The last three days saw a lot of running around! It was the Big Day Birding weekend at Rondeau park. Although there were few participants, around 160 species of birds were found within the park boundary. Details to come.
I deliberately left my camera at home, so no new photos. I wish I had it last evening as I found some decent things. Later in the afternoon I went over to Erieau to find a mass of Short-billed Dowitchers. More seemed to come in all the time. Most were at McGeachy Pond and many were on the south point of Rondeau as well. Mixed in were Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, etc. With combined reports, it appears there were 300+ Short-billed Dowitcher around! Certainly the most I have ever seen at one time.
Afterwards I went for a leisurely walk on south point trail last evening, then walked back the beach. I have never seen it so calm. It was difficult to discern where the water met the horizon as the lake was glass-calm.
The Long-tailed Duck was sitting on shore when I found it. It slipped into the water, and too bad I did not have the camera! Lighting and distance was perfect for almost a full frame shot.
Quite a few gulls have been around lately. There had to be something decent. A few Little Gulls were reported finally yesterday. While on my walk I was delighted to find an immaculate Laughing Gull. It got up and flew right past me (probably since I did not have a camera!). It was such a beautiful bird.
Saturday was a decent birding day. Lots of warblers on South point Trail. In fact that has been the hotspot all week with lots of variety and numbers. The rest of the park has been mediocre or dead! Highlight was a first alternate male Summer Tanager. I real interesting bird with lots of blotchiness. It was singing when I arrived, and that is how I located it.
At noon, the Big Day was on, so it was time to tick off some birds. In the evening we took our annual walk out marsh trail. It was calm and warm, probably the best conditions we ever had. We got the usual species, but only one Sora and one Virginia Rail. Sedge Wrens are always a guarantee as well. While out there we saw 4 Black Terns, heard Sandhill Cranes (usual), several ducks, etc. The only White-eyed Vireo in the park (seemingly) was singing. Interestingly, we found several Bobolinks--a first for that walk! On the way back we heard only one Whip-poor-will, but it continuously sang and never shut up! Also heard a Great Horned Owl which was a bonus. The resident Bald Eagle stood vigil beside its nest.
We heard the first Willow Flycatcher. They used to be common out there, but in recent years we have not found them till later in the month, and then only a few.
The day was ended when we got the trusty Screech-owl near spicebush trail.
Next morning was an early day needless to say. Several species were tallied on south point trail including Cerulean Warbler. I walked part way out south beach to get American Coot and Lesser Yellowlegs among others.
Thousands of bonies were going by, but I never picked out a Little Gull!
At noon I ended up with 129 species for the park, but my usual bad luck persisted in causing me to miss a few things!
Today, Monday, I started out and got four species I should have found on the count. It never fails, when you don't try, you get certain species every day, but then put some effort into it, you never see them!
This afternoon I also added two other species. A third cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the east side of south point, then shortly afterwards I saw a Clay-colored Sparrow.
This morning I was surprised to see Jeremy Hatt and Mark Field at the visitor centre. We had a nice chat about various things as they took a "break" from Point Pelee.
It was a beautiful day however, and just a joy to be out. At times it was slow as a snail.
Many snakes were out today, and I picked a couple up off the trail just in case someone was not looking where they were going.
I have one day left and will take a "break" from Rondeau!
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