Rondeau May 18

It was a rather mediocre day--like most of the month! Not many birds were around, but there was good variety. I started out on Rondeau's south point trail along with Steve Charbonneau.
A couple of Mourning Warblers were singing along with several Wilson's, among others.
Lots of gulls were out on the lake, but nothing unusual. Some Common Loons were flying around, and one was swimming close to shore and constantly calling.
A Bobolink singing atop a maple tree was interesting--not the usual spot you would see one.
In the sparrow department, several Lincoln's were around, and the Clay-colored was still on Lakeshore Rd. A few White-crowned were still hopping around.

We walked the north end of the park and noted several warblers and vireos. Magnolia was certainly the most common. Lots of Wilson's as well.
I later walked to the Gardiner deer exclosure, but did not see much. The most interesting thing was this bracket fungus growing out of a crack in a tree.

At Blenheim Lagoons, virtually all of the ducks plus the Eared Grebe had left. There were a few Wigeon and Ruddy, plus a single female Lesser Scaup and a Bufflehead. There were many shorebirds in the irrigation cells, but most were Dunlin (~350). I also saw Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, a Stilt Sandpiper, 3 Short-billed Dowitchers.
A single Black Tern was flying about. There were many swallows of all five species, but mostly Bank. No violent green (!)

I checked out Erieau as well. Lots of gulls, but nothing unusual AGAIN! Shorebirds on the point included Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling. I was hoping for Whimbrel and Red Knot, but it was not to be. The closest I came to a knot today was this thing on a tree......

I also saw a kite today. It was a colourful one in the shape of a plane, and was attached to a long string.