Winter Walks and a Call Duck

 It is definitely winter!  Unlike the past few years at this time, we are probably experiencing more "normal" weather for this time of year.  I have high hopes that things will be good on the St. Clair River this winter.

This past Monday I walked the south shore nature trail at Mitchell's Bay.  The wind was quite brisk coming off the lake and quite cold, so I did not stay long!

The shallow lake has already frozen over, except farther out where hundreds of geese and swans were resting.  Even some ice fishermen were venturing out already!

There were not many birds along the trail.

Just before I got back to the car, a White-crowned Sparrow briefly popped up.

The next day, I just stopped at various spots along the St. Clair River up to Sombra.  The Saginaw was unloading gravel at Frye's dock beside Fawn Island.  One of the few "classic" lakers left.

By the time I got to Cundick Park, snow started to fall.  There were a few ducks just offshore, and one in particular caught my attention.  I had no idea what it was!

It was associating with Mallards, but was smaller.  It was no duck that I could think of, but later on I decided it was of domestic origin.  Likely a "call duck", which is small and rounded and of domestic origin.  It was like nothing I had seen before, so it had me puzzled at first.

I needed to go father afield on Thursday, so went down to Rondeau.  I had been wanting to walk out marsh trail the last couple of weeks, but every time it was just too windy (and cold) to do so.  Went to plan B.

I checked out the campground, where a few birds were roaming about.  

There was a half decent flock of mixed birds at the south end, including two Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Not the rarities one would hope for!  Even the "yumps" are scarce this year.

I walked south point trail (east) and walked back the beach.  Low water levels have made things interesting, as there is a lot more beach than in recent years.

That mysterious concrete structure is quite prominent.  Likely a remnant of the old campground office at this location.

Here is a series of photos over the years at the same location, showing how the shoreline has retreated.

2022

2024

Farther up the beach, I came across an interesting area.  Although most beach areas have grown, this area has experienced more erosion.

Some trees buried decades ago have been exposed, including this one as shown above.  The upper end is still well buried in the sand.

Bonaparte's Gull

Later on during my walks, I came across an area that has some seed.  Seems it was a spot used for the recent deer herd management.  Lots of birds were attracted to the spot.

Nothing unusual there of course, but I was hoping a Varied Thrush would pop up.  lol.

Today was a gorgeous calm day, and I should have gone farther afield.  I just do not seem to have the ambition to go any distance these days.  Is that an age thing?

I checked out the St. Clair River to Willow Park, then went inland and took a brief walk at Reid C. L.  With the cold weather, snow was very crunchy!

We received more snow than farther south, then rain on top of that.  Then it was a quick freeze, so lots of areas are very icy.  Tricky walking.

Sunday is the first Christmas Bird Count in our area, so I will be at Rondeau Park!  I think the weather will be decent for a change compared to the nonsense we had the last two years.

Stay tuned....