Spring Influx!

 Saturday was an excellent day to be out looking for birds, and local birders took advantage of the big influx of blackbirds, waterfowl and others.  The writing was on the wall Friday, with the incoming warm weather and brisk southwest winds.

I went out to the St. Clair River to see what was around.  Some of the wintering ducks have already dispersed, but more "puddle" ducks were evident such as wigeon and Gadwall.  

I first did a stationary river-watch at Port Lambton.  There was a lot of activity of ducks on the move.  Lots of Mallard and wigeon and others.

Two separate pairs of Trumpeter Swans were on the move.  Too distant for photos though.  They still are considered rare on eBird, but they really should be removed as rare for Lambton.  Too many sightings anymore.  They are not "rare" in Chatham-Kent, where there seems to be fewer sightings.

I spent some time south of Sombra around Fawn Island as well.  Several wigeon and gadwall were here.

American Wigeon in ice

Looks like more Ring-necked Ducks came in as well.

Just before I took off from there, six Double-crested Cormorants flew by too close to even get the camera on them.  No doubt some rather early migrants, since none were in that area all winter.

Thousands of waterfowl came in with this influx, as noted by birders from Essex County in the south to north Lambton.  Northern Pintail certainly arrived in numbers with hundreds reported.  Just before I got home along Langstaff Line, I saw a flock of pintail circling.  Probably in the neighbourhood of fifty birds.

Blackbirds arrived by the thousands, lots of Robins, and even some Eastern Meadowlarks here and there.  Song Sparrows can be included as well, with good numbers arriving.

Today was similar with decent numbers of birds reported.  I went to Hillman Marsh and Point Pelee, but did not find anything of note.  I got my first Eastern Towhee of the year (none wintered!) at Pelee, and some of those can be included in the influx.

Scene along De Laurier trail

Scene along Cactus Trail

I stopped by Hillman Marsh first thing and checked the shorebird cell.  There is a bit of water at the east end where I found hundreds of ducks.  Over 300 Mallards and over 100 pintail there among others.

Friday I went to Rondeau and Erieau for a change.  The "influx" had not yet arrived so not much to report!

At the park, it was threatening rain, and it did eventually rain as I was creeping around.

The Gray Catbird was still present at Erieau's marsh trail, but unfortunately my camera malfunctioned at the most inconvenient time!

It was a somewhat foggy day, so I think some fog got into the camera.  That is my excuse anyway!

I saw a couple of White-crowned Sparrows here, which astonishingly, were my first-of-year.

Saw some of those prickly cucumbers again along the trail.

Trail Scene

This past Tuesday, I was out to the river on another gloomy day.  Some White-winged Scoters were between Sombra and Port Lambton.

Quite a bit of waterfowl around Fawn Island, including some wigeon.

Many of the ducks were snoozing though.  Still no more hybrids!

Wednesday was yet another foggy day, as  I went out to Lake St. Clair area.

Of course the Bay was still frozen, but water levels are certainly low.  

There is mud showing off the dock at the south shore trail.

I came back to Wallaceburg on gravel roads.  Quite a few Tundra Swans were at the north end of Baldoon Road.  On the other side of the road, the only thing in the corn field was a lone Trumpeter Swan.  It was quite distant though in poor light.

I guess it was not allowed to join the Tundras!

With the warmer weather now here, we will more birds to look for each day.  Been a long winter!

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.