A King Visits Port Lambton

 This past Friday dawned quite gloomy.  At least the wind had died down as I took a look at my usual lookout at Port Lambton.

At one point, I noticed a large duck flying upriver, not too far out.  It set down just to my right.  I originally thought Common Merganser, but it was too chunky and much different.  As I took a closer look, I realized it was a young male King Eider!

Of the hundreds (literally) of times I sat at this spot over the years, I finally saw something really good here.

Looks pretty ugly compared to an adult!  Too bad it was gloomy weather, otherwise I would have obtained a better photo.

The only other King Eider I have seen on the St. Clair River, was one that spent the winter of 2017 starting at Corunna.  I last saw that one at Sombra.  It was also a young male.

I followed it as it floated downriver to Brander Park.  I wanted to get it for my Brander Park list, since I have a substantial list there, including some incredible rarities.

Too bad no other birder was nearby to see it!

On Saturday, I took a look along the river, but it was not to be seen again.  I saw my first Tree Swallows of the year on that day at Cathcart Park.

I then headed inland for a walk at Reid CA.

At one point, I noticed this millipede in the leaf litter.

Salmon Cherry Millipede

Anytime along the river's edge, I look for mussels.  One stood out and was easily recognized as a Pink Healsplitter.  A large specimen it was.

I looked for Harbinger of Spring while there, and only found one sprout in a known spot.

Sunday, I headed down to Rondeau Park, but the weather was considerably less than desired.  The forecast was certainly a bit deceiving!

Dark-eyed Juncos were the bird of the day, with dozens along Lakeshore Road.

It was very cold with drizzle most of the morning, so I did not do much walking much to my disappointment.

Heading back towards home, I drove up Erieau Road.  Some gulls were near the landfill, including this odd-looking Ring-billed.  Must have got mixed up with something!

Herring Gull nearby

Today, was yet another windy day.  What is with all this wind anyway?  

Nothing along the river of note.

This afternoon, I had nothing else to do but go for a walk at Reid CA.  

Harbinger of Spring is popping up in the usual spots, finally.

Other spring plants are peaking through such as Trout Lilly, Virginia Spring Beauty and Wild Leek.

Wild Leek

I looked for mussels as well, but it was not a successful day for much.

Mapleleaf

I find Mapleleaf quite common here.

Mussel Mania Along the Thames and Other Observations

 The last couple of days we have seen stellar weather.  Cloudless skies, very calm and just the right temperature!  At least things are finally getting drier with the lack of rain.  There are still some puddles or ponds that have not dried up all summer though.

Yesterday afternoon, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  It was deathly quiet for birds, and with no wind, it was interesting walking through the quiet woods.  Finally, there are very few mosquitoes! However, on the way back, I encountered a few warblers and vireos to liven things up.

I did see a couple of Royal River Cruisers, but soon they will be no more for another year.  I like photographing them since they are my favourite!

Today, I had no idea what to do, but went for a walk at Peers Wetland first thing. I finally saw some migrant passerines there!  Included were Nashville (4), Tennessee (2), Cape May, Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warblers.

I then had the notion to head down to Keith McLean C. L.  The only shorebirds were a pair of Semi-plovers flying through.  Lots of Bobolinks flying over.  Highlight was a Least Bittern which flew right in front of us.

Some butterflies included an unco-operative Fiery Skipper and Common Checkered-Skipper, but a couple of Common Painted-Lady posed briefly.  They are the more common lady of late.

I wanted to get another look along the Thames River, so went to the Tecumseh Monument park east of Thamesville.  Water level was low enough for a decent look.

Winter Scene of the Area

Quite a few Smoky Rubyspots as expected.

As well as American Rubyspots.

I saw no dragonflies whatsoever!  I had Elusive Clubtail on my mind, but there is still lots of chance for to find one of them.

In one section, I found a multitude of mussels!  No doubt one of the flooding events washed them up.

small portion!

There were too many to sort through, but from what I saw, most were Pimpleback, an imperiled species.  Not imperiled at this spot apparently!

But, I found some others that stood out.  I do not think I have had Black Sandshell (near threatened) here, but there were some today.

Others:

Pink Heelsplitter (Vulnerable)

Deertoe (vulnerable)

Mucket (as opposed to Fatmucket!)

Along the Thames, one can find various plants of interest.  Right away, I noticed some as Wingstem, which is in the rarer category.  I am sure there is a lot more along the Thames than we realize.  It is also found along the Sydenham.

Cup Plant, well past its prime is here as well.

This is an interesting spot honouring Chief Tecumseh, which I have talked about before.  I stop here at various times during the year!

Interpretive signs along the old road allowance promote history in the area.

Late Winter Scene!

Winter Scene!

(Photos from a previous visit).

At home this afternoon, I noticed a peculiar insect on the concrete. It certainly has a weird name, called a Pigeon Horntail!  Never have seen this one before.

South Beach Walk....Head Down!

 On Saturday I had the urge to walk out the south beach of Rondeau Park.  It was still quite cold and breezy, but I went anyway.  It was nice walking along the south point trail west section, with the morning sun shining through.

Script Lichens

There were very few birds as expected, but a few American Wigeon were swimming on the slough near the end of the trail

At the end of the trail, we meet the forever changing shoreline.  I remember it being a fair walk to the    beach, but the walk is now a small fraction of what it used to be due to erosion. (should have included a photo here!)

I only walked along the beach to where the marsh trail ends.  There was no point in going any further as there was ice build-up on the Bay side.  

There were lots of ducks in the open water of the marsh.

Lots of Tundra Swans, and even a pair of Trumpeter Swans were out there.

Tundra

On the way back, as usual, I looked for beach treasures.  Mainly mussels of course!  I only found one species, that being Fatmucket.  There were lots of shells of various shapes and colours of this common species.

Other things caught my eye as well.  With the long history of waterfowl hunting at Rondeau, there has to be things of historical nature in the sands.  A piece of brass caught my eye, which was the end of a shotgun shell.

I took it home and looked it up.  It likely dates back to the 1930's from what I can surmise.

Also, a piece of glass stood out.  It was part of a very old medicine bottle.

There was not much to go on with the letters on it, but going to the internet, information instantly came up!

It was a product of the well-known Radway brothers of New York.  The "R. R. R." stands for Radway Ready Relief.  One of those so-called cure-alls.

They made these for a long time, but this bottle could possibly date back to the 1860's!

"Act of Congress" was on the side

While usually it is heads up while birding, looking down can reveal things of interest!  Last year I found a spearpoint, which certainly would be hundreds of years old.

After that long walk, I checked out the campground.  Quite a few birds were creeping around.

Just the same birds (except a Turkey Vulture) from all winter.  The Audubon's Warbler was not difficult to find either!

Once in a while, some rare flora pops up.

Today, I just drove a round a bit and took a couple of short walks.  It was  a nice morning, but very windy and cool.  Here is a scene at Moore WMA.

With the flooding this winter, the riverbanks have been scoured!

While there, I could not help notice some more mussels!  On the far bank was an obvious Pink Heelsplitter, a vulnerable species.

Another one of my favourites, this large Deertoe stood out.

Warm weather is on the way......!