Sunday I checked out Rondeau again. Many birders were in the park looking for the few migrants that were around. It took some work to find some of the birds.
The White-winged Dove was a target of many, and thankfully was showing well in its usual haunt.
I took a record photo.
Many of us saw only one or two Yellow-rumped Warblers. It was obvious that some of the birds have avoided the cold Lake Erie shoreline, as more birds were evident farther inland or farther north.
My last walk at Rondeau was a long one. I checked out the west side of south point trail all the way to the lake. There were many Hermit Thrushes along the way, as one would expect.
At the lake, the shoreline has receded considerably due to recent erosion. I remember almost 30 years ago how much farther out the land went in this area. Amazing what nature can do!
The trail here is flooded and is almost at the lake now. It used to be way back from the shoreline!
It was very windy again, which seems to be the norm anymore, but a visit to the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons was productive. A nice female Wilson's Phalarope was showing well in the sprinkler cells.
Last year they were scarce and I did not see one till fall migration.
While there, we spotted the first Least Sandpiper of the year. Also present were three Greater Yellowlegs.
Going by other reports, the shorebird situation was constantly changing throughout the day.
There were lots of swallows constituting all the regular species we can see.
Monday was a warm and sunny day and more birds started arriving as expected. Some lingering winter birds included Snowy Owls and the King Eider on the St. Clair River.
Tuesday, things really broke loose with lots of new arrivals. Several warblers species, especially Yellow and Palm had finally arrived. These I saw locally at several locations.
I took off work early as it was too frustrating to be inside! One has to take advantage of the nice weather during the week since we rarely see it on weekends.
I went for a walk at a few locations north of Wallaceburg. I found lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the year.
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| part of the old oxbow at Reid CA |
This evening, I went out to Mitchell's Bay and walked the south shore trail. Several Yellow-rumped, Palm and Yellow Warblers were seen along the way.
It is a bit of a mystery what the Yellow-headed Blackbirds are up to. Usually they are seen this time of year along Angler Line fairly easily. They are out there somewhere! I guess I was quite lucky to find the seven along Marsh Line on Sunday. Each year they tend to find a different location.
Now that we are in the thick of things, there will be lots to talk about.
See you on the trail!
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| Dutchman's Breeches |
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