Foggy Birding on the St. Clair River

 The last few days, I have spent some time along the St. Clair River.  Unfortunately, we have been battling fog the last four days!  On most days, there was no point in going out of the house until noon, and even then it was a challenge at times to see anything.

With the milder weather, the river has opened up and viewing waterfowl has been better. Monday we had sun by mid-day, and here are some scenes.  Canada Geese were in the thousands!

On of the coots was visible at Cathcart Park.

Tuesday started out foggy again.  I went for a walk first thing at Brander Park, Port Lambton.

Then I went farther upriver.  The sun was out for a while.

I finally came across one of those hybrid Redheads at Cundick Park, for this winter.  The most common hybrid we find is Redhead X Ring-necked.  Not the best photo ops though.

Other hybrids out there include Redhead X Canvasback.  Probably others, but one cannot look at every duck!

Lots of other ducks to sort through, but nothing of note. And, very few gulls.

Herring Gull with Canvasback lunch

And some lazy ones....

That day, a Barrow's Goldeneye was spotted off Cathcart Park, so the next day I went out in the fog after lunch and found it.

Perhaps it is the same individual I found at Corunna earlier in the winter.  Probably is, but we can never know that for sure.

There are lots of Ring-necked Ducks along the river this winter.

Some spring migrants are showing up such as blackbirds and gulls.  These Ring-billed Gulls were near Fawn Island.

Today, it was foggy yet again!  I went out anyway, as I am tired of sitting around the house.  The river has really opened up now.  Amazing what a little mild weather will do.

I stopped by Cathcart Park again, and met a fellow birder.  We searched for the Barrow's Goldeneye, but it was just too foggy to find it.

I moved on, and went upriver, where it was better for viewing.  

Duck with a long tail

I found another Redhead X Ring-necked Duck at Courtright.  Not the best photos, but what is new?

On the way back, viewing conditions were a bit better, so I took another look off Cathcart Park.

The Barrow's was finally visible, but a bit too distant.  No sense in taking another poor photo!

I will likely spend more time along the St. Clair River until things  start moving and the weather gets a little better.