Sunny Day Walks

Wednesday was a write-off with the wicked weather, but Tuesday and Thursday I took advantage of the sunny skies and wandered about.

I was overdue for a really long walk to unwind, so Tuesday I opted to head out Rondeau's marsh trail all the way to Long Pond.  It was not as birdy as I had hoped, but the walk did me some good!

Eastern Phoebe

Along the way, this Brown Creeper was busy on a tree beside the trail.

There are still thousands of ducks on Rondeau Bay, but this day they were way out.  Many puddle ducks were in the wet areas along the trail, but always flushed before one could get close.

Insects are emerging, and the most common one lately is Narrow-headed Marsh Fly.

I have always looked at this Eastern White Pine out marsh trail.

I believe this deformity is called a witch's broom, common on pines.

Today we had a complete turn-around in temperature from the previous day.  Quite balmy!

First thing in the morning, I checked out the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay.  I saw my  first-of-year Purple Martins already checking out the nesting houses.

Also new for the year were several Forster's Terns on the Bay.

This afternoon, I could not pass up a walk at Reid CA.  Lots of Eastern Commas were flying.

As well, a couple of Mourning Cloaks were soaking up the sun.

There were lots of Narrow-headed Marsh Flies here as well.

Much smaller, I noticed an Eastern Calligrapher at one point.  They are quite tiny, so difficult to photograph.

Harbinger of Spring is popping up in the usual spots.  This small and delicate plant is easily overlooked.

Not much else in flower yet, but some Virginia Spring Beauty were in bloom.

Reid has lots of Wild Leek, coming along nicely now.

I can never get enough of what Reid CA has to offer!  It is so nice to wander through the woods.  Here are some scenes.

I thought this tree was unique.

Lots of large Black Walnut trees here.

I usually do not go to Reid for birds since it has so much else to offer.  Some early spring birds today included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (although the last two summers, one was resident).

And of course, the Eastern Phoebe.

As I got back to the parking lot, I heard some croaking.  To the south in the distance, were three Common Ravens.  I am sure they are nesting nearby, but I have not determined where yet.

Simply ravenous!

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.

Recent Findings During a Windy Week

 Although I have been quite busy with my mother's estate dealings recently, I have managed to get out each day.  It is a chance to get my mind off things!

The last number of days have been very windy. Seemed to be no end to the stiff winds!

Last Wednesday, I headed into Elgin County to look around, then stopped by a friend's place for lunch.

There was not much in the way of birds, but I checked out some familiar places.  Included was E. M. Warwick Conservation Area near Eagle.

Distant Bluff

It is a cozy little place with a trail in the gully to the beach.  Used to be a viewing tower there, but the eroding bluff took care of that years ago.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at Reid CA.  With the cooler weather this year compared to last, things are way behind.  Some Virginia Spring Beauty was trying to pop up.

Thursday it was a Rondeau visit.  Some early arrivals included Eastern Phoebe and Fox Sparrow.

A leftover from winter included a Yellow-rumped Warbler in the campground.

The Eurasian Wigeon was still present, but too distant for a photo (again).

Saturday, I went in the other direction and visited Point Pelee!  Little to note there, but Hillman Marsh had some early shorebirds including Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs.  

Nearby, a pair of Sandhill Cranes was standing around.

Sunday it was back to Rondeau, but the only notable things was the continuing Eurasian Wigeon.

Monday, another walk at Reid CA revealed a croaking Common Raven passing through.  I was in the trees when I heard it, so ran out to the open to see it.  I was a bit late with camera!

I suspect it is nesting in the area, but I do not know where!

A visit there always included a search for river mussels.  Just the usuals this visit.

Mapleleaf

Deertoe

March 25 was my mother's birthday, so it was a bit of a sad day.  I had hoped she would make it to that date, but it was not to be.

In the morning, I went for a walk at Mitchell's Bay.  Some early Great Egrets had already arrived, and there were lots of ducks to look at on the Bay.

Red-breasted Merganser

In the evening, I was bored, so decided to head out to Stewart Wetland for a short walk.  On the way there along Langstaff Line, I encountered a Short-eared Owl!  It flew right over the car near hwy 40.  On the way back, it was still hunting the same area!  I had no camera....

Wednesday morning,  I took a walk at Reid CA.  A freshly-fallen tree had lots of Hypoxylon Canker on it.  Sounds scary!

In the afternoon, I worked my way up to Sarnia and eventually went to the Lambton Wildlife Meeting in the evening.  It was a wonderful presentation by Alastair MacKenzie of Pinery.

I stopped by Moore WMA for a bit.  The usual mussels were littered along the bank, but a less common one included Paper Pondshell.  Imperiled in Ontario.

After supper, I sat by the Bluewater Bridge, an iconic spot for generations.  French Fries and passing ships......some of the memories!

Here is a view at the same spot when I was very young!  My grandfather in front, and my oldest cousin Michael Abraham in the middle.  Not sure what I was holding....

Today was a rather nice day, but few birds.  However, I did go down to Rondeau to look around.  The standby Eurasian Wigeon was still on the Bay.  It was even farther out today, so yet again no chance for a photo!  Might be two out there.

This afternoon warmed up fairly well, so I went for another walk at Reid CA.  A long one!  Some Eastern Commas were flying.

Plant growth is quite retarded compared to last year, so little to see.  Although I did pick out some things just popping up.

Purple Cress

Sharp-lobed Hepatica

The Virginia Spring Beauty from a week ago looked no different!

Harbinger of Spring has not even shown yet, although, I wonder if this is it.

I looked for mussels again.  Many Mapleleaf as usual. Common here.

However, a Three-horn Wartyback was a stellar find.  First for here!  Critically imperiled in Ontario.

Some Common Garter Snakes were slithering around on the forest floor.

Good days ahead.........