Sugar Bush Tour and Recent Sightings

 This past Saturday I went on a Lambton Wildlife outing for a tour on a property along Kimball Road.  It was a pleasant afternoon, so it was a good time for all.

The property owner gave us a tour of the grounds, starting with tree identification.  It was quite educational for all.

acorn caps of Swamp White Oak (note long stem)

After that, we went into the woodlot for a little tour of more tree identifications and observing the process of sap collection.

Observing a White Oak

Bitternut Hickory in the woods

The evaporator was in operation with the sweet smell of sap wafting through the woods

Just by coincidence, last week I bought a couple of books to read.  One book which came out last year, is about the history of maple syrup in Canada.

Friday I went to Rondeau Park and area.  Still not much happening with everything mostly frozen, and not many migrants.

Chickadee checking out a campground post

A walk at Erieau's marsh trail revealed a few birds, including a surprise in the form of a Gray Catbird.  There had been one wintering there, but it was not seen since early January.  It looked quite healthy and active, and certainly too fast for the camera!

Sunday I went to Point Pelee.  It was almost a waste of time since there were very few birds and everything was just still too frozen!

Of course, there have been a few trips out to the St. Clair River.  There are a lot of Ring-necked Ducks this winter along the river.  I have not been able to find any of those hybrids recently, though.

Today, was a cool but beautiful day along the river.  Lots of ducks close in today, but still nothing of note.

The only bright spot was a male Wood Duck!

Probably an early migrant.

Not much at the backyard feeders recently, but the Fox Sparrow is a daily visitor.  Looks like it is going to successfully make the winter!

Locally, I went for a walk at Peers Wetland the other day--the first time since December.  Two pairs of Mute Swans are already on the ice waiting for open water.  😞

Looking South

Looking North

Mostly Waterfowl

 This past week some waterfowl has been on the move, but it was still quite frozen in many spots.  Spring weather is slowly creeping in after a cold winter.

I have spent more time along the St. Clair River than anywhere else trying to find something of interest.There was a lot to look at last Friday, but nothing of note.

The next day, I went to Lake St. Clair area.  Everything still very frozen, but a change in scenery was in order.  Fishing enthusiasts were quite happy with the ice this winter.

One could barely see the Detroit skyline in the distance.

I walked the south shore trail off Angler Line.  A couple of American Robins were along the trail, perhaps overwintering ones since there are lots of berries in the area.  Could be new arrivals since it was late February.

I then went to St. Clair NWA.  I did not expect much in the way of birds, but a good walk was in order.  It was the first time I had been there since it closed last fall for the new bridge installation.

Quite a fancy bridge!

Some Tundra Swans were flying overhead looking for a place to land.

Sunday I did not do much, so I went out Monday.  It was kind of a nasty day with a brutal northerly winds and blowing snow, but I had to get out.  Roads were iffy in some spots.

The previous day, some little white geese were reported at Blenheim Lagoons, and nearby.  Upon arrival in the area, I did not see them along Allison Line, but further down Lagoon Road, there were some geese in the corn field.

Initially, there were six in flight, which were likely the Ross's Geese.

Then I photographed four in flight, which were indeed Ross's.

Four others circled a bit and set down in the field.  They appeared to be Snow Geese.

In total, there were six apparent Ross's and four definite Snows.  I never got good looks at the other two "Ross's", but one has to be careful since they can hybridize.

It was quite uncomfortable in the strong cold wind, so I did not linger.

That same day, eleven Ross's Geese were photographed at Cathcart Park along the St. Clair River.  Looks like there was some movement of the species!

The next day was calm and clear, so I headed out to the St. Clair River.  Viewing conditions were excellent, but the river has completely opened up, so waterfowl spread out.

I did not see anything of note until I got to the CF Industries outfall.  Lo and behold, the eleven Ross's Geese were present! I really did not expect to see them.

I stayed in the car though, since I did not want to flush anything.  It may be the most Ross's Geese I have seen at one time.

There was a lot to look at along the river, but I could not find anything in the rare department.  I did find a male Northern Pintail at Sombra dock, which was a first for the year.  Perhaps an early migrant.

Here are some duck scenes.

Wednesday, I had no ambition, so did not do much until afternoon.  The LWI meeting was in the evening in Sarnia, so I worked my way up along the river. In recent trips out there, there is not much to see once you get north of Bickford Line.

Before sunset, I checked out the Sarnia area.  Nothing of note!

Today, I had no intent on going far, but went for a long walk at Reid Conservation Lands first thing.

In the afternoon, I went for a walk at the south shore trail at Mitchell's Bay.  The robins were still present along the trail.

There was a large flock of blackbirds along the trail as well, but just the usual species, and certainly no yellow-headeds!  Migrants do not come in until almost mid-April though.

Lake St. Clair is still very frozen as far as the eye can see, but with mild weather approaching, spots will be opening up.

Foggy Birding on the St. Clair River

 The last few days, I have spent some time along the St. Clair River.  Unfortunately, we have been battling fog the last four days!  On most days, there was no point in going out of the house until noon, and even then it was a challenge at times to see anything.

With the milder weather, the river has opened up and viewing waterfowl has been better. Monday we had sun by mid-day, and here are some scenes.  Canada Geese were in the thousands!

On of the coots was visible at Cathcart Park.

Tuesday started out foggy again.  I went for a walk first thing at Brander Park, Port Lambton.

Then I went farther upriver.  The sun was out for a while.

I finally came across one of those hybrid Redheads at Cundick Park, for this winter.  The most common hybrid we find is Redhead X Ring-necked.  Not the best photo ops though.

Other hybrids out there include Redhead X Canvasback.  Probably others, but one cannot look at every duck!

Lots of other ducks to sort through, but nothing of note. And, very few gulls.

Herring Gull with Canvasback lunch

And some lazy ones....

That day, a Barrow's Goldeneye was spotted off Cathcart Park, so the next day I went out in the fog after lunch and found it.

Perhaps it is the same individual I found at Corunna earlier in the winter.  Probably is, but we can never know that for sure.

There are lots of Ring-necked Ducks along the river this winter.

Some spring migrants are showing up such as blackbirds and gulls.  These Ring-billed Gulls were near Fawn Island.

Today, it was foggy yet again!  I went out anyway, as I am tired of sitting around the house.  The river has really opened up now.  Amazing what a little mild weather will do.

I stopped by Cathcart Park again, and met a fellow birder.  We searched for the Barrow's Goldeneye, but it was just too foggy to find it.

I moved on, and went upriver, where it was better for viewing.  

Duck with a long tail

I found another Redhead X Ring-necked Duck at Courtright.  Not the best photos, but what is new?

On the way back, viewing conditions were a bit better, so I took another look off Cathcart Park.

The Barrow's was finally visible, but a bit too distant.  No sense in taking another poor photo!

I will likely spend more time along the St. Clair River until things  start moving and the weather gets a little better.