the parking lot.  I saw Steve at the end of the trail, and he sent a message that he was looking at the mockingbird.  What?  Obviously there was a second one!  I only got a glimpse of that one.

I then headed over to east of Blenheim to look for the Harris's Sparrow.  It took a few minutes for it to show, but it was there.  Photo conditions were not ideal from my position.

It was hanging out with a large number of White-crowned Sparrows.  Harris's Sparrows quite often accompany White-crowned Sparrows.  The one I found at Hillman Marsh a few years ago was the same deal.  As was the one along Gore Road many years ago.

While there, I got a glimpse of the Northern Shrike in the distance.  Seems every winter we have one there, but it is an ideal spot with hawthorns, etc.

Monday I looked at the St. Clair River.  It seemed to be getting a little better for birds.  Along the Chenal Ecarte, I saw another Pied-billed Grebe.

Tuesday, I did quite a bit of driving around, mostly to no avail!  Further south along the Chenal Ecarte, I found some more Pied-billed Grebes.  Must be quite a few around!  Also saw a Green-winged Teal in the same area directly west of town, which was nice for this time of year around these parts.

Wednesday, I looked at the Sarnia area, and upper St. Clair River.  There was a lot to look at in the way of gulls and ducks.  I did not take any photos this day, as nothing caught my eye.

I did get some "year" birds such as Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull.  I sorted through a lot of ducks and gulls, but nothing spectacular showed.  Maybe I did not look hard enough, as a Harlequin Duck was reported off Canatara Park west end not long after I left!  However, conditions were brutal there with the stiff cold wind, and lots of slush ice.

The St. Clair River was quite full of slush ice, finally.  More seasonal-like.  There was quite a concentration of gulls and ducks off the head of Stag Island.  Most were Herring Gulls and Long-tailed Ducks.  There were well-over 2000 Long-tailed Ducks in view there.  But again, I could not find anything of note.

Today, I headed down Rondeau way again.  It was just too cold to do much walking, but skies were cloudless for a change.  I had to take advantage of it!

First spot was Erieau.  With the Bay frozen, duck are at the channel area or on the lake.  First thing in the morning on a sunny day is not the best for viewing there, but I did get in a decent position to view a good portion of the ducks.

A few days ago, two Harlequin Ducks were present.  I searched for them, but only got a distant view on one today.  Later in the afternoon would have been better to view these, but I am never there later in the day.

I headed over to the park afterwards, but after just walking the north end of the campground, I drove around the rest of the time!  Just too cold.

The Hermit Thrush was still at the north end.  Seems it appears each time.  No Yellow-rumped Warblers this winter.  Or, at least none have been detected.

There were a few Black-capped Chickadees here and there, including this one roadside.

I briefly stopped at Keith McLean C. L. later.  There was a tiny bit of open water near the viewing tower where three Killdeer were hunkered down.  These guys seem to want to stick around!

*head just showing of the third at far left

The skies remained clear all day for a change.  That old moon was shining bright this evening!

There were some other decent sightings last Sunday, including this one.

Barred Owl

Some Wanderings and A Crossbill Fix

Quiet times are upon us now.  It is difficult to find many birds on the trails, but we keep looking!

I went down to Rondeau on Friday.  I started with a lakewatch at dog beach, but it was not for long.  The stiff wind was out of the east and it was cold.  Some Red-throated Loons are out there, and hopefully a number will be tallied on the CBC next Sunday.  I always start with a lakewatch at dog beach!

The only birds in numbers was a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos near the campground.  Nothing of note caught my eye with them.

I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. as well.  Lots of Killdeer still around (I counted 14).  Also, one Wilson's Snipe was present.

Today, it was up to Pinery Provincial Park.  I rarely get there anymore, but the weather promised to be nice.  And it was!  Clear skies and sun while there.

My goal was to see some Red Crossbills and hopefully a Bohemian Waxwing or two.  I lucked out with Red Crossbills from the get-go!

A total of eight was a nice number!

I have not had much luck with Red Crossbills at all in the past. The few I have seen or heard were flyovers.  Today was actually the first time I photographed any!  They were quite high in a tree though.

White-winged Crossbills are not around right now.  In the past, I have even had them in my yard.

At the store parking lot, I met up with Deryl, Sharon and Donna.  We went for a long walk all the way to the beach at Dunes campground.  A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk flew over at one point, being the only highlight.

Lots of Black-capped Chickadees are around.  Where is that Boreal?

Later, I walked around by myself, but never came across any sort of waxwing.  Maybe next time...

I stopped by Ausable River Cut CA.  Going over the bridge, I noticed the water level was very low, so I checked out some of the shoreline for mussels.  I found three or four types.  Most notable was a Wabash Pigtoe (a "vulnerable" species).

I think the only other one of this type I found was at Rondeau south beach.

Some Three-ridge were readily found, which I find very common here.

I passed through Port Franks too.  Lots of gulls, but nothing stood out.

Ipperwash was very quiet....again!

One last walk before getting home was at McKellar Tract on Bickford Line.  It was essentially birdless, like most places early this winter.  Going to be a very quiet winter....

Another Guthrie Watch and Rondeau Area Birding

 Once again on Sunday I went up to Guthrie Park along the St. Clair River.  I first stopped at Cathcart Park, where one could find lots of waterfowl.  Some open water exists here and upriver to the OC outfall.  Much of it is inaccessible so who knows what lurks there.  The female Harlequin Duck was somewhere along there!

There was a cold SW wind on Sunday, so I spent much of the time in the car.  Lots of ducks were in close.

I found that there were more gulls this day.  I saw up to seven Glaucous Gulls.  

A nice adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was far offshore.

Soon after arrival, I spotted the Barrow's Goldeneye.  It moved around quite a bit during the morning, but most people were able to get a view of the bird.  At one point it came in really close!  I was not able to get any photos of it though.

Lots of Redhead and Canvasback were in close.

The Harlequin Duck I found on Friday has not been seen, but it is on the Michigan side!  That is where it hides from us.  It is actually a young male, so nice to have a couple of Harlequin Ducks on the river this winter.

Today, I had an extra free day, so went down Rondeau way.  I wanted to see the Wilson's Snipe, which I did first thing.

There is one guaranteed here every winter.  I think I remember the first Christmas Bird Count I did in the area, and it was one I remember seeing.  The creek never freezes even in the coldest times, as some underground spring feeds it.

Down the road, the three meadowlarks were showing well.

In the park, I did quite a bit of walking just for some fresh air and exercise.  Some Pine Siskins were at maintenance, but they were very high.

I encountered three Fox Sparrows in different locations.

Outside the park, some blackbirds and a Killdeer were found yesterday.  The Killdeer was quite obliging in another spot that never freezes.

I did see the Yellow-headed Blackbird, but some cowbirds, grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were around.  At least I already saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird this year a couple of weeks ago!

Spring will be here in a few weeks!

Mid-February Frolicks

 Been doing some touring around not far from home lately.  Friday, I needed a long walk so I went down to Rondeau Park.  Strong NE winds were a-blowin so that limited places to walk.  I wanted to get out marsh trail (the most interesting walk in the park at present), but this time of year when there is snow, we get large drifts along that side.  That was out of the question for a good walk!

I opted to park at the VC and walk down Harrison then onto south point trail to the washout, and back.  It was actually not bad for wind, and the temp was only -4C.

Very few birds as expected, but the walk was needed.  Quite a few Hermit Thrushes are around this winter.  I saw a couple on my walk.

Afterwards, I toured around and seeked out a couple of wintering shorebirds.  A Killdeer was looking out of place on Rose Beach Line.  In a mild winter, we might get some returning around this time, but this individual stayed the winter.

I noticed lots of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks and some Lapland Longspurs in my travels this day.

longspur

The Wilson's Snipe(s) finally made an appearance along Stefina Line near Blenheim in the last week.  They are here every winter in this never-frozen creek.  I only spotted one on my stop.

A number of Virginia Rails have been found this winter in various locations.  Perhaps due to the mild start to the winter, they decided to stay.  I would think they regret their decision now!  One was found in Shrewsbury recently.  I was not able to get a photo, and did not linger to try for one.

Saturday I decided to check out the St. Clair River.  There is a lot of ice now, but some open spots are attracting ducks.  Thousands of ducks have finally arrived on the river, but no rarities....yet!  The bulk are Redhead, but good numbers of Canvasback have come in.

There is some open water just along the shoreline from OC Industries downstream to almost Sombra.  The warm water outflow no doubt has some bearing on this.  I could see ducks all along this stretch, but most of it is inaccessible to the public.

Lots of Bald Eagles are now along the river.  Many were frozen out of their inland stations, so they moved to the St. Clair River.

I checked out Corunna at the popular Guthrie Park.  Gulls have thinned out to some extent here, but there are lots of ducks to look at.  Common Goldeneye have finally arrived numbering a few hundred.  There must be a Barrow's in there somewhere!

Today, I went back out to the river.  The skies were clear for a nice sunny day making for excellent viewing early morning.

Gulls were not that numerous today.

Glaucous Gull

I tried to find something of interest in all the ducks.  The only notable was a Black Scoter which few by me at one point, so no chance for a photo!

A good assortment of ducks was out there.

At home, I had a decent day of feeder activity.  With all the accipiters around this winter, feeders have been on the dead side.  Blackbirds are still roaming around the town, but I have not seen the Yellow-headed for some time.

Pine Siskin

Looks like some significant snow tomorrow, not that we need it.  But who knows with the weather anymore.....