This past week was quite damp with fog, drizzle, rain and even some wet snow. Wind changed direction several times, having an influence as to where I went! With the damp weather, there was not much in the way of birding, let alone photography.
It was quite mild at times. Frogs singing included many spring peepers, and even a Chorus Frog!
Tuesday I went to Rondeau on strong SE winds. The lakewatch at dog beach had potential with lots of ducks moving. Naturally, Red-breasted Mergansers were the most numerous and tallied over 24,000 during my watch.
Afterwards, I walked quite a few spots in the park. Highlight was a roosting Eastern Red Bat! It was in an odd spot I thought, right out in the open, hanging on a thin twig of a shrub. How I noticed it was simply a miracle.
I no luck in photographing any birds, as they were quite active in poor light. A tardy Common Yellowthroat was near the start of marsh trail. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that will attempt to winter, was still in the campground.
Just before dark (it gets dark too early now!), a Chipping Sparrow showed up at the backyard feeder. Been a while since I have had one this late here. A Lark Sparrow would have been more interesting.....
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| (taken through a window) |
Wednesday was essentially fog and rain all day. I managed a walk at Mitchell's Bay and Peers Wetland in the morning during a break in the weather, but it was foggy. Actually there was less fog on Lake St. Clair!
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| Peers Wetland |
A Lambton Wildlife meeting was scheduled that evening, so I thought I might do some birding around Sarnia. NOT! It rained the whole time, so I spent most of the time in the car and driving around aimlessly! Not doing that again....
Thursday was another dismal day, but by that night, the wind had switched to the NW and was stiff. That signaled a visit to Lake Huron at Sarnia on Friday!
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| View from the parking lot |
A good number of birders showed up for a lakewatch, but the weather was miserable with mostly rain and drizzle. However, it was a good day for birds. Lots of gulls.
The highlight was a Black-legged Kittiwake. Finally one showed up (and four were at Bright's Grove as reported by Ken Burrell). They had been absent this fall until now.
Our bird was an adult, which is quite rare in our area of the Great Lakes. I have only seen one other adult (at Van Wagner's Beach) in all the year's I have been birding. Paul Pratt (also present) remarked that it was only the second one he has seen on the lakes as well. However, it was too far out for photo attempts.
We also saw two adult Little Gulls, and not much variety in ducks. Red-breasted Merganser was the most common besides Long-tailed.
Another highlight was a Short-eared Owl. It circled aimlessly (as they often do) behind us and even came overhead at one point. It was extremely backlit though.
As mentioned before, it has been a good fall for Short-eared sightings.
I left about noon, but some others stayed to tally a Red Phalarope! Cannot get 'em all.
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| Algoma Compass downbound |
Today, we had another NW wind, but lighter. I figured it would not be as good of a day at Sarnia. I have learned that most times when we have a good day, the next day is not so good!
However, farther north at Ipperwash, there was an impressive loon migration with over 1000 seen in about five hours. Interesting how some decide to move en masse.
I opted to go to Rondeau today. There were not a lot of birds around, but it was pleasant. The lake was very quiet for moving ducks and gulls.
South point trail revealed quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, for whatever reason. I managed to come across a Pine Warbler at one point, so that was the highlight of the day.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was still hanging around the campground. Seems we get one every year that wants to try and spend the winter!
This Eastern Bluebird posed at one point, but I could not get a focus on it, except when it turned away. Today was another one that I had no luck with the camera!
When I arrived home, a female Purple Finch was at the feeder. Not often I get any staying here.
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| (taken through a window) |
More seasonal weather is soon coming...and hopefully some rarities.
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