Finishing Out April: Some Nice Birds

 It was down to Rondeau again on Sunday where I added some more first-of-year birds.  However, the weather left something to be desired.  Lots of rain!  In fact, it was certainly more than the forecast called for.  

Later on, Steve and I started out on Spicebush trail and the floodgates (not the bird kind) opened up when we were less than half way around.  Needless to say, we headed home after that!

Solitary Sandpiper

Monday was a nicer day, and I was back to Rondeau to make up for lost time.  After walking Spicebush trail, I did the long walk down Rondeau Road along Gardiner and back up Harrison.  Not a lot of birds, but enough to keep one interested.  Some first-of-year were added.

Included were two Whip-poor-wills.  They happened to be trailside as I walked by, and they flushed.  The one did not go far, so I was able to get a photo.

While I was in group campground, an alert came out that a Summer Tanager was near Tulip Tree trail (TTT).  Since I completely missed that species last year, I HAD to go for it.

It took a while to get there, since I had to get back to the car and drive down that way.  It was soon found on TTT, alerted to us by its singing.  Unfortunately, I could not get on it with the camera, but we had good looks.

The only thing I could photograph there was this Pileated Woodpecker on the ground.

Next walk was down the west side of south point trail with Kevin.  Just a smattering of birds here and there, but lots of Wood Thrushes had come in.  

This one posed for us quite nicely.

Of course, the invasion of American Painted-Lady and Red Admiral continues.

At one point we encountered this small snapping turtle.

Lots of plants coming up, and for whatever reason, I photographed this Rattlesnake Fern.

Today, I intended not to go too far, but as fate had it, I did!  I started at the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay, thinking there would be lots to see.  There was not.  The only new for the year was a Least Flycatcher.

The Snowy Egret that I found and reported on the 27th was still around.  I first saw it way off in the distance in a tree, as this little white dot in the photo shows.

It later came closer, but still not the best position.

After finishing the trail, I pondered what to do.  The Glossy Ibis was again seen near Hillman Marsh, so I decided to go for it.  While on the way, a Harris's Sparrow was reported within Point Pelee.  So, you guessed it, I ended up at Point Pelee too!

The ibis was in its place when I arrived, but a little distant.

It took flight at one point.

Ibis silhouette

I then checked out Hillman shorebird cell but nothing of note was there. It is always a crapshoot, but at least they finally drained some of the water.

Upon arrival at the VC in Point Pelee, I headed to the parking lot where the subject sparrow was being seen.  It was still there.

The rest of the morning was all walking.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are quite plentiful right now.  One wonders where they all go!

Lots of American Ladies and Red Admirals again.

And, Juvenal's Duskywings are having a good year in Pelee for whatever reason.  I counted eight on west beach trail between Dunes and NW Beach.

Quite a few Questionable Marks too.

Last highlight of the day were the 24 Willets on the beach at Wheatley Harbour.

Then it was time to head home, viewing flooded fields.  Down that way, there was a tremendous amount of rain....again!