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.

Upriver Ducks

 There are now thousands of ducks on the St. Clair River, just like it should be!  Today was a stellar day, and I went as far as Guthrie Park, Corunna.

There was not a lot at Corunna (too much ice), but viewing conditions were excellent, save for some Shell steam.

Close in were three Trumpeter Swans.  These are likely the one I have been seeing farther downriver this winter, as I did not find any others today.

There are quite a few Ring-necked Ducks on the river this winter.  Five were in the steamy conditions at the mouth of Talfourd Creek.

Lots of Canvasbacks around currently.

Hooded Pair

Just after arrival, one of the wintering Double-crested Cormorants flew by at close range.

Eventually, I headed back downriver to concentrate observations in certain areas.  The first was off Courtright where thousands of ducks were farther out.  Viewing conditions were superb, and with a scope I was able to scan the masses.  Too far for photos though.

Surprisingly, there was nothing unusual!  However, it was nice to finally spend some time scanning the rafts.

Among the thousands of Redhead, Canvasback, Long-tailed and others, there were five White-winged Scoters.

I looked for hybrid ducks, but could not find any.  None of those Redhead hybrids have been reported yet along the river this winter.  I would guess there are some out there somewhere.

Heading downriver, there were lots of ducks all the way along to the CF Industries outfall.

Some open water at the north end of Cundick Park (Stoke's Point) was another spot to stop and look.  Nothing unusual though.

Wednesday was the last time I was previously out to the river.  Lots of ducks were at and in the vicinity of Willow Park.

South of that beside the brine barge, I briefly stopped and spotted a male Ruddy Duck.  Always seems to be one or two on the river each winter.

There were at least two Trumpeter Swans seen from Cathcart Park.

Thursday, I toured spots north of home and went for some short walks.  It was almost birdless.  In fact, there was not a single bird at Nicholl's Memorial Forest and Wetland at Wilkesport!  Typical this winter.

I walked into Moore WMA, which always used to be a very good spot for birds in winter.  It was almost birdless too!  Just took some scenery shots.

Not much left of the old bridge!

Went for a good walk at Reid C. L. as well.

Distant Sycamore tree

Yesterday, I headed down to Rondeau Park.  More for exercise I guess, since there were few birds.

Scene near the visitor centre

I also walked Bannerstone which had some birds.  Seemed more birdy there than in the park.

Spring will be arriving soon, and the temps are getting milder, so change is in the air.