Finchy Day

I met up with Steve and Jim early this morning at Rondeau Park.  They have been checking things out thoroughly lately as they are doing a big Rondeau Circle Year.  Since January, they are close to 100 species each and over 100 combined.
Just out of the car at the campground, we heard a flock of White-winged Crossbills fly over.  It turned out to be one of several groups moving around the park today.  Obviously a good movement of that species lately!
As well, a few times during the morning, Common Redpolls flew over.
We also had several Pine Siskins to add to the finch fest, not to mention a couple of Purple Finches and a few American Goldfinches.  No chance for photos of any of these today.

token Common Redpoll

We talked about Evening Grosbeak, but that is quite rare for Rondeau, and usually only found in fall.  The only one I know of lately was one I had in the campground in late November.
The two Yellow-rumped Warblers frequenting the campground this winter were easily found right away working the Red Cedars.
Numerous Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers were flitting around.
Sparrows were a bit scarce, but a couple of Field were across from the visitor centre.

Later I went out on my own and walked part way out Marsh Trail.  A Winter Wren was a nice addition for the day, and near the viewing tower, I scared up a Marsh Wren.  Neither wren co-operated for a photo even though I tried for ten minutes!  Nothing much else to add there except one Song and one Swamp Sparrow.

From Shrewsbury dock, I could see a bonanza of waterbirds off Rondeau Bay Estates.  That area is somewhat inaccessible, so who knows what was there.  Last Sunday near Raglan, east of Shrewsbury, Steve and Jim had six Greater White-fronted Geese.  Likely these were a result of the "early spring migration" of waterfowl the previous week.

Erieau was essentially birdless for a change!  Where did the Coots go?  The only coot I saw was off Rose Beach Line.  At least one Green-winged Teal was in McGeachy Pond.

Blenheim Lagoons was interesting in the fact that there were hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls.  Perhaps 700?

Three wintering Savannah Sparrows were there, the first that I have sought out this winter.








Savannah Sparrows

Flyovers there included two Bald Eagles, one Rough-legged Hawk, 4 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Northern Harrier.

one of several Red-bellied Woodpeckers today