End of May Report: Some Long Walks and Tours

 This past Monday I took a long walk at Rondeau, going out the south beach.  It was not overly productive, but at least it was a calm day for a change.  I went out via the south point trail (west).

It was cloudy for the first part of the morning, but visibility was good.

Shorebirds are the main target this time of year.  There was not a huge number, but I did see a couple of Red Knots.  Dunlin were plentiful.

I was hoping to see Hudsonian Whimbrel, but for some reason they never show up on the days I am at Rondeau!

A lone Long-tailed Duck was sitting on the beach.  Looked the one I saw the previous week near dog beach!

There were not many ducks, but an odd duo included a Blue-winged Teal a nd a Redhead.

Along the trail, I noticed this Yellow Warbler nest.

During my travels in the park, I noted a multitude of Red-eyed Vireos. I counted a record-breaking 139, so just imagine how many were actually in the park.

Here are some scenes along Bennett Road. It is quite scenic this time of year, especially now the the birding rush has passed.

I also walked from maintenance to pony barn.  Along the way, a singing Connecticut Warbler was heard.  Seems we have done well with them this spring.  Some years we do not encounter any!

After leaving the park, I scooted over to Erieau to walk the trails there.  McGeachy Pond was good for birds, but I only did the west end.  My target was Olive-sided Flycatcher.

This Scarlet Tanager was showing nicely.  Not very scarlet-looking!

Next day I checked out the Lake St. Clair area, but it was not too productive.  But in the afternoon I decided to go for a walk at Reid C. L. I had not been there in some time, so wanted to see how things were doing. There was certainly a lack of insect life.  I think these cold weather days this month killed off a lot of things.

There were only about three species of butterflies.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Giant Swallowtail

I did see a dragonfly.

Springtime Darner

Wednesday I made a big tour.  I started at Skunk's Misery.  Sitler Woods and Dogwood Road is one of the best spots to start your day.

There was a multitude of singing birds, including a Cerulean Warbler.  I did a video recording, as well as a recording of the Cerulean Warbler..

Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers among others are here.

After finishing up in the Mosa Forest, I headed up to Pinery Provincial Park.  I do not get there much anymore, but this seemed to be a good opportunity.

I started on Riverside Trail, my favourite for birds, in the park.

Eastern Bluebird

Along the trail, I noticed this moth, which is a new one for me.

Cherry Scallop Shell Moth

A number of birds were here including a pair of Yellow-billed cuckoos putting on a show across the channel.

Olive-sided Flycatcher was here, which seems to be  ausual spot to find them.

An American Redstart was singing, but it was more like a Prothonotary Warbler.  Not quite identical to Prothonatary, but it was fooling some people.  Especially those relying on the Merlin app.

I also checked on the resident Prairie Warbler while there.

After having a nice morning in the park, I headed over to Ipperwash Beach. I found some Dusted Skippers, but not as many as one might usually find this time of year.  It was a rather cold day, so the cold no doubt had some bearing.

Very few dragonflies, but some included Lance-tipped Darner.

And, Common Baskettail.

On friday, I went back to Rondeau and walked out the marsh trail.  I had originally intended to go only to Long Pond, but once I got out there, I kept going.  It was too nice of a day.

Along the way, I kept flushing up a woodcock.

Marsh Wrens were quite numerous at Rondeau.  In fact the number trips the eBird filter by a longshot!

I walked all the way to the end.  By coincidence, I met Steve Charbonneau out there, who was on the south beach.  This was not the first time we have done this!  At least three times this has happened.

Another Scene farther out looking towards Erieau

There was not anything unusual encountered on this walk.

Later in the day at home, I was out tending to the garden, and noticed a small dragonfly.  I ran for my camera, and managed to get a photo of a Racket-tailed Emerald.  Although quite common, I missed them last year.  A nice one for the yard.

At dusk, I heard the buzzy call of a Common Nighthawk.  Not often I get them here in the spring, but they are showing up in good numbers everywhere this spring on their journey north.

At the same time, the local Merlin was on its "sunset perch", while an Eastern Screech-owl was calling nearby.

Things have certainly calmed down now, and only a few migrants are trickling through.  It was a quiet day so I just took it easy now that May is coming to an end.

Time to look sor insects!

Recent Observations As May Marches On

 The days are quickly passing!  Most migrants have moved through, but there were still lots this past week.

I was at Rondeau on Tuesday for a long walk.  I started at south point trail (west) and continued a ways out the south beach.  It was not overly productive, but that was what I wanted to do.

It was windy yet again, and there was not much out the beach.

As always, I look down once in a while.  An easily recognizable mussel shell was an Eastern Pondshell.

Before leaving, I checked around maintenance. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was showing nicely.

I then decided to head west in hopes of seeing Hudsonian Whimbrel.  I completely struck out!  Typical luck.

There were a few warblers along the Erieau marsh trail, including this Canada which was moving too much to focus on.

There was not much at Wheatley Harbour.  This duskywing was likely a Columbine.

I stopped in at Hillman Marsh.  The long-staying White-faced Ibis was still present.

Wednesday was not overly productive around the home area.

Thursday I made an early morning run to Mitchell's Bay before going to the museum.

I did finally see some very distant Hudsonian Whimbrel over Ticky-Tacky Point.

Friday it was back to Rondeau.  Yet again, very windy!  I had been itching to make the long walk out south beach for some time, but I went out anyway despite the wind.  It was somewhat disappointing birdwise.

I was focusing on shorebirds, and had hopes of seeing Red Knots (Knot!).  There were other common species out there.

Dunlin

Least Sandiper

more Dunlin

There were some warbler on the way back, but many were silent foraging in the treetops.  Good thing I looked up once in a while!

I looked at plants as well.

White Bear Sedge

Maidenhair Fern

Upright Carrion Flower

I managed to see Showy Orchis as well.  Unfortunately, I was late this year in getting it in fresh flowering mode.

I always like to find this orchid each spring.  Seems more difficult these days, as I have not found them lately in spots I had them in the past.

More American Redstarts were finally in, as well as Philadelphia Vireos.

Saturday was a complete washout as everyone knows!  Must be the weekend......

Today was finally a calm, but cloudy day.  Fairly warm as well.  I went out to Mitchell's Bay first thing.

Quite a few birds had come in overnight.  There were many in the yard when I got up, so I had high hopes for the south trail at the Bay.

There were indeed more birds along the way, but certainly not big numbers.  Highlight was a  singing Connecticut Warbler.  It is a regular migrant, but often difficult to find, let alone see. It was singing up a storm, but true to its nature, I did not even see it.  It was only about 3m away at one point!

I attempted a recording. (never mind the feet!).  You can hear it once.

A few Wilson's Warblers were among the crowd.

At one point I heard a Yellow-headed Blackbird, but it remained unseen.  Not really unusual out that way.

A Grey-cheeked Thrush made an appearance on the trail.

Back near home, I checked out Peers Wetland, then decided to head up along Marthaville Road where there are some pastures.

Upland Sandpiper, difficult to find anymore, are here every year.  It took a while, but two finally popped up on their tyical perch (wooden fence posts).

That was enough for today!