Southward Bound!

I birded Point Pelee today, hoping that something rather early would show. There were thousands of birds, but they were heading south! It was the phenomena of "reverse migration" when birds that had already migrated in, decide to head south again off the Tip. I was with Alan Wormington and Brandon Holden at the Tip for the "watch".
There were thousands of blackbirds, but most notable were Flickers and Robins. In a couple of hours, we saw about 150 flickers head out over the lake. Several other types of birds included Bluebirds, Starlings, sparrows, Crows, Mourning Doves, etc.

Backside of Golden-crowned Kinglet!

Lots of sparrows were in the park--most being Field and Chipping. I did see 3 Fox Sparrows as well along with Song and Tree Sparrows. A Swamp Sparrow was added to the mix at the Tip.
Eastern Phoebes were numerous as were Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. The first Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at the Tip.

Eastern Phoebe (best I could do for photo!)

There were lots of ducks out on the water with most being scaup. A few White-winged and Surf Scoters were around. Several Horned Grebes and one Common Loon were near the Tip.

Field Sparrow on West Beach Trail S.

Junco and Chipping Sparrow at De Laurier

When it warmed up, I found some butterflies along West Beach Trail. There were several Eastern Commas, a couple of Mourning Cloaks and an early Spring Azure.

While along Anders Footpath, I heard some Sandhill Cranes in the distance.

Herbert C. Jackson in Pelee Passage

On the way home I took a peak at Hillman Marsh. The only shorebirds I saw were a few Greater Yellowlegs near the entrance.

At Tilbury S. L. an early Great Egret was in.

Great Egret at Tilbury