Today I had high hopes of seeing lots of birds. It is still a bit early, but there should have been a lot more birds than what I found at Rondeau Park today. I covered quite a bit of ground!
I arrived quite early in order to hear some Whip-poor-wills and timber doodles. As day broke, it was heavily overcast.
I heard a couple of Wood Thrushes, as well as an Ovenbird for first-of-years.
I did a quick check of Keith McLean C. L., but it was extremely windy by that time, and water levels were terribly high. Hardly any birds!
I then ventured over to Erieau to walk the "rail trail". The only new thing was a Blue-winged Warbler which did not want to be photographed.
One or two White-crowned Sparrows are still hanging on there.
It was off to Blenheim Lagoons. Last evening, a young birder (along with his parents) from Wallaceburg found an adult male Summer Tanager along the fence!
I had not heard if it was seen again today, but there were several birders there upon my arrival. I was informed that it was still present, albeit very elusive.
It took some time, but we had brief views of the handsome bird.
We usually see first year males or females in the spring, so this was nice to observe. I think I have only seen one adult male before. It was till showing a little bit of green in the wings, so not quite entirely in full adult plumage.
This past Friday I was at Rondeau. First thing, Steve an I walked the north central block of the park. We did encounter quite a few warblers at one point, including an Orange-crowned atop a tree. I attempted photos....but I think it was trying to tell us something.
I took a long walk out the marsh trail to the half-way point. There were some birds of interest, but none wanted their photo taken.....again!
I started off with a first-of-year Common Yellowthroat. Shortly afterwards, an Eastern Kingbird made an appearance. It tied the early dates in the county except for one a number of years ago that seen on the 19th (eBird records only).
An early Warbling Vireo made an appearance not far from the late one I saw last fall.
Farther along, I encountered a flighty White-eyed Vireo.
Some Northern Yellow Warblers were along the way. For some reason, quite a few came in this year quite early all over.
Next day, I started at Mitchell's Bay. Nothing of note, so I continued on to Blenheim. The weather got crappier as I went!
An early Wilson's Phalarope was at Blenheim lagoons. Conditions were terrible with drizzle and fog and wind.
Since I was that far, I continued on to Erieau where a Piping Plover was on the beach of the tip of the Rondeau spit. Two had been found the previous evening there.
Only one remained, but it took a while to find it. It was too far off to try for a photo. This bird appeared unbanded.
Here is a photo of another at Rondeau in the past.
Sunday was a rather nice day. I started at Mitchell's Bay on the south shore nature trail. A Black-crowned Night-Heron was right near the parking lot.
There was not much out on the lake.
In the afternoon, I took a walk at Reid C. L.
Large-flowered Bellwort was coming along nicely, albeit a very common plant.
Also looked at the Twinleaf patch.
Surprisingly, not much in the way of butterflies.
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| American Painted-Lady |
Yesterday, I went a little later in the morning to Mitchell's Bay. Still not much in the way of birds!
Turtles were taking advantage of the warm sun.
Next couple of days are going to be rather cold. Par for the course this spring.....one extreme to the next!
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