Day-Long Birding Tour: Rondeau to Point Pelee

For once the weather was fantastic on a Saturday for doing some local birding.  I started at Rondeau Park's campground.  The expected wintering birds were found right off the bat. (I was hoping for the unexpected!).  Several Yellow-rumped Warblers, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, a Golden-crowned kinglet, a Brown Creeper were working the trees near the centre of the campground.

I seemed to have no problem finding the two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers as well.  The same bird that I saw a couple of weeks ago was working the trees.  But today it was shy as it kept its back to me!

A Great-Horned has been hanging around as well.  I have seen it the last couple of weeks, and today was no exception as it flushed.  One never sees it until it flies!
Finches are scarce, but I heard a Purple Finch several times this morning.

Down at the visitor centre, a male Eastern Towhee is taking advantage of the feeders.  It was a bit quiet there this morning as a Northern Shrike was working the area.

Along south point trail, a couple of Eastern Bluebirds are hanging around. Out on the lake, I saw at least four Horned Grebes.  Hopefully some will stay for another week, but they tend to disappear quickly!

The north end of Harrison Trail was abuzz with birds between the pony barn and maintenance.  Several types of berries are available as food.  I saw three Hermit Thrushes, some American Robins, a couple of Carolina Wrens among other birds.

This Carolina Wren popped up beside my car allowing me to get a full frame shot.

Carolina Wrens are numerous this year.

While there, an adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew over me. (Only got a crummy shot!)

I stopped in the campground briefly again to watch Yellow-rumped Warblers in the Red Cedars.  No insects around anymore!

A few Yellow-rumped Warblers are at the gas plant along McKinley Line as well.

Over at Erieau it was somewhat quiet in the harbour.  A Double-crested Cormorant is hanging around the government dock area.

A Snowy Owl was in the corn field near the R/R track trail.  Another was off the south side of Bisnett Line too.

(not a white bag!)

The day was too nice so I headed over to Point Pelee after lunch.  A Great Blue Heron was on the ice at Muddy Creek.  I continued on into the park, but did not come across another Snowy Owl in the Onion Fields.

Along Shuster Trail, the expected Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, White-throated Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warblers were about.

At the end of the trail on the lake, were thousands of scaup.  (One should bring a scope!).

I decided to walk the north end of Ander's Footpath.  At the old maintenance area, I caught sight of an immature Golden Eagle soaring.

Some must have been moving today as Jim and Steve had an adult near the Blenheim Landfill and I am pretty sure I caught a glimpse of one while in Rondeau Park.

I checked for Snowy Owls out in Dover Township on the way home, but came up empty, surprisingly!