Although there have been some good birds around, migration has certainly been behind what we have been used to in the last few years. The weather has been unseasonably cold, but tomorrow the days will start to warm up. In the last day or so, things have finally picked up.
Tuesday I went to Rondeau on a sunny but cool day. There was good activity around the Bennett and Harrison area.
Walking down Harrison with some birding friends, we encountered an active Summer Tanager.
Many birders were in the area and managed to get a glimpse of this handsome bird.
Seems there are good numbers of Summer Tanagers around this spring, unlike last year. I completely missed the species last year!
Wednesday I was back to Rondeau bright and early.
I was up for a long walk.....all the way to the end of the marsh trail! About a 14+ kilometre round-trip trek for those keeping track.
There was not a huge number of birds, and many that should be around already, were not present.
I only heard one bittern, that of an American, off in the distance.
It was a fine day for a walk.
 |
| The End! |
A lone Trumpeter Swan was near the end. Perhaps a female was on a nest somewhere? We can only speculate at this point.
Noticed this odd tree near the trail.
A mink was hunting for breakfast at one point.
After that long walk, I drove around the park a bit, but did not encounter much. So, it was westward bound!
I stopped by Wheatley Harbour to check the beach. All shorebirds were Ruddy Turnstones (save for one Dunlin). Well over 100.
Hillman Marsh shorebird cell is a must stop at this time of year. Things are constantly changing there. I did not bring a camera in, but birds were a bit distant anyway.
I lucked out in spotting the adult Black-headed Gull at one point. It had been hanging around the area for some time. Somewhat mis-named, the gull's hood is actually a very dark brown.
Also present were six Willets. These large shorebirds are always a treat to observe.
On the way home, I stopped by the Zion Road bluff for a looksee.
Too bad I was not there there next day, as there were thousands of birds moving, including some good rarities!
Yesterday, I stayed fairly close to home. It was a windy, cloudy and very cold day anyway after early morning. The temperature actually dropped during the day.
I did check out Port Lambton and Peers Wetland first thing, before going to a friend's place near Bridgen.
 |
| Magnolia Warbler |
Late in the day, a hummingbird finally visited the nectar feeder, while a Swainson's Thrush scurried around the garden.
Today was volunteer day at the museum, but first-thing I did get some birding done at the south shore trail at Mitchell's Bay. There were a few warblers present, but not like it should be.
Some other birds included:
 |
| Great-crested Flycatcher (not Ash-throated!) |
 |
| Scarlet Tanager |
 |
| Sparrow with a White Crown |
At home this afternoon, I noticed a bright spot at the bird bath in the form of a male Scarlet Tanager.
The bird bath is well-used each day. It has been around a long time, as it was my grandmother's back in the 1960's!
With warm weather setting in and southwest winds, this weekend should bring in the backlog of birds. Birdcast radar looks awesome for Friday night!
 |
| some young birds are already out! |
No comments:
Post a Comment