Christmas Season Birding and CBC's

Weather is the talk of the season.  For a season of Joy, the weather has certainly made it depressing.  It is difficult to believe it is the winter season.  Warm, rain, drizzle and fog!

I have not gone far the last few days.  A few ducks have been around, but not like it used to be.  Lots of Gadwall have been hanging around Roberta Stewart Wetland.  On one occasion, I saw as many as twenty, but 13 seems the usual number.

The day before Christmas, I encountered several Sandhill Cranes near Port Lambton on another foggy day.

Now, on to the Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count which was today, December 27.  As usual, the weather forecast was wrong, and we had completely miserable weather......again!  I was looking forward to a day without precipitation and fog, but that is what I woke up to.  It was rain, drizzle, dense fog all morning off and on and well into the afternoon.  Not in the forecasts I looked at!

However, as always, we persevered with little choice.  

I started at Roberta Stewart Wetland at first light as usual.  Thirteen Gadwall were there on cue.  A couple of Marsh Wrens chittering in the phrag were a nice addition to the list, as were the two Pied-billed Grebes in the reeds just offshore.  The grebes are often found here this time of year, and not an unusual species on the Wallaceburg CBC.  I recall one year we tallied 21!

(old photo at same location)

No sign of the Sandhill Cranes this morning.  I think they looked at the weather and took a day off!

Connected to the Stewart Wetland is MacDonald Park.  This area used to be all marsh, but was filled in and two cuts were made.  Connecting these two cuts is a neat little channel that is well hidden.

After checking out this area, it seemed to stop raining and I was going to go for a walk nearby on private property.  As soon as I started driving, it poured rain again, so I just drove around for a while.

I then walked Peers Wetland in the rain, no less.

The precipitation let up a bit as I headed west of town on Baseline Road.  There was nothing on the Snye (Chenal Ecarte), but farther along Bluewater Line I suddenly encountered some blackbirds.  I was in a bad position, and could not see a lot.  However the flock moved and grew to an enormous size.

This was my kind of blackbird flock!  We used to get these in the earlier years of the CBC, consisting of thousands of birds.  On a few occasions, I have found Yellow-headed Blackbirds.  

I was absolutely certain that I would find a Yellow-headed Blackbird or two with today's flock.  At one point I saw white wing flashes, and I knew immediately what it was.  A male Yellow-headed Blackbird!  The flock kept moving and I spotted yet another.  Could have been more, but the flock moved some distance towards the Snye into some trees.

That made my day, so I moved on to the private property I wanted to walk.  It was quiet at first, but at the very back corner of the woodlot there was some bird activity.  Highlight was an active Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Another bonus bird for the day!

I could not get a decent photo though.

Dense fog had rolled in by this time, so I spent the rest of the time driving around, walked Peers Wetland again, and Crothers Park along Running Creek.

I ended up with 38 species which was OK all things considered.  The blackbirds made it worthwhile, as well as the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (first in 8 years on the count).

I am told, final tally is 82.  Although numbers down, that is pretty good for a slow year in horrible weather.

Next CBC locally is the Skunk's Misery on Saturday.  Pray for decent weather......!

Sunset off Stewart Wetland from a previous CBC (this is the way it should be!)

Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count 2022

 There has been lack of subject matter recently with nothing new on my front.  The recent brutal storm did not help matters.  No doubt many birds perished in the storm with the flash-freeze and inescapable wind.  Large drifts formed at tree lines or around buildings or at ditches, while open areas were bare.

Today was the Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count (CBC), so now I have something!

The Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been ongoing since 1986.  I started in 1987 (wow)! It was always something to get excited about, but in recent years, not so much.  Highlights or mentions were always published in the local media.

I have had various helpers over the years, but many of them have passed on.  Tells you how long I have been doing these!

Wallaceburg has had some really good birds over the years (Black-necked Stilt, Vermilion Flycatcher, Harris's Sparrow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow come to mind).  Of course, we used to record Northern Bobwhite on Walpole Island, but that has not happened for decades.  I believe the Bobwhite have now ceased to exist there, the last place one could count a wild bird.

Vermilion Flycatcher

This year was about average for species, with a decent 81 count.

Sandhill Cranes keep increasing in numbers, and this year was record-high with about 278.

Other highs included Long-tailed Duck at 332, Hooded Merganser at 31, Ruddy Duck at 4.

Bald Eagle was high at 18.  I even found where they nested this past year in my area.  I did not even know it until today when I saw the nest!  The nest could not be seen in the breeding season, but my excuse is that the main road near there was closed since September for bridge repair, and finally opened this past week.

Bald Eagle coming from nest area

Anyway, a good variety of ducks helped in the totals.  I encountered a pair of Wood Duck beside Roberta Stewart Wetland at first light.  Turned out to be the only ones on the count!

There were a lot of ducks along the Chenal Ecarte this year, expecially Mallard.  In the waterbird department, I did find four Pied-billed Grebes (one other was recorded by another party).  Not unusual along the Snye at this time of year.

Sparrow numbers are way down this year, with perhaps the exception of American Tree Sparrow.  A surprise for me at lunch hour were two White-throated Sparrows in the yard!

I did well in my area, finding 47 species.  I do my first walk at Roberta Stewart Wetland, and observe the daily flock of Sandhill Cranes coming from Michigan.

A nice little surprise was an Eastern Screech-Owl peeking out of a nesting box at the old workplace.  (I never had one at this spot before).

The weather was not too bad, but was cloudy most of the day.  The forecast the last several days, had called for more sun, but as usual, it was not too accurate.  However, it was a decent day to count birds and the overall outcome was satisfactory.  On to the next one....

36th Wallaceburg CBC December 27

 Yesterday, December 27, was the 36th Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count (CBC).  Weather was essentially crappy even though it was a weekday!  This, no doubt had some bearing on numbers.

The tally at time of this writing was 83 species, a bit above average and certainly respectable considering the weather and conditions so far this year.

I did my usual area around Wallaceburg, including the town, and came up with 41 species.  No real highlights, but a Snowy Owl was nice to see.

Some Sandhill Cranes (48) showed up on cue, but they slept in a bit this day.  Timing was right, as I saw them fly in to their usual spot between Langstaff and Stewart Lines while I was on private property.

I did have two small groups of Common Redpolls, but they were on the move as usual.

I had five Pied-billed Grebes in my area, all along the Chenal Ecarte, as usual.  With the dismal weather, photography was a challenge.

Gadwall numbered 13 in Roberta Stewart Wetland, which were there the entire day.

We had quite a bit of snow early morning which made things easier to see at least.

Some highlights of the count included Golden Eagle (Walpole Island), Turkey Vulture (7), and a Double-crested Cormorant.  Also, a Yellow-headed Blackbird was found on the south end of Walpole Island, not too unexpected there!

Too bad the count was not the previous day, as weather was gorgeous.  I went up to Sarnia to take a gander at the female King Eider hanging out at the mouth of Lake Huron.  It was too distant for a proper photo though!

I think this is the eighth King Eider I have seen at Sarnia over the years.  One was a young male, but I have yet to see an adult male King Eider anywhere!

Lots of gulls are around Corunna, but we have yet to find something of note.  We need a real winter with cold weather and ice!

My feeders have the usual birds, including a couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches and White-breasted Nuthatch.  These taken at a distance through a window.  Been many years since I have had something decent.

Next CBC in the area is St. Clair NWA on Saturday when the weather will be crappy....again! lol.

Wallaceburg CBC December 27, 2020

 Yesterday was the Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count, ongoing since 1986.  We lucked out with very nice weather, something of an anomaly lately.  It has been very dismal weather-wise this month!

The species tally was 85, our fifth highest, well above the average the past ten years.  There were some very good birds, but nothing spectacular as some of our past counts have revealed.  Counters were in their own usual areas, and of course, no gathering at the end of the day.

I did my usual area around the town of Wallaceburg, starting at Roberta Stewart Wetland.  I arrived before sun-up to begin my day.

I found the usual waterfowl (including Gadwall) which had been hanging around for some time.  Also present were Pied-billed Grebes (4), those also had been hanging around.  These grebes are quite regular along the Snye in early winter, but you have to be quick to spot them as they can dive and completely disappear!

I moved to the north end of MacDonald Park to take a peak.  I was just getting in the car when I heard the familiar calls of Sandhill Cranes.  I "craned" my neck to to see them.  Right on cue, the Michigan birds were heading overhead to spend the day in Ontario.  I guess the 'eats' are no good in Michigan!  I fired off a couple of record photos.

I could not get an accurate count, but there were at least 140, the most I have ever seen in this group.  Usually this annual flock is gone by this time, but they stayed this year!  A few others were added in the count making a new high for our CBC of 145.

I stopped by the old workplace next, a stone's throw from Stewart, finding a few birds including a Carolina Wren near the pond.

Next walk was at Peers Wetland.  This place is usually very quiet this time of year once it freezes.  The wetland was mainly frozen and coupled with the recent dike work, there was much less vegetation for birds.  Starting off, I found a White-crowned Sparrow which is decent for my area.

The Motus tracking tower was toppled over a month ago in that big wind storm we had.  I let them know what happened, but I guess they have nobody to send out right now to rectify the situation.

The rest of my day was somewhat uneventful.

Summarizing the count, Ducks were very low in numbers this year with no Canvasback recorded. An American Coot at Leeland Gardens was a nice addition to the day's list.

Snowy Owls are fewer in the province this year, with our count getting 3.  Only one Long-eared Owl was found (known spot!) on the count, while only three Short-eared were found.

Five Purple Finch were tallied, always a difficult one to find on this count.  A couple of Pine Siskins as well, which are almost as difficult.

A fair number of blackbirds were around, but nothing rare.  I found quite a few in town on my route--certainly more than usual.  None with yellow heads though.

For the warblers, only one Common Yellowthroat and one Yellow-rumped were recorded not surprisingly.  There are few of those this winter.

We always have a fine team of dedicated counters, and thanks goes to Steve Charbonneau for organizing and compiling this count all these years.

The next count in our district is St. Clair NWA on January 1.  That is Friday when the weather deteriorates...lol!

Wallaceburg CBC December 28

Saturday December 28 was the 34th Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count.  This count has been ongoing since 1986, and I have done all of them except that first one.  (I must be getting old!).  I have been in the same area as well, except the one where Steve and I did Walpole Island.  Thanks goes to Steve Charbonneau for compiling the results all of those years (except the first one where I recall Allen Woodliffe at the desk)!

We lucked out with near perfect weather!  Despite the "quiet" year for numbers of birds, the count made out remarkably well for variety of species.  Some numbers were down (ducks), but some were highs and there were some good finds, plus one incredible find.

I did my usual area around Wallaceburg from Langstaff Line south to the Sydenham River and east to Tupperville.  Indeed, birds were low in numbers in my area with only 30 species this year.
I started at Roberta Stewart Wetland, which I find is a good starting point at first light.  Things can be moving along the Snye.

Stewart Wetland at first light

The recent very mild weather has removed most ice, and ducks were in the wetland, including four Gadwall (not too unusual for this count).
Just out of reach and hearing range across the Snye, another counter found Common Yellowthroats (2 total) and a few Marsh Wrens.  I am surprised I did not hear any given the fact it was dead calm on this morning.

Glass-calm Chenal Ecarte late afternoon

I then moved east to Peers Wetland which seems to be more active early in the day.  A few birds were there, but no highlights.  A Winter Wren was along Otter Creek.  At one point I thought I had a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, but then I noticed a starling there.  lol.

Like many places, there is much beaver activity here recently.

After finishing at Peers, I headed back west along Stewart Line (checked off the Snowy Owl), then went to my old workplace at the end of Payne Road.  Although somewhat quiet, my best bird of the day was a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  An unexpected surprise!  I watched it for some time, then it made a beeline for Walpole Island.

Pond at the 'Boat Doctor'

I recall back in the day, the pond here full of ducks in the spring.  It was incredible the variety of species that stopped in.

Afterwards, I checked the rest of my area with no real highlights.

Around mid afternoon, I got word that the nine Sandhill Cranes had not yet been tallied at Port Lambton.  Although slightly out of my area, I had to go and check them off!  Indeed they were there.

Michigan Imports

Total species for the count stands at 83.  Some highlights were Yellow-headed Blackbird and on Walpole Island and the aforementioned Common Yellowthroats and Marsh Wrens (6, a new high).  Better yet were two Eastern Phoebes, new for the count.  Two Chipping Sparrows were also tallied on the island (tied high).
Nine Snowy Owls were tallied, so some may have moved on.
A miss was Ring-necked Duck, but two males were in the Sombra area today!
Cummulative total for the count history is 144 species, a tally to be proud.

The real "knock-your-socks-off" find was a Common Gallinule at the Sombra sewage treatment ponds, originally spotted by none other than area resident Mike Bouman.  A couple of other counters got to see the bird.
Common Gallinules generally leave long before winter sets in, so there are very few "winter" records in Ontario.  Beats my Northern Rough-winged Swallow from last year by a little bit!

photo from the past

We looked this morning for the above marsh bird, but weather was horribly miserable and we could not find it first thing.  No doubt it is still lurking around.  Thanks goodness the weather waited until today to....oh yes....it is still the weekend.

Needless to say, a thanks goes to Wendy and Becki Cornelis for preparing a hearty meal, and Georgette Cornelis for once again providing her residence for the gathering at the end of the day.

One more CBC to go in our area around St. Clair NWA, this coming Wednesday.

"Roughing" it on the Wallaceburg CBC

Unlike a year ago, we are experiencing balmy and damp conditions.  Every year is different, but the trend to milder winters continues.
Before December 27, some of us were scouting the Wallaceburg area for what few birds were around.  The consensus was that birds are fewer in number than normal.  That proved true on count day, December 27.  Many of us would drive for several kilometres and not see a single bird!  Usual walking spots saw few birds.
Thursday dawned with heavy overcast and a stiff east wind, not enjoyable for a day out in the field.  The day ended with rain and stronger winds.
The Wallaceburg CBC has been ongoing since 1986 and I have participated in every single one, doing the same area each year. There are always highlights for each count, and this year was no exception.
I started my day at Roberta Stewart Wetland west of town, across from Walpole Island.

A number of Gadwall and Mallards had been hanging around, and they were in the pond at first light.  First thing in the morning is best time to see them.

We always seem to get some Gadwall on the count, and the 14 at Stewart was a good number.

As I was walking along the dike along the Chenal Ecarte, a Common Loon popped up.  Always a good bird for this count.  I did not have the big camera on hand as I did not want to lug it around all day.  A record shot from the point and shoot had to do.

My other walking areas revealed very few birds.  The Great Horned Owl that usually roosts at Peers Wetland did not show.  In fact, no Great Horned Owls were recorded on count day! An unprecedented event.
Peers Wetland was mostly open in this mild weather, and several Mute Swans (likely the ones that hatched there, unfortunately) were present.  Lots of Canada Geese were around as well.

At one point in the afternoon, while near Stewart Wetland, I noticed a flock of Sandhill Cranes over Walpole Island heading east.  Obviously some were still around doing the their daily routine!  About 30 were flying by at 2:45 p.m.

Later in the afternoon, I had a hunch that I would see them heading back west, and at precisely 4:22 p.m., they did so!

In late afternoon, I was driving around aimlessly hoping to find some birds.  At the south end of town, I was beside the sewage treatment plant when I was shocked to see a swallow flying around.  I came to a sudden stop and thoughts of a Cave Swallow crossed my mind.  It was raining and lighting was horrible, so I was not sure at first.  I soon realized it was a Northern Rough-winged Swallow!
I watched it for almost 15 minutes as it continually hovered over the end of the sewage plant.
I could not get a proper photo due to a variety of reasons.
This species sometimes tends to linger, seeking out places like treatment plants, where there is warm water and bugs.  As many of you know, there are always some at Niagara Falls in late November for whatever reason.
As this bird was not on anyone's radar, it is obviously a new and totally unexpected species for our count.  It was still there today.  Photos today taken by Steve Charbonneau.

Photo by Steve Charbonneau

Photo by Steve Charbonneau

The 2018 Wallaceburg CBC ended up with 78 species, which is about what I expected given the year.
There were some highlights such as record high number of Red-breasted Nuthatchs.  Usually it is a really good bird on this count, but this year, a whopping 19 were recorded!

Almost 400 Common Redpolls were found in this finch year.  Usually there are none!

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in the north part of the circle...another decent find for this count.

old photo

I could not find it today though!

Our highest count ever was 89 in 2005.  We have had some dandy birds over the years, including a Black-necked Stilt in 2001 and Vermilion Flycatcher in 2015 (both found by none other than Larry Cornelis).  Other decent species over the years included Harris's Sparrow in 2008, Yellow-headed Blackbird (several times), Harlequin Duck and of course back in the old days, Northern Bobwhite on Walpole Island.

Next area count is Skunk's Misery on December 30, followed by St. Clair NWA on the traditional January 1.

In other things, I have been putting up some old photo records onto iNaturalist.  I have had some great findings over the years, and it has been fun going through old photos, bringing back memories.
One such record, which I did not realize how uncommon it was at the time, was a Tulip Tree Silk Moth.  (In fact, it is listed as possibly extinct in Canada).
Back on July 10, 2011, we were conducting the Rondeau butterfly count and found this species on Lakeshore Road.  At the time we thought it was one of the other silk moth species, but putting this up on iNaturalist revealed its true identity.

See the known records for Rondeau:
http://butterfly.ontarioinsects.org/ontbutterflyatlas/MothSQL.php?type=recordsAll&sp=one&area=squares&order=date&spIndex=25&areaID=17MG38&areaName=


Using iNaturalist is a great learning tool, as there are sometimes things you are not sure about, or are wrong.  You will be informed or corrected!