Rondeau Ramble October 23

Sunrise at Rondeau Park

It was down to Rondeau again today.  Kit McCann, a fairly new birder from Essex County, joined me for a birding tour of the park.  I did my usual routine of starting at Dog Beach for a lakewatch, walking south point trail, and Harrison Trail from maintenance to south of the pony barn.
The weather was very nice today, and as expected, far fewer birds were around.

The wind had switched to the SW and was moderate, so a lakewatch at Dog Beach was not too productive.  Just after arrival, the first loon went by and it was a Red-throated.
Only 2 American Woodcocks came in off the lake today, plus a Hermit Thrush that nearly got nailed by a Cooper's Hawk.

Along the trail, we ran into a couple of good pockets of birds.  Different birds from yesterday included a couple of Blue-headed Vireos and a Nashville Warbler.  Three Blackpoll Warblers were in the mix as well.

More Eastern Phoebes were around today, as they seemed to be everywhere.

We also got a look at a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.  They can be surprisingly elusive on a trip to Rondeau! (especially on a Christmas Bird Count)

We walked to the back corner of south point trail--the first time I have been there since May!  With the severe erosion the past couple of years, the walk to that point has been difficult.  It used to be a regular thing to go to the back corner.
However, the beach is fairly wide now.

Next stop was to park at maintenance and then walk down Harrison Trail.  Once again there were lots of American Robins and White-throated Sparrows among others.  Early on, we encountered an Orange-crowned Warbler.  It was a lifer for Kit.

Near the gate area of the park, we looked at some ducks.  An Osprey made a pass.

I believe Kit listed 7 lifers today!
I went on home afterwards, but Kit stopped by Blenheim Lagoons. He found 2 Cattle Egrets!  (No doubt the ones seen near Shrewsbury yesterday).  Kit seems to have an uncanny knack at finding heron types.  Some weeks ago, he was the first to see a Little Blue Heron at Holiday Beach.  Just over a week ago, he found the Cattle Egret at Hillman Marsh shorebird cell.