Another Big Blow...and Bust

With these relentless SW winds this fall, I have been going to the Tip of Point Pelee quite often in hopes of seeing some good birds.  Little has been seen, and today was no exception.  Although there were thousands of birds, most were Red-breasted Mergansers as usual.  It was a fairly big day for movement of mergansers.  I never tried to count, but I am sure there were well over 30,000.

Other ducks were mixed in including a few scoters (all three species), lots of Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Black Duck, Ruddy Duck, Long-tailed, etc.  Several Common Loons and Horned Grebes went by as well.
I spent the whole day birding, watching the sunrise at the Tip, then ending up at Ridgetown Lagoons.

A few birds were attempting to fly off the Tip including goldfish (aka Goldfinches) American Pipits, but no Cave Swallows.  It appears none have been reported in Ontario yet, but a couple were in Ohio yesterday.

Highlight of the day was a first cycle Franklin's Gull at the marina in Sturgeon Creek.  It had been seen by Kevin McLaughlin on Thursday, and perhaps it was there earlier.  A number of Franklin's Gulls have been reported lately--not surprisingly with the westerly winds.  We usually see an increase in sightings when the winds are strong from the west.
I found the Franklin's immediately upon my arrival at the marina.  It was sleeping on a dock with a Ring-billed and a Bonaparte's Gull.  It was directly in the sun, so photographing it was not ideal.

Bonaparte's Gull

Lots of Canada Geese in the creek, and I only picked out one Cackler just quickly scanning with binoculars.  Kevin said there were up to 8 at one point.

At Wheatley, there were lots of gulls to look at, but nothing unusual.  Horned Grebes were in the cut.





At Erieau, another good bunch of gulls, including Bonaparte's.

Horny Grebe

bonies

Several Double-crested Cormorants were around (at least seven), some of which will possibly stay through the CBC as in the past.

At the R/R track trail, a few Dunlin got up near the viewing platform and went out to the edge where there was probably mud.  I also had two Dunlin at Ridgetown.

Blenheim Lagoons were somewhat quiet, but the most numerous duck was Northern Shoveler.  Perhaps 90 were there--a pretty good number for now.

Ridgetown, as usual, had lots of Canada Geese, but no other goose species.  I hit the right time, as hundreds of Tundra Swans were coming in, as well as ducks.  I estimated about 800 swans all over the place.  This lagoon usually has Snow Geese, but strangley I have not seen one yet this fall. Once in a while a Ross's Goose will appear there as well.

One butterfly today included a Red Admiral on the east side at the Tip.  One bat included a Little Brown on the Tip washroom wall, as usual!

Tomorrow the winds switch to the NW, but still very strong.  The previous forecast has SW winds, so I am glad I went to Pelee today.  However, with my luck, something good will be found tomorrow!