Week In Review and OFO Convention

 Lots of birding going on in the last week!  The Ontario Field Ornithologists annual convention was the highlight this past weekend.  Headquartered in Sarnia, it was nice to have it close to home!

Ontario Field Ornithologists logo

Bird sightings are recorded each convention just to see what can be found in the area.  They can be recorded on eBird, sharing with OFO.  On Friday, I toured locally on my own before heading up to Sarnia for the Friday evening event, which is called 'Birds and Beers'.  And yes, beer was available!

I did record Bobolink and White-crowned Sparrow at Wilkesport, first for this year's convention.  The sparrow was the first one of the fall for me.

The meeting was at the Dante Club in Sarnia.  Friday's highlight was the usual bird quiz, put on by Sarah Rupert.  As always, it was frustrating.  But fun!

Field trips are held in the general area.  On Saturday, I chose the heritage forest at Port Franks, led by Jeremy Hatt.  Birds were a bit scarce, but there was enough passing through to keep up our interest.  I did not carry the camera this day.

At L-Lake, we recorded the only Wood Thrush of the weekend.

Afterwards, I checked out the shoals at Kettle Point, then moved on to Sarnia.  One last walk on my own was at the Blackwell Landfill, and north end of Perch Creek Habitat.  I managed to see an Olive-sided Flycatcher, was at the time was first for the convention.  While watching that, a Virginia Rail called behind me!

The evening event was again held at the Dante Club.  As with every year, a Distinguished Ornithologist award is give to some individual.  This year, it was Doug McRae who worked at Presque Isle Provincial Park, among other places.  With a storied career, it was well-deserved.

When the OFO convention was at Kingston many years ago, I camped at the provincial park. I birded with him one morning out to High Bluff Island.

Sunday, I went out on my own, checking out Mitchell's Bay area.  It was fairly good for birds.  I recorded the only Purple Martins and a Long-billed Dowitcher for the convention!

I went to both the south and north shore trails.

Harrier of the north

Not sure if this Brown Thrasher was sending me a message or not....

At the south end, there were many Wilson's Snipe.  Close to twenty, with a flock of 13 at one point.

There is excellent shorebird habitat at the north end, and this is where the dowitcher was.

Long-billed Dowitcher (highly cropped)

Lots of American Pipits were moving Sunday morning.  At least 60 were present on my visit.

This morning, I did the same thing, but there was a lot less bird activity.  

Parula from the north

The dowitcher was not to be seen today.  Lots of Greater Yellowlegs around though.

The potential for a rare heron is high there!  Lots of Great Egrets only.

This afternoon, I went for a short walk at Reid Conservation Lands.  Trees are turning early this fall due to stress from lack of rain.

Hardly a bird, as usual, but I looked for insects.  Highlight was a Metric Paper Wasp, which is apparently critically imperiled.

A few butterflies, including this Peck's Skipper.

Lots of sulphurs today..

Some insects of the past week:

Least Skipper

Lance-tipped Darner

Viceroy

And, a Coyote at Bickford Oak Woods.  I fumbled too much with the camera....

A good week all in all!