Rondeau Birding 18 October

Sunrise

I was up early enough to watch the sun rise at Rondeau Park. I found it somewhat quieter for birds today, but there were still lots to look at.
I found that most of the birds were following the edge of the forest along the beach areas. Hundreds of Yellow-rumped Warblers were moving along. Other species were mixed in.

The lake was much quieter as well. I only saw one Common Loon today. Not many ducks or gulls compared to yesterday.

Other warblers included Blackpoll (a few), Orange-crowned (6), Black-throated Green, Magnolia (getting late), Nashville and Palm. I only saw two Palm Warblers today, but the first one was of the hypochrysea subspecies. It is commonly called the "Yellow" Palm Warbler which is the eastern form, uncommon in Ontario. This bird stuck out as it was very yellow. I did try for photos, but did not get any of decent quality. Actually I had no luck in getting decent bird photos today!

Phoebe on Mullein Stalk

Eastern Phoebes were very plentiful. Most were in pairs, sometimes in threes.

I spent more than three hours on south point trail, but most of it was along the beach where large numbers of birds were moving along. There were warblers, sparrows, kinglets and one Blue-headed Vireo. A Woodcock got up at one point.

Later on, I noticed raptors moving and at one point saw a Golden Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and a Turkey Vulture. Others included Cooper's Hawk and Northern Goshawk. I did get a poor photo of the Golden Eagle, but it was not the day for quality photos.

Immature Golden Eagle

I took a walk out to the tower on Marsh Trail, hoping to see raptors while out there. I only saw the Goshawk.

Along the shoreline, all the dead weeds have piled up to form matting which the shorebirds like. There were close to 300 Dunlin and only a few Pectoral Sandpipers and a Lesser Yellowlegs. Even sparrows were feeding on the matting.

Near the entrance to the trail, I saw a Northern Mockingbird on my way back.

Dunlin (from the tower)

I made a quick drive-by the park dock, and something caught my eye out on the Bay. I thought it looked like a grebe, so I stopped and walked out the dock with my scope. I could not relocate it right away, but did pick out a total of 11 Horned Grebes. I then saw the bird that caught my eye earlier. It was a Red-necked Grebe! Not often we see this species at Rondeau.

Lots of Eastern Bluebirds were moving around today, as well as Pipits.

Another decent day of birding after a dull start to the fall.