Recent Sightings and October Birding-Rondeau Area

This past week we saw some warm weather.  Lots of butterflies were out, including Common Checkered-skippers.

An Ocola Skipper was seen at Point Pelee by Bob and Karen Yukich--not surprising as it is the perfect time of year for them.  It was a species on my mind this week, as I have seen two over the years, in the first half of October.

It became cold yesterday, spurring birds southward.  In the afternoon, six Brant geese were seen at Sarnia/Point Edward.  They were originally spotted from the Michigan side, but spent some time in Ontario waters and soil.  At the end of the day, they moved back over to Port Huron.  Deryl Nethercott was kind enough to send along one of his photos.

Six Brant at Point Edward
Photo courtesy Deryl Nethercott

I headed up that way after work, and managed to see them.  They were the first ones I have seen in many years.  Back during the hurricane Sandy event in 2012, we had 250+ at Sarnia!
http://burgbirder.blogspot.com/2012/10/point-edward-day-2.html

I was sure that they would still be around today, but apparently not.

Today I went down to Rondeau and started with a lakewatch at dog beach.  Winds were not ideal, but there was a lot of activity, especially in the duck department.  I, however, did not see anything unusual.  Lots of Common Loons were moving as well.

After the lakewatch Steve Charbonneau joined me for a two hour walk on south point trail.  There was a fair bit of activity. The sun eventually came out (seemed uncanny!) for the most part which helped increase bird activity.
There were lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and kinglets of course, but Palm Warblers were in bigger numbers this week.

A couple of Tennessee Warblers were late migrants.  Other getting late birds included a Philadelphia Vireo and an Indigo Bunting.

A few Blue-headed Vireos were around as well.

I bypassed Keith McLean CA today, and went straight over to Erieau.  I met up with Steve again and we walked McGeachy Pond.  Today, Turkey Vultures and Tree Swallows were migrating by the hundreds.  It is interesting at this time of year you can go a long time without seeing Tree Swallows, but then hundreds will be seen.

After that walk, I moved over to the Rail Trail and walked farther than I usually do.  There is a good mudflat on the Bay side. As well, you can see the ducks well.
Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were along the trail, but virtually no other warblers.

Shorebirds included two Killdeer, a Baird's Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper.

Along the way I spotted a Black-billed Cuckoo (Steve had one here yesterday), but it hid well.  A Yellow-billed was also seen along here today.

Hundreds of Turkey Vultures were visible the whole time.  Who knows how many actually passed by today!

Tardy Purple Cone Flower (today)